Abstract: A temperature measurement device is provided to measure an environment temperature and includes a thermistor, a resistor, a determination circuit, and a measurement circuit. The thermistor is coupled to a first node. The thermistor has a specific impedance value at a specific environment temperature point. The resistor has a first terminal coupled to the first node. The determination circuit determines a real impedance value of the resistor. The measurement circuit is coupled to the first node for receiving a measurement value signal generated at the first node and obtains a value of the specific environment temperature point according to the measurement value signal and the real impedance value of the resistor.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic nano temperature measurement method under a triangle wave excitation magnetic field relating to a technical field of nano measurement.

Abstract: Described herein are temperature condition indicators (e.g. freezing, threshold temperature, thermal history indicators, etc.) comprising three phase emulsions. Methods of forming and using these indicators, and products that include these indicators, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cable for distributed fiber optic sensing comprising a flexible tape, an optical fiber suitable for Brillouin scattering measurement forming at least two lengths, and at least one free end of at least one length being connectable to a reading unit, wherein at least a section of the longitudinal length of the flexible tape is situated between at least a section of the two lengths such that the two lengths are in close proximity such that a temperature gradient between the two lengths is minimized, and wherein the section of the tape and the section of lengths can flex together.

Abstract: A method of measuring temperature of a fluid using a direct fluid contact temperature sensor by capturing a cooling line between a radius of a clip portion, the clip portion extending longitudinally in parallel with a corresponding portion of the cooling line, and a tip end of the sensor; directly contacting said tip end of said sensor with said cooling line; and measuring temperature of with the sensor. A device is provided for rapidly installing a fluid temperature sensor onto a fluid line for measuring the temperature of the fluid without requiring cutting or disconnection of the fluid line.

Abstract: A method includes determining a relationship between indirect thermal data for a processor and a measured temperature associated with the processor, during a calibration process, obtaining the indirect thermal data for the processor during actual operation of the processor, and determining an actual significant temperature associated with the processor during the actual operation using the indirect thermal data for the processor during actual operation of the processor and the relationship.

Abstract: With a precondition that a cooling water temperature sensor 16 and an intercooler exit gas temperature sensor 18 have been determined normal, whether an EGR cooler efficiency calculated is within a normal range is determined. When within the normal range, whether there is divergence between a calculation value of an intake temperature to be detected by an intake manifold gas temperature sensor 19 and an actual detection value of the sensor 19 is determined. When not in the normal range, whether the calculation value is excessively low is determined; and, just like the above, whether there is divergence between the calculation value and the actuation detection value of the intake manifold gas temperature sensor 19 is determined. Based on the determinations categorized, whether the EGR cooler 14, EGR gas temperature sensor 17 and intake manifold gas temperature sensor 19 are normal is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for tactile sensing using thin film optical sensing networks is disclosed. A sensing network includes an array of optical pathways arranged in a flexible material. Each optical pathway has an input at a first end and an output at a second end. A light source is coupled to the input of each respective associated optical pathway. Each light source directs a light signal having a first predetermined frequency and characteristic into the associated optical pathway. A light detector is coupled to the output of each respective associated optical pathway. Each light detector receives a light signal from the associated optical pathway and generates an output signal corresponding to the magnitude of the received light signal at a second predetermined frequency. A processor receives the output signals from each light detector and determines an amount of pressure applied to the sensing network based on the received signals.

Abstract: A sensor signal is generated from a plurality of sensors located on a sensing roll, wherein each signal is generated when each sensor enters a nip between the sensing roll and a mating roll during each rotation of the sensing roll. An oscillating component such as a doctor blade or cleaning shower affects a web of material upstream from the nip. Each sensor generates a sensor signal upon entering the nip. A periodically occurring starting reference is generated that is associated with each oscillation of the oscillating component and the signal generated by each sensor is received so that a particular one of the sensors which generated the signal is determined and one of a plurality of tracking segments associated with the oscillating component is identified. The signal is stored to associate the sensor signal with the identified one tracking segment.

