Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a sensor having thermal gradients. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a sensor assembly including a housing; a first header and a second header coupled to the housing; a first transducer coupled to the first header, wherein the first transducer is configured to measure a first pressure to generate a first pressure signal; a second transducer coupled to the second header, wherein the second transducer is configured to measure a second pressure to generate a second pressure signal; and wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are positioned in the housing such that a first temperature of the first transducer is about equivalent to a second temperature of the second transducer during operation of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a metal diaphragm capable of achieving a higher strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and a smooth surface condition, and a pressure sensor including the diaphragm. The diaphragm according to the present invention includes a two-phase stainless steel having a composition of 24 to 26 mass % Cr, 2.5 to 3.5 mass % Mo, 5.5 to 7.5 mass % Ni, 0.03 mass % or less C, 0.08 to 0.3 mass % N, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, and having a 0.2% proof stress of 1300 MPa or higher.

Abstract: An electronic control system includes a microcomputer and a signal processing circuit, and receives output signals of an in-cylinder pressure sensor and a crank angle sensor. The output signal of the pressure sensor indicates an output voltage of a piezoelectric transducer and a reference voltage. The signal processing circuit includes a hold circuit and a differential amplifier circuit. The differential amplifier circuit amplifies a difference between the output signal of the pressure sensor and the output signal of the hold circuit and outputs the result to the microcomputer. The hold circuit switches over the output signals in response to a switchover instruction of the microcomputer. When the switchover instruction is a set instruction, the hold circuit holds as its output signal the output signal of the pressure sensor outputted at the time of receiving the set instruction. The microcomputer outputs the set instruction to the hold circuit in response to the output signal of the crank angle sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a lateral rollover limit detection system which can determine the lateral rollover danger of a structure for which the weight or the weight distribution has not been clarified. A placement board, springs, and detection object are provided as a structure in which the placement board is supported with springs on both sides of an oscillation central axis with an acceleration sensor for detecting the reciprocating motion in an up-down direction of the placement board, and an arithmetic part which, on the basis of the inclination angle of the placement board in a direction of rotation around the oscillation central axis with respect to the horizontal plane in a standstill state of the detection object and the detection result by the acceleration sensor, calculates a limit center-of-gravity height beyond which the detection object is rolled over for a center-of-gravity location on the placement board of the structure being provided.

Abstract: Methods of testing a honeycomb filter include the step of maintaining an average temperature of the honeycomb filter and/or fog within a range of from about 10° C. to about 30° C. and flowing a fog with moisture droplets into the honeycomb network of channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter, the fog including a relative humidity of at least 80%. In further examples, the moisture droplets include a mean droplet size of from about 1 micron to about 25 microns.

Abstract: A freezeless hydrant maintenance system for testing, troubleshooting, and repairing the functionality of a freezeless water hydrant prior to the seasonal freezing temperatures, the system comprising a pressure vessel adapted to receive and hold a fluid under pressure, an actuator adapted to release the pressurized fluid upon the user's command, at least one display and an adapter hose adapted to engage a hydrant and seal to prevent pressure loss, whereby the system is attached to a freezeless hydrant, the user opens hydrant pressurizing the vertical pipe and hydrant with water and air, observes the display determining if the freezeless hydrant drain hole is block, then operates the system applying additional pressure to clear blockage, and identifies a hydrant that needs replacement.

