Abstract: Apparatus and method for optical spectroscopy and/or imaging with a variable fiber offset. An optical probe includes one or more first optical fibers, one or more second optical fibers, and one or more actuators. The first optical fibers are to deliver light to an object. The second optical fibers are to collect light emitted from the object. The actuators are configured to change a distance between the first optical fibers and the second optical fiber while the object is being illuminated by light emitted from the first optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a mesoporous silica thin film with perpendicular nanochannels on a substrate, a process of forming the same and the application in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, a gold nanoparticle array on a mesoporous silica material with perpendicular nanochannels and the process of forming the same is also present in the invention.

Abstract: A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.

Abstract: Liquid activated ink formulations comprising a liquid activated dye, a hydrochromic ionic compound, an opacifier, and a solvent.

Abstract: Continuous on-line thin film measurements employ a sensor having a spectrometer for interferometric measurements and a stack of single channel detectors for adsorption measurements. The stack is separated from the spectrometer, which analyzes radiation that emerges (transmitted pass or reflected from) the film, whereas the stack analyzes radiation that has passed through the film multiple times. The spectrometer is (i) positioned directly opposite the source of radiation so that it detects transmitted radiation or (ii) disposed on the same side of the film as is the source of radiation so that the spectrometer detects radiation that is specularly reflected from the film. The sensor includes a broadband radiation source emitting visible to far infrared light which propagates through a measurement cell defined by reflective surfaces exhibiting Lambertian-type scattering. The sensor is capable of measuring thin plastic films with thicknesses down to 1 micron or less.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing the chemical cleanliness of a part, comprising submerging a part in one of a polar and a non-polar solvent, allowing the part to dry after submersion in the one of the polar and the non-polar solvent, submerging the part in the other of the polar and non-polar solvent, allowing the part to dry after submersion in the other of the polar and the non-polar solvent, analyzing the part according to a chemical cleanliness test comprising comparing a size of a contamination area of the part to a maximum size, responding to the contamination area being smaller than the maximum size by identifying the part as acceptable, and responding to the contamination area being larger than the maximum size by identifying the part as unacceptable.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the uniformity of a material includes selecting a set of size scales at which to measure uniformity within an area of interest in an image of the material; suppressing features in the image smaller than a selected size scale of interest within the set of size scales; dividing the image into patches equal to the size scale of interest; and calculating a uniformity value within each patch.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) substrate inspection system and method of manufacturing thereof, includes: an EUV source directing EUV illumination through an aperture; a light detector detecting mask illumination with reduced off axis rays reflected off from a substrate; and a computing device processing image data detected by the light detector.

Abstract: An egg inspection apparatus to perform egg inspection based on the presence of adherence of protein to an eggshell is provided. According to the present invention, an egg inspection apparatus is provided that includes: a light radiating unit to radiate radiation light including an ultraviolet light component having a wavelength in an ultraviolet region to an eggshell surface of an egg subjected to inspection; a light receiving unit to receive reflection light reflecting from the eggshell surface out of the radiation light; and a determination unit to determine a state of adherence of protein to the eggshell surface based on the ultraviolet light component out of the reflection light received by the light receiving unit.

Abstract: A lithographic manufacturing system produces periodic structures with feature sizes less than 10 nm and a direction of periodicity (D). A beam of radiation (1904) having a range of wavelengths in the EUV spectrum (1-100 nm or 1-150 nm) is focused into a spot (S) of around 5 ?m diameter. Reflected radiation (1908) is broken into a spectrum (1910) which is captured (1913) to obtain a target spectrum signal (ST). A reference spectrum is detected (1914) to obtain a reference spectrum signal (SR). Optionally a detector (1950) is provided to obtain a further spectrum signal (SF) using radiation diffracted at first order by the grating structure of the target. The angle of incidence (?) and azimuthal angle (?) are adjustable. The signals (ST, SR, SF) obtained at one or more angles are used to calculate measured properties of the target, for example CD and overlay.

