Abstract: An objective optical system for ATR measurement is provided with a housing, in the interior, an ATR crystal that is transparent in visible light and has a semispherical surface through which light enters; an infrared optical member for irradiating a sample with infrared light at an angle that is equal to or greater than the critical angle; a visible light irradiation optical member which is disposed in the interior of the casing and which irradiates the sample with visible light from an angle less than the critical angle; and an observation optical member which is disposed on a position that is offset from the reflection angle relative to the angle at which the visible light enters the sample and which guides the scattering light from the sample to an observation device. As a consequence, it is possible to clearly observe the position of a sample subjected to ATR measurement.

Abstract: A mercury detection system that includes a flow cell having a mercury sensor, a light source and a light detector is provided. The mercury sensor includes a transparent substrate and a submonolayer of mercury absorbing nanoparticles, e.g., gold nanoparticles, on a surface of the substrate. Methods of determining whether mercury is present in a sample using the mercury sensors are also provided. The subject mercury detection systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including mercury detecting applications.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a substrate (100) having a first surface (105) and a second surface (110) is described. The first surface has at least one sensor site (115) provided thereon. The substrate is configured such that on excitation of a sample provided at the sensor site, luminescence originating from the sensor site propagates into the substrate, the second surface of the substrate being configured to selectively transmit the luminescence propagating within the substrates at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate where it may be detected by a detector (160) provided below the substrate.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.

Abstract: An approach for characterizing an optical near field transducer (NFT) involves providing excitation radiation to the NFT. The NFT emits photoluminescent radiation in response to the excitation radiation. The output radiation from the NFT is filtered so that a portion of the photoluminescent radiation emitted by the NFT passes through the filter and the excitation radiation is substantially blocked. A detector detects the portion of photoluminescent radiation and outputs an electrical signal in response to detection of the portion of photoluminescent radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-assembled helical metallic complex of formula (1): [M1M2M3(L1)3] (1) said metallic complex forming a triad donor (M1)/acceptor (M2)/donor (M3), wherein the efficiency of the intermolecular energy transfer between the pair of donors (M\) and (M3) to the acceptor (M2) is from 30% to 70% and the L1 ligand-field strength of the donors (M1) and (M3) is at least 19000 cm?1.

Abstract: For the purpose of tracking a movement of a particle in a sample, the particle is driven by light to emit photons, and the photons emitted by the particle are detected. The light applied to the sample features a light intensity distribution with a spatially limited minimum. The particle is tracked with the minimum of the light intensity distribution by moving the light intensity distribution with respect to the sample such that a rate of photons emitted by the particle remains minimal, and by taking an actual position of the minimum of the light intensity distribution in the sample as an actual position of the particle in the sample.

Abstract: FRET measurement uses a FRET probe that includes a probe element X containing a donor fluorescent substance and a probe element Y containing an acceptor fluorescent substance and enables FRET to occur when the probe element X and the probe element Y approach to each other or bind together. The modulation frequency of laser light with which the FRET probe is irradiated is adjusted to an optimum modulation frequency that maximizes a difference between the phase difference of donor fluorescence emitted from the donor fluorescent substance with respect to intensity modulation of the laser light at the time when FRET occurs and the phase difference of donor fluorescence emitted from the donor fluorescent substance with respect to intensity modulation of the laser light at the time when FRET does not occur.

Abstract: Aligning measurements of fluorescent spectral radiance factors taken by a first instrument with measurements of fluorescent spectral radiance factors taken by a second instrument, without knowledge of the matrix of bispectral luminescent radiance factor of any sample, includes obtaining a fluorescent spectral radiance factor of a reference sample, measured by the first instrument, obtaining the fluorescent spectral radiance factor of the reference sample, measured by the second instrument, obtaining a fluorescent spectral radiance factor of a test sample, measured by the first instrument, and estimating the fluorescent spectral radiance factor of the test sample that would be measured by the second instrument, based on the fluorescent spectral radiance factor of a reference sample, measured by the first instrument, on the fluorescent spectral radiance factor of the reference sample, measured by the second instrument, and on the fluorescent spectral radiance factor of the test sample, measured by the first ins

Abstract: Various improvements to inflatable membranes for use in three-dimensional imaging of interior spaces are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, equipping the inflatable membrane with desirable optical features, such as fiducials, optical coatings, etc., that can be used to improve data acquisition.

