Patents Issued in December 28, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170370848
    Abstract: Cell counters and methods of their use are disclosed herein. The cell counters comprise a sample mounting system that includes a base comprising a mounted lower sample surface and a cover comprising a mounted upper sample surface; a bright-field light source incorporated in the cover; an objective lens mounted below the sample mounting system; optionally, a fluorescence excitation source in optical communication with the sample mounting system; and an imaging system in optical communication with the bright-field light source and the objective lens. The mounted sample surfaces are configured for repeated use, such that disposable sample cartridges are not needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Fernando F. Kielhorn, Daniel A. Schieffer, David L. Ash, Kevin Kelley
  • Publication number: 20170370849
    Abstract: Methods to identify fungal or bacterial species using Raman spectrometry, among other techniques are described. The identification can occur from samples taken directly from cultures grown from a patient sample. The methods significantly decrease the time required to identity a fungal or bacterial species in a clinical setting, allowing more effective treatments, especially in low birth weight neonates and immunocompromised individuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Nitin Shashikant CHOUTHAI
  • Publication number: 20170370850
    Abstract: An integrated Raman spectrum measurement system and a modularized laser module are provided. The modularized laser module includes a laser emitter and an axis adjustment mechanism. The laser emitter is configured to emit a laser beam. The axis adjustment mechanism is connected to the laser emitter and configured to adjust at least two parameters of axis and orientation of the laser emitter. A beam splitter is disposed on the path of the laser beam. A signal collection unit is for collecting at least a part of a signal light from the beam splitter, wherein the signal light is converting by an object after receiving the part of the laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: PROTRUSTECH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chun-Ta Huang, Hsiu-Feng Tung, Wei-Hsin Wang
  • Publication number: 20170370851
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dosing iron ions, by spectrophotometry, especially ferric and ferrous ions, contained in a used lubricating composition, especially a lubricating composition of a marine engine. The invention also relates to a kit for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Catherine SIGNOL, Luc DARGENT, Gregory MAIROT, Thomas DEBUISSIER, Camille DEMAILLE, Christian BARON
  • Publication number: 20170370852
    Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Brent Chian, David Kucera, Trevor C. Haag, Timothy J. Nordberg, Adam Foley
  • Publication number: 20170370853
    Abstract: A reagent for detection of urine monophenolic metabolites and a method for preparing the reagent are disclosed, in which the monophenolic metabolites, for example, tyrosine, p-hydroxyphenyl alanine, tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid can serve as tumor markers. The reagent for detection of urine monophenolic metabolites is an aqueous solution containing nitric acid, sulfuric acid, mercuric sulfate, mercurous nitrate, nickel nitrate, phosphomolybdic acid and cobalt sulfate. The preparation method includes preparation of solutions A, B, C, D and E, and mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: JIANGSU DONGBO BIO-PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong LIU, Lei LI, Mingbin ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20170370854
    Abstract: A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Kristin Katherine HOLDEN, Robert Paul FREESE
  • Publication number: 20170370855
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for assessing a color characteristic of a gemstone. The apparatus comprises an optically opaque platform for supporting a sample gemstone to be assessed, a daylight-approximating light source to provide uniform illumination to the gemstone, an image capturing component, and a telecentric lens positioned to provide an image of the illuminated gemstone to the image capturing component. Also provided are methods of color analysis based on images collected using such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Hiroshi TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20170370856
    Abstract: A method for detecting an internal crack in a wafer includes a first image recording step of applying near infrared light having a transmission wavelength to a reference wafer having the same configuration as a target wafer to be subjected to the detection of the internal crack, thereby obtaining a first image of the reference wafer having no internal crack and then recording the first image, a processing step of processing the target wafer, a second image recording step of applying the near infrared light to the target wafer, thereby obtaining a second image of the processed target wafer and then recording the second image, and an internal crack detecting step of removing the same image information between the first image and the second image from the second image to obtain a residual image, thereby detecting the residual image as the internal crack in the target wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Noboru Takeda, Hiroshi Morikazu
  • Publication number: 20170370857
