Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided which allow for flexible organization of navigation attributes to support hybrid navigation and data streaming. A system may receive a request for geographic data. The system may identify a map attribute from the request. The system may query a metatable with the map attribute for a binary large object entry address, wherein the metatable includes a plurality of binary large object entry addresses. The system may access a navigation database using the binary large object entry address for a binary large object including data for the map attribute. The system may generate a map command including the data for the map attribute.

Abstract: Music-based positioning (MP) provides positioning service only sporadically. To continuously provide positioning service, the present invention discloses music-based positioning aided by dead reckoning (MP-DR). At each signature burst (i.e., a highly unique short musical segment suitable for positioning), sounds of a music piece or a human speech are used for positioning. Between signature bursts, dead reckoning (DR) is used.

Abstract: An organic gathering system for route sharing is provided. The system includes a profile manager that determines settings associated with a first user that desires to pair with one or more other users during travel. An observation manager determines a group of users in a defined geographic area for pairing with the first user during at least a portion of the travel. The system also includes a navigation manager that provides instructions to the first user related to the pairing. The instructions include an action to be performed by the first user to pair with one or more of the other users.

Abstract: A personalized suggestion for an automated driving feature of a vehicle can be made. Driving data for a travel route of a vehicle can be received. The driving data can include vehicle data and driving environment data. Based on the received driving data, it can be determined whether an automated driving feature could have been used for at least a portion of the travel route. Responsive to determining that the automated driving feature could have been used for the at least a portion of the travel route, a suggestion for using the automated driving feature can be generated. The suggestion can be presented to a user, such as the driver of the vehicle, or caused to be presented to the user. The automated driving feature may be currently included on the vehicle, or it may not be currently included on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of recognizing speech received at a vehicle includes: receiving speech from a vehicle occupant via a microphone; determining whether the speech relates to a point of interest (POI) or an address without receiving a POI command prompt or an address command prompt in the speech from the vehicle occupant; selecting a POI function or an address function based on the determination; and processing the received speech to identify a POI or an address.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking user behavior, the user behavior including one or more of: one or more user actions and one or more user interactions with a vehicle. A storage system stores the user behavior, where the tracked user behavior is associated with a driver and the storage system is capable of storing the tracked behavior for the driver from a plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: A route guidance method for executing voice route guidance for a route to a destination set by a user includes: executing a first voice route guidance at an interval according to a current guidance level; receiving a suppress command or a request command of the user during the execution of the first voice route guidance; determining a new guidance level on the basis of count results for the suppress command and the request command; and executing a second voice route guidance at an interval according to the new guidance level.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the switch-on time of a Coriolis gyroscope (1) having a mass system (100) which can be excited to an excitation oscillation of the Coriolis gyroscope (1) parallel to a first axis (x), wherein a deflection of the mass system on account of a Coriolis force along a second axis (y) which is provided perpendicular to the first axis (x) can be verified using an output signal from the Coriolis gyroscope, comprises determining the amplitude (A) of the excitation oscillation of the Coriolis gyroscope at a defined dine, determining the output signal (S) from the Coriolis gyroscope at the defined time, and generating a normalized output signal (S0) from the Coriolis gyroscope by multiplying the determined output signal (S) by the quotient of the amplitude (A0) of the excitation oscillation of the Coriolis gyroscope in the steady state and the determined amplitude (A).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for the position determination of a cylinder piston located in a cylinder liner, said apparatus comprising: a port for coupling an electrical signal into or out of the interior of the cylinder liner, wherein a signal coupled into the interior of the cylinder liner interacts with the cylinder piston. The present disclosure is characterized by a unit for determining the position of the cylinder piston which is connected to the port and which is configured to determine the position of the cylinder piston in the cylinder liner with the aid of a vectorial measurement of a signal decoupled from the cylinder liner.

