Abstract: Provided is a chemical sensor which includes an alignment frame that has an opening that passes through the inside of the alignment frame and includes first and second side portions that face each other with the opening therebetween and insulation portions disposed between the first and second side portions, a plurality of sensing fibers disposed in two-dimensions across the opening of the alignment frame so as to connect the first side portion and the second side portion, and a source pattern and a drain pattern connected to the first side portion and the second side portion of the alignment frame, respectively.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection system has a particulate matter detection sensor, a current detection part and a control circuit part. The particulate matter detection sensor has an accumulation part, a pair of electrodes and a heater part. The control circuit part performs switching of a detection mode and a burning mode. When the burning mode being switched to the detection mode, the control circuit part supplies a lower voltage between the pair of electrodes, which is lower than an usual voltage used in the detection mode, and detects a current detected by the current detection part as the offset value ?I. In the detection mode, the control circuit part subtracts the offset value ?I from the detected current value to correct the detected current value.

Abstract: An optical converter is to be simply and reliably monitored. Thereto, a circuit device including a measurement bridge with a measurement branch, a first comparison branch and a second comparison branch is provided. A conductor path loop of the converter can be integrated in the measurement branch. The first comparison branch has a first series resistance variable via a first active element. Similarly, the second comparison branch has a second series resistance variable via a second active element. The first and the second active elements are respectively controllable by the same control signal. The circuit device further has an evaluation circuit with a first comparator and a second comparator, the outputs of which form the control signal and at the same time an output signal of the circuit device in AND-gated manner. Each comparator compares a tap of its respective comparison branch to a tap of the measurement branch.

Abstract: An environmental stimulus sensor includes a substrate, a p-type material, and a conductive contact. In some aspects the conductive contact couples an electrode to the p-type material for supplying a current through the p-type material. The p-type material includes a nanotile structure for responding to an environmental stimulus by changing resistance.

Abstract: A leak in an electrically conductive membrane attached on top of a horizontal roof deck is located by a manually operable carriage which is swept over the upper surface of the membrane on the roof deck. A measuring and switching circuit generates a voltage having a positive attached to the roof deck and a negative attached to conductive brushes on the carriage. The brushes are arranged to form an outer peripheral contact with an inner contact inside the outer contact. There is provided a diode switched into the sensing circuit from the inner conductive brushes so as to reduce the voltage across the deck and the inner brushes relative to the outer brushes. Thus the presence of a leak is detected by the outer set of conductive brushes at distance from the leak and by the inner conductive brush when directly over the leakage site.

Abstract: The sensor includes a filter member including cells that trap PM in exhaust gas, electrode members arranged to face each other with the cell interposed and forming a capacitor, an electric heater that executes, when an amount of PM has accumulated in the cells, filter regeneration for combusting and removing the PM, a temperature sensor that acquires the temperature of the filter member, a storage unit that stores therein a reference temperature, which is the temperature of the filter member where the filter regeneration has been executed in a state in which PM is not flowing into the filter member, and estimation units that estimate a PM amount included in the exhaust gas based on (a) an electrostatic capacitance change amount between the electrode members during a regeneration interval and (b) a difference between the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor and the reference temperature during a filter regeneration interval.

Abstract: A system for providing treated water includes a water treatment unit including an inlet water quality probe, a worker bed, a probe to measure a parameter of water from the worker bed, a polisher bed connected downstream from the worker bed and having a probe to measure a parameter of water from the polisher bed, and a flow meter upstream of the worker bed or downstream of the polisher bed. A controller in communication with the flow meter and the probes is configured to receive data from same. A remote server in communication with the local water treatment unit is configured to receive data from the local water treatment unit. The controller or the server may determine a cumulative flow total, a billing cycle flow total, a current exchange flow total, a contaminant load, or a remaining capacity of the water treatment unit.