Abstract: What is described is a system for determining a force applied to an outer disc of an aircraft brake by an actuator motor. The system includes a current sensor coupled to the actuator motor and configured to detect a detected amount of current applied to the actuator motor. The system also includes a controller coupled to the current sensor. The controller is configured to determine an estimated current. The controller is also configured to receive the detected amount of current. The controller is also configured to determine an adjusted current based on the detected amount of current and the estimated current. The controller is also configured to determine an estimate of the force applied to the outer disc based on the adjusted current.

Abstract: A pressure sensing element has at least a housing containing a fluid. The housing has at least two moveable surfaces in contact with the fluid in the housing; There is a first moveable surface comprising a pressure application surface which, when moved towards, away from, into or out of the fluid, creates a change in fluid pressure and a second moveable surface in contact with the fluid in the housing comprising a membrane which, when deformed by pressure changes in the fluid, alters its electrical resistance. The membrane has two electrodes attached to deformable material in the membrane. The membrane my have an elastomer having conductive particles distributed therein. The elastomer may be a dielectric and the particles are conductive nanoparticles.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor may be configured to transduce both a dynamic pressure and a static pressure using a single diaphragm. A capacitive pressure sensor may comprise a dynamic excitation signal module in parallel with a static excitation signal module, a summing amplifier module in connection with both the dynamic excitation module and the static excitation module, a dynamic charge amplifier stage in a parallel with a static charge amplifier stage, and a capacitive sensor connected to an output of the summing amplifier module, as well as an input of the dynamic charge amplifier stage, and an input of the static charge amplifier stage. Further, a dynamic excitation signal may be provided by the dynamic excitation signal module as a constant DC voltage signal, and a static excitation signal may be provided by the static excitation signal module as an AC voltage signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a body made of semiconductor material having a first type of conductivity and a pressure-sensitive structure having the first type of conductivity defining a suspended membrane. One or more piezoresistive elements having a second type of conductivity (P) are formed in the suspended membrane. The piezoresistive elements form, with the pressure-sensitive structure, respective junction diodes. A temperature sensing method includes: generating a first current between conduction terminals common to the junction diodes; detecting a first voltage value between the common conduction terminals when the first current is supplied; and correlating the detected first voltage value to a value of temperature of the diodes. The temperature value thus calculated can be used for correcting the voltage signal generated at output by the pressure sensor when the latter is operated for sensing an applied outside pressure which deforms the suspended membrane.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly for measuring the pressure of a first fluid. The assembly having a first housing including a pressure sensing device arranged therein. A diaphragm is arranged on a surface of the first housing and is configured to transmit a force exerted on a first side thereof to the pressure sensing device. A second housing is provided and attached to the first housing. The second housing may be arranged generally circumferentially around the diaphragm. A compressible element is provided and arranged within a compressible element space defined within the second housing. The compressible element is configured to transmit a force exerted thereon by the fluid to the first side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor housing mounted on a vehicle, a first detector located in the housing and having a first diaphragm facing a sealed space of the vehicle, a second detector located in the housing and having a second diaphragm facing the sealed space, and a protector located in the housing and covering the first and second detectors. A first chamber is formed between the first diaphragm and the housing and isolated from the sealed space so that the first diaphragm can be deformed by a pressure in the sealed space. A second chamber is formed between the second diaphragm and the sensor housing and communicates with the sealed space. The first and second diaphragms produce the same signal when being deformed by the same amount in the same direction.

