Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal radiation detection utilizing a thermal radiation detection system are provided. The thermal radiation detection system includes one or more mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe)-based photodiode infrared detectors or Indium Arsenide (InAs)-based photodiode infrared detectors and a temperature sensing circuit. The temperature sensing circuit is configured to generate signals correlated to the temperatures of one or more of the plurality of infrared sensor elements. The thermal radiation detection system also includes a signal processing circuit.

Abstract: An infrared sensor includes: a base substrate; a bolometer infrared receiver; a first beam; and a second beam. Each of the first and second beams has a connection portion connected to the base substrate and/or a member on the base substrate and a separated portion away from the base substrate, and is physically joined to the infrared receiver at the separated portion. The infrared receiver is supported by the first and second beams to be away from the base substrate. The infrared receiver includes a resistance change portion including a resistance change material the electrical resistance of which changes with temperature. The resistance change portion includes an amorphous semiconductor, and the first and second beams include a crystalline semiconductor made of the same base material as the resistance change material, and is electrically connected to the resistance change portion at the separated portion.

Abstract: A flexible infrared irradiation and temperature sensor is provided. The sensor includes a substantially cubic deformable rubber substrate and a conductive layer embedded in the rubber substrate, wherein the conductive layer comprises a middle portion comprising a composite film of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc); and one or more exterior portions comprising carbon nanotubes, wherein the one or more exterior portions do not include NiPc.

Abstract: Provided is a long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor including a substrate, a magnetic resistance device on the substrate, and an LWIR absorption layer on the magnetic resistance device, wherein a resistance of the magnetic resistance device changes based on temperature, and wherein the LWIR absorption layer is configured to absorb LWIR rays and generate heat.

Abstract: A temperature determination device includes: a temperature sensor; a mount; and at least one connection sensor. The temperature sensor is connectable to a process device via the mount. The temperature sensor acquires temperature data. The at least one connection sensor acquires connection status data relating to connection of the temperature sensor to the process device. The temperature determination device utilizes the temperature data and the connection status data with respect to a determination of a temperature of the process device.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the technique, there is provided a substrate temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a substrate, wherein the substrate temperature sensor is provided in a protective pipe passing through a notch provided at least in a bottom plate of a substrate retainer inserted into a process chamber in a state where the substrate is mounted on the substrate retainer.

Abstract: A temperature measurement technology includes generating an input optical signal at a wavelength using an optical signal generator, splitting the input optical signal into a first beam and a second beam, optically transmitting the first beam through the first arm of an interferometer, transmitting the second beam through a second arm of the interferometer that introduces a phase shift in the second beam relative to the first beam, combining at least a portion of the transmitted first beam and the transmitted phase-shifted second beam to produce an output optical signal, measuring an optical signal intensity of the output optical signal, and correlating the measured optical signal intensity with a temperature to produce a measured temperature. Alternatively, the input optical signal may be transmitted through two or more interferometers.

Abstract: A detection system in an aircraft includes an optical fiber arranged along a structure of the aircraft and affixed to the structure with clamps that are spaced apart along the structure. The optical fiber includes two or more sets of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The system also includes a light source to generate light with two or more wavelengths for injection into the optical fiber, and processing circuitry to identify an overheat condition and monitor vibration experienced by the optical fiber based on reflected signals generated by the two or more sets of FBGs. Integrity of the clamps is indicated by monitoring the vibration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring stress distribution generated on a structural object including two support parts and a beam part provided between the support parts. The method includes: generating first data by sensing, through a first sensing unit, of a moving object or an identification display object attached to the structural object; calculating, based on the first data, a movement duration in which the moving object moves between the support parts; generating, as second data, thermal data by sensing of a surface of the beam part through a second sensing unit; calculating a temperature change amount based on a second data group corresponding to the movement duration; and calculating a stress change amount based on the temperature change amount to calculate stress distribution based on the stress change amount.

Abstract: Thermocouples for high temperature applications are provided. A thermocouple includes a vessel formed from a dielectric material, the vessel defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and second chamber in fluid communication. The thermocouple further includes a first thermoelement disposed in the first chamber, the first thermoelement formed from a first thermoelectric material. The thermocouple further includes a second thermoelement disposed in the second chamber, the second thermoelement formed from a second thermoelectric material different from the first thermoelectric material, and wherein the second thermoelement is a liquid at operating conditions of the thermocouple.