Abstract: A sensor assembly with an inductive sensor and a marking ring that is rotatably mountable is provided. The marking ring is spaced apart from and aligned with the inductive sensor, and includes a non-ferrous body and a ferrous material ring that is located at least partially within the non-ferrous body and adapted to pass in proximity to the inductive sensor upon rotation of the marking ring. The ferrous material ring includes protrusions that vary non-uniformly in at least one of spacing, distance from the inductive sensor to a facing portion of the ferrous material ring, or mass, in a circumferential direction around the marking ring. The inductive sensor detects a rotational angle position of the marking ring based on the protrusions of the ferrous material ring as they pass the inductive sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a main body; a rotary member rotatably mounted upon and enclosing at least a portion of the main body, the rotary member including a first region corresponding to a first attribute and a second region corresponding to a second attribute, the first and second regions being alternately arranged on one face of the rotary member; a sensor module configured to acquire attribute information corresponding to at least a partial region of the rotary member as the rotary member is rotated; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to confirm a change in at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute and to determine at least one of a rotated angle and a rotated direction of the rotary member based on the change.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for verifying a transducer are provided. In preferred embodiments, the flow of current on a wire that provides power to both a micro-processor and a transducer is reversed. A wireless communication chip listens for and receives a read request and communicates the read request to a microprocessor. The microprocessor reads the transducer data from non-volatile memory and transmits it with the wireless chip. Preferably, a hand held device is used to initiate the transfer of and receive the transducer data.

Abstract: There is provided a Karman vortex flowmeter including: a body inside which a flow passage and a Karman vortex generation column are formed; and a flow rate measurement unit that measures Karman vortexes generated by the Karman vortex generation column to thereby obtain a flow rate of a fluid, in which the flow rate measurement unit includes: a piezoelectric element; a piezoelectric element holder that is attached to the body so that the piezoelectric element is arranged in a flow passage; and a thin film part that is formed of a material with higher corrosion resistance than an electrode of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element holder houses the piezoelectric element in a state where the piezoelectric element is sandwiched by a pair of plate-shaped parts integrally formed by a resin material, and in which the thin film part is arranged between the plate-shaped parts and the electrode.

Abstract: A method for setting a constant magnetic field strength of a magnetic field within a commutation interval using a magnetic-inductive flowmeter having a current controller with which time for setting the constant magnetic field strength of a magnetic field is relatively shorter. Additionally, a first interval having a starting point in time and an ending point in time and a second interval having a starting point in time and an ending point in time are arranged within a commutation interval. A first setpoint current curve for the first interval differs by a difference current curve to effectuate a higher rate of change. A second setpoint current curve is assigned to the constant setpoint current. The current controller is fed the first and second setpoint current curves.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a micromachined composite silicon flow sensor that is comprised of calorimetric and anemometric flow sensing elements, time-of-flight sensing elements as well as independent temperature sensing elements on a silicon-on-insulator device where the device layer is used for the thermal isolation membrane. The disclosed composite silicon flow sensor can measure mass flowrate, volumetric flowrate and flow medium temperature simultaneously, from which a full spectrum of flow parameters including flow pressure can be obtained. The sensor can be further used to alert any changes in physical properties of flow medium during operation. The disclosed manufacture process details the micromachining process of making such a sensor.

Abstract: A method of measuring liquid level in a tank. An electromechanical liquid level gauge (ESG) is provided including a processor, a displacer suspended on a wire from a grooved drum having a servo motor coupled thereto to rotate the drum for balancing the displacer. A change in liquid level causes a change in a counterforce to move the ESG out of balance. The processor monitors a torque sensor output, and controls movement of the motor using a programmed apparent weight (AW) setpoint to raise or lower the displacer based on an AW derived from the torque. An associated memory stores a density compensated fixed immersion depth level gauging algorithm. The algorithm implements obtaining a density reading for the liquid, continuously corrects an immersion depth of the displacer for changes in density to provide an essentially fixed immersion depth, and calculates the liquid level from the density reading and immersion depth.

Abstract: A fill level sensor and method are disclosed. The fill level sensor can take a pressure reading beneath a fluid level inside a closed tank. The sensor can also take a pressure reading above the fluid level or otherwise take the vapor pressure above the fluid into account. The measurements can be used to calculate the fluid level inside the tank. Also disclosed is a system for users to track a plurality of tanks and maintain records of fluid level or pressure within the tanks.

Abstract: A mass sensor for measuring particle mass within an aerosol uses resonance frequency detection to determine a mass of particles. A heating element is used for heating the resonant sensor element and it is controlled during a sensing cycle, with the change in mass of the deposited particles monitored during heating. This enables a low cost device to be able to detect particle concentration as well as provide information about the chemical and/or physical nature of the particles.