Abstract: A method for monitoring includes providing a device (64) including a first part (46) and a second part (72) and a movable joint (70) connecting the first part to the second part. An electrical characteristic of a conductive path (80) crossing the movable joint is measured, and a remedial action is initiated in response to detecting a change of the electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A hand-held or portable vibration sensor device having a housing and a sensor body which generally provides a single point of contact with the machinery or apparatus for which vibration measurement is desired. In one aspect, the sensor body comprises a vibration sensor element such as an accelerometer for measuring vibration. In another aspect, a force sensor such as a force sensing resistor or load cell is provided to reduce the impact of forces applied to said hand-held vibration sensor such as a force applied through a handle during measurement. In another aspect, a compensation circuit processes the out put from a vibration sensor element to provide a relatively flat frequency response over a desired operational frequency range. The hand-held vibration sensor may also comprise a rubber isolation member disposed between the sensor body and force sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining segment times of a sensor wheel of an internal combustion engine, the sensor wheel being non-rotatably connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, marks being situated along the circumference of the sensor wheel, and the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine covering predetermined angle ranges during the segment times. Tooth times are determined as time intervals between two marks of the sensor wheel; a low-pass filtering is applied to the determined tooth times, and filtered tooth times are determined as a result of the low-pass filtering. Segment times of the sensor wheel are determined as a sum of filtered tooth times of a certain number of successive marks of the sensor wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for determining separation efficiency of a cyclone separator. The method comprises: collecting solid particles separated by a cyclone separator; performing a particle size analysis for the collected solid particles; calculating feature parameters of the collected solid particles according to a result of the particle size analysis, wherein the feature parameters are values representing particle size and particle size uniformity of the solid particles; and determining a separation efficiency corresponding to the feature parameters of the collected solid particles as a separation efficiency of the cyclone separator, according to a predetermined correspondence between feature parameter and separation efficiency. The present invention avoids the difficulty in directly measuring the material concentrations at the inlet and the outlet of the cyclone separator and has a small interference with the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming high-yield tissue microarray blocks capable of producing 1,000 or more replicate slides. In one embodiment, a plurality of donor tissue samples are minced and suspended in separate molten liquid carriers to form a plurality of separate two-phase mixtures of solid minced tissue and molten wax. Each of the two-phase mixtures is preferably formed into elongated columns and transferred into a separate well of a microarray block. A method and apparatus are provided for forming the elongated molten wax columns with minced tissue evenly distributed along the length of each column. The apparatus for forming the array includes an extrusion mechanism for transferring the columns of two-phase mixtures into the deep wells of the microarray block. The two-phase mixture may alternately be cooled and allowed to solidify before being transferred into the microarray block.

Abstract: An embedder for embedding specimens in paraffin wax includes: a body having a paraffin reservoir for containing the paraffin wax; and a mobile dispenser disposed on the body, capable of being taken off from the body, and defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being communicated with the paraffin reservoir via a connecting tube so as to supply the paraffin wax in the paraffin reservoir to the mobile dispenser via the connecting tube, the mobile dispenser dispensing the paraffin wax via the outlet. With the embedder according to embodiments of the present invention, by means of the mobile dispenser detachably connected with the body, the embedder is flexible to use, convenient to operate, and high in efficiency.

Abstract: A load detecting device that can highly accurately detect the magnitude and direction of a load whose direction of action changes regardless of the dimension of a pin is provided. Also, a working machine that is provided with this load detecting device and allows work to be performed safely and highly efficiently is provided. The load detecting device is configured with a pin-type load cell 4 and a load calculating unit 30. The pin-type load cell 4 is provided with three pairs of or three strain detecting units that are placed in the circumferential direction of the pin body 1. The load calculating unit 30 selects, from among the three or more pairs of or three or more strain detecting units, two pairs of or two strain detecting units that are less influenced by a change in the cross-sectional shape of the pin body 1, and calculates a load that acts on the pin body 1 according to an output of these selected strain detecting units.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor comprises an insulating body and a pair of electrodes disposed apart form each other on a main surface of the insulating body. The insulating body includes an insulating portion being equal to or higher than the height of the pair of the electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the main surface, formed on the part where the pair of the electrodes are. In one of the methods for manufacturing the particulate matter sensor, first, an electrode pattern composed of a material for the pair of the electrodes is formed on a body material composing the insulating body, and a mask, having identical pattern of the electrode pattern and composed of material which vaporizes at a temperature equal to or lower than a temperature that the electrode pattern is sintered, is formed on the electrode pattern. A thin film of the material composing the insulating portion is formed, and the electrode pattern and the thin film is sintered to form the electrodes and the insulating portion.

Abstract: Techniques for testing whether a bond strength between a faceskin of a panel and a core of the panel exceeds a threshold value are disclosed. The testing includes: adhering a first surface of a sacrificial layer to a pull stub of a flatwise tensile (FWT) test apparatus by way of a first adhesive interface; adhering the second surface of the sacrificial layer to the panel faceskin by way of a second adhesive interface; operating the FWT test apparatus so as to gradually increase a FWT load on the faceskin; terminating the test upon the first to occur of separation of any one or more of the first adhesive interface, the second adhesive interface, the sacrificial layer and separation of the faceskin from the core; and determining that the bond strength exceeds the threshold value when separation of the faceskin from the core is not the first to occur.