Abstract: Nanocrystals having an indium-based core and methods for making them and using them to construct core-shell nanocrystals are described. These core-shell nanocrystals are highly stable and provide higher quantum yields than known nanocrystals of similar composition, and they provide special advantages for certain applications because of their small size.

Abstract: A microfluidic system has a monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano-scale elements for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels. Advantageously, low-volume consumption, rapid low-cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts, mass production, and in situ label-free real-time detection of cellular response, viability, behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques can be provided. A ratio of greater than 0.2 of the cross-sectional dimension and the spacing between the nano-scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring. Producing such a system involves a master mold with the nano-scale elements etched into a hard substrate, and the network provided in a soft membrane bonded to the hard substrate. A stamp may be created by setting a settable liquid polymer or metal placed in the master mold. Features of the intended device can be transferred to a polymeric substrate using the stamp.

Abstract: An analytical assembly within a unified device structure for integration into an analytical system. The analytical assembly is scalable and includes a plurality of analytical devices, each of which includes a reaction cell, an optical sensor, and at least one optical element positioned in optical communication with both the reaction cell and the sensor and which delivers optical signals from the cell to the sensor. Additional elements are optionally integrated into the analytical assembly. Methods for forming and operating the analytical system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optics collection and detection systems are provided for measuring optical signals from an array of optical sources over time. Methods of using the optics collection and detection systems are also described.

Abstract: An indicator composition can be used to detect various environmental conditions stimuli such as in sterilization or storage processes. This indicator composition has a) a first polymeric particle comprising a solid continuous polymeric phase and a first reactant, the first polymeric particle having a mode particle size equal to or less than 50 ?m; and b) a second reactant outside of the first polymeric particle, which second reactant is capable of reacting with the first reactant when exposed to a chosen environmental condition stimulus. The indicator composition can be used by exposing it to the environmental condition stimulus for a sufficient time to cause a detectable change in the indicator composition such as a detectable color change.

Abstract: An ammonia gas detection apparatus includes an ammonia sensor that is configured to detect an ammonia gas in a gas stream and to generate a first output signal when the ammonia gas is detected in the gas stream. The ammonia sensor does not detect the ammonia gas in the gas stream when the gas stream further includes an interference gas that disrupts operation of the ammonia sensor. A discoloration gauge includes a reaction solution that changes from a first color to a second color responsive to exposure to the ammonia gas in the gas stream, regardless of the presence of the interference gas, and a detector that generates a second output signal responsive to the reaction solution changing from the first color to the second color. A communication interface outputs the first and second output signal to a host computer that detects presence of the ammonia gas.

Abstract: A pH measuring method includes: illuminating a medium solution, which includes: a first material; and a second material, with a plurality of light beams, which includes: a first light beam, a wavelength of which corresponds to a first absorption peak; a second light beam, a wavelength of which corresponds to a second absorption peak or a second convergence point; a third light beam, a wavelength of which corresponds to a third absorption peak or a third convergence point; and a fourth light beam, a wavelength of the fourth light beam at which an absorbance of at least one of the first and second materials is converged irrespective of a pH; receiving transmitted or reflected light beams of the first to fourth light beams; measuring absorbances at the wavelengths of the received light beams respectively; and calculating a pH of the medium solution based on the absorbances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting the integrity of a sealed package are described. A system can include an inspection station and a control unit. The inspection station can include a scanning platform, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner can measure a first distance from the first scanner to the seal and the second scanner can measure a second distance from second scanner to the seal. The control unit can move the package to a first station or a second station based on the difference between a gap distance and combined first distance and second distance. A method of inspecting the integrity of a seal using any of the embodiments of the inspection system are described.