Abstract: A gravimetric measuring instrument (10) includes a housing (103) and a weighing cell (120), wherein the latter is arranged inside the housing and includes a load-transmitting member (108). The load-transmitting member reaches through a passage opening (111) of the housing and is releasably connectable to a load receiver (401, 501, 1001). The invention has the distinguishing feature that the load receiver includes a fastening element (450), a weighing pan element (440, 540, 1040) and a snap-locking device (460, 1060) for the releasable seating of the weighing pan element on the fastening element, wherein the snap-locking device includes a detent element (461, 1061) and a spring element (462) which engages the detent element when the weighing pan element is seated in place.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a high precision belt weighing device and a high precision belt weighing method. An exemplary high precision belt weighing device includes a set of buffer carrier rollers provided between a first and second belt weighing scale frames. A volume scale hopper is provided above the set of buffer carrier rollers. A transfer conveyor is provided above the volume scale hopper. The first and second belt weighing scale frames, the volume scale hopper, an initial point detector, and a speedometer are connected with a weighing control instrument by cables. Cumulative weights of bulk materials handled by each of the first and second belt weighing scale frames, the corrected weight of bulk materials in the volume scale hopper, and a zero point in the length of a conveying belt detected by the initial point detector are displayed on the weighing control instrument.

Abstract: Determining time spent outdoors. A method includes, at a first time, using one or more primary criteria including one or more criteria related to information provided by a first hardware input sensor on a device, to determine that the device is outdoors. The method further includes at one or more other times, using one or more secondary criteria, different than the primary criteria, the secondary criteria related to information provided by one or more second hardware input sensors, to determine continuity of the device being outdoors from the first time to the one or more other times. The method further includes based on determining that the device is outdoors and determining continuity of the device being outdoors from the first time to the one or more other times, identifying a total amount of time that the device has been outdoors.

Abstract: Various implementations relate generally to a multi-sensor device. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein also include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations can include a temperature sensor configured to sense an interior temperature within the multi-sensor device. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a compact form factor.

Abstract: A technique for identifying a measurement planned position for electromagnetic waves in a three-dimensional space in a simple and easy manner is provided. A position of a measuring unit 200 that is carried by an operator 100 is measured by a position measuring device that is configured to measure a position by laser light. A positional relationship between the measured position and the position of a measurement planned position 601 is displayed on a terminal 300 that is carried by the operator 100. This display guides the operator 100, and the operator 100 identifies the measurement planned position 601 and measure illuminance thereat.

Abstract: An active photonic device having a Darlington configuration is disclosed. The active photonic device has a collector layer over a substrate, a base layer over the collector layer, and an emitter layer over the base layer. A connector structure electrically couples an inner emitter region with an outer base region, wherein the collector layer, base layer, the emitter layer and the connector structure are substantially centered within a first region over the substrate. A feedback resistor is coupled between an inner collector region and an inner base region. At least a portion of the feedback resistor is arc-shaped and resides over a first arcuate path defined by a substantially constant first radius centered in the first region.

Abstract: A technique for effectively detecting abnormal values in electromagnetic wave measurement is provided. An electromagnetic wave measuring device includes a measurement data receiving unit 308, an abnormal value detecting unit 309, and a GUI controlling unit 306. The measurement data receiving unit 308 receives measurement data of electromagnetic waves that are measured at multiple positions. The abnormal value detecting unit 309 detects an abnormal value in the measurement data. The GUI controlling unit 306 displays a position at which the abnormal value is measured, on a display.

