Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for in situ vibration-based verification of vehicle doors. An example vehicle includes a vibration exciter affixed to a door and a vibration sensor affixed to a window of the door. The example vehicle also includes a processor coupled to memory storing expected vibration data. The processor performs, via the vibration exciter, a sine sweep on the door and measures, via the vibration sensor, a vibration response of the door to the sine sweep. Based on the vibration response and the expected vibration data, the processor determines whether the door is defective.

Abstract: An exemplary method for determining rattle noise of a vehicle steering system includes providing an intermediate shaft assembly including a first shaft member coupled to a second shaft member by a first joining member, a third shaft member coupled to the second shaft member by a second joining member, the first shaft member coupled to a first motor and the third shaft coupled to a second motor, providing a first sensor coupled to the first joining member and a second sensor coupled to the second joining member, sensors configured to measure an acceleration of the first joining member and the second joining member, applying a first torque and a second torque to the intermediate shaft assembly, receiving first acceleration data from the first sensor and second acceleration data from the second sensor, and analyzing the first and second acceleration data to determine a rattle noise of the intermediate shaft assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method of measuring optical parameters of a polarizer and a measuring device. The polarizer includes a compensation film and a PVA layer. The measuring method includes the following steps. In the first state, providing an incident linearly polarized light sequentially to pass through the compensation film and the PVA layer, acquiring a first measurement parameter and a second measurement parameter when the brightness of the light emitted from the polarizer is lowest and is highest. In the second state, providing the incident linearly polarized light sequentially to pass through the PVA layer and the compensation film, acquiring a third measurement parameter and a fourth measurement parameter when the brightness of the light emitted from the polarizer is lowest and is highest; and acquiring optical parameters of the compensation film and/or the PVA layer in the polarizer according to one or more of the above measurement parameters.

Abstract: A system and method monitor operation of a compressor, determine whether the operation of the compressor is outside of a designated range of values, and, responsive to determining that the operation of the compressor is outside of the designated range of values, one or more of (a) prevent communication of a signal to a system controller that controls operation of the compressor, (b) direct a gas from a reservoir to a pressure sensor used by the system controller to determine a gas pressure generated by the compressor, and/or (c) communicate the signal to the system controller that controls operation of the compressor.

Abstract: A sampling assembly, including a sampling needle, a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a driving member, a first switching member, and a second switching member, is disclosed. The first pipeline is connected between the sampling needle and the first switching member. The second pipeline is connected between the first switching member and the driving member. The first switching member is used for connecting or disconnecting the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The second pipeline is connected, by means of the second switching member, to a negative pressure source. The sampling time of the sampling assembly of the present disclosure is relatively short. The present disclosure further discloses a sample analyzer and a sampling method.

Abstract: A device is described that overlays a first fluid, such as blood or a cellular suspension onto a base material, such as a density gradient. In some embodiments, the fluid layering device includes a cylindrical reservoir, a fluid barrier, a coupling extension, a plunger, and an exhaust vent. The fluid layering device can be coupled through its coupling extension to an open end of a container, such as a conical centrifuge tube, including the density gradient. Once attached, the plunger may be lowered to a position above the surface of the densit gradient. A first fluid may flow from the reservoir into the conical tube across the plunger, so that a suitable overlay is formed without substantially disturbing a surface of the density gradient.

Abstract: Auto sampler rack mounts and fluid vials that can be used with them are described. In some configurations, the rack mount can be configured to spin each fluid vial rotationally to assist in mixing or stirring of fluid in the vial and/or to maintain fluid homogeneity. If desired, the fluid vial may include one or more internal features to assist in the mixing or stirring.

Abstract: A TEM electromechanical in-situ testing method of one-dimensional materials is provided. A multi-function sample stage which can compress, buckle and bend samples is designed and manufactured. A carbon film on a TEM grid of Cu is eliminated, and the TEM grid of Cu is cut in half through the center of the circle. The samples are dispersed ultrasonically in alcohol and dropped on the edge of the semicircular grid of Cu with a pipette. A single sample is fixed on the edge of a substrate of the sample stage with conductive silver epoxy by using a micromechanical device under an optical microscope, and conductive silver paint is applied to the surface of the substrate of the sample stage; and an electromechanical in-situ testing is conducted in a TEM. This provides a simple and efficient sample preparation and testing method for a TEM electromechanical in-situ observing experiment.

