Abstract: An electronic panel includes a base substrate having a first area, a second area adjacent to the first area, and a third area adjacent to the second area, a plurality of sensing electrodes in the second area, a plurality of sensing lines in the third area and electrically connected to the plurality of sensing electrodes, a crack sensing pattern in the first area and spaced apart from the plurality of sensing electrodes, a crack sensing line in the third area and spaced apart from the plurality of sensing lines, and a connection line connecting the crack sensing pattern to the crack sensing line via the second area and including a floating portion, wherein the floating portion is at the same layer as the crack sensing pattern and is spaced apart from the plurality of sensing electrodes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical system includes a dialysis machine having at least one outer surface to be disinfected at a given location, at least one disinfection sensor connected to the dialysis machine at the given location, the disinfection sensor including two or more electrode in fluid contact with the outside surface of the dialysis machine, and a conductivity sensor component in electrical contact with the two or more electrodes, the conductivity sensor component configured to send an electrical signal indicating a conductivity of a liquid on an outside surface of the dialysis machine and in contact with the two or more electrodes, a processor configured to receive the electrical signal and thereby determine a disinfection status of the given location, and a user interface configured to indicate the disinfection status of the given location.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a conductive roofing board may include pouring a polyisocyanurate foam on top of a facer. The method may include laminating the polyisocyanurate foam and the facer to cure the polyisocyanurate foam and adhere the polyisocyanurate foam to the facer to form a roofing board. The method may include applying a conductive coating to an exposed surface of the facer, wherein the conductive coating has a coating weight of between about 0.1 lb/100 sqft and 10 lb/100 sqft. The method may include exposing the roofing board and the conductive coating to a heating device to cure the conductive coating.

Abstract: A system comprises a cathodic protection system having an anode and configured to protect a protected structure from corrosion. The system comprises a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to the cathodic protection system. The monitoring circuit comprises an electrical-to-optical transducer. The electrical-to-optical transducer is configured to generate a light signal in response to electrical current flowing between the protected structure and the anode of the cathodic protection system, the protected structure and a reference electrode, or the reference electrode and the anode.

Abstract: A vertical probe pin that includes: an elastic beam part which is disposed between a lower contact portion in contact with a device to be tested and an upper contact point spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the lower contact point and in contact with a test device. The vertical probe pin is composed of a pair of elastic beams having a predetermined gap in order to be elastically deformed by an external force; and a separation prevention protrusion part provided with separation prevention protrusions protruding from at least one of the pair of elastic beams in order to prevent the elastic beam part from being separated through an upper guide hole.

Abstract: A method for operating a measuring system includes: carrying out impedance measurements with at least three property measurement electrodes on a medium in a first region of a measuring tube interior over an impedance measurement period and, at the same time, signaling the impedance measurement period by a measuring signal to a flow measurement controller; determining a property of the medium from the impedance measurements using impedance tomography; generating a magnetic field in the medium in a second region of the measuring tube interior by the flow measurement controller using a magnetic field generator; carrying out voltage measurements at a sampling rate using at least two flow measurement electrodes on the medium in the second region; taking an impedance measurement duration from the measuring signal; and discarding the voltage measurements carried out during the impedance measurements; and determining a flow rate of the medium from the remaining voltage measurements.

Abstract: This present invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to devices and systems having universal channel circuitry configured to perform optical and electrochemical assays, and methods of performing the optical and electrochemical assays using the universal channel circuitry. The universal channel circuitry is circuitry that has electronic switching capabilities such that any contact pin, and thus any sensor contact pad in a testing device, can be connected to one or more channels capable of taking on one or more measurement modes or configurations (e.g., an amperometric measurement mode or a current drive mode).

Abstract: A sensor relating to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an attracting portion arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the attracting portion attracts conductive particles smaller than a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode to cause a change in electrical resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a short circuit preventing portion for preventing a large-diameter conductive piece from causing a short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the large-diameter conductive piece has a larger dimension than the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and a method for detecting leak in a tankless water heater. According to the present disclosure, a leak detection device is disposed on a base of the tankless water heater. The leak detection device includes a leak sensor and at least one absorption arm extending from the leak sensor. The absorption arm wicks water and transports the wicked water towards the leak sensor. The leak sensor generates a signal indicative of leakage in the tankless water heater, in response to sensing wetness.