    Abstract: An insulated electrical component of an insulated electrical machine includes a conducting element, a first radiographically-visible conductor sensor node coupled to the conducting element, at least one second radiographically-visible conductor sensor node coupled to the conducting element a first distance in a predetermined direction from the first radiographically-visible conductor sensor node, and an insulating material bonded to the conducting element. In some embodiments, the insulated electrical component further includes a first radiographically-visible insulator sensor node coupled to the insulating material and not coupled to the conducting element and at least one second radiographically-visible insulator sensor node coupled to the insulating material and not coupled to the conducting element a second distance from the first radiographically-visible insulator sensor node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ehsan DEHGHAN NIRI, Jeffrey Michael BREZNAK, Gene MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20170370858
    Abstract: The device comprises: a measurement cell, configured for receiving a sample of porous medium containing a fluid comprising one or more phases; a X-ray source, configured for illuminating the measurement cell with X-rays; a detector, placed opposite the X-ray source with regards to the measurement cell, the detector being configured for receiving X-rays arising from the sample contained in the measurement cell. The X-ray source is configured for illuminating simultaneously at least a surface of the sample without relative movement between the X-ray source and the sample, the detector comprising a plurality of sensing areas configured for selectively detecting X-rays arising from different points on the surface of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michel Nguyen, Gilles Puyou
  • Publication number: 20170370859
    Abstract: A phantom for use in quality control of tomographic images, the phantom including a cylindrical plate made of a uniform material having a density d1, with two cylinders being inserted in the plate, the cylinders being made out of uniform materials having different densities d2, d3, the density of one of the cylinders being greater than the density d1 of the plate, and the density of the other cylinder being less than the density d1 of the plate, and including a first series of pairs of holes of different diameters drilled in the plate, the axes of the holes of the first series being oriented axially relative to an axis of revolution of the plate, and the holes in a given pair being spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to their diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Lionel Christian Jean-Loïc GAY, Philippe ARSLAN, Yves RAMBOURG, André CHANDELLE
  • Publication number: 20170370860
    Abstract: Provided are a processing method, a processing apparatus and a processing program which can perform pole figure measurement continuously without overlapping of an angle ? in a pole figure with the small number of times of ? scan, thereby enabling the efficient measurement. The processing method for determining conditions of pole figure measurement by X-ray diffraction, includes the steps of: receiving input of a diffraction angle 2?; and determining an angle ? formed by an incident X-ray and an x-axis, and a tilt angle ? of a sample in each ? scan for a rotation angle ? within a sample plane so as to make a range of an angle ? continuous from ?=90° to ?=0° without overlapping, the angle ? being formed by the sample plane and a scattering vector, the range of the angle ? are detectable at a time on a two-dimensional detection plane in the pole figure measurement at the input angle 2?, in which determining the angle ? and the angle ? is repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Rigaku Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi KONAKA, Akihiro HIMEDA, Toru MITSUNAGA, Keigo NAGAO
  • Publication number: 20170370861
    Abstract: Portable electronic devices may be inspected for the presence of explosives using a combination of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) and explosive trace detection (ETD). NQR may be used to detect bulk or sheet explosives while the ETD may be used to detect minute quantities of explosive particulates. An alarm indication may be generated when either the NQR spectroscopy or the ETD detects an explosive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Pablo J. PRADO, Timothy RAYNER
  • Publication number: 20170370862
    Abstract: The present invention obtains a humidity measuring device capable of performing self-diagnosis with high reliability. This humidity measuring device 20 has a diagnosis processing unit 25 for performing self-diagnosis by using gas temperatures and gas humidities before and after a gas in an ambient atmosphere to be measured is heat-controlled. The diagnosis processing unit has a diagnosis start determining unit 26 for determining whether the self-diagnosis can be started on the basis of an exchange state in the ambient atmosphere to be measured and the gas temperature and the gas humidity before the gas in the ambient atmosphere to be measured is heat-controlled, and a diagnosis continuation determining unit 28 for determining whether the self-diagnosis can be continued on the basis of the gas temperature and the gas humidity that are heat-controlled during the self-diagnosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yuki ISOYA, Hiroaki HOSHIKA, Takayuki YOGO, Takahiro MIKI, Takahiro YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170370863