Abstract: A portable flexure fixture including a fixture housing, a translatable plug, a load ring, and a support ring. The fixture housing includes a first end opposite a second end, a plug receiving opening extending into the first end and a test opening extending into the second end. The support ring is disposed in the fixture housing. The translatable plug is insertable into the plug receiving opening of the fixture housing and is translatable in both a sample engaging direction and a sample releasing direction. Further, the load ring is coupled to the translatable plug and is positioned at a sample facing end of the translatable plug such that translation of the translatable plug in the sample engaging direction translates the load ring in the sample engaging direction and translation of the translatable plug in the sample releasing direction translates the load ring in the sample releasing direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing rings cut from pipes for use in making subsea pipelines are described. The method for determining the whether a test ring is correctly assembled in a test chamber for testing pipes for use in making subsea pipelines comprises: mounting a test ring in a pressure chamber such that the ends of the test ring forms seals with opposing surfaces of the chamber to isolate the inside of the test ring from the outside; providing means for measuring the displacement of the test ring; providing means for measuring a force applied to the inner surface of the test ring; applying a force to the inner surface of the test ring; and using the displacement measurement and force measurements to determine whether the test ring is correctly mounted in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a deformation stiffness of an article includes a force measuring means configured to measure a force generated in a thickness direction of the article; a thickness measuring means configured to measure a thickness of the article; and a data processor configured to differentiate force with respect to thickness to calculate the deformation stiffness of the article, wherein each of the force and the thickness are a result of a volume change of the article.

Abstract: The use of recycled materials can have significant economic value. With the increasing quantity of recycled material used in viscoelastic materials, especially asphalt mixture, understanding how they interact with original materials to produce a mixture that performs successfully, becomes critical. Currently, the technology to determine the effect of additives on the performance of asphalt mixture is lacking. The present invention relates to a new unified methodology for mechanical testing of asphalt mixture and other viscoelastic materials that improves the current practice in speed, convenience, and accuracy. A new improved specimen mounting method on Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), a new recovery method for fine portion of asphalt mixture, and three new tests for the performance of recovered material using DSR is disclosed. The new methods provide performance grading of asphalt mixtures that is new to the industry and provide necessary tools for determining the effect of recycled materials on performance.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of evaluating the hydrophobicity of a powder. According to the present invention, a powder is charged into a mixed solvent composed of a lipophilic solvent and a hydrophilic solvent, the voltage rate R of the mixed solvent is measured at predetermined time intervals while adding a lipophilic solvent to the mixed solvent charged with the powder, a parameter x correlating with the concentration of powder is defined for an arbitrary voltage rate R, a continuous function HP(x) of the ratio of a lipophilic solvent corresponding to x is defined, and HP(x) for required x is set as a representative value of a lipophilic solvent ratio distribution and used as an index of hydrophobicity.

Abstract: A particle sensing device according to one embodiment comprises: a light-emitting unit for emitting light; a first flow path unit arranged under the light-emitting unit so as to be vertical to an optical shaft of the light-emitting unit, and through which air including particles flows; a light-receiving unit arranged at the optical shaft under the first flow path unit, and on which light that has passed through the first flow path is incident; and a light-absorbing unit arranged at the optical shaft under the light-receiving unit and absorbing light that has passed through the light-receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring particulate concentrations in ambient air use digital in-line holography and automated digital algorithms to classify and determine mass density and other characteristics of particles within a determined mass and size range. An embodiment provides a sampling plate on which particles are deposited at locations which depend on sizes and masses of the particles. A digital in-line hologram of the sampling plate is processed to obtain information about the particles. The method and apparatus have example application to environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A system for determining a particle contamination and a method for determining a particle contamination in a measurement environment, is provided in which individual particles in the measurement environment are detected (S1), wherein a) an estimate of the number of particles per volume in the measurement environment is ascertained (S2), b) an estimate of the number of particles per volume and characterization information describing the particle source in the measurement information are taken as a basis for ascertaining an output value for the particle contamination in the measurement environment (S3), and c) context-related data are made available and the characterization information is estimated on the basis of the available context-related data (S4).

