With Object Or Substance Characteristic Determination Using Conductivity Effects Patents (Class 324/693)
  • Publication number: 20100201384
    Abstract: One or more electroactive polymer fibers are coupled to a structure. Electroactive responses of the fiber(s) are monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Sapce Administration
    Inventors: Lisa A. Scott-Carnell, Emilie J. Siochi
  • Publication number: 20100201383
    Abstract: A particle detection device (10) included substrates (1, 4), insulating members (2, 3), supporting member (5), and electrodes (6, 7). The insulating member (2) is provided on a principal surface of the substrate (1) and has a recess. The insulating member (3) is provided so as to make contact with the insulating member (3) and the substrate (4). The substrate (4) is formed on a principal surface of the supporting member (5). The electrode (6) is formed on a surface, which is opposite to the surface where the insulating member (2) is formed, of the substrate (1). The electrode (7) is formed on the surface (5A), the side surface (5B), and the rear surface (5C) of the supporting member (5) so as to be connected to the substrate (4). Accordingly, the detection device 10 includes a gap (8) surrounded by the insulating members (2, 3). The substrate (1) is connected to the substrate (4) with the insulating members (2, 3) and the supporting member (5) (quartz).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Mizuho Morita, Takaaki Hirokane
  • Publication number: 20100201381
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting nucleic acid hybridization, including single nucleic base mutations at low concentrations, are disclosed, using surface-tethered hairpin loop oligonucleotide probes and metal-nanoparticles conjugated to a hybridization detection sequence that is capable of binding the stem region of the opened hairpin loop oligonucleotide probe, without the use of labeling or target modification and capable of recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Samir M. Iqbal, Swati Goyal, Shawn M. Christensen, Mohammud R. Noor
  • Patent number: 7772855
    Abstract: There are disclosed an instrument for measuring the concentration of particulates in a fluid, which is capable of determining the concentration of the particulates in the fluid with high accuracy. The instrument for measuring the concentration of the particulates in the fluid includes particulate collecting means, temperature measuring means, flow rate measuring means, impedance measuring means, time measuring means, constant determining means for determining an impedance change per unit time-particulate concentration constant from temperature and flow rate, impedance change per unit time computing means for computing the change of an impedance per unit time, and particulate concentration determining means for determining the concentration of the particulates from the change of the impedance per unit time computed by the impedance change per unit time computing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Kyosuke Katsuyama, Kenshin Kitoh
  • Publication number: 20100194409
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of electrically detecting a biological analyte molecule by means of a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are arranged at a distance from one another within a sensing zone. A capture molecule, which has an affinity to the analyte molecule and which is capable of forming a complex with the analyte molecule, is immobilised on an immobilisation unit. The immobilisation unit is contacted with a solution suspected to comprise the analyte molecule. The analyte molecule is allowed to form a complex with the capture molecule. The invention also provides a probe defined by a nanoparticulate tag that comprises or consists of electrically conducting matter that is capable of chemically interacting with the analyte molecule. In the method of the invention the electrically conducting nanoparticulate tag is added. Thereby the electrically conducting nanoparticulate tag is allowed to associate to the complex formed between the capture molecule and the analyte molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Gao, Yi Fan, Xiantong Chen, Jinming Kong
  • Publication number: 20100194410
    Abstract: A sensor array for detecting the content of a fluid sample comprises first and second electrodes having connections for a drive signal. The first electrode is coated with a layer of a first material having optical properties which change according to the electrical charge passing through it or the potential across it. Sensor sites are defined by islands of a second material such that the charge passing through or the potential across the second material, in response to the drive signal, varies according to the fluid sample composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander FORD, Antony Robert Glauser
  • Publication number: 20100188108
    Abstract: A measurement circuit that has particular application for detecting a high impedance measurement signal from a liquid water sensor. The measurement circuit includes a high impedance resistance-to-frequency conversion circuit that is coupled to the sensor and receives a resistance signal therefrom. The resistance-to-frequency conversion circuit includes an oscillator that converts the resistance signal to a representative frequency. The measurement circuit also includes a frequency-to-voltage conversion circuit that receives the frequency signal from the resistance-to-frequency conversion circuit, and converts the frequency signal to a representative voltage that provides an indication of water on the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Fuss, Kenneth L. Kaye
  • Publication number: 20100188109
