Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing particulate matter by a particulate matter (PM) sensor positioned downstream of a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a PM sensor may include a pair of protruding interdigitated electrodes on a surface of the sensor and further include a plurality of flow guides also protruding from the surface of the sensor. By staggering the flow guides across the interdigitated electrodes, soot may be accumulated across multiple pathways and thereby, soot may be accumulated uniformly across the sensor surface.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting particles, in particular soot particles. The sensor comprises at least two measuring electrodes which are situated on a first layer made of an electrically insulating or conductive material, and at least two supply lines for the measuring electrodes. The supply lines are connected to the measuring electrodes respectively in a connection region. The supply lines are covered by at least one second layer made of an electrically insulating material such that the connection region is not covered by the second layer made of an electrically insulating material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a solution of liquid particles in suspension for the control, calibration and/or performance of physical, in particular optical, measurements in a flow cytometry device for analysis of biological cells, said solution comprising liquid particles (21) of a first liquid phase dispersed in a second liquid phase, said liquid particles (21) having physical, chemical and/or biochemical properties that enable the attainment of physical measurements in said flow cytometry device similar to measurements obtained with biological cells, and said liquid particles (21), having a diameter for which the coefficient of variation within the solution of liquid particles in suspension is less than 10%. The invention also relates to a measurement method and a flow cytometry device implementing the solution of liquid particles in suspension.

Abstract: This flow cytometry system comprises a measuring chamber (11), an injection device (12) arranged to inject a flow of biological particles to be analyzed in the measuring chamber (11), an evacuation device (13) arranged to evacuate outside of the cytometry system the flow of biological particles injected in the measuring chamber (11), a measuring set arranged to measure at least one optical property of the biological particles to be analyzed, the measuring set including an emission device (42) arranged to emit a light beam in the direction of the measuring chamber (11) and capable of crossing the flow of biological particles, and at least one collecting device (43a) arranged to collect light rays coming from the measuring chamber (11). The flow cytometry system further comprises a support (6) on which the injection device (12), the evacuation device (13), the emission device (42) and the at least one collecting device (43a) are mounted.

Abstract: A sample feeding apparatus includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a sealing section. The first cylinder is configured to be mounted with a sample tube. The second cylinder is configured to move the first cylinder between a first position and a second position, the first position being for mounting of the sample tube, the second position being for feeding of a sample in the sample tube. The sealing section is configured to cover the sample tube, the sample tube being mounted to the first cylinder being at the second position, the first cylinder applying pressure to an inner space of the sealing section at the second position.

Abstract: Specific modifications of one or more portions of a paper structure inhibits reaction by those portions to an external environmental stimulus, such as humidity. Exposure of the modified paper structure to the external environmental stimulus provides a mechanical response in the paper that provides a sensing, switching, and/or motor function.

Abstract: A device for measuring at least one measurand is disclosed which comprises a sensor device with at least one sensor and, via at least one medium-carrying detection path, can be connected to at least one of a plurality of devices outputting at least one flow of a medium to be captured. The at least one sensor is arranged to selectively detect at least one measurand with respect to at least one medium flow output by one of said plurality of devices. A system which includes the sensor device in a centralized way further comprises at least one device outputting the flow of the medium to be measured at at least one outlet, wherein one of the devices can be selectively selected and can be connected to the sensor device for a predetermined period of time if several devices outputting a medium flow are connected to the sensor device for measuring at least one measurand.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses are provided for the image analysis of measurement of biological samples.

Abstract: Provided herein are techniques for improved optical absorption measurements in the presence of time-varying etalons. In one aspect, a method for dynamic etalon fitting for adaptive background noise reduction in an optical sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a zero-gas spectrum measured using the optical sensor; obtaining an analyte gas spectrum of a target trace gas measured using the optical sensor; comparing the zero-gas spectrum and the analyte gas spectrum using fit parameters that compensate for drifting etalons in the optical sensor; and dynamically extracting the drifting etalons from the analyte gas spectrum to retrieve concentration of the target trace gas.