Abstract: A structure to be monitored for damage and a method of monitoring the structure for damage are provided. The structure has a coating thereon, the coating defining a surface having characteristics which vary in a predetermined manner with damage to the structure. The surface has a series of conductive tracks applied thereto and in intimate contact therewith such that the said predetermined variation of the surface characteristics will vary the resistance of the series of conductive tracks in a predetermined manner in order to determine both location and extent of damage.

Abstract: A method for determining whether reconstitution of a solution in a container is completed comprises the steps of: selecting a predetermined amount of a solid substance and a predetermined amount of a liquid solvent from which the reconstituted solution is to be prepared, preparing a solution by solving the predetermined amount of the solid substance in the predetermined amount of the liquid solvent, measuring the impedance (Z) or the resistance (R) of the solution, determining whether the change of the measured impedance (Z) or the resistance (R) within a measuring time interval of a predetermined duration is below a defined threshold, and determining that reconstitution of the solution is completed when the change of the measured impedance (Z) is below the defined threshold.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection apparatus includes a particulate matter quantity detection means, a temperature detection means that detects the temperature of exhaust gas, a control unit and a heating means. The particulate matter quantity detection means includes a particulate matter deposition portion that deposits thereon part of particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine and a pair of opposite electrodes arranged apart from each other on the particulate matter deposition portion. The control unit determines a deposition quantity of the particulate matter on the particulate matter deposition portion based on an electrical signal outputted by the particulate matter quantity detection means and receives information on the temperature of the exhaust gas detected by the temperature detection means. The control unit controls the heating means to heat the particulate matter deposition portion to 300° C.-800° C. during a cold start of the internal combustion engine.

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 self-healing polymer includes metal ions and a polymer network including polymer chains cross-linked through coordination bonds with the metal ions. Each polymer chain includes ligands within a backbone of the polymer chain, and the ligands include metal ion coordination sites.

Abstract: The sensor includes a filter member including cells that trap PM in exhaust gas; electrode members arranged to face each other with the cell interposed and forming a capacitor, an electric heater that executes, when an amount of PM has accumulated in the cells, filter regeneration of heating the cells to combust and remove the PM, a storage unit that stores a reference reduction amount, which is an electrostatic capacitance reduction amount between the electrode members in a case where the filter regeneration is executed in a state where the PM is not flowing into the filter member, and estimation units that estimate a PM amount based on (a) an actual electrostatic capacitance change amount between the electrode members during a regeneration interval period, and (b) a difference between an actual electrostatic capacitance reduction amount between the electrode members and the reference reduction amount during a filter regeneration period.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring micro-cracks in a membrane electrode assembly includes a resistance measurement unit to measure variation in electrical resistance of the membrane electrode assembly while tensioning the membrane electrode assembly in a state in which power is applied to an upper catalyst layer while a lower catalyst layer is insulated, an image capture unit to capture an image of micro-cracks in the upper catalyst layer while the membrane electrode assembly is being tensioned, and a controller to detect, in real time, variation in electrical resistance measured by the resistance measurement unit, corresponding to the image of micro-cracks captured by the image capture unit, and to interpret the size of the micro-cracks generated in the membrane electrode assembly based on the detected variation in electrical resistance.

Abstract: Baseline values for metal detection readings associated with an item inserted into an infeed mouth of a depository are obtained before the item is pinched on a pathway of the depository. The baseline values are adjusted by additional readings obtained when the item is pinched on the pathway for transport. The adjusted baseline values are processed with calculated values from ongoing and fluctuating current readings to determine at least one final value. A determination is made as to whether the item includes at least some metal based on comparison of the at least one final value and a predefined value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining the conductivity of a medium by means of a conductive conductivity sensor, comprising the steps of determining measured values of the conductivity sensor, determining reference measured values of a reference circuit integrated into the conductivity sensor, deriving at least one adjustment value from the reference measured values of the reference circuit, and correcting the measured values of the conductivity sensor by means of the at least one adjustment value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a particulate matter sensor positioned downstream of a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a particulate matter sensor may include an outer non-perforated tube including a plurality of negative electrodes formed along the inner surface, a guiding tube including a perforated central element and an inner tube, the central element including a plurality of positive electrodes formed along the outer surface. By forming the electrodes on different cylindrical surfaces, and separating the electrodes by a gap, a more uniform electric field may be generated in the gap between the electrodes, thereby boosting soot capture and increasing particulate matter sensor sensitivity.