Abstract: A defect inspection method and device for irradiating a linear region on a surface-patterned sample mounted on a table, with illumination light from an inclined direction to the sample, next detecting in each of a plurality of directions an image of the light scattered from the sample irradiated with the illumination light, then processing signals obtained by the detection of the images of the scattered light, and thereby detecting a defect present on the sample; wherein the step of detecting the scattered light image in the plural directions is performed through oval shaped lenses in which elevation angles of the optical axes thereof are different from each other, within one plane perpendicular to a plane formed by the normal to the surface of the table on which to mount the sample and the longitudinal direction of the linear region irradiated with the irradiation light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a wafer are provided. One system includes an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate the wafer; a collection subsystem configured to collect light scattered from the wafer and to preserve the polarization of the scattered light; an optical element configured to separate the scattered light collected in different segments of the collection numerical aperture of the collection subsystem, where the optical element is positioned at a Fourier plane or a conjugate of the Fourier plane of the collection subsystem; a polarizing element configured to separate the scattered light in one of the different segments into different portions of the scattered light based on polarization; and a detector configured to detect one of the different portions of the scattered light and to generate output responsive to the detected light, which is used to detect defects on the wafer.

Abstract: Generally discussed herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods that can detect a defect in a die. According to an example, a method can include transmitting a first beam of light with a wavelength and optical power configured to produce a reflected beam with at least one milli-Watt of power, linearly polarizing the first beam of light in a specific direction, circularly polarizing the linearly polarized light by a quarter wavelength to create circularly polarized light, directing the circularly polarized light to a device under test, linearly polarizing light reflected off the device under test by a quarter wavelength, or creating an image of the linearly polarized light reflected off the device under test.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a glass substrate is provided, which comprises at least one support arm including an optical sensor that senses incident light and supporting the glass substrate, and a control portion determining whether the glass substrate and the optical sensor overlap each other or a state of the glass substrate based on characteristics of the light sensed by the optical sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the examination and inspection of integrated devices such as integrated circuits. X-rays are transmitted through the integrated device, and are incident on a photoemissive structure that absorbs x-rays and emits electrons. The electrons emitted by the photoemissive structure are shaped by an electron optical system to form a magnified image of the emitted electrons on a detector. This magnified image is then recorded and processed. In some embodiments, the integrated device and photoemissive structure are independently mounted and controlled. In other embodiments, the photoemissive device is deposited directly onto the integrated device. In some embodiments, the incidence angle of the x-rays is varied to allow internal three-dimensional structures of the integrated device to be determined. In other embodiments, the recorded image is compared with a reference data to enable inspection for manufacturing quality control.

Abstract: A method of estimating chordal holdup values of gas, oil, and water (?G, ?O, ?W) for tomographic imaging of a three-phase flow through a volume, including: providing an X-ray source for irradiating through said volume and X-ray sensors for discriminating between a first and a second radiation bands, conducting first calibration measurements (IGS, IOS, IWS) of said first radiation band, conducting second calibration measurements (IGH, IOH, IWH) of said second radiation band, arranging a mixture of two or more fluids, irradiating said volume and conducting X-ray measurements (IS, IH) in said radiation bands, establishing a relationship between a function of holdup values f(?G, ?W) of at least gas and water and said X-ray measurements (IS, IH), searching holdup values (?G, ?W) that minimize said function of holdup values f(?G, ?W) under the constraints of the sum of said holdup values is more than or equal to zero and less than or equal to one, i.e. that 0??G+?W?1.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a substance analyzer unit includes: a source of neutrons; an opening arranged with respect to the source of neutrons to receive a substance; and a detector housing having (i) a detector configured and arranged to receive gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by the substance, and (ii) electronics coupled with the detector within the detector housing, wherein the electronics are configured to receive and process analog signals from the detector and output digital detection signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating energy loss in a polymeric material, wherein the method provides sufficient evaluation of the difference in performance between samples with excellent measurement accuracy; a method for evaluating chipping resistance of a polymeric material, wherein the method provides evaluation in a short period of time and at low cost with excellent measurement accuracy; and a method for evaluating abrasion resistance of a polymeric material, wherein the method provides sufficient evaluation of the difference in performance between samples with excellent measurement accuracy. The present invention relates to methods for evaluating energy loss, chipping resistance, and abrasion resistance of a polymeric material, and the methods include irradiating the polymeric material with X-rays or neutrons to perform X-ray scattering measurement or neutron scattering measurement.

