Abstract: Increasing the precision of process monitoring may be improved if the sensors take the form of travelling probes riding along with the flowing materials in the manufacturing process rather than sample only when the process moves passed the sensors fixed location. The probe includes an outer housing hermetically sealed from the flowing materials, and a light source for transmitting light through a window in the housing onto the flowing materials. A spatially variable optical filter (SVF) captures light returning from the flowing materials, and separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals for transmission to a detector array, which provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength signal.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a container configured to contain a coolant within a space. The apparatus further includes a cooling block positioned substantially within the space and having a high heat capacity such that the space not occupied by the cooling block is filled with a coolant to a level at or below the top of the cooling block, and a placement structure having high thermal conductivity positioned on top of the cooling block and outside of the space. A method for cooling an object is also provided, which includes inserting a coolant into a container configured to contain the coolant within a space, and placing the object on a placement structure outside the space. For this method, the placement structure has a high thermal conductivity and is coupled to a cooling block, the cooling block having a high heat capacity and positioned substantially within the space.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of quickly constructing an operation program that causes an inspection system to carry out an operation for imaging the surface to be inspected. This apparatus includes a drawing acquisition section configured to acquire drawing data of the workpiece, a designation receiving section configured to accept designation of the surface to be inspected in the drawing data, a target position acquisition section configured to acquire, as a target position, a position of the movement mechanism when the workpiece and the imaging section are positioned such that the surface to be inspected is within a field of view of the imaging section, and a program generation section configured to generate an operation program for controlling a movement operation of the movement mechanism and an imaging operation of the imaging section on the basis of the target position.

Abstract: A hydration sensor is provided that includes a circulator having a plurality of ports, an amplitude-modulated coherent source connected to a first port of the circulator, a rectifier or other power sensor connected to a second port of the circulator followed by an RF baseband low-noise amplifier, a coupling structure connected to the third port of the circulator, and a demodulator connected to the output of the rectifier. The hydration sensor can include an RF low noise amplifier between the circulator and rectifier, and/or a second amplitude modulator between the circulator and the coupling structure. The coupling structure can be either a guided-wave near-field structure or an interfacial capacitive or inductive element. In the former case, the hydration is determined by measuring the reflectivity of the guided-wave radiation, and in the latter case it is determined by measuring the change of reflectivity (through change of impedance) of the interfacial element.

Abstract: A microwave measuring device having a transmitting module and a receiving module and an apparatus having these modules are described. The two modules are accommodated either in a common housing or in separate housings. The transmitting module can be coupled to a transmitting antenna and the receiving module can be coupled to a receiving antenna. In order to compensate for measurement errors, in particular temperature-related measurement errors, at least one RF bypass cable runs outside the housing/the housings and can be used to couple the transmitting module and the receiving module while bridging the measuring section defined by the two antennas.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and imaging of a sample of rock from an oil and gas reservoir is provided. A sample of reservoir rock may be obtained, such as from a core sample obtained using a core sampling tool inserted in a wellbore extending into an oil and gas reservoir. A photoresist may be deposited on the surface of reservoir rock sample to form a homogenous layer. The photoresist-coated surface of the reservoir rock sample may be imaged using a focused ion beam (FIB). The photoresist protects the pores and other surface features of the rock from damage or implantation by the FIB ion beam and thus minimizes the curtain effect in the resulting images.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an analysis of a material of a component. A radiation source is activated to transmit radiation to the component. A beam pattern is obtained based on the component interfering with the radiation. The beam pattern is compared to a reference beam pattern. An anomaly is detected to exist in the material when the comparison indicates a deviation between the beam pattern and the reference beam pattern.

Abstract: Various methods of diagnosing defects and disbonds in devices and materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve cooling a portion of a material or device, heating a portion of the material or device with a heating instrument, terminating the application of heat to the material or device, and imaging the material or device using a thermal imager after heat is removed. In certain variants, disbonds and/or defects can be visualized as hotter areas and spots on the material through the thermal image.