Abstract: A sample holder comprises a bottom and one or more arms. The bottom has an initial area for supporting a sample. The one or more arms actuate to move the sample in the initial area to a target area, wherein the one or more arms hold the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of spectral searching that employ wavelet coefficients as the basis for the searching. The disclosed apparatus and methods employ a wavelet lifting scheme to transform spectroscopic data corresponding to an unknown pure material/mixture to a vector of wavelet coefficients, compare the wavelet coefficient vector for the unknown pure material/mixture with a library of wavelet coefficient vectors for known pure materials/mixtures, and identify the closest match to the unknown pure material/mixture based on the comparison of wavelet coefficient vectors.

Abstract: A light source and a method for its use in an optical sensor are provided, the light source including a resistively heated element. The light source includes a power circuit configured to provide a pulse width modulated voltage to the resistively heated element, the pulse width modulated voltage including: a duty cycle with a first voltage; and a pulse period including a period with a second voltage, wherein: the duty cycle, the first voltage, and the pulse period are selected so that the resistively heated element is heated to a first temperature; and the first temperature is selected to emit black body radiation in a continuum spectral range. Also provided is an optical sensor for determining a chemical composition including a light source as above.

Abstract: A method of using photoacoustic spectroscopy to determine chemical information about an analyte includes the steps of emitting a light ray for interaction with a sample of an analyte; transmitting the light ray through a fill fluid disposed in a detection cell, the fill fluid having molecules substantially similar to molecules of the analyte to absorb the light ray; producing a thermal wave and oscillation in the fill fluid proportional to an intensity of the light ray; including a pressure oscillation in the fill fluid by the thermal wave; and detecting the pressure oscillation by a microphone to determine information about the analyte sample.

Abstract: A gas cell assembly and applications of the gas cell assembly in absorption spectroscopy. An example gas cell assembly includes a gas cell body with an inlet for receiving a gas sample from a gas source; a first and a second end portions that allow optical transmission into and out of the body, the second end portion being substantially opposite from the first end portion; and a channel providing a path for the gas sample and optical beam(s) between the first end portion and the second end portion. The gas cell assembly also includes reflective surfaces outside the body to receive versions of the optical beams from the body and to reflect each version of the incident beam towards the body. A detector, then, receives a last reflected beam and transmits a corresponding data signal to a processing unit for analyzing the gas sample based on the data signal.

Abstract: A sensor includes, in part, a multitude of splitters/couplers and optical couplers. One of the splitter/couplers splits an incoming optical signal into first and second optical signals. A first optical coupler includes, in part, a through path receiving the first signal, a coupled path, and an exposure window receiving a sample undergoing sensing by the sensor. The second optical coupler includes, in part, a through path receiving the second signal, and a coupled path. A first output port of the sensor supplies the optical signal travelling in the through path of the first optical coupler. A second splitter/coupler combines the optical signals travelling in the coupled paths of the first and second optical couplers to generate a second output signal delivered to a second output port. An optional third output port supplies the optical signal travelling in the through path of the second optical coupler.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for fluorescent measurement of a volume of liquid sample in a sample carrier. The method includes impinging an incident beam having an excitation wavelength and a focus diameter on the sample in a two dimensional scan, such as an R-theta scan or a spiral scan, with a laser spot that identifies a volume of interest where higher levels of fluorescence exist. The laser spot is displaced relative to the sample volume in three dimensional space. The laser spot is translated in the depth direction of the volume of interest to detect one or more emitted fluorescence signals. A depth profile and a thickness of the sample carrier obtained from the one or more emitted fluorescence signals, are used for measuring normalized bulk fluorescence.

Abstract: A scanning module (9) is disposed over a first plate (32). A first motor (39) of moving the scanning module (9) in a second scanning direction and a second motor (49) of moving the scanning module (9) in a first scanning direction are disposed under the first plate (32). In this manner, the first motor (39) and the second motor (49) being a heat source are disposed on a side opposite to a scanning module (9) side using the first plate (32) as a boundary, and thus a transferred amount of heat from the first motor (39) and the second motor (49) to the scanning module (9) decreases. As a result, accuracy of fluorescence detection is prevented from degrading due to thermal distortion of a detection optical system in the scanning module (9).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological field effect transistor (BioFET) device testing and processing methods, system and apparatus. A wafer-level bio-sensor processing tool includes a wafer stage, an integrated electro-microfluidic probe card, and a fluid supply and return. The integrated electro-microfluidic probe card includes a fluidic mount that may be transparent, a microfluidic channels in the fluidic mount, at least one microfluidic probe and a number of electronic probe tips at the bottom of the fluidic mount, fluidic and electronic input and output ports on the sides of the fluidic mount, and at least one handle lug on the fluidic mount. The method includes aligning a wafer, mounting the integrated electro-microfluidic probe card, flowing a test fluid, and measuring electrical properties. The tool may also be used for stamping or printing a fluid in the device area on the wafer.