Abstract: An adjustable collimator for shaping a beam of particles, such as for purposes of inspecting contents of a container. The adjustable collimator has an obscuring element substantially opaque to passage of the particles in a propagation direction that is radial with respect to the axis of rotation of a ring of apertures. A gap in the obscuring element may be characterized by a length taken along a long dimension and a jaw spacing taken along narrow dimension, and at least one of the length of the gap and the jaw spacing is subject to adjustment, either manual or automatic. The adjustable collimator may be disposed either inside or outside the ring of apertures, and, in some embodiments, the jaw spacing may be a function of distance along the long dimension relative to an edge of the gap.

Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence analyzer is provided which comprises: (1) an X-ray source selected to produce an intense X-ray beam, (2) a first optical element that focuses the X-ray beam produced by the X-ray source onto a sample and selects X-rays of a desired energy, (3) an energy resolving detector, and (4) a second optical element that receives fluorescent X-rays emitted from elements in the sample and focuses a selected energy range of said fluorescent X-rays onto said energy resolving detector. Each of the first and second optical elements includes a crystal component. The X-ray fluorescence analyzer is configured such that: (i) the X-ray source has a spot size dimensioned so that it is substantially in a field of view of the first optical element, and (ii) the first optical element focuses the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source onto an area of the sample that corresponds to a field-of-view of the second optical element.

Abstract: The method of steel grade determination for a steel material having a substantially circular cross-section comprise: a detection step in which while a measurement section 2 including an irradiation section 21 for performing X-ray irradiation and a detection section 22 for detecting fluorescent X-rays is relatively moved along an outer peripheral surface of the steel material 4 with respect to the steel material for a predetermined time period necessary for analysis, the steel material is irradiated with X-rays from the irradiation section, and fluorescent X-rays radiated from the steel material are detected by the detection section; a calculation step of calculating a composition of the steel material based on fluorescent X-rays detected in the detection step; and a determination step of determining a steel grade of the steel material according to the composition calculated in the calculation step.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the monitoring of thermodynamic properties of reservoir fluids. The technique utilizes a modular sensor assembly designed to evaluate a sample of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid within a cell body. A variety of sensors may be selectively placed into communication with a sample chamber within the cell body to evaluate the sample at potentially high pressures and temperatures. The sensors may comprise a density-viscosity sensor located in-situ to efficiently measure both the density and viscosity of the sample as a function of pressure and temperature. Other sensors, such as an optic sensor, may also be positioned to measure parameters of the sample while the sample is retained in the sample chamber.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting one or more materials includes a substrate, a passivation layer formed on the substrate, a self-resonant structure and a high surface area material disposed on the passivation layer. The self-resonant structure includes a planar spiral inductor and a plurality of planar interdigitated capacitor electrodes disposed within the passivation layer. The planar spiral inductor includes an electrically conductive trace formed on the substrate in a planar spiral pattern having at least two turns and an inter-winding space between parallel segments of the electrically conductive trace. The plurality of planar interdigitated capacitor electrodes are electrically connected to the electrically conductive trace of the planar spiral inductor and formed on the substrate within the inter-winding space of at least one outermost turn of the planar spiral inductor. The high surface area material includes a conformal polymer coating to increase a sensitivity to the one or more materials.

Abstract: A method for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises providing the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure that is associated with a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from the first magnitude. A controller is used to control an electrical probe to measure the electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the substrate. The measured electrical characteristic corresponds to the alignment structure when the probe is proximate to the alignment structure and to the substrate when the probe is not proximate to the alignment structure. The measured electrical characteristics are used to identify a location of the alignment structure. The second pattern is formed so that it is in registration with the first pattern, based on the identified location of the alignment structure.