Abstract: An apparatus for perturbation method electrical permittivity measurements of a sample comprises a waveguide body having a first end, a second end, an upper wall, and a lower wall, a first shorting plug disposed within the waveguide body proximate the first end, a second shorting plug disposed within the waveguide body proximate the second end, a first threaded connector mount attached to the upper wall of the waveguide body at a first position along a length of the waveguide body, a second threaded connector mount attached to the upper wall of the waveguide body at a second position along a length of the waveguide body, and first and second apertures formed centrally in the upper wall and lower wall, respectively, of the waveguide body.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a first substrate, at least one first electrode, a sensing structure, at least one second electrode, and a second substrate. The at least one first electrode is located on the first substrate. The sensing structure is located on the at least one first electrode and the first substrate, and the sensing structure includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer having a first conductive type covers the first substrate and the at least one first electrode; the second semiconductor layer having a second conductive type is located on the first semiconductor layer. The at least one second electrode covers the sensing structure. The second substrate covers the at least one second electrode and the sensing structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite having the ability to stably and reliably detect a target gas even in a moist environment. The composite of the present invention includes: a nanostructure of an oxide semiconductor selected from the group consisting of SnO2, ZnO, WO3, NiO, and In2O3; and a CeO2 additive loaded on the nanostructure. The oxide semiconductor nanostructure is uniformly loaded with CeO2. The composite of the present invention can rapidly detect an analyte gas with high gas response irrespective of the presence and concentration of moisture. The present invention also relates to methods for preparing the composite, a gas sensor including the composite as a material for a gas sensing layer, and a method for fabricating the gas sensor.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube-based multi-sensors for packaging applications and methods to form the carbon nanotube-based multi-sensors are capable of simultaneously measuring at least two measurands including temperature, strain, and humidity via changes in its electrical properties.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube-based multi-sensors for packaging applications and methods to form the carbon nanotube-based multi-sensors are capable of simultaneously measuring at least two measurands including temperature, strain, and humidity via changes in its electrical properties.

Abstract: A system includes an impedance gas sensor configured to be in contact with one or more hydrocarbons. The impedance sensor includes electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is configured to have a sensing material and to generate electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a reduced sensing region temperature as compared to a prescribed heater voltage or a prescribed sensing region temperature. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive electrical signals from the sensor, where the electrical signals are representative of impedance responses of the sensing material to one or more hydrocarbons. The one or more processors also are configured to analyze the impedance responses and determine an amount of at least one hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-healing platform unit for pressure and analyte sensing, and a method for fabrication thereof, the platform unit comprising a self-healing substrate comprising a dynamically crosslinked polymer comprising polymeric chains and crosslinking bridges; at least one self-healing electrode comprising a non-crosslinked polymer and metal microparticles dispersed therein, wherein the at least one self-healing electrode is deposited on the substrate; and at least one sensor comprising metal nanoparticles capped with an organic coating, wherein the at least one sensor is deposited on the substrate and is in electric contact with the at least one self-healing electrode.

Abstract: The electroanalytical imaging device generally has an electroanalytical cell having a substrate and an array of electrodes mounted on the substrate; an electroanalytical acquisition unit connected to the electrodes of the array and being configured for performing electroanalytical measurements between electrodes of the array; and a processor communicatively coupled to the electroanalytical acquisition unit. In some embodiments, the processor is configured for determining a proportion of the given electrode being covered by the analyte solution in a first electroanalytical measurement based on a first value of the first electroanalytical measurement and on a calibration value.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a test strip with a first planar substrate has coplanar electrodes on a first planar surface and a second planar substrate (which opposes the first surface of the first planar substrate) has coplanar electrodes on a second planar surface. The first planar surface of the first planar substrate having a first sensing area electrically connected to a first electrical contact. The second planar surface of the second planar substrate having a second electrical contact electrically connected to the first electrical contact via a conductive element, the conductive element extending between the first surface of the first planar substrate and the second surface of the second planar substrate without passing through the first planar substrate, the second planar substrate, or any intermediate layers.