Abstract: The capacitance sensor 1 includes a self-capacitance electrode 5, first electrodes 3 (3(1) to 3(4)), and a second electrode 4 which are arranged being separated from each other in a thickness direction of an elastically deformable base material 2 formed by a dielectric. The self-capacitance electrode 5 is connected to a first connection portion 10a for measuring capacitance by a self-capacitance method and a grounded second connection portion 10b via a switch 10 so as to be selectively connected to the first connection portion 10a and the second connection portion 10b.

Abstract: A pressure sensor that includes a piezoelectric film having a first main surface and a second main surface, a first electrode on the first main surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode on the second main surface of the piezoelectric film. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed of a material having an elastic modulus of 60 GPa or more, and the product of a thickness of the at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode in a stacking direction of the pressure sensor multiplied by an elastic modulus of the at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is 4 MPa·m or more.

Abstract: Provided is a measurement method including measuring, by using a piezoelectric sheet sensor in contact with a measurement object, vibration transmitted from the measurement object to the piezoelectric sheet sensor and measuring pressing force between the measurement object and the piezoelectric sheet sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for low-cost, high-volume production of strain gages having substantially uniform gage-to-gage resistances. Strain gages in accordance with the present disclosure are sculpted from a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer using deep reactive ion etching, thereby enabling well-controlled electrical properties and physical dimensions of the strain gages. In some embodiments, groups of fully fabricated strain gages are physically connected to handling frames via sprues to facilitate handling, automated assembly, and/or tracing of individual gages from the beginning of fabrication through final packaging. In some embodiments, sprues are configured to mitigate accidental separation of the gages from their frames while simultaneously enabling their removal in response to specific forces applied by a handling tool.

Abstract: A force sensor for a tendon-actuated mechanism, the force sensor comprising: a body having a through hole for passage of a tendon of the tendon-actuated mechanism therethrough, the body configured to be connected to a part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes; and a sensor provided on the body to obtain a compression force on the body from the part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer assembly having an internal bellows coupling configured to improve reliability and ease assembly. The differential pressure transducer assembly includes a header, a sensing element mounted on the header, a first pressure port having a first pressure media channel in communication with a first side of the sensing element, a second pressure port having a second pressure media channel in communication with a second side of the sensing element, and a bellows coupling disposed between the header and the second pressure port. The bellows coupling may be configured to flex during assembly to compensate for tolerance mismatches. The bellows coupling may further reduce or prevent external stress from being applied to one or more of the header and the sensing element.

Abstract: An insulated structure for an appliance includes a plurality of walls, a cavity defined by the plurality of walls, and an aperture defined by one of the plurality of walls. The aperture is employed in evacuating the cavity to establish a less-than-atmospheric pressure within the cavity. A base structure is coupled to an interior surface of the one of the plurality of walls that defines the aperture. The base structure is aligned with the aperture. A pressure sensor is received by the base structure. The base structure and the pressure sensor together define a pressure-sensing assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a bridge voltage inversion circuit for vacuum gauge and a pressure gauge sensor that includes the bridge voltage inversion circuit. The bridge voltage inversion circuit for a pressure gauge includes a reference capacitance, a sensor capacitance, and a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding that outputs a bridge voltage. The reference capacitor is connected to a first side of the secondary winding of the transformer, and the sensor capacitor is connected to a second side of the secondary winding of the transformer. The sensor capacitor senses and responds to a pressure, and a capacitance of the sensor capacitor is at a minimum when the pressure is at vacuum. The capacitance of the sensor capacitor at vacuum is less than a capacitance of the reference capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of detection of implantable medical devices, particularly to magnetically induced torque measurement devices and method of implants in magnetic resonance imaging systems. The measurement device includes transmission shafts, gear sets, a knob, an indicator, a detachable torsion spring set, a loading tray, a protractor, and an MRI-compatible camera. The measurement device changes its measurement range by replacing the detachable torsion spring set, adjusts a height of the loading tray by a lifting platform, amplifies a rotation angle of the knob by the gear sets, and records deflection angles of the loading tray by the MRI-compatible camera. The measurement device provides the detachable torsion spring set, which is suitable for measuring most samples; and provides a height-adjustable loading tray, which can be applied to MR systems with different center heights.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a gas present in a battery cell, whereby the battery cell has an initial volume, comprises at least the following steps: a) immersing the battery cell into a non-conductive liquid having a defined density at a first ambient pressure; b) generating a lifting force that acts in the opposite direction of a downforce of the battery cell; c) changing the first ambient pressure to a second ambient pressure, and measuring the buoyancy force—which is dependent on the ambient pressure—of the battery cell in the liquid; and d) measuring the amount of gas present in the battery cell, taking into account the first and second ambient pressures, the buoyancy forces ascertained for these ambient pressures, the temperature of the non-conductive liquid and the density of the liquid.