Abstract: A pressure detection tablet is disclosed. The tablet is a capsule including a dye encapsulated within an inner coating, in which the inner coating is configured to rupture at a pressure equal to or greater than a pressure threshold. The tablet further includes an outer coating surrounding the capsule, in which the outer coating is configured to provide delivery of the capsule to a targeted site. The dye may be a non-metabolized, water soluble dye, such that a ruptured capsule releases the dye which can be visually detected in the urine. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of making the tablet, using the tablet to detect peak pressure in the colon and reducing the risk of developing a colonic disorder.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the sensors. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single sensor and separate heater which work together to determine heat propagation times which in turn is used to calculate flow rate. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a wave velocity of negative pressure wave in a fluid transportation pipeline. The method including: receiving a plurality of pressure signals from a plurality of sensors; determining time differences produced by the negative pressure wave reaching the adjacent sensors based on the received pressure signals; determining a wave source sensor segment where a wave source of the negative pressure wave is located; and estimating the wave velocities of the negative pressure wave in a non-wave source sensor segment and the wave source sensor segment.

Abstract: A method for testing the integrity of a bioreactor container includes providing a bioreactor container having a fluid-tight, at least locally flexible wall and having at least one container opening and providing a test apparatus having a bioreactor container compartment and a fluid-permeable and/or structured reception sheet arranged replaceably on the bioreactor container compartment. The method continues by arranging the bioreactor container in the bioreactor container compartment so that the bioreactor container wall contacts the reception sheet in the bioreactor container compartment, connecting the container opening of the bioreactor container to a fluid source filling the bioreactor container with a fluid from the fluid source to generate a predetermined positive pressure P1 in the bioreactor container at a first time T1 and determining whether the bioreactor container is sufficiently leaktight.

Abstract: Prism-coupling systems and methods for characterizing large depth-of-layer waveguides formed in glass substrates are disclosed. One method includes making a first measurement after a first ion-exchange process that forms a deep region and then performing a second measurement after a second ion-exchange process that forms a shallow region. Light-blocking features are arranged relative to the prism to produce a mode spectrum where the contrast of the mode lines for the strongly coupled low-order modes is improved at the expense of loss of resolution for measuring characteristics of the shallow region. Standard techniques for determining the compressive stress, the depth of layer or the tensile strength of the shallow region are then employed. A second measurement can be made using a near-IR wavelength to measure characteristics of the deeper, first ion-exchange process. Systems and methods of measuring ion-exchanged samples using shape control are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for minimally intrusive fiber identification includes imparting a time-varying modulation onto an optical signal propagating in an optical fiber and subsequently detecting the presence of the time-varying modulation in the optical signal transmitting through the fiber to identify the fiber. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a time-varying curvature is imposed on the fiber to be identified and the presence of the resultant time variation in the transmitted power of a propagating optical signal is subsequently detected for identification of the manipulated fiber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the idle travel of a piezo-injector which has a piezo-actuator and a nozzle needle which is activated directly by the piezo-actuator. A test pulse is applied to the piezo-actuator, which pulse brings about a continuous increase in the piezo-travel. The time period is measured which passes between the starting of the test pulse and the time when the idle travel is overcome. The idle travel of the piezo-injector is then determined from the measured time period.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for inferring spark plug fouling due to accumulation of fuel additives thereon. In one example, an engine controller may infer spark plug fouling due to accumulation of fuel additive based on a combination of engine operating parameters correlated with spark plug health. For example, the engine operating parameters may include a change in an adaptive knock term, an engine pre-ignition rate, and engine exhaust oxygen sensor switching frequency over a vehicle drive cycle, and an engine misfire rate.

Abstract: A learning unit learns a difference between a detected value ECT and a detected value RCT when it is determined that the detected value ECT and detected value RCT are stable while an engine is at a stop. A diagnostic unit performs a fault diagnosis for the engine based on the difference between the detected value ECT and detected value RCT having been corrected through use of a learned value learned by the learning unit. Accordingly, a fault diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine and a fault diagnostic method for an internal combustion engine can be achieved in which accuracy in fault diagnosis for the internal combustion engine can be improved and an erroneous diagnosis can be restrained.