Abstract: A biosensor test strip made in the process without the use of an etchant and its etchant-free fabrication method. A patterned stripping layer is formed onto a substrate and is comprised of a masking region and a hollow region, wherein the hollow region defines a wiring pattern. A metallic film is sputtered onto the masking region of the patterned stripping layer as well as the substrate below the hollow region. The patterned stripping layer is washed off by a non-etchant liquid to remove the masking region and the metallic film thereon. The metallic film on the substrate is remained to form a detection line corresponding to the wiring pattern. A pad layer and a reacting enzyme are formed respectively on the detection line and the substrate. The present invention employs the non-etchant liquid to conduct a removing process so as to form the detection line.

Abstract: A method for calculating hematocrit in blood includes: applying a blood sample to a reagent layer on an electrochemical test strip; sequentially applying a first high positive voltage and a second high positive voltage to the blood sample, in which the second high positive voltage is greater than the first high positive voltage, and the first high positive voltage is greater than or equal to 1.0 V; calculating a quantity of electricity corresponding to the period of applying the second high positive voltage; and calculating a hematocrit of the blood sample according to the quantity of electricity.

Abstract: A biosensor device comprises a substrate base having a paper body, the substrate base supporting at least a first electrode having a growth nanomaterial surface on a portion thereof adapted to receive a sample fluid, and a contact end configured for connection to measuring equipment. A substrate cover has a paper body, the substrate cover defining a reaction zone in which the paper is exposed on both sides of the paper body, the substrate cover supporting at least a second electrode and at least a third electrode each having a connection end contacting the reaction zone and a contact end configured for connection to the measuring equipment, wherein the reaction zone is superposed on the growth nanomaterial surface during use for wicking of the sample fluid through the reaction zone.

Abstract: A gas detection device includes a temperature control part configured to control an amount of energization to a heater so that an impedance of an element part matches a target impedance, to thereby control a temperature of the heater. The temperature control part is configured to set a first target impedance as the target impedance while performing application voltage control for air-fuel ratio detection, and set a second target impedance as the target impedance while performing application voltage control for SOx detection.

Abstract: A gas detection device includes a temperature control part configured to detect an element impedance by applying a high frequency voltage to an element part, and to control an electric power to be supplied to a heating part based on the detected element impedance. The temperature control part is configured, when the applied voltage control for SOx detection is being performed and at least a voltage decrease sweep is being performed, to perform a second element temperature control to stop detecting the element impedance to set the electric power to be supplied to the heating part to a predetermined electric power.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for sensing gas has added mechanical support for the working electrode to prevent flexure of the working electrode due to pressure differentials. The added mechanical support includes: 1) affixing a larger area of the working electrode to the body of the cell; 2) a gas vent to a cavity of the body to equalize pressures; 3) a rigid electrolyte layer abutting a back surface of the working electrode; 4) infusing an adhesive deep into sides of the porous working electrode to enhance rigidity; 5) supporting opposing surfaces of the working electrode with the rigid package body; and 6) other techniques to make the working electrode more rigid. A bias circuit is also described that uses a controllable current source, an integrator of the varying current, and a feedback circuit for supplying a voltage to the counter electrode and a bias voltage to the reference electrode.

Abstract: A sensor element for detecting at least one property of a measuring gas in a measuring gas chamber, in particular for detecting a portion of a gas component in the measuring gas or a temperature of the measuring gas. The sensor element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a sensor chip. The sensor chip includes at least one solid electrolyte diaphragm, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first substrate and the second substrate are connected to each other via at least one glass ceramic. The glass ceramic is manufactured from a material which includes at least SiO2, MgO, Al2O3, as well as ZnO and/or B2O3.

Abstract: A food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus includes a portable reference fluid reservoir comprising an inlet and an outlet and configured to store a reference fluid that includes a predetermined concentration of an analyte, a pump fluidly coupled to the outlet of the portable reference fluid reservoir and configured to pump the reference fluid from the outlet of the portable reference fluid reservoir, a sensor connector configured to fluidly couple with a sensor positioned along a fluid flow path of the food wash system, a sensor fluid line configured to provide the reference fluid from the pump to the sensor connector, an inlet fluid line configured to provide the reference fluid from the pump to the inlet of the portable reference fluid reservoir, and a valve configured to adjustably control a fluid flow rate of the reference fluid through the sensor fluid line and the inlet fluid line.