Abstract: A method for determining the electrical properties of a core sample having an initial saturation Sw0, an initial true resistivity Rt0, and a porosity ?, including the steps: preparing a brine having a resistivity Rw, flushing the core sample with the brine, determining a first true resistivity Rt1 at a first saturation Sw1, once the resistivity Rw of the brine going into the core sample is the same as the resistivity Rw of the brine going out of the core sample, determining a function Rt=f(Sw) describing the dependency of the true resistivity Rt of the core sample and the saturation Sw in the core sample, based on the initial saturation Sw0, initial true resistivity Rt0, first true resistivity Rt1, and first saturation Sw1, second true resistivity Rt2, and first saturation Sw2, determining the resistivity Ro of the fully saturated core sample by estimating the function Rt=f(Sw) to full saturation of the core sample at Sw=100%, determining a resistivity index I R = R t R o at the Sw, Sw1, Sw2 d

Abstract: The present disclosure enables apparatus and methods for tracking medications and/or product units via smart-packaging concepts. Embodiments include sensors that monitor the state of a blister-card package having an unpatterned lidding film by measuring the impedance of each dispensing region of the lidding film that defines a portion of a blister. In some embodiments, the impedance is measured via a plurality of contact points arranged on opposite sides of each dispensing region, where the contact points are resistively or capacitively coupled with the lidding film. In some embodiments, the impedance map of a measurement region on the blister card is derived via electrical impedance tomography or electrical resistance tomography, where the measurement region includes a plurality of dispensing regions.

Abstract: Electromagnetic chip detectors and associated methods of detecting a metallic chip in engine fluid of an engine are provided. The method comprises supplying an electric current to a circuit extending between a first node and a second node to magnetize both a first electrically conductive terminal and a second electrically conductive terminal spaced apart from each other to define a chip-receiving gap therebetween, and detecting a change in resistance across the first node and the second node. The change in resistance is indicative of a capture of the chip by the electromagnetic chip detector. The chip electrically connects the first electrically conductive terminal to the second electrically conductive terminal. The first electrically conductive terminal is electrically connected to the first node. The second electrically conductive terminal is electrically connected to the second node.

Abstract: A fuse monitoring system for monitoring a fuse is provided. The system includes a fuse monitoring assembly and a fuse monitoring computing device. The fuse monitoring assembly includes at least one sensor configured to measure fuse data associated with the fuse, the fuse data including operational data of the fuse and environmental data of an environment in which the fuse locates, the environmental data including shock and vibrations. The fuse monitoring assembly also includes at least one processor configured to transmit the fuse data to a remote computing device. The fuse monitoring computing device is positioned remotely from the fuse monitoring assembly, the fuse monitoring computing device including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The fuse monitoring computing device is programmed to receive, from the fuse monitoring assembly, the fuse data, analyze the fuse data, and generate a fuse message based on the analysis.

Abstract: A sensing method is described. The sensing method comprises providing a time-dependent electrical signal across a conductive connection between first and second terminals of a sensor, the conductive connection capacitively coupled to an environment via a mesoscopic probe element having an electroactive surface for exposure to the environment, the conductive connection having an associated relaxation time. The method further comprises receiving a time-dependent response signal from the sensor. The method further comprises analysing the time-dependent response signal with respect to the time-dependent electrical signal. The method further comprises determining, based on the analysis, a change in the relaxation time, the change in the relaxation time being correlated with an interaction between the electroactive surface and a measurand of the environment. A computer-readable medium, a sensing system and a sensor are also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and a method for grading diamonds using electromagnetic fields with a radiofrequency or terahertz frequency. The method for grading diamonds comprises placing the diamond (4) into a grading device, applying an electromagnetic field with a frequency range of up to 30 THz to the diamond, recording a modulated signal received from the diamond in a form of S-parameters as a function of frequency or any other parameter that can be deduced by applying said electromagnetic field, processing the recorded signal in the processing unit to obtain data containing information about either an amplitude, or phase, or both of the recorded S-parameters as a function of frequency or said any other parameter, performing calculations relating to the obtained data, and running a computer algorithm correlating the calculated data to either nitrogen concentration, boron concentration or plastic deformation in diamonds, thereby allowing grading of the diamond.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical system includes a dialysis machine having at least one outer surface to be disinfected at a given location, at least one disinfection sensor connected to the dialysis machine at the given location, the disinfection sensor including two or more electrode in fluid contact with the outside surface of the dialysis machine, and a conductivity sensor component in electrical contact with the two or more electrodes, the conductivity sensor component configured to send an electrical signal indicating a conductivity of a liquid on an outside surface of the dialysis machine and in contact with the two or more electrodes, a processor configured to receive the electrical signal and thereby determine a disinfection status of the given location, and a user interface configured to indicate the disinfection status of the given location.