Abstract: A system includes a substrate having a surface and a circuit with a plurality of conductive paths disposed adjacent (e.g., directly on or separated by a thin layer). The circuit is configured to detect an interruption or alteration of conduction of one or more of the plurality of conductive paths due to a flaw in the substrate. The circuit is further configured to identify the interrupted or altered one or more of the plurality of conductive paths based on one or more electrical characteristics of the circuit.

Abstract: Electrodes, energy storage devices using such electrodes, and associated methods are disclosed. In an example, an electrode for use in an energy storage device can comprise porous silicon having a plurality of channels and a surface, the plurality of channels opening to the surface; and a structural material deposited within the channels; wherein the structural material provides structural stability to the electrode during use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tactile sensing and integrated vision system that surmounts problems of existing systems. The tactile sensing skin can be formed into any shape, size, or form factor, including large areas. Computer-implemented algorithms can detect position-orientation and force-torque at landmark points for a given object set. The result is a modular sensing system that is highly scalable in terms of price, quantity, size and applications. Such skin technology and associated software can comprise a sensing package that integrates tactile and visual data with accompanying software for state estimation, situational awareness, and automatic control of machinery. The addition of tactile data can serve to constrain and/or augment visual pose estimation methods as well as provide pose estimation to visually occluded objects.

Abstract: Systems that can measure small changes in ion concentrations and method of manufacturing and using those systems. The system includes a substrate, a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, each multi-walled carbon nanotube from the plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes having two ends and a surface extending between the two ends, one of the two ends being disposed on and operatively attached to the substrate, the other of the two ends not being disposed on the substrate, a number of organic molecules; each organic molecule bound to one multi-walled carbon nanotube, each organic molecule also having an end group with affinity for a predetermined ion(s), and a substantially nonconducting polymer deposited on a portion of each multiwalled carbon nanotube, the portion substantially not including locations on each multiwalled carbon nanotube at which each organic molecule is chelated.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification tag that includes a ground plane made of an electrically conductive material, and an actuator made of a transducer material adapted to convert a variation of a physical quantity into a mechanical displacement of the ground plane between first and second positions when the physical quantity crosses a predetermined threshold in order to indicate this event to the reader. The transducer material is a thermal shape-memory material or a magnetostrictive material or a magnetic shape-memory material. The transducer material is also an electrically conductive material. The ground plane and the actuator are both formed by a single strip made of the transducer material and a mobile portion of which moves relative to an antenna between the first and second positions when the physical variable crosses the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position.

Abstract: Leaks in a roof membrane are detected by applying a grid of electrically conductive shielding elements on the upper surface separating the membrane into a plurality of zones and generating a potential difference between the elements and a conductive component such as the roof deck or a layer at the deck. In each zone a respective one of a plurality of sensor conductors is mounted separate from the shielding elements and an electrical potential difference is applied between the sensor and the conductive component such that, in the presence of a leak located within the zone, current flows between the sensor conductor and the conductive component through moisture at the leak for detection of the current or resistance indicative of a leak.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for distinguishing, classifying and measuring soft and hard inclusions in a liquid metal that includes obtaining a flow through cell disposed on a tube with a top to allow the liquid metal to flow through the flow through cell and into the tube. There is also a mounting and a vacuum system disposed on top of the tube to draw the liquid metal through the flow through cell and into the tube that utilizes a pair of electrodes set inside and outside of the tube to apply an electric current to the liquid metal passing through the flow through cell. An electric resistance change is then measured and an electric resistance pulse is applied to the liquid metal to measure deformed behavior of the inclusions. The resistance pulse method can be used with liquid droplets, steel slag, bubbles and other deformable inclusions.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The downhole tool has a housing with a flowline therethrough receiving a downhole fluid therein. The fluid sensor includes an insulative base positionable in the downhole tool, a conductive shield positionable on the insulative base, and a plurality of electrodes each having a non-conductive coating thereon. Each of the electrodes includes a sensing element and a pin. The sensing element is positionable in the insulative base and exposed to the downhole fluid passing through the flowline. The pin operatively connects the sensing element to a downhole unit whereby parameters of the downhole fluid are measured.