Abstract: Provided is a protein concentration assay method that uses a protein indicating reagent and that enables highly accurate assay. The protein concentration assay method includes: optically analyzing a color exhibited after a sample to be assayed and a protein indicating reagent are brought into contact with each other; measuring pH of the sample to be assayed; and assaying a concentration of protein in the sample based on the result of the optical analysis, the measured value of pH, and data for protein concentration assay, wherein the protein indicating reagent is a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and a concentration of protein, and the data for protein concentration assay include information indicating a way to assay the result of the optical analysis corresponding to the measured value of pH.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for precisely detecting a trench S in a product W to become a thin film solar cell are provided. In the product W, a lower electrode layer 12, in which the trench S is created, and light absorbing layers 13 and 14 are layered on a substrate 11 in this order. The method includes the steps of: detecting infrared rays for imaging, of which the wavelengths are in such a range that can transmit through the light absorbing layers 13 and 14 and which are irradiated from the product W, by means of an infrared ray imaging apparatus 16 that is provided above the light absorbing layers 13 and 14 so that image data for radiation intensity distribution can be taken; and detecting the trench S in the lower electrode layer 12 on the basis of this image data for radiation intensity distribution.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a surface, comprising: illuminating said surface with an electromagnetic radiation to generate scattered radiation from features of said surface; inducing a change in phase to said scattered radiation for reducing divergence of said scattered radiation and for redirecting said scattered radiation towards a predetermined spatial region; focusing after said radiation has propagated to said spatial region; capturing an image of radiation, whereby said features of said surface are detected in said image of radiation.

Abstract: In an optical inspection tool, an illumination aperture is opened at each of a plurality of aperture positions of an illumination pupil area one at a time across the illumination pupil area. For each aperture opening position, an incident beam is directed towards the illumination pupil area so as to selectively pass a corresponding ray bundle of the illumination beam at a corresponding set of one or more incident angles towards the sample and an output beam, which is emitted from the sample in response to the corresponding ray bundle of the incident beam impinging on the sample at the corresponding set of one or more incident angles, is detected. A defect detection characteristic for each aperture position is determined based on the output beam detected for each aperture position. An optimum aperture configuration is determined based on the determined defect detection characteristic for each aperture position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight inspection equipment comprising a carrying platform configured to dispose a backlight to be inspected and an inspection plate movably disposed relative to the carrying platform. The inspection plate moves from a first position to a second position. When the inspection plate is disposed at the first position, a first light emitting region of the backlight to be inspected is exposed and a second light emitting region which is a region other than the first light emitting region is blocked. When the inspection plate is disposed at the second position, a third light emitting region of the backlight to be inspected, which is different from the first light emitting region, is exposed, and a fourth light emitting region which is a region other than third light emitting region is blocked.

Abstract: A defect-inspection device includes an irradiation unit having an objective-pupil-optical unit that allows illumination light linearly condensed by a first light-condensing unit to pass through, and an objective lens that allows the illumination light having passed through the objective-pupil-optical unit to pass through; an irradiation-position-control unit that controls a passing position of the illumination light in the objective-pupil-optical unit disposed at a pupil surface of the objective lens; a detection unit having a second light-condensing unit that condenses light irradiated by the irradiation unit and generated from a sample, a specular-reflection light-blocking unit that blocks specular-reflection light from the sample and light components generated near the pupil surface among the light beams condensed by the second light-condensing unit, and an image-forming unit that images the light that is condensed by the second light-condensing unit and is not blocked by the specular-reflection light-bloc

Abstract: A device includes a holding device, a first camera module, a second camera module, a driving device, and an image processor. The holding device is configured for holding a plurality of lens elements, each of which includes lenses. The driving device is connected to the first camera module and the second camera module and configured for driving the first camera module and the second camera module to move such that the first camera module and the second camera module aim at and capture an image of each lens. The image processor is in communication with the first camera module and the second camera module and configured for processing the images to detect defects of the lenses, if any.