Abstract: A micromechanical sensor device and a corresponding manufacturing method are described. The micromechanical sensor device is fitted with a substrate including a front side and a rear side; a micromechanical sensor chip including a sensor area attached to the front side of the substrate; and a capping unit attached to the front side of the substrate, which is formed at least partially by an ASIC chip. The capping unit surrounds the micromechanical sensor chip in such a way that a cavity closed toward the front side of the substrate is formed between the sensor area of the micromechanical sensor chip and the ASIC chip. A mold package is formed above the capping unit.

Abstract: A pressure detection element of a capacitive system includes a dielectric having two opposing surfaces including a first surface and a second surface, a conductor layer provided on the first surface of the dielectric, a conductive elastic member provided on the second surface of the dielectric, a spacer that positions the conductive elastic member at a predetermined distance from the second surface of the dielectric, and a pressing member configured to push the conductive elastic member toward the dielectric. An end surface of the pressing member that presses the conductive elastic member has a predetermined curvature, with an apex at a center of the end surface. A protrusion is provided at the apex at the center of the end surface of the pressing member.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a semiconductor substrate and a pressure-sensitive membrane. The pressure-sensitive membrane is arranged in or on the substrate. A photonic structure is at least partly coupled to the membrane and arranged to change an optical property depending on a deformation to be induced by a pressure applied to the membrane.

Abstract: A wheel balancing tool includes a body member, an attachment member and an alignment member. The body member includes a notch configured to be aligned with a balancing mark on a rim of a vehicle wheel. The attachment member is connected to the body member. The attachment member includes at least one hook configured to attach the tool to the wheel rim. The alignment member extends outwardly from the body portion and is configured to indicate an attachment position on the wheel for a balancing weight.

Abstract: The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mode field diameter test method and test device that enable acquisition of a mode field diameter for an arbitrary higher-order mode. The present disclosure is a mode field diameter test method including: a test light incidence procedure for selectively causing test light to be incident in a mode subject to measurement, on one end of an optical fiber 10 under test; a far-field pattern measurement procedure for measuring a far-field pattern of the mode subject to measurement, with respect to a divergence angle ? at the other end of the optical fiber under test, by a far-field scanning technique; and a mode field diameter calculation procedure for calculating, using an equation, a mode field diameter from information about incident mode orders in the test light incidence procedure and the far-field pattern measured in the far-field pattern measurement procedure.

Abstract: A beam irradiation unit (a collimator unit, a processing head, and a nozzle) includes a plurality of optical components, and is configured to convert a laser beam, which is divergent light, to collimated light and then to condense the light to irradiate a sheet metal. A photodetection element (a photodiode) detects intensity of reflected light reflected by an inspected optical component that is one of the plurality of optical components. A control device (an NC device) controls irradiation of a pierced hole with the laser beam as inspection light, subsequently to piercing the portion of the sheet metal to be cut to manufacture a product, and compares, with a threshold, the intensity of the reflected light detected by the photodetection element during the irradiation with the inspection light, to detect whether the inspected optical component is deteriorated, or a degree of the deterioration.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a method for assisting a technician in fiber optic cable splices and comprising a pair of test units including an OTDR, an optical switch, a tone generator and a tone detector to automate the splicing process and testing. The test units may be in communication with a wireless portable device used by the splicing technician and controlled therefrom. In one embodiment, the test units are driven by a test orchestrator application (e.g., server-based) to switch fibers, perform continuity tests and/or splice quality tests, triggered by the technician's portable device.

Abstract: A method for performing bearing defect auto-detection provides an algorithm for processing condition monitoring data including vibration harmonics of at least one bearing coupled to a rotatable shaft, the bearing having an inner and an outer ring. The algorithm is used to confirm with high degree of confidence that a bearing defect is present or not.

Abstract: A tire system includes a tire-side device and a vehicle-body-side system. The tire-side device may be attached to a tire included in a vehicle. The vehicle-body-side system may be attached to a body of the vehicle. The tire-side device may output a detection signal corresponding to each of a plurality of types of detection targets. The tire-side device may perform processing of the detection signal and generate the data related to the detection target. The tire-side device may perform bidirectional communication with the vehicle-body-side system and transmit the data to the vehicle-body-side system. The vehicle-body-side system may perform bidirectional communication with the tire-side device and receive the data. The vehicle-body-side system may acquire the detection result for the detection target based on the data.