Abstract: A method of detecting an optical signal, comprising the steps of: providing an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprising a multiplication region capable of amplifying an electric current, said multiplication region, in operation, having a first ionization rate for electrons and a second ionization rate for holes, wherein said first ionization rate is different in magnitude from said second ionization rate, and exposure to the optical signal causes an impulse response; exposing the APD to a modulating optical signal; providing an external circuit that induces an APD bias to the multiplication region; providing an external circuit for amplifying and processing an electric signal from the avalanche photodiode; and modulating the APD bias in a manner that is correlated with the optical signal.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes circuitry that acquires a measured temperature of a target area from a measuring device, detects whether the measured temperature changes during a predetermined time period, determines whether a human exists in the target area based on the measured temperature and the detection result indicating whether the measured temperature changes during the predetermined time period, measures a duration of time in which the determination result indicating that the human exists in the target area and the detection result indicating that there is no temperature change are kept generated, and determines that there is no human in the target area even when the determination result indicates that the human exists, if the measured duration of time reaches a certain time period, the certain time period being modifiable based on history information indicating a previously generated determination result indicating whether the human exits in the target area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an infrared detection module (4) comprising: a detection portion (7) comprising an infrared detector (16) and a detector housing (11) suitable for containing the infrared detector; a cold-production portion (8) comprising a refrigerating machine (39) for cooling the detector (16) and a refrigerating-machine casing (12) suitable for containing the refrigerating machine (39); and an attachment device (56) for attaching the detector casing (11) to the refrigerating-machine casing (12), the attachment device (56) comprising a nut (57) suitable for being screwed onto the detector housing (11) and/or onto the refrigerating-machine casing (12) so as to rigidly connect the casings to one another.

Abstract: A thin substrate has a layered structure on one surface, and can also have a layered structure on the other. Each layered structure can include a part of at least one patterned layer that, if patterned by photolithography, would frequently result in damage to the substrate due to fragility. For example, the substrate could be a 3 mil (76.2 ?m) or thinner polyimide film and one patterned layer could be a semiconductor material such as vanadium oxide, while another could be metal in electrical contact with semiconductor material. The layer part, however, can be patterned by a printing operation or can include a printed patterned artifact such as an uneven boundary or an alignment. The printing operation can be direct printing or printing of a mask for etching or liftoff or both. The layered structure can include an array of cells, each with layer parts on each substrate surface.

Abstract: A temperature measurement device includes: an optical fiber that is arranged along a predetermined path; a light source configured to input a light into the optical fiber; a measurer configured to measure temperature distribution information in an extension direction of the optical fiber based on a back-scattering light from the optical fiber; and a corrector configured to make a filter for reducing a noise component of temperature distribution information measured by the measurer based on a difference of temperature distribution information between two different regions of the optical fiber in which a common temperature distribution is obtained, and correct the temperature distribution information by applying the filter to the temperature distribution information.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a temperature calibrator for calibrating temperature sensors, wherein the temperature calibrator comprises at least one calibration volume, the temperature of which is to be adjusted and into which the temperature sensors to be calibrated can be inserted, at least one temperature control unit, which is in thermal contact with the calibration volume via one or several thermally conductive bodies, at least one temperature sensor, which is in thermal contact with said calibration volume, and at least one electrical control unit, which is electrically connected with the at least one temperature control unit and the at least one temperature sensor, wherein the temperature calibrator further comprises at least one magnetocaloric material and at least one magnetic field generating device.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes an idle wheel disposed between a force input shaft and a force output shaft, the idle wheel receives a tangential force from the force input shaft and the force output shaft to generate a counterforce as a loading, the center of the idle wheel is pivotally disposed on a positioning beam or a basis nearby, the positioning beam has a beam central line where a strain gauge installed. The positioning beam transforms the loading of the idle wheel along the beam central line to a normal force on the cross section of the positioning beam along the beam central line, the positioning beam generates a strain due to the normal force on the cross section of the positioning beam, the strain gauge detects the strain as the torsion sensing value of the output shaft on the region between the force input shaft and the force output shaft. A rotational driving tool is combined with the torque sensing device to improve the detecting precision of the torsion.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a substrate and a transistor structure. The substrate has a cavity formed in the substrate. The transistor structure is arranged above the cavity. The transistor structure has a flexible heterostructure and at least one source contact, drain contact, and gate contact each connected to the heterostructure in an electrically conductive manner. The heterostructure is configured to assume a position corresponding to a pressure ratio between a first pressure in the cavity and a second pressure on a side of the heterostructure opposite the cavity. The transistor structure is configured to provide an electrical signal corresponding to the position.