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a molecule comprises providing two electrodes (16a, 16b) which define a tunnelling gap between them; applying a potential difference between the electrodes; passing the molecule through the tunnelling gap; and measuring the tunnelling current between the electrodes over a measuring period, wherein at least a part of the molecule is within the gap for at least a part of the measuring period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Joshua Edel, Tim Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20100182022
    Abstract: A pH measurement system using a glass pH sensor includes a power supply applying a voltage to the glass pH sensor through a resistor; a detector detecting the output voltage of the glass pH sensor; and a calculator calculating the pH of a solution based on the detected output voltage. The resistor provides a resistance of at least ten times less than the equivalent internal resistance of the glass pH sensor. The pH measurement system can improve the response rate by reducing the time constant depending on the dynamic characteristics of the glass pH sensor, and it is possible to diagnose whether the pH measurement system is defective or not by calculating the equivalent internal resistance and the supply voltage of the glass pH sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: KYUNGPOOK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: JIE TAE LEE, DAE RYOOK YANG, SEUNG JAE LEE, SU WHAN SUNG
  • Publication number: 20100170886
    Abstract: The present invention includes the use of conducting polymers as sensors in distributed sensing systems, as sensors and operating elements in multifunctional devices, and for conducting-polymer based multifunctional sensing fabrics suitable for monitoring humidity, breath, heart rate, blood (location of wounds), blood pressure, skin temperature, weight and movement, in a wearable, electronic embedded sensor system, as examples. A fabric comprising conducting polyaniline fibers that can be used to distribute energy for resistive heating as well as for sensing the fabric temperature is described as an example of a multifunctional sensing fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Santa Fe Science and Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baohua Qi, Benjamin R. Mattes
  • Publication number: 20100139369
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling electrical heating of an element to maintain a constant electrical resistance, by adjusting electrical power supplied to such element according to an adaptive feedback control algorithm, in which all the parameters are (1) arbitrarily selected; (2) pre-determined by the physical properties of the controlled element; or (3) measured in real time. Unlike the conventional proportion-integral-derivative (PID) control mechanism, the system and method of the present invention do not require re-tuning of proportionality constants when used in connection with a different controlled element or under different operating conditions, and are therefore adaptive to changes in the controlled element and the operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: ING-SHIN CHEN, Jeffrey W. Neuner, Richard Kramer
  • Patent number: 7733097
    Abstract: Method for determining a property of a fluid for a household device includes the following steps: measurement of a physical variable of the fluid associated with the property of the fluid, in each case when a first parameter influencing the physical variable has one of at least two predetermined values, in order to obtain at least two measurement values for the first parameter, and correlation of the at least two measurement values for the first parameter, in order to obtain a first value characterizing the property of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Johann Schenkl, Herbert Altenhofer
  • Publication number: 20100134124
    Abstract: A misalignment detection device comprising a substrate, at least one integrated circuit (IC), and at least one detection unit is disclosed. The substrate comprises a first positioning pad and a second positioning pad adjacent to the first positioning pad. The integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate and comprises a first positioning bump and a second positioning bump adjacent to the first positioning bump. The first and second positioning bumps substantially correspond to the first and second positioning pads, respectively. The at least one detection unit is electrically coupled to the substrate, wherein the detection unit outputs a fault signal in response to a positioning shift occurring between the first and second positioning pads and the first and second positioning bumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Yu Lee, Shih-Ping Chou, Chien-Liang Chen, Wen-Hung Lai
  • Publication number: 20100117665
    Abstract: The process for monitoring the curing reaction of a polymeric matrix, in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed whereby a composite material is formed, provides for: arranging an electric circuit comprising at least a generator of a substantially constant voltage, an amperemeter and two electrodes immersed into the composite material, whereby the composite material interposed between the electrodes closes the electrical circuit, and tracing the current intensity value measured by the amperemeter, which is correlated to the progress of the curing reaction of the polymeric matrix, so as to control said progress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Sorrentino, Heinrich Christoph Neitzert, Luigi Vertuccio, Liberata Guadagno, Vittoria Vittoria, Generoso Iannuzzo, Salvatore Russo, Erika Calvi
  • Publication number: 20100097082