Abstract: An acoustic wave biosensor component is provided. A method of amplifying the biosensor signal is also provided, including applying a polymer or metallic material to the analyte after the analyte is attached to the capture agent on the biosensor.

Abstract: Determination of transport phenomena properties in porous media is one major objective of core analysis studies in petrophysics, reservoir engineering, and groundwater hydrology. Porosity measurement may be considered as a key factor to identify the hydraulic performance of a low permeable porous medium (e.g. rock or concrete). Additionally, the rate of absorption under pressure depends on the permeability, which is related to the connectivity between the existing pores within the porous structure. An alternative Gas Expansion Induced Water Intrusion Porosimetry (GEIWIP) method and apparatus is useful to measure the total porosity and pore size distribution, using a gas/water intrusion apparatus for water tight materials.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the background light intensity measured by a Fountain Flow cytometer. One approach includes constraining an interrogated volume of the sample (e.g., by adding a light absorbing reagent to the sample or introducing a bend into a flow cell through which the sample flows). Another approach includes minimizing Raman scattering from the sample by choosing an excitation filter and an emission filter configured to narrowly encompass light at wavelengths within system excitation and emission peaks.

Abstract: A flow cytometer module configured to be integrated with a liquid handling system is provided herein. The flow cytometer module includes (a) a flow cell, (b) a first fluidic pathway, (c) an inlet configured to receive a sample introduction device of the liquid handling system including one or more samples, (d) a second fluidic pathway in fluid communication with the first fluidic pathway, (e) a laser interrogation device configured to examine the one or more samples at a laser interrogation point in the second fluidic pathway, and (f) a controller in communication with the liquid handling system and configured to cause the flow cytometer module to perform functions comprising: (i) recording data from the laser interrogation device corresponding to a plurality of events as the one or more samples pass the laser interrogation point. and (ii) transmitting the data corresponding to the plurality of events to the liquid handling system.

Abstract: A device for measuring and tracking over time the quantity or concentration of a component in a fluid comprises: a sensor capable of measuring a quantity or concentration of the component in the fluid and providing a quantitative signal for tracking this quantity or concentration over time; a signal-processing module comprising a low-pass filter of the quantitative tracking signal; and an output interface for providing the filtered quantitative tracking signal. The signal-processing module comprises an estimator of a value of instantaneous trend of variation of the quantitative tracking signal in a predetermined sliding time window. Also provided is means for adjusting over time a high cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter according to the estimated value of instantaneous trend of variation.

Abstract: The present invention falls within the field of medical apparatuses. Disclosed are a method and a device for identifying platelet aggregation, and a flow cytometer, which are used for accurately giving an alarm about a platelet aggregation during blood cell analysis.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a particle sorting module having an opening that is configured for visualizing droplets of a deflected flow stream. Particle sorting modules according to certain embodiments include a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a wall therebetween having an opening positioned in the wall that is configured for aligning the flow stream with one or more sample containers at the distal end. Systems and methods for aligning a flow stream with one or more sample containers and sorting particles of a sample (e.g., a biological sample) are also provided. Kits having one or more of the particle sorting modules suitable for coupling with a particle sorting system and for practicing the subject methods are also described.