Abstract: A switchgear system includes a switchgear frame and a truck carrying a circuit breaker, which includes a breaker housing, a fixed electrical contact and a movable electrical contact mounted within the breaker housing, an actuator piston connected to the movable electrical contact, and a drive assembly coupled to the actuator piston. A sensor circuit is mounted on the switchgear frame under the truck and aligned with the circuit breaker and configured to acquire displacement data of the actuator piston when in a contact testing position. A controller is coupled to the sensor circuit and configured to receive the displacement data and determine electrical contact erosion within the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A cathodic protection (CP) interruption system includes a metallic structure and a plurality of passive CP units embedded in an electrolytic medium, a plurality of test units electrically coupled with the structure and each of the CP units, and a low-power consumption component arrangement. The arrangement includes a real-time clock (RTC) and a GPS receiver coupled with each test unit for receiving GPS time from a GPS satellite. A controller is communicatively coupled with each RTC and GPS receiver for activating the GPS receiver once the RTC reaches a predetermined time to synchronize a RTC time of each RTC with GPS time. Interruption modules are coupled in electrical and data communication with the controller. The controller selectively changes an activation state of each interruption module once the RTC time reaches a predetermined activation state change time to selectively electrically couple or decouple each CP unit from the structure.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for detecting a crack or defect in a material. The technique may include applying an electrical signal to a first electrode pair electrically coupled to the material. The technique also may include, while applying the electrical signal to the first electrode pair, determining a measured voltage between a second, different electrode pair. At least one electrode of the second, different electrode pair is electrically coupled to the material. The technique may further include determining a corrected measured voltage by suppressing a thermally induced voltage from the measured voltage and determining whether the material includes a crack or other defect based on the corrected measured voltage.

Abstract: A tire with a treads depth measuring device that includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are fixed to internal surface of the tire, and an oscillator that is electrically connected to the electrodes so that capacitance between the electrodes affects frequencies of the oscillator. Changes in frequencies of the oscillator can be used to detect and calculate changes in thickness of the tire and changes in depth of treads in the tire.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing system comprising a fuel tank adapted to contain a quantity of fuel. A fuel dispenser is in fluid communication with the fuel tank via piping. A pump operative to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser is also provided. The fuel dispensing system further comprises a corrosion detection assembly operative to identify presence of a corrosive substance in the fuel. The corrosion detection assembly includes at least one corrosion sensor positioned to be in contact with fuel vapor in the fuel dispensing system, the corrosion sensor producing a detector signal indicating presence of the corrosive substance. The corrosion sensor according to this aspect has a printed circuit multilayer structure in which at least one sensing element is positioned on an exposed surface of the multilayer structure and at least one reference element is positioned on an inner surface of the multilayer structure to be unexposed to the fuel vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which uses electrodes to analyse a test sample.