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for determining, using real-time data, whether a removal process has been effective in removing a conductive coating from a removal site on a substrate of an electric device. The method includes determination of conductivity between the removal site and the intact conductive coating which relates to the absence or presence of the conductive coating in the removal site. The presence of conductive coating in the removal site indicates incomplete removal and thus enables real time correction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: George Panotopoulos, Philip Liu
  • Patent number: 7696762
    Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kevin Quackenbush, Michael M. Bower, Stephen B. Talutis, Donald S. McKinlay
  • Publication number: 20100087827
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a cement that undergoes polymerization during curing such as most bone and dental cements by passing an electrical signal through the cement to determine the swelling phase, the initiation of polymerization of the cement and the effective working phase. The system further can control the swelling phase to reduce the time from the mixing of the cement to the initiation of the polymerization by using a ultrasonic signal or by heating the cement and can control the effective working phase after the polymerization has been initiated in order to prolong the working phase by cooling the cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Gamal BAROUD
  • Publication number: 20100073016
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an ultrathin micro-electromechanical chemical sensing device which uses swelling or straining of a reactive organic material for sensing. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a contact on-off switch chemical sensor. For example, the device can comprises a small gap separating two electrodes, wherein the gap can be closed as a result of the swelling or stressing of an organic polymer coating on one or both sides of the gap. In certain embodiments, the swelling or stressing is due to the organic polymer reacting with a target analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: William J. Arora, Karen K. Gleason, George Barbastathis, Wyatt E. Tenhaeff
  • Patent number: 7683643
    Abstract: The present invention includes the use of conducting polymers as sensors in distributed sensing systems, as sensors and operating elements in multifunctional devices, and for conducting-polymer based multifunctional sensing fabrics suitable for monitoring humidity, breath, heart rate, blood (location of wounds), blood pressure, skin temperature, weight and movement, in a wearable, electronic embedded sensor system, as examples. A fabric comprising conducting polyaniline fibers that can be used to distribute energy for resistive heating as well as for sensing the fabric temperature is described as an example of a multifunctional sensing fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Santa Fe Science and Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baohua Qi, Benjamin R. Mattes
  • Patent number: 7679895
    Abstract: A device comprising a cavity adapted to house a removable, electronic storage device. The device also comprises a data connector adapted to blind-mate with the storage device. The data connector is lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jean G. Atallah
  • Patent number: 7679379
    Abstract: A detecting apparatus for checking shape, size and/or position of a hole of a workpiece, includes a platform for supporting the workpiece, a detecting board, which includes a detecting unit, movably set above the platform, an electrical source, a processor, and an indicator. The source, the unit, and the workpiece make up a circuit connected to the processor. When the board is moved to the workpiece, and the unit enters the hole without touching the workpiece the circuit will remain open, and the processor will control the indicator to indicate that the hole is eligible. If the detecting unit touches the workpiece, the circuit closes, and the processor will control the indicator to indicate that the hole is ineligible. An end of the unit that enters the hole is radially deformable. The apparatus improves detecting efficiency and accuracy, and is suitable for use in mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bing-Jun Zhang, Lian-Zhong Gong
  • Publication number: 20100058989
    Abstract: A method for detecting mastitis of a milking animal includes the steps of: determining a first indicator of mastitis; determining a second indicator of mastitis; evaluating the first indicator of mastitis and the second indicator of mastitis; and identifying a need for a third indicator of mastitis based on the step of evaluation. An increased reliability is obtained by the method, while the costs are still kept at a minimum. A milking system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventors: Ulrika Ohman, Ola Markusson
  • Publication number: 20100060292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a test structure that comprises at least two devices under test DUT, which respectively have a first electrical device resistance in a non-defect state and a second electrical device resistance in defect state, the first being higher than the second electrical device resistance. In the test structure the DUTs are connected in parallel to a first test contact pad via a first conducting line and connected in parallel to a second test contact pad via a second conducting line, and respectively connected to the first conducting line via respective first test resistors, which have known respective electrical test resistances, such that a total electrical resistance between the first an second test contact pads is indicative of the number of DUTs, which have the second electrical device resistance. The test structure allows testing a larger number of DUTs in parallel in a single measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Kenneth De Vries, Roberto Maurizio Gonella