Abstract: A system and process for testing and analyzing a laser beam is provided. The system and process allows for repeatable testing of a laser beam to provide a beam intensity profile while accounting for variation in measurements attributable to outside factors. The system and process further allows for simultaneous measurement and analysis of a laser beam having multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: A system and method for isolating and analyzing single cells, including: a substrate having a broad surface; a set of wells defined at the broad surface of the substrate, and a set of channels, defined by the wall, that fluidly couple each well to at least one adjacent well in the set of wells; and fluid delivery module defining an inlet and comprising a plate, removably coupled to the substrate, the plate defining a recessed region fluidly connected to the inlet and facing the broad surface of the substrate, the fluid delivery module comprising a cell capture mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a docking station 2 for a surface measuring apparatus 1, more particularly an optical surface measuring apparatus. The docking station has a reference measuring surface 4 which can be brought into a covered state in which it is covered from the environment of the docking station 2 and an uncovered state in which it is not covered from the environment of the docking station 2. When the surface measuring apparatus 1 is in the docking station 2 and the reference measuring surface 4 is in the uncovered state, the surface measuring apparatus 1 can perform a reference measurement of the reference measuring surface 4 and can calibrate the surface measuring apparatus 1 using the reference measurement. In contrast, when the reference measuring surface 4 is in the covered state, it is not exposed to the environment of the docking station 2 and is therefore protected from, for example, dust, light, moisture or mechanical impacts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods for determining detection limits for various antibody-dye conjugates for flow cytometry. Exemplary techniques involve a linear superpositioning approach of spillover-induced enlargements of normally distributed measurement errors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical cavity for a gas sensor having a space defined therein, including: a first parabolic reflective surface formed on one wall surface in the space; a second parabolic reflective surface which is formed at a position facing the one wall surface, and is configured to reflect again a light emitted from a light source disposed at a focus of the first parabolic reflective surface and reflected by the first parabolic reflective surface so as to change a traveling path of the light; and a hyperbolic reflective surface formed so that any one focus of two foci coincides with a focus of the second parabolic reflective surface, and is configured to reflect the light made incident from the second parabolic reflective surface to change the traveling path of the light, and a value of c2?b2 of a hyperbola equation of hyperbola forming the hyperbolic reflective surface is in a range of 0<c2?b2?4 mm.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including a focal plane array (FPA) unit behind an optical window. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. One or more of the optical channels may be used in detecting objects on or near the optical window, to avoid false detections of said target species.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons concentrations are determined in drilling cuttings samples by generating a model for predicting hydrocarbons concentrations. Methods include dividing multiple samples removed from drilling fluid into two one set analyzed using a retort, and another set analyzed using a handheld NIR spectrometer to obtain NIR diffuse reflectance data. PLS analysis is used to correlate the retort data with the diffuse reflectance data to generate a calibration model. The model is validated with samples having unknown hydrocarbons concentration. The model is used to predict the hydrocarbons concentration for samples removed from drilling fluid taken from the rig site using the spectrometer to obtain diffuse reflectance data. During measurements, each sample contains 0.1 to 10 wt % moisture and each sample is in a clear container pressed against the spectrometer window such that the IR source from the handheld device can pass to the drilled solids sample within the clear container without opening the clear container.

Abstract: An optical fiber inspecting device is disclosed. The optical fiber inspecting device includes a first light-emitting unit that irradiates an optical fiber with a first light beam, the optical fiber including a glass fiber and a coating resin and moving in an axial direction, and a first light-receiving unit that receives scattered light resulting from the first light beam scattered in the optical fiber, and converts the scattered light to an electrical signal. An optical axis of the first light-receiving unit passes through an irradiation position where the first light beam strikes the optical fiber, and the first light beam and the optical axis of the first light-receiving unit diagonally intersect each other, thereby preventing the first light beam from directly entering the first light-receiving unit.

Abstract: An intraoperative near-infrared-I and near-infrared-II multi-spectral fluorescent navigation system and method of using same includes a light source module for emitting white light and excitation light for illuminating tissue to be tested to generate an emission light. An optical information collection module includes a white light camera for collecting the white light image, and near infrared-I and near infrared-II fluorescence cameras for collecting the near infrared-I and near infrared-II fluorescence images. A central control module is coupled to the light source and the optical information collection modules. An image processing unit pre-processes the white light image, and the near infrared-I and near infrared-II fluorescence images, for de-noising and enhancement.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices and methods for the rapid and accurate measurement of analytes by assay of binding events, by direct, digital measurement of individually resolved analyte/reporter binding events. The digital molecular assay systems, devices and methods disclosed herein are capable of particle-by-particle readout using optical reporter molecules that detect and report the binding of a single analyte molecule, and report each such binding in binary format. Such digital molecular assay systems, devices and methods are useful in a variety of applications, such as on mobile electronic devices for use in the field.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of pieces of color image data respectively representing a plurality of color images, a determining unit configured to determine a degree of correlation between at least two color values among a plurality of types of color values included in each of a plurality of pixel values corresponding to a pixel position in the plurality of color images, and a determination unit configured to determine, based on the determined degree of correlation, whether a feature related to a direction of light reflected from an object appears in the plurality of pixel values corresponding to the pixel position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the concentration of cationic polymers present in a sample, according to the following steps: —bringing the cationic polymer or polymers present in the sample into contact with, and enabling the interaction thereof with, a developer solution comprising lanthanide (III) ions and at least one bonding agent, and —exciting the sample at an excitation wavelength ?exc and detecting, by time resolved photoluminescence, a signal originating from the lanthanide (III) ions having interacted with the at least one bonding agent having previously interacted with the cationic polymer or polymers, at an emission wavelength ?em, and —determining the cationic polymer concentration of the sample by using the signal detected at the emission wavelength ?em, the sample originating from water originating from municipal or industrial water or sludge treatment processes.