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a first sensing component, a second sensing component and a voltage enhancement circuit is provided. The first sensing component is coupled between a first voltage and a first node, where an impedance value of the first sensing component is proportional to a gas concentration. The second sensing component is coupled between the first node and a second voltage, where an impedance value of the second sensing component is inversely proportional to the gas concentration. The voltage enhancement circuit is coupled to the first node to receive a node voltage provided by the first node, and correspondingly provides a gas sensing voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Hsuan Ho
  • Publication number: 20170370864
    Abstract: A thin film gas sensor device includes a substrate, a nanostructured thin film layer, and a first and a second electrode. The nanostructured thin film layer is supported by the substrate and is formed with a semi-conductor material including holes. The semiconductor material is configured to undergo an increase in a density of the holes in the presence of a target gas, thereby decreasing an electrical resistance of the nanostructured thin film layer. The first and the second electrodes are supported by the substrate and are operably connected to the nanostructured thin film layer, such that the decrease in electrical resistance can be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ashwin K. SAMARAO, Gary O'BRIEN, Ando FEYH
  • Publication number: 20170370865
    Abstract: A thin film gas sensor device includes a substrate, a first electrode supported by the substrate, a second electrode supported by the substrate, and a gas-sensitive structure. The gas-sensitive structure is supported by the substrate and is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. The gas sensitive structure includes a plurality of thin film layers of a first material vertically interleaved with a plurality of thin film layers of a second material. The first and second materials are mutually catalytic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ashwin K. Samarao, Gary O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20170370866
    Abstract: One embodiment is a biochip having an array of biosensors for quantitative determination of protein-protein and/or antibody-antigen interactions. The array comprises at least two biosensors formed on a substrate. The biosensors can be used to detect either the same or different analytes. The biosensors may be acoustical transducers operated in the thickness shear mode of vibration, wherein the density, viscosity, and elasticity at the sensor interface can be ascertained. Additionally, a series of fluidic channels are etched to the same depth as the biosensors. The fluidic channels serve to efficiently deliver the sample to the biosensors. One or more biochips can be housed within an enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Drexel University
    Inventors: Johann deSa, Qiliang Zhang, Ryszard Lec, Ertan Ergezen
  • Publication number: 20170370867
    Abstract: The present application relates to a sensing method that is carried out using an electrode that comprises an electrode substrate functionalised with sensing elements. The method involves conducting electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at a plurality of applied voltages and then integrating measurement data as a function of voltage. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out the sensing method. The method and apparatus are suitable for a broad range of sensing applications, including the detection of diagnostic biomarkers, drug screening, development of glycoarray systems and the sensing of environmental parameters such as light intensity, temperature and humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicants: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED, UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA “JÚLIO DE MESQUITA FILHO” - UNESP
    Inventors: Jason Davis, Paulo Roberto Bueno
  • Publication number: 20170370868
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a stud sensor configured to locate a stud. The stud sensor includes a housing and a sensor carried by the housing. The sensor includes two or more electrodes. The two or more electrodes are configured to form a substantially circular configuration. The stud sensor further comprises one or more processors carried by the housing. The one or more processors are communicatively coupled with the sensor. The one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to calculate a stud location by measuring a change in capacitance from a fixed capacitance of a wall structure as the stud sensor is moved along a surface of the wall structure; and generate one or more signals to report a result relating to a location of a stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce EIDINGER, Yong Cushing, Michael Murray, Bianca Linay
  • Publication number: 20170370869
    Abstract: Among others, the present invention provides piezo-electric micro-devices for detecting at the microscopic level an electric, magnetic, electromagnetic, thermal, optical, acoustical, biological, chemical, physical, bio-chemical, bio-physical, physical-chemical, bio-physical-chemical, bio-mechanical, bio-electro-mechanical, electro-mechanical, or mechanical property of the biologic subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Chang Yu, Xuedong Du
  • Publication number: 20170370870
    Abstract: A coated electrode includes an electrode, a coating configured to immobilize biomolecules, and a coating configured to improve electron transfer rate. Methods of making the coated electrode are also provided. A biosensor comprises a plurality of electrodes, each electrode including the coated electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Nadezda Fomina, Autumn Maruniak, Christopher Johnson, Habib Ahmad, Sam Kavusi