Abstract: An in-vehicle stable platform system employing active suspension and a control method thereof is provided. The system includes a vehicle body, an in-vehicle stable platform, an inertial measurement device, an electronic control device, a servo controller set, multiple wheels, and suspension servo actuation cylinders and displacement sensors respectively corresponding to the wheels. The wheels are divided into three groups, which form three support points. The heights of the three support points are controlled to control orientation of the vehicle body. An amount of extension/retraction of the suspension servo actuation cylinders required to cause the in-vehicle stable platform to return to a horizontal level is calculated according to a measured pitch angle and a roll angle of the in-vehicle stable platform, and when a vehicle travels on an uneven road, the extension/retraction of each suspension servo actuation cylinder is controlled to cause the in-vehicle stable platform to be horizontal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracer gas leak detection system including at least one sensor delivering a signal, referred to as the sensor signal, which is representative of a concentration of the tracer gas at the sensor. The tracer gas leak detection system includes, for at least one given sensor, a corresponding phase advance correction device delivering a corrected signal from the sensor signal delivered by the given sensor.

Abstract: There is described a method of locating an area of interest in a conduit, comprising: measuring multiple acoustic signals at multiple locations along the conduit; for each acoustic signal, determining its autocorrelation; and applying a relationship to the determined autocorrelations to estimate a location of the area of interest, wherein the relationship is between autocorrelations of acoustic signals measured in a modelled conduit and modelled areas of interest in the modelled conduit, wherein it is assumed that acoustic signals propagating along the modelled conduit reflect from at least one point in the modelled conduit.

Abstract: A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole; capturing, during the downhole operation, downhole particles and drilling mud at the surface from the borehole into a screen of at least one shaker; shaking the screen to emit vibrations to separate the downhole particles from the drilling mud; defining a vibration limit for a normal operating condition of the at least one shaker; setting a vibration fault threshold based on the vibration limit for the normal operating condition; monitoring, using at least one sensor, the vibrations over time; and determining there is a fault condition for the shaker, in response to the vibrations exceeding the vibration fault threshold.

Abstract: Methods of determining resistive coefficients of a vehicle include using a force-based analysis method and a work-energy analysis method. The methods include receiving an input on a mobile device to initiate a test protocol along a path. The mobile device records a set of measurements for determining a drag area coefficient and a coefficient of rolling resistance for the vehicle using the force-based or work-energy analysis method. For the force-based analysis method, a direct measurement of proper acceleration of the vehicle is measured from an accelerometer on the mobile device. For the work-energy analysis method, a normal force on the vehicle is determined from a direct measurement of proper acceleration from an accelerometer on the mobile device. The mobile device determines the drag area coefficient and the coefficient of rolling resistance based on the set of measurements using the force-based or work-energy analysis method.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for actively detecting an increasing amount of backlash within a machine's mechanical power application to detect, predict, and estimate future mechanical failure.

Abstract: There is provided an automated system for preparing tissue samples that comprises one or more microtomes, a hydration system, and a processor, the processor being programmed to initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a first tissue block comprising a first tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the first tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a first predetermined time, and initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a second tissue block while the first tissue block is being hydrated, the second tissue block comprising a second tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the second tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a second predetermined time, and to initiate the one or more microtomes to begin sectioning of the first tissue block while the second tissue block is being hydrated.

Abstract: A well sampling apparatus is described herein. The well sampling apparatus includes one or more pressure-activated samplers in a sampling assembly. The samplers are coupled to an activating mechanism that includes a remotely activated local actuator. The remotely activated local actuator is coupled to a pressure source that, when released by the remotely activated local actuator, operates the pressure-activated sample to obtain a sample fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring wine fermentation is provided. The system comprises a sensor conduit and a sensor enclosure. The sensor enclosure comprises a leveling indicator that indicates if the sensor conduit is vertical.