  • Publication number: 20100052704
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring and testing for both possible fractures and corrosion in structural elements is disclosed. A frangible material layer including a thin breakable conductor sense loop and a resilient material layer including a conductive corrosion sense loop bonded on top of the frangible layer form an assembly which is bonded to a structural element to be tested. Portions of the conductive corrosion sense loop are exposed through weep holes in the resilient material layer. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop and corrosion of the conductive corrosion sense loop changes its electrical properties. Measured electrical property changes of the disrupted conductor sense loop and/or the conductive corrosion sense loop reveal possible damage. Both sensor layers may utilize a single shared wireless communications tag to couple to an electrical measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Greg L. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20100050743
    Abstract: A gas concentration detection apparatus and system including a gas sensor. Voltage Vd generated across detection resistor Rd through which pump current Ip flows is differentially amplified by OP1, and offset voltage Vofs is superposed thereon to obtain a detection voltage Vout. The amplification factor applied to the differential amplification of the voltage Vd is changed by turning switch SW3 on and off. When switch SW2 is turned on, the input terminal potentials of the operational amplifier OP1 are equalized, so that voltage Vofs is output as the detection voltage Vout. The detection voltage Vout contains an error attributable to the electronic components which form the circuit. The detection voltage Vout containing the error when SW2 is turned on is acquired as a correction voltage for each amplification factor, and is used for correction at the time of detection of the concentration so as to cancel the error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norikazu IEDA, Yoshinori Inoue, Hiroyuki Tsukada, Masahiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100045308
    Abstract: A system for the early detection of damage to and/or soiling of a capacitive sensor includes determining a degree by which the sensor is damaged and/or soiled by measuring a physical property of an electrode, e.g. the resistance of the electrode, or optically by means of the coefficient of reflection of the electrode surface of at least one electrode of the capacitive sensor. A capacitive sensor, according to the system described herein, may include components for provide the diagnostic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Juergen Hall, Markus Langenbacher, Ulrich Demisch
  • Publication number: 20100039126
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting a chemical or biological species includes a sensing element and a bias and measurement circuit. The sensing element includes nanochannels, each having an outer surface functionalized to chemically interact with the species to create a corresponding surface potential, and each having a sufficiently small cross section to exhibit a shift of a differential conductance characteristic into a negative bias operating region by a shift amount dependent on the surface potential. The bias and measurement circuit applies a bias voltage across two ends of the nanochannels sufficiently negative to achieve a desired dependence of the differential conductance on the surface potential, wherein the dependence has a steeply sloped region of high amplification substantially greater than a reference amplification at a zero-bias condition, thus achieving relatively high signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Yu Chen, Xihua Wang, Agniezska Kalinowski, Mi Hong, Pritiraj Mohanty, Shyamsunder Erramilli
  • Publication number: 20100039124
    Abstract: A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor including a substrate, two or more electrodes, a conductive layer applied to the substrate and a molecularly imprinted polymer layer applied to the conductive layer is disclosed herein The MIP sensor may form part of an MIP sensor system that can be used to detect and quantify target molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Joseph J. Belbruno, Ursula J. Gibson, Jane E.G. Lipson, Martin N. Wybourne
  • Publication number: 20100039125
    Abstract: A method for determining the passivating properties of a mixture (11) containing at least two components, which are cement and water, including the steps of: taking three elements, each made up of an electrically conductive material, these elements being referred to as first electrode (2), second electrode (4) and third electrode (5), fixing at least one these three electrodes on a support (3) in such a manner that they are electrically insulated reciprocally, and the mixture (11) is able to come in contact with at least one predetermined face situated on each electrode, these faces being referred to as first face (20), second face (40) and third face (50), selecting the first electrode (2) and the third electrode (5) and applying between these two electrodes, a direct current, referred to as first direct current, of predetermined intensity value, referred to as first intensity value, and predetermined polarity, referred to as first polarity, resulting in electrolytic reactions on the third electrode (
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: VSL International AG