Abstract: An improved temperature sensor assembly (15) comprising a temperature sensing probe (16) having a temperature sensing portion (18), a terminal portion (21), and an intermediate portion (20) between the temperature sensing portion and the terminal portion; a mounting element (28) in sliding engagement along a first axis (x-x) with the intermediate portion of the temperature sensing probe such that the temperature sensing probe is movable linearly relative to the mounting element in an axial direction; the mounting element configured to attach to an open tip thermowell (100) such that the temperature sensing portion of the probe is exposed to a process environment (104); the temperature sensing probe comprising a stop (19) configured to bear against a seat (108) in the thermowell; and a spring element (24) arranged between the stop and the mounting element and configured to bias the stop and the mounting element linearly away from each other in the axial direction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method of making the same. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit also includes an electrical impedance based gas sensor located on the substrate. The sensor includes first and second electrically conductive sensor electrodes. Each sensor electrode is enclosed in an electrically conductive corrosion protection material. The sensor also includes a gas sensitive material located between the sensor electrodes. The impedance of the gas sensitive material is sensitive to a gas to be sensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring moisture content of biomass is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a probe apparatus and a mechanism that inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass. The probe apparatus measures a capacitance of the biomass. In accordance with an embodiment, the probe apparatus is mounted on the mechanism. In an embodiment, the mechanism positions the probe apparatus over the biomass. According to an embodiment, the mechanism inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass as the biomass is being transported in a trailer.

Abstract: A disposable electrochemical test sensor designed to facilitate sampling of fluid samples. It has a fluid chamber having a novel extra wide sampling entrance, but no additional air escape vent. The chamber provides a reservoir from which a sample fluid can be drawn into the chamber through capillary action. The sampling entrance provided can draw fluid into the chamber through any part of the opening, allowing easy targeting the samples with small volume, picking up smeared samples, and added tolerance to users who jam the tip of the sensor into users' finger. The sampling entrance also serves as air escape vent. Such one opening sensor alleviates over-flow issue often encountered in convenient sensors.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio detection device includes a resistor, a first voltage application section, a second voltage application section, an amplification section, an A/D conversion section, and an arithmetic section. The first voltage application section applies a direct current voltage to a first end of a series circuit constituted of an air-fuel ratio sensor and the resistor. The amplification section amplifies a voltage across the resistor and outputs an amplified voltage as an output voltage. The A/D conversion section carries out an A/D conversion of the output voltage every time before the second voltage application section switches a voltage applied to a second end of the series circuit between a first voltage and a second voltage. The arithmetic section calculates a sensor current and an impedance of the air-fuel ratio sensor using two consecutive A/D conversion results by the A/D conversion section.

Abstract: A gas concentration detector includes a gas sensor and an abnormality detecting section. The gas sensor includes a single solid electrolyte body having oxygen ion conductivity and electrodes formed on both surfaces of the single solid electrolyte body. The abnormality detecting section is configured to apply an AC voltage to a specific one of the electrodes and concurrently measure currents flowing respectively between the specific electrode and each of the other electrodes through the solid electrolyte body, and determine that at least one of wires respectively connected to the corresponding electrodes is broken if at least one of the measured currents is smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location.

Abstract: This invention describes an ion mobility spectrometer and operational methods for chemical analysis. The ion mobility spectrometer allows for continuous operation and rapid temperature control to reach designed operational conditions, as well as analysis under a temperature gradient.

Abstract: An analytical device for analyzing ions is provided comprising a separator for separating ions according to a physico-chemical property and an interface comprising one or more ion guides. A quadrupole rod set mass filter is arranged downstream of the interface. A control system is arranged and adapted: (i) to transmit a first group of ions which emerges from the separator through the interface with a first transit time t1; and (ii) to transmit a second group of ions which subsequently emerges from the separator through the interface with a second different transit time t2.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided, which includes: a signal initialization unit that acquires an initial value of a pressure signal that is obtained after receive, by a receiving unit, of an elasticity wave from an object; an impulse response initialization unit that acquires an initial value of an impulse response of the receiving unit; and an output unit that outputs a modified pressure signal, wherein the output unit has: a signal modifying unit that modifies the pressure signal in use of the impulse response; a signal constraining unit that modifies the pressure signal based on a plurality of constraint conditions; an impulse response modifying unit that modifies the impulse response; and an impulse response constraining unit that modifies the impulse response based on constraint conditions which are time-bandwidth characteristics, and wherein the output unit generates the modified pressure signal by iteratively executing the processes.

Abstract: The method for calibrating an inspection instrument coupled with acoustic transducers disposed at circumferential positions distributed around a surface of an elongated object to inspect generally has the steps of: for each one of the circumferential positions, measuring a first and a second received signal using two acoustic transducers disposed at two axial positions along the object, the received signals resulting from the propagation of an acoustic guided wave signal along the object; identifying an acoustic mode according to the first received and the second received signals using a known period of time associated with the propagation of the acoustic guided wave signal between the two axial positions along the object; and determining a coupling coefficient associated with the acoustic mode, the coupling coefficient being indicative of the coupling of the acoustic transducers on the object; and calibrating the inspection instrument coupled to the object based on the coupling coefficients.