Abstract: A sensor relating to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an attracting portion arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the attracting portion attracts conductive particles smaller than a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode to cause a change in electrical resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a short circuit preventing portion for preventing a large-diameter conductive piece from causing a short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the large-diameter conductive piece has a larger dimension than the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A method and system of assessing a condition of a boiler is disclosed. The assessing of the condition of the boiler establishes a baseline resistivity of a boiler waterwall for a first location of the boiler waterwall under a known temperature condition. A resistivity of the first location is measured under another temperature condition. The measured resistivity for the first location is compared to the baseline resistivity. A condition of the waterwall of the boiler is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: An exemplary method of indicating a condition of grout within a post-tensioned tendon involves positioning a magnet and a metallic sensing plate in close proximity to an outer surface of the post-tensioned tendon; rotating the magnet and the metallic sensing plate around the outer surface of the post-tensioned tendon; measuring an amount of magnetic forces applied to the magnet during rotation of the magnet around the post-tensioned tendon; measuring an impedance between the metallic sensing plate and metallic strands within the post-tensioned tendon during rotation of the metallic sensing plate around the post-tensioned tendon; and generating an image of a cross-section of the post-tensioned tendon indicating one or more grout conditions in spatial proximity to the metallic strands within the post-tensioned tendon based on measurement data using the magnet and the metallic sensing plate.

Abstract: A system for measuring the voltage potential across test coupons, reference cells and metal structures is disclosed. The system may evaluate the amount of cathodic protection that may be applied to the metal structure. A series resistor may be configured between at least one of the test coupons and the metal structure so that the at least one test coupon may be at a lower voltage potential than the metal structure.

Abstract: A flood sensor for automation systems comprising at least two electrodes connected with a measuring circuit arranged to detect a plurality of liquid levels; and wherein the measuring circuit has a zero static current consumption, having current flow only in the presence of fluid; and wherein if a liquid is detected, the output of the circuit is activated and a microcontroller leaves a zero-power state in which it normally stays; and wherein the microcontroller comprises a program or programs stored in a memory and configured for being run by means of the microcontroller, wherein said programs comprise instructions for: (a) measuring the impedance of the liquid that has activated the output of the measuring circuit; and (b) sending the measured impedance to a central control.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die, a semiconductor integrated circuit, an outer crack detection structure, a plurality of inner crack detection structures and a plurality of path selection circuits. The semiconductor die includes a central region and an edge region surrounding the central region. The semiconductor integrated circuit is in a plurality of sub regions of the central region. The outer crack detection structure is in the edge region. The plurality of inner crack detection structures are respectively in the plurality of sub regions, respectively. The path selection circuits are configured to control an electrical connection between the outer crack detection structure and the plurality of inner crack detection structures. A crack in the central region in addition to a crack in the edge region may be detected efficiently through selective electrical connection of the outer crack detection structure and the inner crack detection structures.

Abstract: A nanoparticle characterized by sensitivity to an analyte of interest, and comprising a conductive core in contact with a plurality of ligands bound to the conductive core is disclosed. Additionally, a chemiresistor sensor comprising the nanoparticles of the invention and a method of using thereof such as for detection of an analyte of interest in a gaseous sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cartridge or cassette (e.g., a disposable cartridge or cassette) positionable within the dialysis machine. The dialysis machine includes a piston for pumping fluid (e.g., dialysate) from the cassette to the patient. In various embodiments, during use, the piston is arranged and configured to contact, compress, etc. a membrane defining one or more fluid chambers in the cassette. In one embodiment, the piston includes a sensor for detecting a leak at the interface between the piston and the membrane. The sensor may be a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A battery pack including first and second battery contactors respectively having first ends electrically connected to positive and negative electrode terminals of a battery; first and second charging contactors respectively having first ends electrically connected to second ends of the first and second battery contactors; a second power connector of a charger having first and second output terminals respectively electrically connected to the first and second input terminals being connected to the first power connector; and a control unit configured to, when a charging voltage is applied from a power source of the charger to the battery pack between the first output terminal and the second output terminal, control at least one of the first charging contactor and the second charging contactor to change between a turn-on state and a turn-off state to diagnose a fault of each of the first charging contactor and the second charging contactor.