    Inventor: Markus Buchler
  • Publication number: 20100037767
    Abstract: A method of controlling the rapping of at least one collecting electrode plate (30) of an electrostatic precipitator (1) comprises applying, by means of a power source (32), a voltage between said at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and at least one discharge electrode (28), measuring the sparking rate between said at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and said at least one discharge electrode (28), and controlling, using the measured present sparking rate, the rapping of said at least one collecting electrode plate (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Anders Karisson
  • Patent number: 7663381
    Abstract: An electrical condition monitoring method utilizes measurement of electrical resistivity of a conductive composite degradation sensor to monitor environmentally induced degradation of a polymeric product such as insulated wire and cable. The degradation sensor comprises a polymeric matrix and conductive filler. The polymeric matrix may be a polymer used in the product, or it may be a polymer with degradation properties similar to that of a polymer used in the product. The method comprises a means for communicating the resistivity to a measuring instrument and a means to correlate resistivity of the degradation sensor with environmentally induced degradation of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Watkins, Jr., Shelby J. Morris, Daniel D. Masakowski, Ching Ping Wong, Shijian Luo
  • Publication number: 20100033198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the electrical detection and/or quantification of organophosphorus compounds present in gaseous form or in solution in a solvent. A device for detecting and/or quantifying organophosphorus compounds, comprising an electrical device comprising a source electrode and a drain electrode separated by a semiconductive material, characterized in that at least one receptor molecule, comprising a group R and a primary alcohol in spatial proximity to a tertiary amine, with which the primary alcohol is capable of reacting in the presence of an organophosphorus compound, is grafted, by means of the group R, onto one of the electrodes or onto the semiconductive material, and a device for detecting the variation in positive charges between the two electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre SIMONATO, Alexandre Carella
  • Patent number: 7659731
    Abstract: A sensor circuit is coupled to a sensing element for determining a property, such as a dielectric constant, of a fuel. The circuit includes an excitation voltage signal generator, a synchronization trigger and a processing circuit configured to generate an output signal indicative of the fuel property. The excitation signal is applied to the sensing element to produce an induced current signal. The synchronization trigger generates a trigger signal when the excitation signal crosses zero volts, at which time the real (resistive) component of the induced current signal is zero. The induced signal is therefore wholly representative of the imaginary component attributable to a capacitance of the fuel, which in turn is dependent on the dielectric constant (and thus ethanol concentration) of the fuel blend. The processing circuit is configured to sample the induced signal in response to the trigger signal and produce the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yingjie Lin, Su-Chee Simon Wang, Norberto Hernandez Resendiz
  • Publication number: 20100019783
    Abstract: A method for measuring a concentration of a sample in a sample mixture, the method comprising bringing the sample mixture in contact with an organic semiconductor transistor, applying measurement signals to electrodes of the transistor for enabling measuring a drain current through the transistor, applying a refreshment signal to the gate electrode for counteracting effects imposed on the transistor during the measurement signal, measuring the drain current, applying an adaptation to at least one of said signals for stabilizing the drain current, and determining the concentration based on the adaptation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Petrus Willard, Ivon Franciscus Helwegen, Milan Saalmink, Teunis Johannes Vink
  • Publication number: 20100019784
    Abstract: A sensor, and methods of making, for determining the concentration of an analyte, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. The sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, and can include an insertion monitoring trace to determine correct positioning of the sensor in a connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Yi Wang, Joseph A. Vivolo, Shridhara Alva Karinka
  • Publication number: 20090315572
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating or supervising one or more internal mechanical properties of a metal alloy object with a known chemical composition based on the resistivity of the metal alloy object. The apparatus includes a device for measuring the resistivity of the metal alloy object, and a computation unit adapted to calculate the content of dissolved alloying elements in the metal alloy object based on the measured resistivity and the known chemical composition of the metal alloy, and based thereon to calculate at least one internal mechanical property of the metal alloy object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AB
    Inventors: Sten Linder, Lennart Thegel
  • Publication number: 20090315573