Abstract: An erosion detector for an exterior aircraft lighting device is configured for detecting the state of erosion of an at least partially transparent cover of an exterior aircraft lighting device and includes: at least one light source, which is configured for radiating light onto the at least partially transparent cover; at least one light detection element, which is configured for detecting light reflected by the at least partially transparent cover and for providing a corresponding detection signal; and an evaluation unit, which is configured for evaluating the detection signal for determining the state of erosion of the at least partially transparent cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for accurately and easily measuring/evaluating/predicting/estimating the electrical resistance of an oxide semiconductor thin film, and a method for managing the film quality. The method for evaluating an oxide semiconductor thin film includes: a first step for irradiating, with excitation light and microwave, a sample on which an oxide semiconductor thin film is formed, measuring the maximum value of the reflected microwave by the thin film which changes due to the excitation light irradiation, then stopping the excitation light irradiation and measuring the change in reflectivity of the microwave from the thin film after the excitation light irradiation has been stopped; and a second step for calculating a parameter corresponding to the slow decay observed after the excitation light irradiation has been stopped from the change in the reflectivity and evaluating the electrical resistivity of the oxide semiconductor thin film.

Abstract: An inspection method include introducing a mixture of expanding foam and a particulate material into a region of interest of an object, fixing the powder within the region of the interest relative to the object, and acquiring image data of the object and particulate mixture using an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The particulate has a density that is greater than the density of a material forming the object to provide contrast between the region of interest and the object in an image generated using the image data.

Abstract: To observe an elastic material under a dynamically deformed state. [Solution] A method for observing deformation of an elastic material 1 including rubber or elastomer, and an apparatus for capturing a projection image of the elastic material suitably used therefor. The observing method includes: a projection image obtaining step S1 of capturing a projection image of at least a part of the elastic material 1, from a direction perpendicular to an arbitrary axis of the elastic material 1, at a plurality of capture positions P around the axis; a three-dimensional image constructing step S2 of constructing a three-dimensional image 51 of the elastic material 1 from the projection images, and a step of observing the three-dimensional image 51.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracing circuitry on integrated circuits using focused ion beam based imaging techniques. A first component or node on an integrated circuit is coupled to a second component or node on the same integrated circuit. After an external bias is applied to the first component or node, a focused ion beam is applied to the integrated circuit and an image is taken using an electron detector. The features or components on the integrated circuit which are coupled to the second component or node will show up in high contrast on the resulting image. The method may also involve applying a bias to a node or component and then using focused ion beam imaging techniques (through an electron detector) to arrive at an image of the integrated circuit. Components coupled to the node will appear in high contrast in the resulting image.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a method to map a thermal profile of a composite structure during curing in at least one of manufacture or repair of the composite structure. The system has a thermochromatic witness assembly having a first series of probes with a thermochromatic material applied either to a composite lay-up, or applied to a removable material adjacent the composite lay-up. The system further has a process assembly with a heat source to cure the thermochromatic witness assembly to form the composite structure. The system further has a light source to activate the thermochromatic material of the first series of probes to prompt an onset of color changes in the thermochromatic material to determine one or more maximum temperatures of the composite structure, to map the thermal profile of the composite structure during curing in at least one of manufacture or repair of the composite structure.

Abstract: A nitride semiconductor device includes: a conductive substrate; a first nitride semiconductor which is formed on the substrate and contains Ga or Al; an electron supply layer which is formed in contact with the first nitride semiconductor layer and is made of a second nitride semiconductor having a different composition from that of the first nitride semiconductor layer in an interface between the electron supply layer and the first nitride semiconductor layer; and a source, a gate and a drain or an anode and a cathode which are formed on a front surface of the substrate, wherein the first nitride semiconductor layer has a thickness of w or more, a deep acceptor concentration distribution NDA(z) and a shallow acceptor concentration distribution NA(z), which satisfy the following equations (1) to (3): ? 0 w ? { E c ? ( x ) - ? 0 w ? q ? ( N DA ? ( z ) + N A ? ( z ) ) ? 0 ? ? } ? ? ? z ? ? V b ( 1 ) E c ? ( x ) = 3.

Abstract: One example includes a sensor for sensing NOX, including an electrically insulating substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed onto the substrate, wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrode has a first end configured to receive a current and a second end and a sensor element formed of nickel oxide powder, the sensor element disposed on the substrate in electrical communication with the second ends of the first electrode and the second electrode. In some examples, electronics are used to measure the change in electrical resistance of a sensor in association with NOx concentration near the sensor. In some examples, the sensor is maintained at 575° C.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device comprises a circuit board, an electrical component, and a measurement unit. The circuit board has a first face. The electrical component includes a second face electrically connected to the first face via a bonding material, a first end in a first direction along the second face, and a second end. The second end is opposite to the first end in the first direction. The measurement unit is configured to measure a characteristic changing depending on a conductivity of the bonding material. A first distance between the first face and the first end is shorter than a second distance between the first face and the second end. The measurement unit includes a first measurement unit configured to measure the characteristic of a part of the bonding material. The part is adjacent to the first end.