  • Publication number: 20170370871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, methods, and devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The use of linear, cyclic, or acyclic voltammetric scans and/or semi-integral, derivative, or semi-derivative data treatment may provide for increased accuracy when determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Hematocrit compensation in combination with the data treatments may reduce the hematocrit effect with regard to a glucose analysis in whole blood. In another aspect, fast scan rates may reduce the hematocrit effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Huan-Ping Wu
  • Publication number: 20170370872
    Abstract: An electrochemical detector including at least one substance selection structure disposed adjacent or proximate to an electronic device structure, wherein the substance selection structure is arranged to interact with a target substance so as to alter an electrical characteristic of the electronic device structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: A. L. Roy Vellaisamy, Shishir Venkatesh, Tan Li
  • Publication number: 20170370873
    Abstract: A disposable screen-printed microchip based on an organic membrane sensitive layer is presented. The microchip is highly responsive for the determination of Lead(II). The microchip is composed of a composite sensitive material which comprises carbon nano-tubes “CNTs” and titanium (IV) oxide nano-particles embedded in a PVC membrane which was deposited on the surface of a plastic screen printed micro-electrode using a new methodology. The prepared disposable microchip provides a linear response for Pb2+ ions covering the concentration range of 1×10?6 to 1×10?1 mole L?1 with high sensitivity (49 mV), a long life span (>4 months) and short response time (10 s). The merits offered by the micro-sensor or microchip include small size, simple fabrication, mass production, integration feasibility and cost effectiveness and automation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Hassan Abdou Arida, Mohammad Ateeq AlDosari
  • Publication number: 20170370874
    Abstract: A NOx sensor is provided which decreases a change rate of an oxygen ion current in a sensor electrode and shortens an activation time of the sensor electrode. The NOx sensor is equipped with a solid electrolyte body, a pump electrode working to regulate an oxygen concentration in measurement gas G, and a sensor electrode working to measure the concentration of NOx in the measurement gas G. A metallic component of the sensor electrode is a Pt—Rh alloy. The mass ratio of Pt to Rh in the whole of the sensor electrode is Pt:Rh=70:30 to 35:65. The percentage of Rh in the Pt—Rh alloy in a surface layer of the sensor electrode is higher than that in the whole of the sensor electrode by an atomic composition percentage of 4 to 10 atom %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Mitsunobu NAKATOU, Kumi SAWAGUCHI, Keigo MIZUTANI, Takashi ARAKI
  • Publication number: 20170370875
    Abstract: The invention achieves a lower noise of a sense signal of a FET-type hydrogen sensor. For solving the above problem, one aspect of a sensor system of the invention includes a reference device and a sensor device configured using FETs on a substrate, and further, well potentials of the reference device and the sensor device are electrically isolated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo ONO, Toshiyuki USAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20170370876
    Abstract: Techniques for fabricating horizontally aligned nanochannels are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a device having nanochannels is provided. The method includes: providing a SOI wafer having a SOI layer on a buried insulator; forming at least one nanowire and pads in the SOI layer, wherein the nanowire is attached at opposite ends thereof to the pads, and wherein the nanowire is suspended over the buried insulator; forming a mask over the pads, the mask having a gap therein where the nanowire is exposed between the pads; forming an alternating series of metal layers and insulator layers alongside one another within the gap and surrounding the nanowire; and removing the nanowire to form at least one of the nanochannels in the alternating series of the metal layers and insulator layers. A device having nanochannels is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Sebastian U. Engelmann, Stephen M. Rossnagel, Ying Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170370877
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a sensor element having an electrode pad and a metal terminal member including a forward metal terminal member connected to the electrode pad, and a rear metal terminal member connected to the forward metal terminal member and a lead wire. The rear metal terminal member includes a forward end portion, a central portion, and a lead-wire connection portion. The forward end portion and the central portion are integrally connected through a first neck portion smaller in sectional area than the forward end portion and the central portion. The central portion and the lead-wire connection portion are integrally connected through a second neck portion smaller in sectional area than the central portion and the lead-wire connection portion. The first neck portion is greater in moment of inertia of area than the second neck portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Shunya MIHARA, Takehiro OBA, Shogo NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20170370878