Abstract: A method of evaluating at least one parameter of a first capacitor. The method couples a number of capacitors in a capacitor network to a common node, the number of capacitors comprising at least three capacitors. Further, the method first applies a first voltage range to the capacitor network for causing a first voltage drop across the first capacitor, and it evaluates the at least one parameter in response to the first voltage range. The method second applies a second voltage range to the capacitor network for causing a second voltage drop across the first capacitor, the second voltage drop greater than the first voltage drop, and it evaluates the at least one parameter in response to the second voltage range.

Abstract: Magnetoelectronic components comprise at least one oblong working structure made of a ferromagnetic material, along which magnetic domain walls can migrate, means for applying an electric current to this working structure, and at least one magnetic field sensor for the magnetic field generated by the working structure. The working structure is designed so that it is able to form domain walls, the transverse magnetization direction of which in the center has no preferred direction in the plane perpendicular to the migration direction thereof along the working structure, and/or can form massless domain walls. It was found that the kinetic energy of such moving domain walls vanishes. These walls are thus not subject to the Walker limit nor to intrinsic pinning. As a result, the components can read, store or process and finally output information more quickly. The invention also relates to a method for measuring the non-adiabatic spin transfer parameter ? of a ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position.

Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: Described herein are synthesis schemes and methods for producing silicon based nanostructures and materials, including compositions and methods for synthesis of silicon-based nanowires and composites from three-component and four-component liquid silane/polymer inks. Materials and methods for producing silicon based micro and nanofibers that can be used in a variety of applications including material composites, electronic devices, sensors, photodetectors, batteries, ultracapacitors, and photosensitive substrates, and the like.

Abstract: An aluminum welding system includes a welding machine configured to weld a workpiece with an aluminum nugget and a measurement device configured to measure an attribute of at least one of the aluminum nugget and a welding process. The system further includes a processing device configured to output a weld quality signal representing a quality of an aluminum weld based at least in part on the attribute measured. A method includes measuring an attribute of at least one of an aluminum nugget forming a joint of a workpiece and a welding process, determining a quality of an aluminum weld based at least in part on the attribute measured, and outputting a weld quality signal representing the determined quality.

Abstract: A method is provided that monitors the odor within the physical enclosure of a computing device that includes one or more components. The method includes determining whether the odor within the physical enclosure is indicative of an overheating component that is overheating within the physical enclosure of the computing device. Determining whether the odor within the physical enclosure may include an artificial neural network (“ANN”) to determine whether the odor is indicative of an overheating component. The method includes initiating an overheating protocol in response to determining that the odor within the physical enclosure is indicative of an overheating component. The method may, for example, alert the user and/or applications that a component is overheating.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a leak in a water impermeable membrane applied on a roof substrate, an electrical potential is created between a conductive detector on top of the membrane and the roof substrate causing current to flow between the roof substrate and the conductive detector through moisture in any leak in the membrane. The membrane is attached to the roof support substrate by an intervening layer therebetween which can be a primer or an adhesive layer which is caused to be electrically conductive by the addition an electrically conductive material. This allows the conductor on the roof substrate to which the potential difference is applied to be attached onto the roof substrate and covered by the layer underneath the membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for differential voltage grid-based moisture monitoring of structures is provided. The method involves detecting a defect in a structural component, the structural component comprising a membrane for fluid impermeability, a deck for supporting the membrane, and a plurality of electrically conductive elements adjacent the membrane and electrically insulated from each other, by sensing the potential difference between a first element of the plurality of elements and a second element of the plurality of elements separated from the first element when there is an electrical potential between the deck and an electrically conductive fluid in contact with the first and second elements. The apparatus includes a switching circuit for connecting a voltage measuring circuit to the first and second elements, the voltage measuring circuit being operable to sense the potential difference between the first and second elements.