Abstract: Provided is a method of locating a damage source of a wind turbine blade for tracking a damage source location of a blade used in a wind power generator, and more particularly, a method of locating a damage source of a wind turbine blade and an apparatus thereof in a large composite material structure capable of accurately locating a damage source even in a large composite material structure by detecting defects using contour maps written based on elastic wave energy value. The method of locating a damage source of the wind turbine blade according to the present invention can accurately locate the damage source even in the large composite material structure using at least two materials unlike the related art and can use a smaller number of AE sensor than the related art.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system includes an autosampler with an injector valve by which a sample at low pressure within a sample loop is introduced into a high-pressure solvent mixture stream. A solvent delivery system includes a pump in fluidic communication with the injector valve of the autosampler to deliver the solvent mixture stream thereto. The solvent delivery system further comprises a processor that calculates a number of strokes of the pump needed to deliver the solvent mixture stream to the injector valve of the autosampler. The processor counts strokes of the pump during delivery of the solvent mixture stream. In response to a stroke count equaling the calculated number of strokes, the processor signals the autosampler to switch the injector valve to introduce the sample to the solvent mixture stream during a pump transfer period within which the pump performs pressure control to compensate for a drop in pressure.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to improve the robustness, sensitivity, and maintainability of a mass spectrometer to which a liquid chromatograph can be connected. This mass spectrometer includes: an ion source; a mass spectrometry unit; a plurality of flat plates used as electrodes having openings through which ions can be introduced to the mass spectrometer from an orthogonal direction along an ion introduction axis; a porous member provided between the mass spectrometry unit and the plurality of flat plates; and a mechanism for feeding gas to the plurality of flat plates for the side opposite from the ion introduction direction; the plurality of flat plates being disposed under atmospheric pressure, and the plurality of electrodes being set at a temperature higher than room temperature.

Abstract: A powder detector to detect an amount of powder in the powder container includes a vibration plate disposed in the powder container to vibrate, a contact member to vibrate the vibration plate; and a vibration detector to detect a vibration state of the vibration plate. The powder has flowability, and the vibration state of the vibration plate is affected by the powder in the powder container.

Abstract: A gas sensor, for example for use in air conditioning systems, has a gas-sensitive layer that includes a material that is sensitive to carbon dioxide. The material has a cross-sensitivity to air humidity. This is compensated for by measurement at two different temperatures. The measured gas values are calculated together, with the assumption that the sensitivity of the gas sensor to carbon dioxide exhibits a different curve with the temperature of the gas sensor than the sensitivity to water.

Abstract: In one embodiment, active (continuous or intermittent) passivation may be employed to prevent interaction of sticky molecules with interfaces inside of an instrument (e.g., an infrared absorption spectrometer) and thereby improve response time. A passivation species may be continuously or intermittently applied to an inlet of the instrument while a sample gas stream is being applied. The passivation species may have a highly polar functional group that strongly binds to either water or polar groups of the interfaces, and once bound presents a non-polar group to the gas phase in order to prevent further binding of polar molecules. The instrument may be actively used to detect the sticky molecules while the passivation species is being applied.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor measuring concentration of an analyte in a test fluid at 50° C. or above by voltammetry uses electrodes in contact with an electrolyte containing the analyte and a redox-active species electrochemically convertible between reduced and oxidised forms. At least one form of the redox active species is present within surfactant micelles. The surfactant micelles enhance thermal stability of the redox active species and may also solubilise a species with poor water solubility, such as t-butylferrocene. A downhole tool incorporating such a sensor comprises a barrier, permeable to the analyte, to separate the electrolyte from subterranean reservoir fluid, so that the sensor directly measures analyte which has passed through the barrier and thereby indirectly measures analyte in the test fluid.

Abstract: A fuel property determination method includes a reaction mechanism analysis process (S1) of analyzing elementary reactions that compose chemical reactions between a plurality of types of initial materials including the materials that compose the fuel and obtaining the elementary reactions as fuel elementary reactions, and an octane number determination process (S2) of calculating the combustion characteristics of the fuel by performing a simulation based on the fuel elementary reactions and determining the octane number based on the combustion characteristics of the fuel.