Abstract: The present invention relates devices and methods using swipe detection. A swipeable computer of the present invention comprises a capacitive detector having an output, a switchable magnetic field sensor having an output, a memory unit, and a logic unit. The memory unit stores a standard capacitance change and a standard magnetic field change. The logic unit is electrically connected to the capacitive detector output, the switchable magnetic field sensor, the switchable magnetic field sensor output, and the memory unit. The logic unit of the swipeable computer is adapted to determine if the capacitive detector output corresponds to the standard capacitance change, to enable the switchable magnetic field sensor if the change in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change, and to determine if the switchable magnetic field sensor output corresponds to the standard magnetic field change.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor apparatus and electrochemical sensing method are described, using one or more working electrodes (110) of boron doped diamond (BDD). A cathodic reduction process provides a cathodic measurement and, substantially simultaneously, an anodic oxidation process provides an anodic measurement. A sum of a content of two equilibrium species within an aqueous system is obtained using both the cathodic measurement and the anodic measurement. One example measures total free chlorine by simultaneously measuring hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-). The BDD working electrode (110) comprises at least one ablated region (115) which introduces non-diamond carbon sp2 material. The ablated region (115) may comprise one or more grooves (114) which are cut into the working surface (112), e.g. by a laser.

Abstract: A method of producing a multi-microchannel, flow-through element, including the steps of providing a body of material, and producing multiple microchannels within the body, wherein the microchannels extend through the body to produce a multi-microchannel, flow-through element. Such an element can be used as a micromixer, a sensor element, a filter, a fuel element or a chromatographic element.

Abstract: A method for analyzing concentration of an analyte in a liquid sample applied to a biosensor includes: applying a voltage pulse to the liquid sample applied to the biosensor, the voltage pulse having a pulse width of not greater than 10?3 second; monitoring a response current, which is produced in response to the voltage pulse, within the pulse width via electrodes of the biosensor; and analyzing the response current that is correlated to the concentration of the analyte in the liquid sample.

Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor which preferably suppresses an occurrence of signal abnormality at a start of driving. The gas sensor includes a first space including a reference gas inside, a reference electrode being in contact with the reference gas, and a measurement electrode being in contact with a measurement gas included in a second space separated from the first space, wherein the gas sensor determines a concentration of a predetermine gas component in the measurement gas using a potential difference between the reference electrode and the measurement electrode and includes a metal member formed of a ferritic stainless steel including chrome of 11.00 to 18.00 wt % but not including molybdenum, titanium, and niobium, being disposed at a position so as to face the first space and be able to receive a heat conduction from at least the measurement gas, and a surface roughness of a surface of the metal member facing the first space is 1000 nm or less.

Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting nitrogen oxides in a gaseous mixture, including an oxygen ion conductor and at least two electrodes mounted on the oxygen ion conductor, the electrodes consisting of the same material, and wherein the gas sensor is designed so that during operation of the gas sensor both electrodes come into contact with the gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an element body having an elongate rectangular parallelepiped shape and including solid electrolyte layers with oxygen ion conductivity, an outer pump electrode disposed on a first surface of the element body, and a protective layer covering at least a part of the first surface of the element body and including one or more exposed spaces (an upper space) to which the first surface is exposed.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an element body having an elongate rectangular parallelepiped shape and including solid electrolyte layers with oxygen ion conductivity, an outer pump electrode disposed on a first surface of the element body, and a protective layer covering at least a part of a second surface of the element body on a side opposite to the first surface and including one or more exposed spaces (a lower space) to which the second surface is exposed.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an element body having an elongate rectangular parallelepiped shape and including solid electrolyte layers with oxygen ion conductivity, an outer pump electrode disposed on a first surface of the element body, and a protective layer covering at least a part of the first surface of the element body and including one or more spaces (an upper space) that are present apart from the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an element body having an elongate rectangular parallelepiped shape and including solid electrolyte layers with oxygen ion conductivity, an outer pump electrode disposed on a first surface of the element body, and a protective layer covering at least a part of a second surface of the element body on a side opposite to the first surface and including one or more spaces (a lower space) that are present apart from the second surface in a direction perpendicular to the second surface.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the presence or amount of an ionic analyte in an electrolyte solution.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale devices and methods, including bent nanowires and other bent nanoscale objects, and in particular, the ability to probe cells with nanoscale objects. In some aspects, nanoscale objects, including nanowires, are provided that facilitate cell probing, e.g. nanowires that are surface modified such that cells can fuse with the nanowires. Devices including nanoscale objects are provided that allow small or large scale (e.g., multiplexed) probing of cells, and related methods of making such nanoscale objects and devices, and methods of investigating cells, are provided by certain embodiments of the invention. In a related set of embodiments, the present invention is generally related to bent nanowires and other bent nanoscale objects. For instance, in one aspect, the present invention is generally related to a semiconductor nanoscale wire having at least one kink. The semiconductor nanoscale wire may be formed out of any suitable semiconductor, e.g.