Abstract: An RFID reader is provided. The RFID reader includes a transmitter section and a receiver section. The transmitter section is configured to transmit a first RF signal which includes several carrier frequencies that are effective to simultaneously illuminate a tag at the plurality of carrier frequencies. The receiver section is configured to receive a second RF signal which includes several frequencies which each have the same information.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for forming and measuring lipid bilayers, for example, by joining lipid monolayers that self-assemble at the interface of aqueous and organic phases using sessile aqueous droplets in contact with a measurement electrode. At least one of the aqueous solution, the lower aqueous phase, and/or the upper organic phase comprise lipids. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing intermittent detection during analytical reactions are provided. Such methods facilitate collection of reaction data from disparate reaction times. Further, such methods are useful for reducing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction at a given reaction time. In preferred embodiments, the reaction mixture is subjected to at least one illuminated and non-illuminated period and allowed to proceed such that the time in which the reaction mixture is illuminated is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about the conductivity of a fluid contained, processed or flowing in a pipe, tank, cell or vessel having electrodes around the circumference of the pipe, tank, cell or vessel in an irregular configuration; and determine a scale build-up in the pipe, tank, cell or vessel using a tomographic processing technique, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor module may be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the scale build-up in the pipe, tank, cell or vessel using the tomographic processing technique, e.g., including where the corresponding signaling contains information about a chemical to be injected to control the scale build-up, including in a closed loop manner.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include apparatus and methods for monitoring aging of an item. A solid-state structure is located within, adjacent to, or otherwise proximate the item, the solid-state structure including nanostructures. The electrical resistance and/or magnetization of the solid-state structure is determined to determine the degree of aging of the item. In representative examples, the solid-state structure includes nanostructures of a metal, such as a ferromagnetic metal, within a non-magnetic matrix, such as a semimetal, semiconductor, or insulator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor having a nanostructure, the metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor including: a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a gas sensing layer provided on the first electrode, made of a metal oxide semiconductor which has a nanostructure and of which electrical conductivity changes when the metal oxide semiconductor reacts with gas to be sensed, and formed by oblique angle deposition; a second electrode formed on the metal oxide semiconductor; and a control unit for measuring the electrical conductivity of the gas sensing layer to sense the gas by applying a predetermined amount of current through the first and the second electrodes.

Abstract: A torsion angle and rotation angle measurement device includes an input rotation disk, an output rotation disk, at least two torsion measuring modules and a rotation measuring module. The output rotation disk is coaxially and rotatably connected with the input rotation disk. At least two torsion measuring modules are disposed between the input rotation disk and the output rotation disk. Each torsion measuring module includes a rotary variable resistor and a torsion measuring arm. The rotary variable resistor is disposed on the output rotation disk. The torsion measuring arm is pivotally connected with the rotary variable resistor at a first end thereof, and is slidably connected with the input rotation disk at an second opposite end. When the input rotation disk rotates relative to the output rotation disk, the rotary variable resistor measures an angle indicating the input rotation disk rotating relative to the output rotation disk.

Abstract: Provided is a circuit for measuring insulation resistance, including: a first operational amplifier that is connected with a positive terminal of a battery and a second operational amplifier; a second operational amplifier that is connected with a negative terminal of the battery and the first operational amplifier; a first switch that is connected between the positive terminal and a non-inverting terminal of the first operational amplifier; and a second switch that is connected between the negative terminal and an inverting terminal of the second operational amplifier, wherein the first operational amplifier and the second operational amplifier are connected with each other through a ground.