    Abstract: A component made of electrically insulating material with a detection structure for mechanical damage such as cracks is disclosed. The detection structure is a conductor. The electrical properties of the detection structure are modified as more and more cracks are formed such that the component will be replaced in time before breaking. The electrical conductor is formed by particles that are in contact with each other and have a metallic surface such that an electrical conductor is created which is particularly sensitive to mechanical damage, thus rendering the detection structure highly sensitive. Furthermore, if the metallic surface is produced merely by cladding the particles while the inside of the particles is made of the same material as the component, a conductor featuring an adapted thermal expansion behavior is created for components that are subject to great thermal stress, e.g. heat shield panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Frank Arndt, Ursus Krüger, Oliver Stier
  • Publication number: 20090289642
    Abstract: Non-destructive method for detecting zones with non-conductive materials, such as materials that include glass fibres, in a part made of a conductive composite, such as a composite whose reinforcing fibres are carbon fibres, provided with an organic coating, that comprises the following stages: a) providing a device for applying an electric potential on the surface of said part; b) determining the dielectric breakdown potential Pr corresponding to the thickness E of the coating; c) applying said dielectric breakdown potential Pr with said device to the part for the purpose of identifying those zones that have non-conductive materials when dielectric breakdown does not occur in them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Angeles LAVIA GONZALEZ, Ignacio Manuel Garcia Diego
  • Publication number: 20090284271
    Abstract: There are disclosed an instrument for measuring the concentration of particulates in a fluid, which is capable of determining the concentration of the particulates in the fluid with high accuracy. The instrument for measuring the concentration of the particulates in the fluid includes particulate collecting means, temperature measuring means, flow rate measuring means, impedance measuring means, time measuring means, constant determining means for determining an impedance change per unit time-particulate concentration constant from temperature and flow rate, impedance change per unit time computing means for computing the change of an impedance per unit time, and particulate concentration determining means for determining the concentration of the particulates from the change of the impedance per unit time computed by the impedance change per unit time computing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Kyosuke Katsuyama, Kenshin Kitoh
  • Patent number: 7618825
    Abstract: A method for influencing and monitoring the oxide layer on metallic components of hot CO2/H2O cycle systems, in particular of CO2/H2O gas turbine installations, in which a hydrocarbon-containing fuel is burnt with oxygen, and the excess CO2 and H2O formed is removed from the cycle system at a suitable location. To protect the oxide layer of the components which are under thermal load, an excess of oxygen is used, the level of which is dependent on the current state of the oxide layer, the state of the oxide layer being determined by periodic and/or continuous measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Werner Balbach
  • Publication number: 20090278556
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing and using doped MWNT electrodes, sensors and field-effect transistors. Devices incorporating doped MWNT electrodes, sensors and field-effect transistors are also disclosed. Also disclosed are devices comprising nanostructured electrodes and methods for measuring free chlorine in an aqueous environment. Also disclosed are diamond coated electrodes for use in electrochemical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Nanoselect, Inc.
    Inventors: Piu Francis Man, Ajeeta Pradip Patil, Kah Fatt Tan, Salvatore J. Pace
  • Publication number: 20090273356
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic transducer (10) and a method for detecting and/or characterizing target materials or physico-chemical stimuli in an external medium (8) using the electronic transducer (10). The electronic transducer (10) comprises a sensing element (3) featuring a variable conductance when exposed to a stimulus from the external medium and a first and second electrode (5a, 5b) spaced apart on or in a sensing material surface of a substrate, the sensing element being provided in or on the substrate and being located between the first and the second electrodes (5a, 5b) forming a pair of sensing electrodes for sensing a change in conductance of the sensing element (3) in a direction substantially parallel to the sensing material surface, at least one of the sensing electrodes (5a, 5b) being electrically insulated from the sensing element (3) by a dielectric layer (4), so as to be capacitively coupled to the sensing element (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Rémi Sébastien Pampin, Denis Flandre, Luis Moreno-Hagelsieb, Boris Foultier, José Remacle
  • Patent number: 7602196
    Abstract: A defect in a roof membrane is detected by applying a DC voltage between the roof deck and a perimeter conductor and using a detection probe pair to provide a signal indicative of the differences in voltage detected by the pair of probes so as to allow the operator to locate the defect by moving the probes to different locations. The probes are mounted on a rigid common frame such that the probe pair has a fixed separation and the frame includes a handle portion which allows ready manipulation of the frame carrying the probes by the operator. The receiver provides an audible signal emitter to the operator and includes a calibration circuit arranged to automatically maintain, despite changes in voltage applied between the roof deck and the peripheral conductor, a “0” set calibration point so as to indicate at the calibration point when zero difference in voltage is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Detec Systems Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Vokey