    Abstract: The invention is an improved ultraviolet absorption-based multiplex capillary electrophoresis instrument with at least four and preferably six user-accessible vertically stacked drawers. An x-z stage moves samples from the user accessible drawers to the capillary array for analysis. A computer program allows users to add capillary electrophoresis jobs to a queue corresponding to the analysis of rows or plates of samples without stopping or interrupting runs in progress. A double-set of enclosures surrounding the light source enables collection of high-quality data. The invention also may include a capillary reservoir with separate flow channels for the capillary tips and electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Stebniski, Bruce R. Boeke, Martin Chris Foster, Scott Stueckradt, Thomas J. Kurt
  • Publication number: 20170370879
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an oxide layer having ion transport channels that facilitate the migration of oxygen ions from a first side to a second side of the layer. Specifically, molecular oxygen is decomposed into oxygen ions at the first side, and oxygen ions recombine into molecular oxygen at the second side. The apparatus includes a first chamber having a polarizable medium located on the second side of the oxide layer; a second chamber having an analyte that includes dissolved oxygen is located on the first side. The apparatus further includes a gate electrode that is in contact with, and applies a voltage to, the polarizable medium; in this manner, an electric field is applied to the second side of the oxide layer, which drives oxygen ions across the oxide layer. The apparatus can be used as an oxygen sensor, e.g., for detecting oxygen in a liquid such as blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Naga Phani B. Aetukuri, Stuart S.P. Parkin, Mahesh G. Samant
  • Publication number: 20170370880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the controlled delivery of a drug as a function of bioavailable drug concentration, a sensor device for detecting bioavailable drug concentration, and a delivery device that controls delivery of the drug based on the real-time detection of bioavailable drug concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Edward Chaum, Erno LINDNER, Jidong GUO
  • Publication number: 20170370881
    Abstract: An arrangement with a first electrode (101), a second electrode (103), at least one measuring device (107) and at least one voltage source (109). The voltage source (109) is designed to apply a first electric voltage to the first electrode (101) and the measuring device (107) is designed to measure a second electric voltage at the second electrode (103). At least part of the first electrode (101) and at least part of the second electrode (103) are immersed in a flowing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Georg TENCKHOFF, Kurt ENGELEN, Alejandro MARTIN BARRIOS
  • Publication number: 20170370882
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a system may include a basin that includes an index plate positioned at a bottom of the basin. The basin is configured to receive a liquid analyte, such as a liquid food product or a nutrient broth. The index plate includes an array of multiple wells. Each well opens into an interior of the basin and is sized to receive a magnetostrictive sensor in a predetermined orientation. One or more sensor coils is positionable beneath each well. The basin may be filled with liquid analyte and magnetostrictive sensors may be positioned in the wells. The liquid analyte may be allowed to incubate at a controlled temperature. A controller may position a sensor coil beneath a well, apply a varying magnetic field to a magnetostrictive sensor in the well, and detect a frequency response of the magnetostrictive sensor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Zhongyang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170370883
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method for contaminant detection includes distributing multiple magnetostrictive sensors on a nonmagnetic index plate. The index plate includes multiple wells formed in a top surface that are each sized to receive a magnetostrictive sensor. The method further includes placing a magnetic backing plate below the index plate, inverting the index plate and the magnetic backing plate, and then placing the inverted index plate on a sample surface. The sample surface may be two-dimensional food such as fresh vegetable leaves. The method may further include placing the index plate and the magnetic backing plate on a nonmagnetic cover plate that is positioned above a sensor coil. The method further includes removing the magnetic backing plate, removing the index plate, and applying a varying magnetic field with the sensor coil to a magnetostrictive sensor positioned on the cover plate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan A. Chin, Shin Horikawa, Stevie R. Best, I-Hsuan Chen, Howard C. Wikle, Zhongyang Cheng, Yuzhe Liu, Jiajia Hu, Fengen Wang
  • Publication number: 20170370884
    Abstract: A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor includes a crystal plate, a buffer layer, and an electrode. The crystal plate has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The buffer layer includes a first buffer layer and a second buffer layer. The first buffer layer is disposed on the first surface of the crystal plate. the second buffer layer is disposed on the second surface of the crystal plate. The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is disposed on the first buffer layer. The second electrode is disposed on the second buffer layer. The electrode includes at least one of titanium, scandium, beryllium, cobalt, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, lutetium, hafnium, rhenium, osmium, americium, curium, berkelium, and californium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yongho JO, Mokleem HA