Abstract: A system that includes a sensor for measuring a resonant impedance spectral response of an inductor-capacitor-resistor (LCR) resonator and correlating the measured response of one or more spectral parameters to one or more characteristics of the fluid. Such characteristics may be the age or health of the fluid and/or the identification of and concentration of components in the fluid.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode at a predefined distance from one another. The sensor apparatus includes a substrate arranged in a predefined first region of the sensor carrier such that the first electrode and the second electrode are substantially electrically decoupled from one another if the outer side of the sensor carrier is substantially free of particles. A third electrode is coupled to a solid electrolyte that is additionally coupled to the second electrode. A diffusion barrier is coupled to the third electrode in a predefined third region and the exhaust gas is applied to the third electrode only in the third region via the diffusion barrier.

Abstract: The contactless conductivity detector in one embodiment includes a microfluidic chip having a channel (102) thereon and four detection electrodes: first and second emitting electrodes (100a, 101a), and first and second receiving electrodes (100b, 101b). The channel (102) is defined by channel walls. The first emitting electrode (100a) and the first receiving electrode (100b) are adjacent a first channel wall, and the second emitting electrode (101a) and the second receiving electrode (101b) are adjacent a second channel wall, the second channel wall being opposite the first channel wall.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for corrosion detection in structural tendons. In one example, among others, a method includes injecting current through a portion of a tendon assembly including a tendon at least partially encased in grout, where the current is injected through the portion of the tendon assembly via contact points on a surface of the grout. A potential across the portion of the grout surface is measured and a condition of the tendon can be based at least in part upon the current and the potential. In another example, a system includes supply electrodes to inject current into grout surrounding a tendon via contact with a surface of the grout, sensor electrodes to measure a potential difference between the supply electrodes, and an impedance detection device to determine an impedance of the tendon based at least in part upon the injected current and the potential difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical conductivity of liquid is disclosed. The present invention as disclosed accurately and consistently measures infinitesimal conductivity of liquid by applying a stable reference signal to a conductivity sensor controlled with a constant temperature, and by low-noise processing on an output signal from the conductivity sensor. More specifically, infinitesimal conductivity of liquid can be repeatedly and accurately measured and change in performance of the detection apparatus over time can be minimized, by minimizing temperature variations, unstability of a reference signal, and noise effects to ensure stablility of a baseline as a measurement reference of the conductivity and accuracy of conductivity measurements.

Abstract: A device, apparatus and method for trapping metal ions and detecting metal ion contamination in a solution provide a semiconductor device formed on a semiconductor substrate and including an N-well formed over a P-type substrate and at least a contact portion of the N-well in electrical contact with the solution. When the semiconductor device is optically illuminated, a P/N junction is formed as a result of photovoltaic phenomena. Metal ions from the solution migrate to the contact area due to the voltage created at the P/N junction. The semiconductor device includes a conductive structure with conductive features separated by a gap and therefore in an initially electrically open state. When the ions migrate to the contact area, they precipitate, at least partially bridging the gap and creating conductance through the conductive structure. The conductance may be measured to determine the amount of metal ion contamination.

Abstract: A system for measuring the conductivity of a material-under-test includes a support structure, an upper magnet mounted to the support structure and a free-floating magnet below the fixed magnet. The system includes a diamagnet positioned between the fixed magnet and the free-floating magnet such that the free-floating magnet floats in the air beneath the diamagnet and a rotation detection assembly configured to detect a rotation rate of the free-floating magnet, where the rotation rate is based on a drag torque effect of a material-under-test on the free-floating magnet. The system also includes a conductivity calculation unit configured to calculate at least one of a conductivity or a resistivity of the material-under-test based on the detected rotation rate of the free-floating magnet.