Abstract: A bicycle rim examination device includes a body having a base and two upright side frames extend from the base. Each of the two side frames has a first cylinder, a second cylinder and a third cylinder connected to the top thereof. Each of the second and third cylinders is connected with a roller. A power supply device is located on one end of the body and has transmission shaft which has a roller and is driven by a motor. The transmission shaft is supported by two slides which are movable along two guide frames. A first detector with a first probe and a second detector with a second probe are connected to the body. The bicycle rim examination device examines the tension of the spokes and the roundness of the rim.

Abstract: An apparatus with a reduced dead volume associated with sampling, comprising: a sample container configured to store a fluid, a sample line configured to transport the fluid from a first sampling area to a second area in the sample container, at least one valve in the sample line, the valve configured to selectively range from a closed configuration to an open configuration, and a flow restrictor configuration placed in the sample line, the flow restrictor configured to minimize the dead volume for the sample container.

Abstract: A sampler including an ejector and a sample channel extending to the ejector, which are placeable in a mixture of particles of a solid and a medium, the medium being a gas and/or a liquid. The ejector includes at least one inlet and an outlet. The ejector takes a mixture sample by using vacuum via the inlet and discharges it via the outlet so as to make the mixture sample flow from the inlet towards the outlet. The sample channel takes a desired measuring sample from the mixture sample flowing in the ejector, the solid particles and the medium being at least partly separable from one another in the ejector on the basis of the flow and inertia in the mixture sample.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for preserving biological samples and, more particularly, an arrangement for drying biological samples disposed on sample storage substrates. The systems and methods for preserving biological samples can include a heating element such as a chemical heating pad that facilitates drying of the biological samples.

Abstract: In a sampling head (1) of an analysis arrangement (31), provision is made that a sample stream delivered via a sampling line (2) and a dilution air stream delivered through a dilution air inlet (4) are mixed together in a dilution unit (3) in such a way that a volumetric quantity entrained in at least one receiving space moved along by a movable element (8) between the sampling stream and the dilution air stream are exchanged with each other, wherein the analysis arrangement (31) has a gas analyzer (35) for the analysis of the slightly diluted sample stream and a particle determination unit (32) for the analysis of the enriched dilution air stream.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrently and uniformly removing thermal energy from clustered specimen samples.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying the location of the load on a structure. Various embodiments include calculating a plurality of potential loading sites, assessing the statistical order of each of those predictions, and selecting regions of the structure where the load most likely occurred based on the orderliness (or randomness) of the assessments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining a flexibility value K of a fastener. An illustrative system includes a test apparatus including three straps with a strain gauge coupled to each strap. A fastener, such as a bolt, is installed through the straps, with a tensile or compressive force then applied to the test apparatus. Responsively, the strain gauges generate signals indicative of elastic deformation of the straps. The signals are transmitted to a signal processor, which may display deformation values, or alternatively, may process the signals to calculate the value K. The elastic deformation values acquired from the strain gauges, together with cross sectional area and elastic moduli of the straps, are entered into a calculation which applies a predetermined relationship to arrive at the value K. The test apparatus may be a stand-alone device for use in calculating the value K.

Abstract: A system for determining a modulus of resilience of a work material during a compaction operation includes a processor configured to determine a work material stiffness based on a force applied to the work material and a displacement of the work material, and determine the modulus of resilience of the work material based on a relationship between the work material stiffness and the modulus of resilience of the work material.

Abstract: A rheometer includes a drive shaft, a drag cup motor for rotating the drive shaft, a first measuring object supported by the drive shaft, a second measuring object, a linear position sensor, and processing and control electronics. The linear position sensor includes a target (e.g., an aluminum target) mounted to the drive shaft, and a pair of coils. The linear position sensor is configured to measure thermal expansion of the drive shaft based on a change in impedance of the coils resulting from a displacement of the target relative to the coils. The processing and control electronics are in communication with the coils and are configured to adjust a position of one of the measuring objects relative to the other based on a change in impedance of the coils resulting from a displacement of the target relative to the coils, thereby to maintain a substantially constant measurement gap therebetween.