Abstract: A method and system for health assessment of a track circuit and/or of a track section, the track circuit being configured for detecting the presence of a vehicle on the track section between a transmitting end and a receiving end of the track circuit. The method, implemented by an electronic device, comprises obtaining, from a sensor device placed near the receiving end, samples of an electrical parameter of an electric signal transmitted between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the track section, forming a temporal series of received samples, applying an automatic clustering algorithm to separate the received samples in a predetermined number of clusters, selecting one of the clusters and determining, for the selected cluster, a first peak value of the received samples classified within the selected cluster, and calculating a track circuit health indicator depending on the first peak value determined for the selected cluster.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir (100) includes a circuit (105) extending in the fluid reservoir to be at least partially in contact with fluid (120) inside the fluid reservoir during use, at least a first impedance sensor (110) and second impedance sensor (115) coupled to the circuit, wherein the at least first and second impedance sensors are to output impedance values indicative of a degree of particle separation in the fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a particulate matter detection element for detecting particulate matter in a gas to be measured includes manufacturing flat-shaped conductor layers, flat-shaped insulating layers, a laminated structure in which the conductor layers and the insulating layers are alternately laminated, and a detecting unit having the conductor layers of different polarities as a pair of detection electrodes on a cross section of the laminated structure. The conductor layers each have a constant thickness, and include conductor layer planar portions having a stripped-pattern cross section, and tapered conductor layer end edge portions each having a triangular cross section, provided on both sides of the respective conductor layer planar portions.

Abstract: A method of determining an amount of imperfection in an additively manufactured material is disclosed herein. The method includes forming a sample piece constructed from the material during a same additive manufacturing cycle as a design piece constructed from the material, introducing a first electrical current to the sample piece while maintaining the sample piece at a reference temperature, and determining the amount of imperfection in the material depending on the measured resistance and the reference temperature of the sample piece.

Abstract: A device is dynamically isolated via a broadband switch that includes a plurality of cascade elements in series, wherein each cascade element comprises a first set of SQUIDs in series, a matching capacitor, and a second set of SQUIDs in series. The broadband switch is set to a passing state via flux bias lines during programming and readout of the device and set to a suppression state during device's calculation to reduce operation errors at the device. A device is electrically isolated from high-frequencies via an unbiased broadband switch. A device is coupled to a tunable thermal bath that includes a broadband switch.

Abstract: A multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus includes a microcontroller, a measuring unit for measuring properties of the testing object, and a functional unit. The measuring unit is arranged to measure one of a combination of ultraviolet and infrared distributions of the testing object and a combination of thermal and electrical conductivities of the testing object. The microcontroller analyzes a result from the measuring unit to generate a test result of the testing object, wherein the microcontroller includes a communication unit for connecting with an electronic device to transmit the test result thereto. The functional unit includes a voice indicator that generates a voice indication signal of the test result.

Abstract: A seal ring structure is provided. The seal ring structure includes a seal ring on a semiconductor substrate. The seal ring includes a first interconnect element and a plurality of second interconnect elements. The first interconnect element is formed on a shallow trench isolation (STI) region and a first group of P-type doping regions over the semiconductor substrate. The second interconnect elements are formed below the first interconnect element and on a second group of P-type doping regions over the semiconductor substrate. The second interconnect elements are electrically separated from the first interconnect element, and the first and second groups of P-type doping regions are separated by the STI region.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car of an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members spaced from each other along a width of the belt and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. A jacket at least partially envelopes the plurality of tension members and forms at least one outer belt surface along a width of the belt. A groove is located in the at least one outer belt surface extending longitudinally along the length of the belt.

Abstract: A fiber composite component includes an integrated structural health sensor arrangement, wherein the component includes a plurality of layers of fibers embedded in a matrix material, wherein the layers include at least two strain sensing fibers arranged parallel and at a distance to each other, wherein the strain sensing fibers are lithiated carbon fibers having piezoelectric characteristics.

Abstract: The invention discloses a proteoliposome or a planar lipid bilayer membrane comprising a single protein manufactured using glycerol or polyethylene glycols (PEG) in the rehydration step. Products so prepared are useful for nanopore sensing technology, including ultrafast DNA sequencing and biomedical diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A chemical sensor and a system and method for sensing a chemical species. The chemical sensor includes a plurality of nanofibers whose electrical impedance varies upon exposure to the chemical species, a substrate supporting and electrically isolating the fibers, a set of electrodes connected to the plurality of fibers at spatially separated points to permit the electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers to be measured, and a membrane encasing the fibers and having a thickness ranging from 50 ?m to 5.0 mm. The system includes the chemical sensor, an impedance measuring device coupled to the electrodes and configured to determine an electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers, and an analyzer configured to identify the chemical species based on a change in the electrical impedance.