Abstract: A method of and system for determining the total magnetic content of a fluid sample introduced within at least one coil. A sample withdrawal event time is determined and, at the sample withdrawal event time, the response of the at least one coil is analyzed in two zones, a first zone before the fluid sample withdrawal event time and a second zone after the fluid sample withdrawal event time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a “tool-kit” of processing techniques which can be employed in different combinations depending on the circumstances. For example, flow speed can be found using eddy tracking techniques, or by using speed of sound measurements. Moreover, composition can be found by using speed of sound measurements and also by looking for turning points in the k-? curves, particularly in stratified multi-phase flows. Different combinations of the embodiments can therefore be put together to provide further embodiments, to meet particular flow sensing requirements, both on the surface and downhole. Once the flow speed is known, then at least in the case of a single phase flow, the flow speed can be multiplied by the interior cross-sectional area of the pipe to obtain the flow rate. The mass flow rate can then be obtained if the density of the fluid is known, once the composition has been determined.

Abstract: A fixed value residual stress test block, comprising a main body (1) and two welded blocks (2); the main body (1) and the welded blocks (2) are all rectangular metal blocks; the welded blocks (2) are welded onto the two opposite side surfaces of the main body (1); the main body (1) is deformed under the upper and lower pressures and generates residual stress. The fixed value residual stress test block has a simple structure.

Abstract: An inspection system for a cylindrical member includes at least one retention member positionable about at least a portion of a circumference of the cylindrical member. The inspection system also includes a positioning system and at least one housing. The at least one housing is coupleable to the at least one retention member at each of a series of circumferential inspection locations. The at least one housing includes at least one probe. The positioning system cooperates with the at least one retention member to position the at least one probe at each of the circumferential locations. The at least one probe is configured to send and receive a signal through an interior of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and monitoring changes in mechanical structures and in walls of pipes, vessels and storage tanks, using muitimode acoustic signal propagation and detection, are described. Acoustic signals having chosen amplitude-time-frequency characteristics excite multiple modes in the structure under investigation, are generated and received at a small number of accessible locations, such as the ends of pipes and the tops and bottoms of vessels and storage tanks, with the inspection region between transmit and receive transducers. Small mechanical changes lead to acoustic scattering and attenuation among the various modes, which are detectable as changes in received signal intensity. Such changes may include material loss, material conversion and material addition. Once the structure is characterized in a known condition, the present method may be used to monitor the structure at a later time to determine whether changes have taken place.

Abstract: An inspection system for determining the efficacy and veracity of a bond-line, comprising: a robotic arm assembly providing a gimbal mount for enabling linear and rotary translation about multiple axes; an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the gimbal mount of the robotic arm assembly and comprising a planar array of transducer elements, each transducer element capable of transmitting and receiving reflected ultrasonic energy indicative of changes in acoustic impedance within the bond-line. The reflected energy of each transducer element provides acquired bond-line data indicative of the efficacy of the bond-line while select transducer elements produce orientation data indicative of the orientation of the planar array relative to the contour of the bonded joint. The bond-line and orientation data are combined to determine whether the direction of the transmitted pulse should be altered to validate the bond-line data.

Abstract: An imaging method based on guided wave scattering of omni-directional EMATs includes: selecting an nth omni-directional EMAT from N omni-directional EMATs uniformly arranged in a detection region of a metal plate to be detected as an excitation EMAT; selecting m omni-directional EMATs as omni-directionally receiving EMATs to omni-directionally receive an ultrasonic guided wave signal, and calculating a travel time and intensity of the ultrasonic guided wave signal; judging whether the excitation EMAT and the omni-directionally receiving EMATs form a scattering group, if yes, calculating a position of a scattering point; judging whether the position of the scattering point is within a preset scattering region, if yes, determining the position of the scattering point as an effective scattering point; repeating the above steps until all N omni-directional EMATs have excited omni-directional ultrasonic guided waves, and performing curve fitting on all effective scattering points to obtain a defect profile image.