Abstract: A system for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The system comprises the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure. The alignment structure has a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from that of the substrate. An advancing mechanism is used for moving the substrate. A probe is used for measuring an electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the moving substrate. A controller is used for interpreting the measured electrical characteristic as a function of position for identifying a location of the alignment structure. A first patterning station is used for forming the second pattern on a surface of the substrate in registration with the first pattern based on the identified location of the alignment structure.

Abstract: A wearable article for wearing by a user and comprising wetness sensing electrodes, wherein the wetness sensing electrodes are to be in contact with a wetting electrolytic liquid during normal use when the wearable article is wetted by the electrolytic liquid, and to operate as a capacitor upon application of a direct current at contact terminals of the wetness sensing electrodes when so wetted to facilitate capacitance measurement through the wetness sensing electrodes whereby wetness information of the wearable article is provided.

Abstract: Improvements in references electrodes, halogen sensors, pH sensors, TDS sensors, combinations thereof, and related methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor port configured to receive a plurality of analyte sensors having different sizes, shapes and/or electrode configurations. Also provided are analyte meters, analyte monitoring devices and/or systems and drug delivery devices and/or systems utilizing the disclosed sensor ports.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: An analytical test strip can include a patterned definition layer defining two fluidically-separated sample cells having respective ports, a common electrode arranged over the definition layer and in electrical communication with each of the cells, and respective cell electrodes. Surface portions of each electrode can be exposed. A method for testing a fluid sample using such a strip includes receiving a first fluid sample in the first sample cell and detecting a first electrical property thereof. It is then determined whether a second fluid sample should be added to the other sample cell. An analyte measurement system can include such a strip and test meter to receive the strip. The test meter can detect respective electrical properties of fluid samples in the cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide sensor able to function in harsh environment, conditions. The carbon dioxide sensor can include a gate-less field effect transistor including a synthetic, quasi-intrinsic, hydrogen-passivated, single-crystal diamond layer exhibiting a 2-dimension hole gas effect, and a sensing layer comprising both a polymer and a hygroscopic material deposited onto a surface of the gate-less field effect transistor.

Abstract: A monitoring method of metal ions or oxygen ions applicable to a high concentration non-aqueous electrolyte includes: applying a potential in a non-aqueous electrolyte to obtain current information with respect to the potential; varying the potential applied in the non-aqueous electrolyte containing metal ion concentration or oxygen ion concentration such that the metal ion concentration or the oxygen ion concentration is maintained in spite of the potential being applied; detecting a linear relationship among the concentration, the current, and passed charges in the non-aqueous electrolyte by repeatedly performing the obtaining step and the varying step, while changing the concentration; and calculating metal ion concentration or oxygen ion concentration of the non-aqueous electrolyte in pyroprocessing of the non-aqueous electrolyte by using the linear relationship.

Abstract: A semi-dry, one step electroblot transfer buffer composition for rapid transfer of proteins or polypeptides from polyacrylamide gel to a suitable membrane such as nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). The composition contains components that minimized electrical resistance and enabled high efficiency rapid semi-dry transfer using conventional readily available filter paper, i.e., cotton cellulose fiber.

Abstract: Particular disclosed embodiments disclosed herein concern using a one or more various mass tags, which can be specifically deposited at targets through direct or indirect enzymatic-catalyzed transformation, to provide a method for identifying targets in tissue samples. The mass tags may be labeled with stable isotopes to produce mass tags having the same chemical structure but different masses. Mass codes produced by ionizing the mass tags are detected and/or quantified using mass spectrometry. The method can be used for multiplexed detection of multiple targets in a particular sample. In some embodiments, a map divided into sections representing sections of the tissue sample may be prepared, with the map sections including data corresponding to quantification data wherein the size of a mass peak is determined and correlated with the amount of a target for the corresponding tissue sample section.