Abstract: A sample observation device includes a sample container that holds the sample stained with a first fluorescent substance and a solution including a second fluorescent substance, an irradiation unit that performs irradiation with first excitation light and second excitation light, a scanning unit that scans the sample container in one direction, an image formation unit that forms first fluorescent light from the sample and second fluorescent light from the solution, an imaging unit that outputs first image data based on the first fluorescent light and first image data based on the second fluorescent light, an image processing unit that generates a first fluorescent light image based on a plurality of pieces of first image data and a second fluorescent light image based on a plurality of pieces of second image data, and an analysis unit that specifies an area in which there is the sample on the basis of the second fluorescent light image and sets an analysis area in the first fluorescent light image.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for using two-photon fluorescence measurements, either alone or in combination with other nonlinear optical measurements such as second harmonic generation, sum frequency generation, or difference frequency generation, to determine structural parameters such as mean tilt angle and distribution width for tethered nonlinear-active biomolecules are described. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems may also be used to perform structural comparisons of two or more biomolecular samples; to detect changes in biomolecule conformation upon binding of a ligand; and to screen candidate binding partners to identify compounds that modulate the conformation of the biomolecule.

Abstract: An example sensor includes a flow cell, a detection device, and a controller. The flow cell includes a passivation layer having opposed surfaces and a reaction site at a first of the opposed surfaces. The flow cell also includes a lid operatively connected to the passivation layer to partially define a flow channel between the lid and the reaction site. The detection device is in contact with a second of the opposed surfaces of the passivation layer, and includes an embedded metal layer that is electrically isolated from other detection circuitry of the detection device. The controller is to ground the embedded metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing elemental analysis of airborne aerosols. The systems comprise an aerosol collection device for accumulating aerosol particles in a flow of aerosol particles, a radio frequency power supply for providing a glow discharge current to ablate the aerosol particles accumulated in the aerosol collection device, and an optical emission spectrometer or a mass spectrometer for analyzing elements in the ablated aerosol particles. Several types of aerosol collection devices are described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a vibration optical path assembly and a laser induced breakdown spectrograph have the same. The vibration optical path assembly includes an optical platform, a cantilever and an optical lens; the cantilever at least includes a vertical arm disposed at the optical platform and a cross arm disposed at the vertical arm, wherein at least one of the vertical arm and the cross arm is made of an elastic material; the vibration generating device, provided on the cantilever and configured to adjustably generate a first vibration; the optical lens, provided on the cantilever and configured for the light to pass through to form a light spot. The first vibration is transmitted to the optical lens through the cantilever to generate a second vibration, and the light is passed through the optical lens with vibrating to generate a light spot movement phenomenon.

Abstract: The inspection system includes an illumination source, a TDI-CCD sensor, and a dark field/bright field sensor. A polarizer receives the light from the light source. The light from the polarizer is directed at a Wollaston prism, such as through a half wave plate. Use of the TDI-CCD sensor and the dark field/bright field sensor provide high spatial resolution, high defect detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, and fast inspection speed.