  • Publication number: 20170370885
    Abstract: A system and methods of nondestructive testing are described. The system includes an immersion ultrasonic probe and a laser vibrometer. The immersion ultrasonic probe and a sample are immersed in a fluid contained in an immersion tank and the laser vibrometer is disposed outside of the immersion tank. A tightly focused ultrasonic beam from the immersion ultrasonic probe and a laser beam from the laser vibrometer are both transmitted upon a sample, the laser beam being transmitted through the wall of the immersion tank. Since the ultrasonic beam is tightly focused and the laser beam samples only a small area impinged by the ultrasonic beam, microscopic resolution is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jeong K. NA, Shaun L. FREED, Erin K. Oneida
  • Publication number: 20170370886
    Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic probe having an adjustable slew rate, the ultrasonic probe having minimal dimensions and circuit sizes. The ultrasonic probe includes: a transducer; a transmitting circuit; a correcting unit; and a distributing unit. The transmitting circuit includes a transducer driving unit and a current source. The transducer driving unit includes a current mirror of a low voltage transistor and a high voltage transistor. The high voltage transistor is connected to the transducer and the current source supplies an operating current to the low voltage transistor of the transducer driving unit. The correcting unit includes a transmission circuit driving unit replica, a bias unit, and an observing unit. The distributing unit transfers a signal to a current source of the transmitting circuit so that the same current value as the current value extracted by the observing unit flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuma Nishimoto, Yutaka Igarashi, Yusaku Katsube
  • Publication number: 20170370887
    Abstract: The subject technology is directed to a CO2-based chromatography system and method for rapid determination of the levels and/or the presence or absence of polymer additives (PAs) leachable or extractable from packing materials or implantable medical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Stephane Dubant, Baiba Cabovska, Andrew Aubin, Michael Jones, Peter Hancock
  • Publication number: 20170370888
    Abstract: A system and method for performing field-portable GC/MS measurements for the rapid sampling and measurement of high temperature boiling semi-volatile organic compounds in environmental samples, wherein other column bundles have cold spots that may prevent high temperature boiling semi-volatile components from eluting the GC column, this new design may eliminate those cold spots on the GC column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Edgar D. Lee, Nathan L. Porter, Anthony D. Rands, Randall W. Waite
  • Publication number: 20170370889
    Abstract: A method for determining optimal values of a mass spectral operating parameter for mass spectral analysis of each of a plurality of compounds comprises: acquiring a plurality of mass spectral measurements of each of at least one characteristic ion species of each respective compound during its introduction into a mass spectrometer while a quantity of each introduced compound varies with time wherein, for each characteristic ion species, the operational parameter is caused to vary between successive mass spectral measurements of the said species; calculating, for each characteristic ion species, a corrected intensity of at least a portion of the plurality of mass spectral measurements of said each species, based on a best-fit synthetic model curve that relates to the time variation of the respective corresponding compound; and determining the optimal values of the operating parameter from analyses of variation of the corrected intensities with respect to the operational parameter variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Philip M. REMES
  • Publication number: 20170370890
    Abstract: A gas inlet system for introducing gas into an isotope ratio analyzer, the gas inlet system including a reference system comprising: a first supply of a reference gas having a first known isotope ratio; a supply of a carrier gas, wherein the supplies of reference gas and carrier gas are each connected by respective reference and carrier gas lines to a first mixing junction where the reference gas and carrier gas combine; a mixing zone connected downstream of the first mixing junction wherein the combined reference gas and carrier gas mix together; an exit line for transporting the mixed gas from the mixing zone to the isotope ratio analyzer; and an opening on the exit line, wherein the opening is downstream of the mixing zone. Also provided is a method of determining an isotope ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Eric WAPELHORST, Hans-Jürgen SCHLÜTER, Oliver KRACHT, Johannes SCHWIETERS, Michael KRUMMEN
  • Publication number: 20170370891