Abstract: A fluid leak detector which is configured to be disposed on a flow tube. The fluid leak detector includes an insulation sleeve and at least one wire set. The insulation sleeve has water absorption property. The insulation sleeve is configured to be sleeved on the flow tube. The at least one wire set includes a first electrode wire and a second electrode wire. The first electrode wire and the second electrode wire are disposed on the insulation sleeve. The first electrode wire and the second electrode wire are separated from each other but are connected to each other via the insulation sleeve.

Abstract: An armor piece may include a tested material. The armor piece also may include a plurality of electrical contacts distributed about and electrically connected to the tested material. The armor piece further may include a non-volatile memory (NVM) device. The NVM device may be hardened against exposure to x-ray radiation. The NVM device may be configured to store control voltages associated with respective electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts.

Abstract: An edge crack monitoring system for an integrated circuit provided on a die, comprises a conductive trace comprising at least a first conductive path for allowing current in a first direction, and a second adjacent conductive path for allowing current in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Both adjacent conductive paths form at least one loop surrounding a semiconductor device on a die. The arrangement of the trace is adapted to provide compensation of EM interferences. The trace comprises two terminals being connectable to a detection circuit for detecting damages by generating a fault signal upon detection of disruption of the conductive trace due to a damage. The conductive trace comprises high resistance portions with a resistance of at least 1 k?, adapted for reducing self-resonance.

Abstract: Disclosed are a blood coagulation system examination module, a blood coagulation system examination system, and a blood coagulation system examination method, all of which enable to simply and easily measure thrombin potential with a whole blood sample. The blood coagulation system examination module includes a thrombin potential examination unit configured to examine thrombin potential on the basis of an electrical property of blood as measured at a specific frequency and predetermined time intervals in a predetermined period after reversal of an anticoagulation action working on the blood.

Abstract: Log text is encoded into a low dimensional feature vector. A temporal predictive model is constructed based on the low dimensional feature vector. The temporal predictive model is used to calculate probabilities of the occurrence of security incidents based on signature names from the log text encoded in the low dimensional feature vector. A preventative security action is automatically taken in response to the calculated probability of the occurrence of a specific security incident exceeding a given threshold.

Abstract: A measurement system permits environmental, corrosion damage, and mechanical property measurements to assess protection properties of coatings. The system includes one or more multi-sensor panels, each multi-sensor panel having sensors for assessing coating barrier properties, free corrosion, and galvanic corrosion. Each multi-sensor panel is installed on a test rack that contains electronics for sensor excitation and sensor data acquisition throughout a corrosion test. Sensor data is collected, stored, and communicated to a base station. A network of multiple test racks can be supported by a base station to compare the performance of different coatings and material combinations simultaneously. The test racks can be used in accelerated atmospheric corrosion tests, outdoor test sites, or application service environments.

Abstract: An integrated electronic circuit includes a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor well that is isolated by a buried semiconductor region located under the semiconductor well. A vertical MOS transistor formed in the semiconductor well includes a source-drain region provided by the buried semiconductor region. Backside thinning of the semiconductor substrate is detected by biasing the vertical MOS transistor into an on condition to supply a current and then comparing that current to a threshold. Current less than a threshold is indicative that the semiconductor substrate has been thinned from the backside.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas analysis and to combustible gas and vapour analyzers based on a thermocatalytic operating principle. The subject of the invention is a sensor the sensitive elements of which are manufactured by planar techniques that can be easily automated. The main distinguishing feature is that a working sensitive element and a reference sensitive element are colocated in a single micron-sized structural component (a microchip) on a common substrate made of porous anodic aluminium oxide. The design of the sensitive elements provides for film-wise heat transfer from heated parts of the working and reference sensitive elements. Measuring microheaters which heat the working and reference sensitive elements up to working temperatures and provide for differentially measuring an output signal in a measuring bridge circuit are spaced apart at opposite sides of the anodic aluminium oxide substrate and are disposed on arms projecting beyond the common substrate configuration.