Abstract: When vibration information calculated using measurement information is classified using a distance between measurement points which is calculated using the point information, even in a case in which a plurality of vibration modes with close vibration frequencies are present at the same time, stability determination at a high speed and a high accuracy is realized. A system stability monitoring apparatus which monitors system stability of a power system includes a measurement information collecting unit that collects measurement information of a plurality of points in the power system, a vibration analyzing unit that calculates vibration information indicating vibration of a system state in the plurality of points using the measurement information, an information storage unit that stores point information including position information of the plurality of points, and a vibration classifying unit that classifies the vibration information based on the point information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and managing pipelines are disclosed. A system may include a movable monitoring device for scanning a pipeline including a first end and a second end. The monitoring device is disposable onto an external surface of the pipeline. The monitoring device includes a scanning device for scanning the pipeline and sensing parameter associated with the pipeline. The system also includes a data processing device communicably coupled to the movable monitoring device. The data processing device may be configured to receive the parameters associated with the pipeline and generate related information of the pipeline based on the parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for in-situ leak detection and endpoint detection of wafer dry etch or chamber clean in chambers, e.g., vacuum chambers used in semiconductor processing. A mini environment is created and a sensor, such as an SPOES sensor, can be used in the mini-environment to perform leak detection.

Abstract: Measurement approaches and data analysis methods are disclosed for combining 3D topographic data with spatially-registered gas concentration data to increase the efficiency of gas monitoring and leak detection tasks. Here, the metric for efficiency is defined as reducing the measurement time required to achieve the detection, or non-detection, of a gas leak with a desired confidence level. Methods are presented for localizing and quantifying detected gas leaks. Particular attention is paid to the combination of 3D spatial data with path-integrated gas concentration measurements acquired using remote gas sensing technologies, as this data can be used to determine the path-averaged gas concentration between the sensor and points in the measurement scene.

Abstract: An evacuable flexible test chamber (10) for a leakage test of a test piece, having a wall (12) surrounding a test chamber volume (36), is characterized in that at least a portion of said wall is made up of two layers (18, 20) of wall material of which at least the layer (20) facing said test chamber volume (36) is made from a flexible material, and that between said two layers (18, 20) an overpressure as compared to the atmosphere surrounding said test chamber (10) is adapted to be created.

Abstract: The present invention is systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in roofing membranes and roof flashing. The systems include a conductive mesh underneath the roofing membrane and/or a conductive medium behind the roof flashing; attractor cables; and a reversible power supply attached to the conductive mesh/medium and attractor cables. The roofing membrane system also includes sensors, which may be wireless. The systems are controlled by a computer.

Abstract: An acquisition unit acquires the width-direction acceleration and the vertical-direction acceleration of a surface of a structure on which a moving object moves from an acceleration sensor provided in the structure on which the moving object moves. A displacement computation unit computes the vertical-direction displacement of the structure on the basis of the vertical-direction acceleration. A correlation determination unit determines the correlation between the width-direction acceleration and the vertical-direction displacement. A movement detection unit detects the movement of the moving object on the structure on the basis of the correlation.

Abstract: An acquisition unit acquires at least one of the vertical-direction acceleration and the width-direction acceleration of a surface of a structure on which a moving object moves from an acceleration sensor provided in the structure on which the moving object moves. An analysis unit analyzes the motion of the moving object moving on the structure on the basis of at least one of the vertical-direction acceleration and the width-direction acceleration.

Abstract: A structure monitoring system includes a magnetic sensor that detects an intensity of a magnetic field from a structure including a metal portion using characteristics of an energy transition of alkali metal atoms, and a control unit that determines a degree of soundness (a degree of fatigue of the metal portion) of the structure using a result of the detection of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A testing apparatus may include a stand having an aperture and a platform adjacent to the aperture, a clamp adjacent to the platform and configured to hold a coupon, and an actuator within the aperture. The actuator is configured to impart a first force on the platform and the coupon at a specified frequency. The testing apparatus may also include a displacement sensor adjacent to the stand and configured to measure a displacement of the coupon and circuitry connected to the actuator and the displacement sensor with the circuitry configured to collect data from the actuator and the displacement sensor.