Abstract: A series of optical spectral sensors for gas and vapor measurements using a combination of solid-state light sources (LED or Broadband) and multi-element detectors, housed within an integrated package that includes the interfacing optics and acquisition and processing electronics. The sensor is designed to be produced at a low cost and capable of being fabricated for mass production. Spectral selectivity is provided by a custom detector eliminating the need for expensive spectral selection components. The multi-component gas monitor system of the present invention has no moving parts and the gas sample flows through a measurement chamber where it interacts with a light beam created from the light source, such as a MEMS broad band IR source or a matrix of LEDs. A custom detector(s) is/are configured with multi-wavelength detection to detect and measure the light beam as it passes through the sample within the measurement chamber.

Abstract: A species-specific gas sensor and monitor comprising a light source, a sample enclosure or measurement chamber, an optical interface between the light source, the sample and the detection system, electronics that integrate the light source and the detection system, and computational components, such as an onboard microprocessor for calculation of the gas composition and communications between the sensor and the vehicle electronics. The species-specific gas sensor of the present invention can be used to target gases, such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ammonia (NH3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) which are measurable in the UV spectrum.

Abstract: Gas cells and systems for absorption spectroscopy, and methods thereof. The method involves providing a channel with an inlet for receiving a gas sample and an outlet for releasing the gas sample from the gas cell; providing first and second end components with an optically transparent portion, each of the end components is configured to minimize a difference between a temperature of the optically transparent portions and an internal temperature of the channel; mounting the first end component the channel so that the optically transparent portion is positioned for receiving an incident beam into the channel; and mounting the second end component to the channel opposite from the first end component so that the optically transparent portion is positioned for permitting optical transmission into and out of the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently assessing the results of reflectance spectroscopy on a soil sample to determine the presence of contaminants in the soil, by constructing a model based on analysis of known samples. The model may be constructed using an all possibilities approach and data mining techniques, on a range of samples, for example of different kinds of soil without pollutants and with different levels of pollutants. The Disclosure relates both to the construction of the model and to its use in the field in analyzing soil contaminants.

Abstract: A terahertz endoscopic system including a flexible waveguide and system optics. The waveguide is configured to transmit terahertz radiation from a first end of the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide proximate to a sample, and transmit reflected terahertz radiation from the second end of the waveguide to the first end of the waveguide, wherein the reflected terahertz radiation is a portion of the terahertz radiation reflected by the sample towards the second end of the waveguide. The system optics are configured to direct the terahertz radiation from a radiation source into the first end of the waveguide, isolate the reflected terahertz radiation from other radiation, and direct the reflected terahertz radiation from the first end of the waveguide to a terahertz radiation detector.

Abstract: The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to analyzing a substance. An optical medium is arranged on a substance surface with at least one region of the optical medium surface in contact with the substance surface. An excitation light beam is emitted through the contacting region of the medium surface to the substance surface. A measurement light beam is emitted through the optical medium to the contacting region of the medium surface such that the measurement light beam and the excitation light beam overlap on the interface of the optical medium and of the substance surface, on which the measurement light beam is reflected. A deflection of the reflected measurement light beam is detected in dependence on the wavelength of the excitation light beam. The substance is then analyzed based on the detected deflection of the measurement light beam in dependence on the wavelength of the excitation light beam.

Abstract: Organosilane functionalised carbon nanoparticles comprising a carbon dot bonded to an organosilane functionalization agent in a first orientation having one or more functional groups capable of binding mercury located at or proximal to a free end thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides biosensors, cell models, and methods of their use for monitoring heme and oxygen. Biosensors can include targeting domains, sensing domains and reporting domains. Biosensors can be introduced into cells reprogrammed to represent experimental or pathologic cells of interest. Model cells expressing the biosensors can be contacted with putative bioactive agents to determine possible activities.