Abstract: A method for adjusting array of omnidirectional EMATs includes: uniformly arranging N EMATs in a detection region of a metal plate; calculating positions of scattering points according to amplitudes and travel times of guided wave scattering signals, and forming a first defect profile curve by performing three smooth spline interpolations on coordinate data of positions of scattering points; calculating curvatures of points on the first defect profile curve by solving a first and second derivatives of a function of the first defect profile curve; determining an array adjustment region by comparing the curvature with a preset threshold, adjusting the array and calculating a second defect profile curve; and performing data fusion on the first and second defect profile curves to form a defect profile image of the metal plate.

Abstract: There is provided a method for sensing a sample. The method includes the following steps: first a light beam is directed onto the sample. The sample transmits at least a portion of the light beam to form a transmitted light beam. Next, the transmitted light beam is received at an acoustic transducer. The acoustic transducer absorbs at least a portion of the transmitted light beam and in response generated an acoustic wave. Subsequently, an electrical signal is generated at the acoustic transducer. The electrical signal is generated based on at least a portion of the acoustic wave.

Abstract: A light transmitting apparatus, comprises a bundle fiber configured to include a plurality of strand groups; and a control unit which controls an incidence position of light incident on an incident end-side cross-section of the bundle fiber, wherein in the bundle fiber, the plurality of strand groups are arranged so as to respectively form a plurality of incident regions on the incident end-side cross-section, and a plurality of exit regions respectively corresponding to the strand groups are arranged in a different layout from the plurality of incident regions on a cross-section on an exit end side, and the control unit is configured to be capable of changing a region, to which transmitted light is to be incident, among the plurality of incident regions by controlling the incidence position of light.

Abstract: A crack detecting system includes a tool movable along a conduit or structure and having at least one sensing device for sensing cracks in a wall of the conduit or structure. The tool includes at least one component that includes a metamaterial. The system includes an emitting source that has at least one transducer. A processor is operable to process an output of the at least one sensing device. The processor responsively determines cracks present at the wall of the conduit or structure via the processed output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a beam overlap verification system and method for phased array ultrasonic inspection. A scan plan for the ultrasonic inspection defines a suitable probe, wedge and calibration block having machined defects for the geometry to be inspected, and makes a beam definition which defines a set of ultrasonic beams emitted by the phased array. An intersection amplitude unit records the response amplitudes from each defect at predetermined intersection points of adjacent beam pairs as the probe and wedge are manually scanned across the calibration block. An overlap verification module determines the ?6 dB overlap of all adjacent beam pairs which are relevant to the geometry to be inspected, and verifies that the beam overlap conforms to the required coverage according to the ASME or other relevant codes. In this way, coverage is experimentally verified during calibration prior to inspection of a known geometry, such as a weld.

Abstract: A multi-way valve has an upper part, a lower part and a central part connected to the upper part via an interposing first membrane and the lower part via an interposing second membrane, wherein the upper and lower parts contain recesses on the upper and lower part faces facing the membranes, where a control fluid is introducible into the recesses, the central part contains a pair of openings in regions opposite the recesses on the central part faces lying adjacent to the membranes, where while introducing the control fluid into a recess, the membrane closes respective opposite openings in the central part, and where the membrane otherwise recedes into the recess, thereby releasing the opposite openings, where valve connections are mounted on the upper or lower part such that the central part can have a very thin design while preventing dead regions in the channel systems.