Abstract: A dual source ionizer includes a first ionization source and a second ionization source. The first ionization source is configured to generate a first electric field. The first electric field has a first field strength that is insufficient to form NOx? ions. The second ionization source is configured to generate a second electric field. The second electric field has a second field strength that is sufficient to form ozone and the NOx? ions.

Abstract: A method of Fourier Transform ion mobility mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising determining the presence of different types of ions by determining that the different types of ions have different combinations of ion mobility and mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a sensor that detects the amount or density of magnetic substance is raised. The sensor includes an oscillation circuit, a differential transformer, and an amplification circuit. The oscillation circuit includes a resonance circuit having a coil. The differential transformer includes the coil, as a primary coil, and a secondary coil, and is configured such that, as the amount or density of magnetic substance as a detection target increases, a signal output from the secondary coil increases, and as the amount or density of magnetic substance decreases, the signal decreases. The amplification circuit amplifies the signal, and has, as its frequency characteristics, a frequency band such that, as the frequency of the signal decreases, the amplification factor of the signal increases, and as the frequency of the signal increases, the amplification factor of the signal decreases. The resonance frequency of the resonance circuit falls within the frequency band.

Abstract: A rotating magnetic field probe includes three (or more) windings that work in both transmit and receive mode, to form an eddy current detection transceiver. In a transmit mode, the windings are driven with a drive signal (e.g., an alternating current) having similar or the same magnitude at each winding, but differing in phase from one another. In a receive mode, the terminal voltages of the windings is measured and summed to determine the location of a defect.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices, assemblies, apparatus and methods useful in conducting health monitoring of structures including monitoring for structural damage and liquid (e.g., water, fuel, anti-Icing fluid, moisture, etc.) Ingress in composite sandwich-type structures of mobile platforms. An exemplary method for detecting water Ingress in a structure comprises: introducing mechanical energy into the structure; sensing the mechanical energy transmitted through the structure; and determining the existence of water ingress in the structure based on the sensed mechanical energy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a flexible supporting material that has flexibility configured for allowing bending of the supporting material to conform to a cylindrical shape of a pipe. The assembly includes a plurality of operable sensor elements arranged in a matrix formation upon the flexible supporting material. The matrix formation includes a plurality of rows of the sensor elements and a plurality of columns of the sensor elements. The flexible supporting material is configured for placement of the columns of the matrix formation to extend along the elongation of the pipe and the flexible supporting material is configured for placement of the rows of the matrix formation to extend transverse to the elongation of the pipe. The flexible support material is configured to flex for positioning the sensor elements within each row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape of the pipe.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of first sensors, a second sensor, a first calculator, and a second calculator. Each of the first sensors is configured to detect an elastic wave generated from a structure, and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. The second sensor is configured to detect a noise propagating from surroundings, and convert the noise into a reference signal. The first calculator is configured to calculate a plurality of difference detection signals based on the respective detection signals and the reference signal. The second calculator is configured to calculate a position of a generation source of the elastic wave from the plurality of difference detection signals.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system detects deterioration of a rope through at least one sheave. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a calculator. The sensors are configured to detect an elastic wave generated from the rope and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. At least one of the sensors is installed near an end portion of the rope. At least one of the sensors is installed at the sheave. The calculator is configured to calculate a position of the rope where the elastic wave has been generated, based on a propagating speed of the elastic wave, time difference information of a plurality of detected times of the elastic waves detected by the respective sensors, and positional information indicating positions of the respective sensors.

Abstract: Surface modifications to sensors in an array give the sensors different functionalities for adsorbing or binding molecules. A method for modifying surfaces of resonant sensors comprises depositing and patterning a first pre-coating material such that the first pre-coating material coats a first one of the resonant sensors and does not coat a second one of the resonant sensors. Both the first and second resonant sensors are then coated with a receptor material. The first resonant sensor that is coated with a combination of the first pre-coating material and the receptor material has a different ability to adsorb or bind a mass of at least one analyte than does the second resonant sensor that is coated with the receptor material without the first pre-coating material. In some examples, an array of sensors is fabricated with N sensors having up to N different pre-coating materials underlying a coating of the same receptor material.