Abstract: In one version of the invention, an apparatus intended for determining the disintegration time of rapidly disintegrating tablets is designed with a disintegration cell having two liquid inlets and outflow from the top. Visualization of tablet inside the disintegration cell is conducted using a camera aided by a base light source and images captured using a computer or any other recording system. Disintegration medium is introduced into the disintegration cell through both inlets to produce a swirling motion and images of the tablet disintegration process are captured. The captured images are analyzed in real-time or off-line, to determine the tablet disintegration time. A visual non-recording method using projected image may also be used.

Abstract: A maximum number of charges on aerosol particles which are measurement targets is decided as a natural number x equal to or larger than 2. First and second electrical mobility groups are derived based on x. The first group includes electrical mobility Zc(U) and electrical mobilities having voltage values equal to a voltage U multiplied by values from 2 to x respectively, and the second group includes electrical mobilities having respective voltage values equal to voltage U multiplied by irreducible fractions which are coprime to each other among values with regularity. A ratio of flow rate with which range corresponding to the electrical mobilities included in the first group do not interfere with one another and the range corresponding to the electrical mobilities included in the first group and range corresponding to the electrical mobilities included in the mobility group do not interfere with one another is calculated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single cancer direct detection device comprises an electrode having a nanopore biomimetic membrane inducing a bio-communication signal by cancer cells selectively under antibody-free and label-free condition. Methods of detecting cancer cells and monitoring cancer progresses in a contour map format are also discussed. In particular, the cancer cell heat release map comprises multiple variables correlations, a ratio of “Action potential/Resting potential” (RAPRP) as a special biomarker for the variable along with other variables of current or concentration makes visual display cancer progresses possible compared with normal cells which have negligible heat release.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for the microfluidic manipulation, dispensing, and/or sorting of particles, such as cells and/or beads.

Abstract: To enable accurate counting the number of cultured cells without pulling apart cell clusters even if cells are aggregated densely to form three-dimensional cell clusters. An image of cultured cells is acquired, and from this image, an image of cell clusters and an image of individual cells are separated. Based on each of the image of cell clusters and the image of individual cells, the number of cells in the cell cluster and the number of individual cells are calculated.

Abstract: A device for inspecting a material with a coated surface includes a light source disposed above the surface that emits light in a wavelength range, at least one first camera for determining a color value of detected light reflected from the surface and an evaluation device. The first camera is disposed above a line located on the surface and configured with a first aperture to detect light from a first point of the line at a first viewing angle and light from a second point separate from the first point at a second viewing angle. The first camera determines a first color value of the first point light and a second color value of the second point light and the evaluation device compares the first and second color values or a color value difference with a predefined color setpoint value or predefined color setpoint value range.

Abstract: There are provided an SPR sensor cell and sensor, both having very excellent detection sensitivity. The SPR sensor cell includes: an under-cladding layer; a core layer, at least a part of the core layer being adjacent to the under-cladding layer; and a metal layer covering the core layer. The core layer includes a uniform layer and a gradient layer arranged between the uniform layer and the under-cladding layer; a refractive index NCO of the uniform layer satisfies a relationship of 1.34?NCO<1.44; a refractive index NCL of the under-cladding layer and the refractive index NCO of the uniform layer satisfy a relationship of NCO?NCL?0.020; and a refractive index of the gradient layer gradually increases from an under-cladding layer side to a uniform layer side in a thickness direction of the gradient layer within a range of from more than the NCL to less than the NCO.