Abstract: A method for distributedly measuring polarization transmission matrices of an optical fiber includes steps of: inputting a fully polarized pulse into the optical fiber with linear birefringence only; and demodulating polarization states of Rayleigh backscattered light at different points on the optical fiber from a pulse input end; after demodulating, dividing the polarization states of the Rayleigh backscattered light into Q groups in sequence, wherein every three polarization states are divided into one group; calculating a transmission matrix of Group N; and solving the equation set using a numerical analysis method for obtaining multiple solutions, and screening the multiple solutions according to characteristics of the polarization transmission matrix, wherein each time of screening provides a unique solution Mx(N) of the equation set; continually updating MA values for iteration, so as to obtain the distribution of polarization transmission matrices of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for characterizing mode group properties of multimodal light traveling through an optical component, comprising: providing a Mode Group Separating optical fiber in an optical path between a light source and said optical component; launching reference pulses of light with a wavelength ?t from said light source through said Mode Group Separating optical fiber into said optical component at discrete intervals between a core center and a core radius of said fiber. The Mode Group Separating optical fiber is a multimode fiber with an ?-profile graded index core with an ?-value chosen such that said fiber satisfies the following criterion at the wavelength ?t: ? ?? ? · L ? ? ? T REF > 4 where: ?? is a time delay difference between consecutive mode groups; L is a length of said fiber; ?TREF is a Full Width at Quarter Maximum of said reference pulses.

Abstract: A process for testing a combustor of a gas turbine engine, where a large volume of compressed air is stored in a large reservoir of at least 10,000 m3 such as an underground storage cavern, compressed air from the storage reservoir is passed through heat exchanger to preheat the compressed air to a temperature that would normally be discharged from a compressor, the preheated compressed air is burned with a fuel in the combustor, and additional compressed air from the reservoir is passed through an injector located downstream from the combustor to produce a decreased pressure such that a low atmospheric condition at the combustor exit is simulated.

Abstract: A process for testing a turbine of a gas turbine engine at high altitudes, where a large volume of compressed air is stored in a large reservoir of at least 10,000 m3 such as an underground storage cavern, compressed air from the storage reservoir is passed through heat exchanger to preheat the compressed air to a temperature that would normally be discharged from a compressor, the preheated compressed air is burned with a fuel in the combustor, and additional compressed air from the reservoir is passed through an injector located downstream from the turbine to produce a decreased pressure such that a low atmospheric condition at the turbine exit is simulated.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an ultrasound device having an ultrasound transducer and a controller includes: a housing; an absorbing layer inside the housing, wherein the absorbing layer is configured to receive ultrasound energy from the ultrasound transducer; and a thermal camera for detecting temperature at the absorbing layer. A method for testing an ultrasound device having an ultrasound transducer and a controller, includes: operating the ultrasound transducer to deliver ultrasound energy towards an absorbing layer at a testing apparatus using a thermal camera to detect temperature at the absorbing layer; obtaining thermal image data from the camera; and analyzing the thermal image data to determine whether the ultrasound device is operating desirably.

Abstract: The current invention describes in vivo and vitro (cultured) sampling technologies that allow direct temporal and spatial sampling from living ecosystems such as those associated with marine ecology. The optional use of parallel sampling methods, observatory design, provides for the ability to measure the response of individual organisms to a variety of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Sampling in small volumes and close proximity to living organisms has allowed direct measurement of various invertebrate and other aquatic species in marine ecosystems. These sampling techniques are intended to apply to any liquid based ecosystem in an attempt to minimize sampling as a dependent variable in measuring the chemical and biological behavior of the ecosystem. If is intended that this sampling technology be used to directly measure the chemical behavior of a wide variety of organisms; including, plants, animals, and micro-organisms (e.g. algae, plankton).

Abstract: An assembly for picking and transporting nano-objects, comprises a cassette having first and second components, which are provided with means of mutual assembly and with means for holding the filter. The first and second components define, when the components are in an assembled configuration, a cavity in which the filter is housed and held therein. The means of mutual assembly comprise first clipping means secured to the first component, second clipping means secured to the second component and able to collaborate with the first clipping means so as to clip the two components together. A picking device comprises suction means to which the cassette is able to be removably attached. The first and second clipping means are configured such that they are not accessible from the outside when the components are in the assembled configuration with the cassette fixed to the device.