Abstract: Provided is a trace gas measurement apparatus for electrical equipment that includes a sample cell corresponding and connectable to the electrical equipment and comprising a head space and configured to collect an oil sample from the electrical equipment. The trace gas measurement apparatus also includes an analysis module in communication with the sample cell, having an analysis chamber that includes a first measuring device at a first side thereof and a second measuring device disposed at a second side thereof at an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a membrane surface of the first measuring device, and configured to measure and analyze trace gases from an oil sample received from the head space within the sample cell.

Abstract: A walk-behind rail condition monitoring apparatus is provided, including a frame; at least one handle on the frame; a processor mounted to the frame; a couplant tank mounted to the frame; and a rail capture unit mounted to the frame. The rail capture unit is constructed and arranged for retaining an ultrasonic sensing wheel and including a plurality of rotating guides for maintaining alignment of the monitor on a railroad rail.

Abstract: A two-dimensional liquid chromatographic analyzer, in which a temperature control part changes a temperature in a single-step manner and switches the temperature at a high speed. Also, the temperature control part has a holder around a separation column so that the temperature of the separation column can be changed to a preset temperature. A first separation column thereof changes elution time(s) of the objective component(s) by temperature modulation and the mobile phase of the first separation column is an aqueous mobile phase having a constant composition.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for quantitatively analyzing one or more gas components contained in a gas sample. More particularly, an apparatus for quantitatively analyzing gas components with an automatic feed control function of a gas, includes a multi-position valve, a pump, and a control part controlling the multi-position valve and the pump, such that the apparatus for quantitatively analyzing gas components may allow a professional worker performing analysis to secure an efficient research time while ensuring accuracy at the level equivalent to analysis results by a highly skilled professional worker regardless of proficiency of a newly employed person being in charge of quantitative analysis of the gas components of the gas sample in a sample bag.

Abstract: A flow cell including a flow cell bod having a flow path formed therein; an optically transmissive member disposed at a part wherein light from the light source is incident into, or emitted from, the flow path; a shock absorbing member that is disposed between the optically transmissive member and the cell body; an elastic member, made from a metal material, for pressing the optically transmissive member toward the cell body side; and a fastening tool, attached to the cell body, for positioning the elastic member.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for correcting a baseline in a chromatogram obtained using a buffer with at least one UV-absorbing component which is a weak acid or a weak base.

Abstract: A scanning system is for trace detection. The scanning system includes a main body enclosing a scanning chamber, the main body including a chamber inlet; a transport system configured to move an article through the scanning chamber along a scanning path; and a door mechanism provided along the scanning path. The door mechanism includes: a door frame mounted about the scanning path; at least one door panel movable relative to the door frame and being made of a radiation-shielding material; and a trace detector integrated into the at least one door panel. A method for trace involves using trace detectors integrated into the door mechanism for trace detection while the object is moving along a scanning path passing through a scanning chamber of a scanning system.

Abstract: A computing system performs a method of determining cumulative exposure to a gas. The computing system receives data that correspond to local concentrations of a gas from a plurality of stationary gas sensors in a home. Respective stationary gas sensors are located at respective fixed locations in respective rooms in the home. The computing system also receives data that correspond to occupancy of the home, including occupancy by a first occupant. The computing system determines a cumulative exposure of the first occupant to the gas in the home, based at least in part on the received data that correspond to local concentrations of the gas and the received data that correspond to occupancy of the home. The computing system performs and/or sends instructions to perform one or more predefined operations in accordance with the determined cumulative exposure of the first occupant.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include mixing a sample of a substance of interest with an additive and then producing an adduct using an ionization source. The systems and methods further include performing a spectrometric analysis of the adduct and identifying the sample using comparative spectrometric data.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for determining a viscosity of a fluid in a rock formation. The method includes determining a Stoneley mobility using a Stoneley wave measurement in a rock formation containing a fluid; determining a wireline formation tester (WFT) downhole fluid analysis (DFA) mobility by using a wireline formation tester in the rock formation; and determining a viscosity of the fluid based on the Stoneley mobility and the wireline formation tester (WFT) downhole fluid analysis (DFA) mobility.