Abstract: In the present invention, excitation light is irradiated onto an analysis chip that has been placed in a chip holder, reflected light or transmitted light from the analysis chip is detected, and as a result the position information of the analysis chip is obtained. On the basis of this position information, the chip holder is moved by a conveyance stage and thereby moved to a measurement position. Excitation light is irradiated onto the analysis chip that is disposed at the measurement position, and fluorescence emitted from a fluorescent substance that marks the substance to be detected is detected.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or surface plasmon coupled emission on an electro-optic grating-coupled sensor surface is described herein. The sensor chip achieves SPR through a grating-coupled approach, with variations in the local dielectric constant at regions of interest (ROI) at the sensor surface detected as a function of the intensity of light reflecting from these ROI. Unlike other grating-based approaches, the metal surface is sufficiently thin that resonant conditions are sensitive to dielectric constant changes both above and below the metal surface (like the Kretschmann configuration). Dielectric constant shifts that occur as mass accumulates on the surface can be returned to reference intensities by applying voltage across the underlying electro-optic polymer.

Abstract: Semiconductor nanoparticles of the present invention are particles each having a core-shell structure that includes a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core includes (AgIn)xZn2(1-x)S2 (0.4?x?0.95 holds). The shell includes ZnS or ZnO, and the semiconductor nanoparticles each have at least one hydrophilic functional group on a surface of the shell. As the hydrophilic functional group, for example, a carboxyl group or a sulfo group may be mentioned. Since having a low toxicity and a high emission quantum yield, the semiconductor nanoparticles as described above may be used for a fluorescent probe for biological labeling.

Abstract: A low-noise fluorescence image and a low-noise luminescence image are acquired even if a luminescent substance having a high luminescence level is used. Provided is a measuring apparatus including an illumination optical system that radiates excitation light coming from an excitation light source onto a specimen A, an image acquisition portion that acquires an image by measuring light generated at the specimen, and an image processing portion that, based on a first image, which is acquired by the image acquisition portion without radiating the excitation light, and a second image, which is acquired by the image acquisition portion while radiating the excitation light, generates a fluorescence image by removing a luminescence component from the second image.

Abstract: Sensor system with a sensor device having a through-flow cell for liquid, a detector device for measuring a property of the liquid in the through-flow cell and for generating an associated detector signal, a sensor control for analyzing the detector signal, wherein the sensor control detects a liquid transition between two different liquids in the through-flow cell when a change (per unit time) in the detector signal is greater is than a threshold value. In the case of such a liquid transition detection, the sensor control generates an alarm signal. Liquid transition detection is carried out by optical, temperature and/or conductivity sensors.

Abstract: To improve sensitivity of a defect inspection, it is required to decrease influence of excessive diffraction from a spatial filter. Further, it is preferable to secure signal intensity from defects and particles as much as possible, while the influence of the excessive diffraction is decreased as much as possible. The present invention is characterized in setting a width of a spatial filter surface such that an unnecessary image caused by diffraction, that is, an intensity of the excessive diffraction is sufficiently small with respect to an intensity of a desired image. In the present invention, an SN ratio that is an index for deciding a width of the spatial filter is calculated from a region subjected to the influence of the excessive diffraction in an inspection image, and a width of a shield unit of the spatial filter is set so as to maximize the SN ratio.

Abstract: Various embodiments for generating a defect sample for electron beam review are provided. One method includes combining, on a defect-by-defect basis, one or more first attributes for defects determined by optical inspection of a wafer on which the defects were detected with one or more second attributes for the defects determined by optical review of the wafer thereby generating combined attributes for the defects. The method also includes separating the defects into bins based on the combined attributes for the defects. The bins correspond to different defect classifications. In addition, the method includes sampling one or more of the defects for the electron beam review based on the bins into which the defects have been separated thereby generating a defect review sample for the electron beam review.

Abstract: An inspection device for monitoring bottles includes a lighting unit, a color-sensitive camera, and a control-and-evaluation unit. The lighting unit is arranged above a transport path of bottles to be examined and has a light-source circuit-board having light sources that emit light having a light-source color. The control-and-evaluation unit changes the light-source color to a bottle color that is determined in a region of a mouth of a bottle.