Abstract: Described is a system for inducing and detecting multi-photon processes, in particular multi-photon fluorescence or higher harmonic generation in a sample. The system comprises a dynamically-controllable light source, said dynamically-controllable light source comprising a first sub-light source, said first sub-light source being electrically controllable such as to generate controllable time-dependent intensity patterns of light having a first wavelength, and at least one optical amplifier, thereby allowing for active time-control of creation of multi-photon-excitation. The system further comprises a beam delivery unit for delivering light generated by said dynamically-controllable light source to a sample site, and a detector unit or detector assembly for detecting signals indicative of said multi-photon process, in particular multi-photon fluorescence signals or higher harmonics signals.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hydrogel that reversibly changes color depending on pH includes: (S10) dissolving a carboxyl group-containing polysaccharide in buffer to obtain a polysaccharide solution; (S20) adding a cross-linker solution composed of a mixture of an organic solvent and a cross-linker to the polysaccharide solution; (S30) adding, to the cross-linker-containing polysaccharide solution resulting from step (S20), an organic solution composed of a mixture of an organic solvent and a first organic compound containing an aromatic functional group having at least one hydroxyl group bonded thereto, to form a mixture solution, and allowing the mixture solution to react; (S40) obtaining a polymer complex from the reaction mixture resulting from step (S30); and (S50) mixing the polymer complex from step (S40) with an organic dye comprising a second organic compound containing an aromatic functional group having at least one hydroxyl group bonded thereto.

Abstract: A controlled environment observation device comprising: a body; a heated shelf located in the body; a plurality of shelf openings in the heated shelf; a plurality of embryonic chambers removably installed in the plurality of shelf openings, each of the plurality of embryonic chambers comprising: an optically transparent heated shelf; a specimen dish removably attached to the top of the optically transparent heated shelf, the specimen dish having a generally optically transparent bottom; an x,y,z camera system located in each of the embryonic chambers and below the specimen dish and the optically transparent heated shelf; a computer located in the controlled environment observation device; and a controller in signal communication with the xyz camera system and the computer.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of residue. The apparatus includes a surface including a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion. The hydrophobic portion surrounds the hydrophilic portion. The hydrophilic portion includes a dimension equal to or larger than a width of a first incident non-destructive electromagnetic beam.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a curved surface is provided. The method includes obtaining a first data point set including data points representative of a distance between points along the curved surface and a reference axis, determining outlier data points in the first data point set, extracting the outlier data points from the first data point set, thereby defining a second data point set. The method also includes determining a fitted curve for the second data point set, wherein the fitted curve defines an approximate true curve of the curved surface.

Abstract: A defect inspection method includes irradiating a sample with laser, condensing and detecting scattered light beams, processing signals that detectors have detected and extracting a defect on a sample surface, and outputting information on the extracted defect. Detection of the scattered light beams is performed by condensing the scattered light beams, adjusting polarization directions of the condensed scattered light beams, mutually separating the light beams depending on the polarization direction, and detecting the light beams by a plurality of detectors. Extraction of the defect is performed by processing output signals from the detectors by multiplying each detection signal by a gain, discriminating between a noise and the defect, and detecting the defect.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure, provides a method of optical inspection on a carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) component in which performs an inspection, by maintaining the focal distance for a surface of an object to be inspected, and making a light axis of an image device and a normal line of the surface of the object to be inspected to be identical.

Abstract: A test structure is presented for use in metrology measurements of a sample pattern formed by periodicity of unit cells, each formed of pattern features arranged in a spaced-apart relationship along a pattern axis. The test structure comprises a test pattern, which is formed by a main pattern which includes main pattern features of one or more of the unit cells and has a symmetry plane, and a predetermined auxiliary pattern including at least two spaced apart auxiliary features located within at least some features of the main pattern, parameters of which are to be controlled during metrology measurements.

Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

Abstract: A grating based differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) apparatus and acquisition technique whereby the system generates horizontal moire fringes on a detector of the DPCI system by tilting at least one of the G1 and G2 gratings, and capturing images of an object including moving the object in a direction perpendicular to the lines of the moire fringes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for acquiring information relating to a composition of a detected object from results of a measurement, using radiation, this method including: a step for acquiring by a computer a result of measuring the detected object using radiation; a step for estimating by a computer a chemical composition ratio of the detected object, using an equation that contains a value derived from the measurement result as a constant and contains a value derived from the chemical composition ratio of the detected object as a variable, and then solving the equation; and a step for outputting the estimated chemical composition ratio or a physical property value acquired based on the estimated chemical composition ratio as information relating to the composition of the detected object.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of a novel sample cup sleeve for a sample cup for use in XRF Spectroscopy.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of a novel sample cup inner member including an integral venting cap for use in XRF Spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method for loose joint detection in medium voltage switchgears with busbar joints, circuit breaker upper and lower spouts, and cable connection joints, arranged in an air insulated housing, and medium voltage switchgear itself, in order to create an effective loose joint detection with lower operating expense, but with high performance and accuracy, involves measuring actual temperatures at a first phase as a first temperature (T1), at a second phase as a second temperature (T2), at a third phase as a third temperature (T3), at predefined critical points, such as at the busbar joints, and/or at the circuit breaker upper spouts, and/or at the circuit breaker lower spouts, and/or the cable connection; and comparing temperatures in a logical dependency Ti>(Tj+dT), with i?j, permuted with i from 1, 2, 3, and j from 1, 2, 3, and setting the alarm if the logical dependency is fulfilled.

Abstract: This invention relates to determining the functional capability of an electric machine by checking the degree of contamination in a slot for housing a conductor bar. It is an object of the invention to appropriately determine the pollution of a slot of an electric machine. Disclosed is a tool to measure a contamination in a slot for a conductor bar of an electric machine, with a voltage generator to apply a voltage at the slot and a voltmeter to measure a voltage drop along the slot, and a processor to calculate the contamination from the voltage drop. Further disclosed is a method to measure a contamination in a slot for a conductor bar of an electric machine with the steps of applying a voltage at the slot, measuring a voltage drop along the slot, and calculating the contamination in the slot on basis of the measured voltage drop.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and means for the non-destructive characterization of biological tissue in vitro and in particular the determination of the effect of substances on said biological tissue or the determination of the maturity or degree of differentiation of said tissue, using non-invasive and in particular recurrently measurable electrical variables. These variables can be calculated, by means of a novel method, from the measured electrical impedance of the biological tissue.

Abstract: A material removal process referred to as spalling is used to provide flexible and stretchable sensors that can be used for healthcare monitoring, bio-medical devices, wearable electronic devices, artificial skin, large area sensing, etc. The flexible and stretchable sensors of the present application have high sensitivity that is comparable to that of a bulk silicon sensor. The flexible and stretchable sensors comprise single crystalline spring-like structures that couple various resistor structures together.

Abstract: A structure for a chemical sensing device includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of electrically conductive elements located in, and protruding from, the plurality of recesses.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to a multi-purpose, low cost, submersible fluid probe. The probe is comprised of a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB), and an electrical cable. The housing is a threaded machined fitting that supports the PCB and includes a port to allow the electrical cable to connect to the PCB. The PCB includes dual traces formed in a planar rectangular spiral pattern. The electrical cable includes jacketed conductors and an integral connector that allows the probe to be connected to various control circuits and used for multiple purposes.

Abstract: A composite-material pressure vessel (1) has a wall (4) with a reinforcing layer (11) containing one or more reinforcing fibres, wherein the reinforcing layer is an electrical conductor, wherein the wall (4) forms an electrical capacitor (13) having a first plate formed of the reinforcing layer (11), a second plate formed of an electrically conductive layer (15) overlapping the dielectric layer (11), a dielectric layer (14) interposed between the reinforcing layer (11) and the electrically conductive layer (15), as well as electrical terminals (19, 20) connected to the first and the second plates. The vessel control method and system perform electrical tests on the capacitor to derive information about the wall (4) structural condition.