Abstract: It is therefore an objective to provide an object multi-perspective inspection apparatus and a method therefor. The apparatus includes an image capture device; an inspection site and at least two reflection devices, being arranged for reflecting simultaneously to the image capture device at least two different side views of the object located in the inspection site; wherein: the image capture device has a field of view including the at least two different side views of the reflection. By introducing reflection devices into the inspection apparatus to enable the image capture device to “see” the part from multiple views at once, multiple surfaces can be inspected at once, in one image frame, without having the need to reposition the reflection device, the camera and/or the object for every single surface. There are more than one reflection devices placed in the camera's field of view to assist the inspection process by exploiting otherwise hidden surfaces of any given solid object.

Abstract: Based on job dumps for defects of interest and nuisance events for multiple optical modes, detection algorithms, and attributes, the best combination of the aforementioned is identified. Combinations of each of the modes with each of the detection algorithms can be compared for all the defects of interest detected at an offset of zero. Capture rate versus nuisance rate can be determined for one of the attributes in each of the combinations.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection device includes an X-ray generator, a two-dimensional X-ray detector arranged so as to sandwich subjects between the X-ray detector and the X-ray generator, and a plurality of rotating tables on which the subjects are placed. The rotating tables are arranged at positions where radiographic images of the subjects are projected onto the X-ray detector in a state of not overlapping with each other, and at the time of inspecting the subjects, the rotating tables rotate simultaneously, the X-ray detector sequentially acquires a plurality of X-ray images in which the radiographic images appear, and a controller connected to the X-ray detector generates CT images of the respective subjects on the basis of the X-ray images.

Abstract: A method for determining a CT system parameter: controlling a mould body to move between an X-ray source and a detection surface of a detector, and acquiring X-ray projections of the mould body during movement on the detection surface, wherein the mould body has a first plane and a second plane perpendicular to each other, and the first plane and the second plane are always perpendicular to the detection surface during the movement of the mould body; determining a first straight line and a second straight line according to the acquired X-ray projections; and determining an intersection point of the first straight line and the second straight line as a pedal coordinate of a focus of the X-ray source on the detection surface, a CT coordinate system parameter including the coordinates of the foot of the perpendicular.

Abstract: A method for a multielement analysis via neutron activation. The method includes generating fast neutrons with an energy in the range of 10 keV to 20 MeV and moderating the neutrons, irradiating the sample with the neutrons, and measuring the gamma radiation emitted by the irradiated sample using a detector to determine at least one element of the sample. The sample continuously irradiated in a non-pulsed fashion. The measurement is implemented during the irradiation. The determination of the at least one element includes an evaluation of the measured gamma radiation. The sample is subdivided into individual partitions and the measurement is implemented using a collimator. The evaluation includes a spatially resolved and energy-resolved determination of the neutron flux within the respective partition of the sample and calculation of energy-dependent photopeak efficiencies and neutron flux and neutron spectrum within a single partition of the sample by an approximation method.

Abstract: A frying oil and/or frying fat sensor (1) for determining a frying oil and/or frying fat quality, having a conductor structure (2) that is fixedly connected, at a proximal end, to an electronics part (5), wherein the conductor structure (2) has an inner conductor (6) and an outer conductor (7) that are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and are both connected fixedly to the electronics part at the proximal end. The inner conductor (6), at at least one free end, is guided so as to be able to move relative to the outer conductor (7) in the axial direction in order to compensate temperature-induced mechanical stresses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automated acquisition of moisture readings using a handheld moisture meter. In automated mode, a succession of moisture content readings at successive positions can be acquired without any user interface input, by moving the moisture meter to successive positions on a sample, and holding steady at each position. Moisture readings stable for a time period (e.g. one second) are indicative of moisture content of a sample at a stationary position and are collected. Moisture readings varying in time are indicative of motion of the moisture meter and are not collected. Statistics can be performed on the collected readings. Notifications of stable readings and alerts for out-of-range readings can be provided. Hardware and software architectures are disclosed. The innovative technology is suitable for wood, concrete, and other materials at any stage of manufacturing or product lifecycle.

Abstract: A capacitive relative humidity sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, where at least the one of the electrodes is a water-permeable electrode. The electrodes act in conjunction with a water-sensitive hygroscopic dielectric material. The design enables low-cost and simple fabrication of fast-responding and stable relative humidity sensors using digital fabrication techniques.