    Abstract: A portable device for measuring gas in a closed space includes an air intake and exhaust unit configured to suction external air and discharge the suctioned air, a sensor unit configured to measure characteristics of the air suctioned by the air intake and exhaust unit, a communication unit configured to communicate with a host system, a power supply unit configured to supply power to the air intake and exhaust unit, the sensor unit, and the communication unit, and a control unit configured to control the air intake and exhaust unit, the sensor unit, the communication unit, and the power supply unit so that the sensor unit measures the characteristics of the air suctioned by the air intake and exhaust unit and configured to transmit measurement information to the host system through the communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Dae Seung YOO
  • Publication number: 20170370892
    Abstract: The system for determining chlorine demand in water includes a reagent supply tank configured for holding a solution of sodium hypochlorite of known concentration, a buffer tank positioned in fluid communication with the reagent supply tank, the buffer tank including a first conduit configured for transferring the solution from the reagent supply tank into the buffer tank, and a mixing tank positioned in fluid communication with the buffer tank, the mixing tank including a second conduit configured for transferring the solution from the buffer tank into the mixing tank to form a composite solution. The system further includes a first chlorine measuring device for measuring the free chlorine residual in a water source connected to the mixing tank, a second chlorine measuring device configured for measuring the free chlorine residual in the composite solution, and a pump operatively coupled to the water source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: YAROSLAV OLACH, VIKTOR GRIBENKO
  • Publication number: 20170370893
    Abstract: A remote hydraulic and water quality monitoring and telemetry device for being connected to a fire hydrant. The device connects to a hydrant nozzle via a swivel connection and includes a control valve mounted inside the nozzle to conserve space and release a determined volume of water from the hydrant lateral pipe to provide a sample from the main line pipe. The device includes a multi-parameter water quality sonde or sensors, data acquisition, and telemetry hardware. The door of the enclosure may include a solar panel. The device may rest on a plate mounted to the hydrant riser flange after the hydrant and upper hydrant valve stem are removed. The device may rest on the ground and be connected to a hydrant nozzle by a rotating pipe assembly which can be adjusted to be positioned at locations around the hydrant and at varying elevations relative to the hydrant nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul West
  • Publication number: 20170370894
    Abstract: There is described a fiber-optic sensor for measuring a light signal from a fluorescible sample comprising heavy metal ions, for example. The fiber-optic sensor comprises an optical fiber having a side surface by which the light signal from the fluorescible sample is inputted. The optical fiber is corrugated to form at least two gratings on the side surface of the optical fiber. Each grating comprises periodically longitudinally spaced-apart valleys on the surface of the optical fiber, and is longitudinally spaced apart from any other grating of the at least two gratings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yasser CHINIFOROOSHAN, Wojtek BOCK
  • Publication number: 20170370895
    Abstract: Nano-indentation test to determine mechanical properties of reservoir rock can be implemented as multi-stage or single-stage tests. An experimental nano-indentation test (multi-stage or single-stage) is performed on a solid sample. A numerical nano-indentation test (multi-stage or single-stage) is performed on a numerical model of the solid sample. One or more experimental force-displacement curves obtained in response to performing the experimental nano-indentation test and one or more numerical force-displacement curves obtained in response to performing the numerical test are compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yanhui Han, Younane N. Abousleiman, Katherine Leigh Hull, Ghaithan Muntasheri
  • Publication number: 20170370896
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus including a structure containing a multiphase fluid and having a transparent window. A collimated light source emits light through the transparent window structure at a wavelength at which a component of a desired phase of the multiphase fluid is absorptive. A photodetector is positioned such that the emitted light passes through the multiphase fluid in the structure and out through the transparent window structure to impinge upon the photodetector. The photodetector has an actual dynamic range for light detection. Processing circuitry adjusts a power of the collimated light source in a series of steps dependent upon a relationship between an output level of the photodetector and a threshold to cause measurement of the emitted light over an effective dynamic range greater than the actual dynamic range. Properties of the multiphase fluid are determined as a function of the measured emitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Arifin Arifin, Cheng-Gang Xie
  • Publication number: 20170370897
    Abstract: A system and a method for determining the relative value of a naphtha stream is provided, by conducting analysis on the crude oil sample, after which modules or steps are performed to estimate the total liquid yields, estimate raw product yields, normalize raw product yields, determine the value of each fraction based on predetermined values, and calculate the total value of the naphtha stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Omer Refa Koseoglu