Abstract: Matrix materials, such as sol-gels and polymers derivatives to contain a redox active material can be used to form electrodes and probes suitable for use in pH meters and other analyte sensing devices.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensing of biomolecules eliminates the need for bulky optical instruments required in traditional fluorescence-based sensing assays. Integration of the sensor interface electrodes and active electrochemical detection circuitry on CMOS substrates miniaturizes the sensing platform, enhancing portability for point-of-care applications, while enabling high-throughput, highly-parallel analysis. One embodiment includes a four-by-four active sensor array for multiplexed electrochemical biomolecular detection in a standard 0.25-?m CMOS process. Integrated potentiostats, including control amplifiers and dual-slope ADCs, stimulate the electrochemical cell and detect the current flowing through on-chip gold electrodes at each sensor site resulting from biomolecular reactions occurring on the chip surface. Post-processing techniques for fabricating biologically-compatible surface-electrode arrays in CMOS that can withstand operation in harsh electrochemical environments are described.

Abstract: The sulfur oxides detection system includes a device part comprising a first electrochemical cell having a first solid electrolyte layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode; and a diffusion regulating layer. A power supply supplying voltage is provided between the electrodes as well as a detector detecting a first current correlation parameter, and a control part controlling the power supply and acquiring the first current correlation parameter. The control part controls the power supply so that a first voltage is applied between the electrodes and calculates a concentration of sulfur oxides in the measured gas based on the first current correlation parameter detected by the detector when the first voltage is applied between the electrodes, but it does not calculate the concentration of sulfur oxides in the measured gas when it judges that a concentration of water in the measured gas is not stable.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a sensor element having a measuring electrode and a reference electrode, a housing accommodating the sensor element, and an element cover including an inner cover having an inner side wall section and an inner bottom wall section, and an outer cover having an outer side wall section and an outer bottom wall section. Inner side surface holes and outer side surface holes are formed in the inner side wall section and the outer side wall section. Inner bottom surface holes and outer bottom surface holes are formed in the inner bottom wall section and the outer bottom wall section. The ratio of the total surface area of the outer side surface holes with respect to the total surface area of the inner bottom surface holes is 8 to 47. The total surface area of the inner side surface holes is 2 to 8 mm2.

Abstract: A system and method for chemical sensing of multiple gases or vapors with an array of chemical sensitive field effect transistor (CS-FET) devices that are highly sensitive, small in size and have low energy consumption. The sensor layer is an ultrathin film of transition metal oxide, rare earth metal oxide or metal nanoparticles that is formed between the source and drain electrodes on a silicon substrate. The work functions of the sensor layer can be manipulated by the adsorption of chemicals onto their surfaces. These changes cause a change in the surface potential of the underlying Si channel, leading to the current modulation of the devices. By selecting appropriate sensor layers, different chemicals will produce different output signals. External signal processing of these signals enables and sensor and array profile matching permits multi-gas detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions.

Abstract: An ISFET includes a control gate coupled to a floating gate in a CMOS device. The control gate, for example, a poly-to-well capacitor, is configured to receive a bias voltage and effect movement of a trapped charge between the control gate and the floating gate. The threshold voltage of the ISFET can therefore by trimmed to a predetermined value, thereby storing the trim information (the amount of trapped charge in the floating gate) within the ISFET itself.

Abstract: The present application is directed to the use of electrophoresis with UV detection in the determination of iodine nutritional status in human biological specimens, specifically for monitoring iodine deficiency/inadequacy in large-scale epidemiological studies. In particular, the present application is directed to a method for determining iodide and iodide uptake inhibitors in a human biological sample when using sample self-stacking with capillary electrophoresis and UV detection.

Abstract: A building structure includes a block of building material and a magnetic circuit buried in the block of building material. The structure also includes a plurality of sensing devices buried in the block of building material. Each sensing device may include a contactless power supplying circuit magnetically coupled with the magnetic circuit to generate a supply voltage when the magnetic circuit is subject to a variable magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing process in which a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool at an exposed build surface of a mass of powdered material, and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece, the method including measuring acoustic energy generated by the weld pool to generate a measured acoustic profile.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an additive manufacturing process in which a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool at an exposed build surface of a mass of powdered material, and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece. The inspection method includes: using a noncontact method to generate an acoustic wave in the build surface; using a noncontact method to measure displacement of the build surface in response to the acoustic wave; and determining at least one sub-surface material property of the workpiece by analyzing the displacement of the build surface.