Abstract: A preparative purification apparatus capable of adjusting a mixing ratio of a mobile phase and an elution solvent contained in a solution to be collected. A liquid feeding unit which feeds an elution solvent to an inlet of a trap column; a flow path switching unit which selectively connects an outlet of the trap column to one of a waste liquid flow path or a recovery flow path; a liquid feed amount measurement unit; and a flow path control unit which performs a control such that the flow path switching unit is connected to the recovery flow path when the amount of the elution solvent fed to the trap column reaches a predetermined initial waste liquid amount, and thereafter, the flow path switching unit is connected to the waste liquid flow path at a timing of reaching a predetermined solution recovery amount.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid chromatographic detector in which two detectors of a differential refractive index detector and an absorbance detector are used, the liquid chromatographic detector being configured to prevent, as much as possible, any difference from being generated in the detection results of both detectors. By using a liquid chromatographic detector including a differential refractive index detector housed in a housing; an absorbance detector housed in the housing; and the connection pipe that is a flow path connecting between the differential refractive index detector and the absorbance detector which are housed in the housing, the length of the connection pipe can be shortened and diffusion of target components can be minimized.

Abstract: A method for rapid differential diagnosis of infection using supercritical fluid chromatographic separation of quorum sensing molecules as biomarkers for infection agents.

Abstract: Sensors arrays that include indicators arranged in a pattern on a substrate. The indicators include nucleophilic indicators. In some examples, the sensor arrays with multiple nucleophilic indicators provide superior detection and identification of microorganisms, cancer biomarkers, formaldehyde, organophosphates, and aldehydes.

Abstract: A zero-power digital chemical analyzer can include a chemically-selective percolation switch. The chemically selected percolation switch can include a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated from the positive electrode by a gap. A binding agent can be located at binding sites in the gap. The binding agent can be selective for binding to a target chemical compound. The binding sites can be distributed in the gap so that target chemical molecules binding to the binding sites can form an electrically conductive pathway via a natural percolation phenomenon between the electrodes when the ambient concentration of the target chemical compound reaches a threshold concentration.

Abstract: A device for measuring the concentration of a gas constituting the ambient air includes a wristwatch comprising a watch case (13) containing a watch movement, members indicating the time (1, 3, 9) visible through a glass of the watch case (13). In addition, the wristwatch comprises at least one sensor (11) arranged to measure the concentration of a gas constituting the ambient air. The wristwatch also includes means for actuating an alert when reaching or exceeding a threshold of the gas concentration measured by the sensor (11). The device includes two operating states, a “time” state and an “alarm” state, wherein in the “time” state, the members indicating the time (1, 1?, 3, 9) indicate the time and the sensor (11) permanently measures the gas concentration without displaying it or activating the alert.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for improving the safety of work areas, especially in industries where there is a high probability of exposure to hazardous gases. The system may comprise an Intelligence System, wherein the system may generate a gas health indicator (GHI) value using quantified data received from a plurality of gas detectors within the workplace. This GHI may be used to compare sites within a workplace and suggest improvements, as well as predicting risk levels for areas of the workplace.

Abstract: The invention is directed to antibody compositions that specifically bind to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and kits encompassing the same.

Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine and a method of monitoring the lubrication system are described. The lubrication system generally circulates lubricant from a sump (i.e., a reservoir), through a filtration system, to the internal combustion engine, and back to the sump. The lubrication system includes a controller that monitors a dielectric constant of the lubricant and a viscosity of the lubricant. Based on the dielectric constant, the controller can determine whether the lubricant flowing through the lubrication system is new lubricant (e.g., recently replaced lubricant) or old lubricant (e.g., lubricant that has degraded enough to be distinguished from new lubricant). If old lubricant is identified, the viscosity of the lubricant is compared against threshold viscosities to dynamically determine when the lubricant requires replacement.

Abstract: A device and method for determining characteristics of a concrete sample includes the use of multiple transducers. The transducers may couple to the concrete surface so that they can impart or receive mechanical waves from the sample. An area within a plane in the concrete sample is bounded by a collective extent of mechanical waves that pass through the plane and has a dimension at least as long as a distance between reinforcing bars in the concrete.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus that can manipulate, detect, and/or analyze single molecules, single small particles or single small samples of matter passing through a nanoscale gap within a nanofluidic channel of a detector.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to assessing immunity to folate receptors. For example, methods and materials for assessing FR? immunity in a mammal are provided. This document also provides methods and materials related to stimulating immunity to folate receptors.