Abstract: A biological information acquiring system includes a biological information acquiring apparatus having a biological information acquiring section, and a magnetic field generation section, and the biological information acquiring apparatus includes: a power source section which supplies power for driving the biological information acquiring section; a magnetic field detection section which outputs a magnetic field detection signal according to a detection result of a magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generation section; a first switching control section which performs control an on/off state of a first switch section connected to the power source section based on an output state of the magnetic field detection signal; and a second switching control section which performs control the on/off state of a second switch section connected between the first switch section and the biological information acquiring section, based on the output state of the magnetic field detection signal.

Abstract: A magnetic testing apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises: a first magnetizing device 1 for applying a DC bias magnetic field to a test object P in substantially parallel to the direction in which a flaw F to be detected extends; a second magnetizing device 2 for applying an AC magnetic field to the test object P substantially perpendicularly to the direction in which the flaw F to be detected extends; and a detecting device 3 for detecting leakage flux produced by the magnetization of the test object P accomplished by the first magnetizing device 1 and the second magnetizing device 2.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting analytes, a method of making the sensor, and a method of using the sensor. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises at least one array comprising a plurality of resonators. The resonators can be arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and can be connected in a combined series-parallel configuration. The resonators can be adapted to vibrate independently at about the same resonance frequency and about the same phase. The sensor can also comprise an actuator and a signal detector electrically coupled to the array. The sensor can also further comprise an analyte delivery system and can be functionalized for detection of at least one analyte.

Abstract: To obtain ambient sound velocity of a subject with high accuracy in a ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus. In an ambient sound velocity obtaining method that transmits ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic probe, receives reflected waves reflected by a subject to obtain received signals, performs a receive focusing process on the received signals using receive delay times based on a plurality of sound velocity settings to obtain in-phase sum signals with respect to each sound velocity setting, and obtains an ambient sound velocity of the subject based on the in-phase sum signals with respect to each sound velocity setting, the in-phase sum signals with respect to each sound velocity setting is separated into an in-phase sum signal corresponding to a boundary portion in the subject and an in-phase sum signal corresponding to portions other than the boundary portion, an index is obtained based on at least either one of the in-phase sum signals, and the ambient sound velocity is obtained based on the index.

Abstract: Herein are described methods and systems for the automatic measurement of the mass of an object. An example method may begin with detecting by a computing device (such as a wearable computing device) an action that corresponds to a mass-measurement mode. In response to detecting the action, the computing device is caused to operate in the mass-measurement mode. The mass-measurement mode may involve receiving a motion-sensor signal from at least one motion sensor, determining a difference between a frequency-component magnitude of at least one given frequency component and a predetermined frequency-component magnitude, determining a mass of an object based on at least the determined difference between the frequency-component magnitude of the at least one given frequency component from the predetermined frequency-component magnitude, and causing an output device to provide an indication of the determined mass of the object.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle for inspecting a substantially cylindrical object composed of a magnetizable material includes a chassis. A plurality of wheels is disposed on the chassis so as to be rotatable and is configured to move the chassis in a circumferential direction along an external surface of the cylindrical object, at least some of the plurality of wheels being motor-drivable. The plurality of wheels is disposed so as to provide a chassis clearance allowing a movement of the chassis over an obstruction on the external surface of the cylindrical object. A magnetic device is disposed on the chassis and is configured to hold the vehicle on the external surface of the cylindrical object.

Abstract: A method for generating vibration and measuring vibration properties of a structure, such as information equipment, micro-electrco/mechanical systems, and large-equipment, using a non-contact type laser excitation in a non-contact type vibration property measurement system.

Abstract: A valve for use in high-performance liquid chromatography has a spherical seat and a ball that, when it abuts against the seat, constrains a fluid from flowing through the valve and is capable of moving axially in order to allow the fluid to flow through the valve. The spherical seat has beveled outer faces in order that a force acting on the valve along the axial direction will generate a force acting on the ball. The inclination of the beveled outer face is such that a force acting on the ball counteracts a force exerted on the spherical seat by the ball and essentially compensates it.