Abstract: The invention provides a sampling device for geological fluid detection, relates to the technical field of fluid detection. The sampling device comprises a support frame, the support frame is of an L-shaped structure, and a second support plate is arranged at an upper portion of the support frame; the protection cover is mounted at the corner of a bottom portion of the support frame. The water fixing member is clamped above the bottom portion of the support frame; the locking inclined block is mounted at the bottom portion of the; and the detector is provided with a water inlet pipe. Fluid at different depths is detected through cooperation of the mounting sleeve and the lifting frame, a fluid drainage tube is wound around the winding wheel, the mounting sleeve is driven by the lifting frame to adjust the position through the arrangement of the gear and the rack, the fluid is sampled through the sampling test tube.

Abstract: A sample can be collected from an enclosed container by opening a sample collection valve and drawing the sample from the enclosed container. After delivery of the sample out of a fluid flow path, a sanitizing fluid can be directed along the fluid flow path to sanitize the fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for detecting chemical effluents in an environment using Teslin substrates. To illustrate, a system includes one or more Teslin substrates which can capture molecules present in an ambient environment. The system includes a housing with the one or more Teslin substrates disposed within the housing. The system further includes means for selectively exposing different portions of the one or more Teslin substrates to the ambient environment, in which the molecules present in the ambient environment are captured by the different portions of the one or more Teslin substrates as the different portions of the one or more Teslin substrates are exposed. The system can include that the means for selectively exposing different portions of the one or more Teslin substrates is an aperture in the housing.

Abstract: A sampling system is disclosed which comprises a collection chamber equipped with an inlet and first and second outlets; a pump which creates a flow of fluid into said inlet from the ambient environment, wherein said collection chamber divides the flow of fluid into a first major flow of fluid along which flows along a first flow path between said inlet and said first outlet, and a second minor flow of fluid which flows along a second flow path between said inlet and said second outlet; a collection surface disposed within said collection chamber and within the second flow path such that particles in the flow of fluid into said inlet impinge on said collection surface; a heater which vaporizes particles that collect on said collection surface; and an analyzer which analyzes the composition of the fluidic flow through said second outlet.

Abstract: The disclosed methods for preparing cytological samples may include placing a cytological sample in a concave filter in a filtration system, applying a negative pressure to an outer side of the concave filter with a vacuum device to withdraw a liquid from the cytological sample, applying a sectionable matrix material over the filtered cellular material within the concave filter, and removing an assembly including the filtered cellular material and the sectionable matrix material from the filtration system. Various other related methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis technique that prevents liquid contained in a reaction container from locally contacting with liquid added afterward and has less occurrence frequency of equipment malfunction and high performance.

Abstract: Provided is a flow analyzer and a flow analysis method each of which makes it possible to stably and continuously measure a sample. The flow analyzer and the flow analysis method each include: a marker introducing device (2) which is for introducing a marker into a tube (3); and a marker detecting device (5) which detects the marker and outputs a detection signal to an analyzing device (4), the analyzing device (4) acquiring analysis data on the basis of the detection signal.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating an analyte preparatory to analysis thereof include processing the effluent of an analyte concentrator to produce an eluent for eluting an analyte retained in the same or separate concentrator, and systems implementing the same. The analyte concentrator system connects the effluent outlet of an analyte concentrator column to an eluent generation module such that the substantially analyte-free effluent discharged from the analyte concentrator column passes fluidly into the eluent generation module. Eluent generated from the substantially analyte-free effluent in the eluent generation module is likewise substantially free of the analyte. The systems and methods can minimize and/or (substantially) eliminate background signal during analysis of the concentrated analyte.

Abstract: A cell inspection method includes a concentrate production step, a staining step, a cell precipitation step, and an observation step. In the concentrate production step, the cell concentrate is produced by causing an inner cylinder which has a filter provided on a bottom surface to enter from the bottom surface side into the through hole of the outer cylinder and bringing the inner cylinder closer to the slide, the inner cylinder having an internal space, and in the observation step, observation is performed in a state where the inner cylinder is entered into the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A method and a device for the measurement of one or more fluid-mechanically effective parameters of a fluid, with a fluid pump which comprises a delivery element which is mounted in a magnet bearing, and the delivery element of the fluid pump is excited into an oscillation by way of an excitation device, wherein the oscillation parameters as well as, as the case may be, the oscillation behaviour is measured, and parameters of the fluid are determined from this.

Abstract: A method of characterising particles in a sample, comprising: obtaining a scattering measurement comprising a time series of measurements of scattered light from a detector, the scattered light produced by the interaction of an illuminating light beam with the sample; producing a corrected scattering measurement, comprising compensating for scattering contributions from contaminants by reducing a scattering intensity in at least some time periods of the scattering measurement; determining a particle characteristic from the corrected scattering measurement.