  • Publication number: 20090237094
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a magnetoresistive element includes polarizing the magnetoresistive element in a first direction of a core width, and stepwise increasing a maximum magnetic field applied in a measurement and measuring a maximum value of resistance of the magnetoresistive element at each step. Measuring the maximum value includes applying a magnetic field in a second direction opposite to the first direction at each step and obtaining the maximum value of the resistance while changing the magnetic field from an initial magnetic field to the maximum magnetic field applied at each step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Tetsuya Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090237095
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring information relating to the impedance characteristics of a powder with high accuracy. To achieve such an object, the method for measuring powder properties according to the present invention includes a step in which the impedance characteristics of a powder are obtained by an alternating current impedance method, using a function setting a pressure applied to the powder or a density of the powder as a variable. From the obtained impedance characteristics, information relating to at least one of the components can be extracted, the components being a first component that is dependent on the variable, and a second component that is not dependent on the variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro TAKENO, Kazuhiro Okamura
  • Publication number: 20090230979
    Abstract: Fullerenes are a novel material that has been expected to serve as a promising material in the construction of organic devices. However, the electric conductivity of fullerenes, which has been, reported heretofore spreads over a wide range including values corresponding to insulators as well as those corresponding to semiconductors. The present invention makes it possible to improve the conductivity of fullerenes highly reproducibly by heating the fullerenes at a specified temperature in an inert gas which is flowed under a specified condition, that is, by controlling the concentration of impurities, particularly oxygen and water adsorbed to the fullerenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: IDEAL STAR INC.
    Inventors: Kenji Omote, Yuzo Mizobuchi, Yasuhiko Kasama
  • Publication number: 20090233351
    Abstract: In order to control bubble removal or mixing in a flow channel, bubble transfer between flow channels (1, 2) is controlled by disposing first flow channel (1) for flow of a first fluid of liquid or gas and second flow channel (2) for flow of a second fluid of liquid with, interposed therebetween, gas exchange unit (5) through which while no liquid can pass, a gas component can be transferred, and by providing a pressure difference between the flow channels (1, 2) with the gas exchange unit (5). By rendering the pressure of the second flow channel (2) higher than that of the first flow channel (1), any bubble transfer from the first fluid to the second fluid is prevented, or bubbles within the second fluid are transferred into the first fluid to thereby attain deaeration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Masakazu Akechi
  • Publication number: 20090219040
    Abstract: A wear sensor (30, 50, 60) installed on a surface area (24) of a component (20, 21) subject to wear from an opposing surface (74, 75). The sensor has a proximal portion (32A, 52A, 62A) and a distal portion (32C, 52C, 62C) relative to a wear starting position (26). An electrical circuit (40) measures an electrical characteristic such as resistance of the sensor, which changes with progressive reduction of the sensor from the proximal portion to the distal portion during a widening reduction wear of the surface from the starting position. The measuring circuit quantifies the electrical changes to derive a wear depth based on a known geometry of the wear depth per wear width. In this manner, wear depth may be measured with a surface mounted sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Sachin R. Shinde, Anand A. Kulkarni, David J. Mitchell, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20090212788
    Abstract: A conductivity counter and method of determining conductivity of a fluid sample are disclosed. The counter is suitable for high-speed, accurate counting of discrete events or items, such as cancer cells, passing through a fluid sample cell. A variable frequency current source is used to supply an excitation current to a sample cell connected in parallel with an inductance or the electrical equivalence of an inductance. This configuration can be accurately modeled as a parallel RLC circuit when the system is operated at a stable frequency. The current source frequency is tuned to the resonance frequency of the equivalent RLC circuit, which effectively eliminates the capacitive and inductive components of the impedance, leaving only purely resistive components. The output of the equivalent RLC circuit is connected to a high input impedance buffer amplifier and then to a phase sensitive detector, which detects the phase shift resulting from the equivalent RLC circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Donald A. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20090208922
    Abstract: Provided is a SWNT-FET-based sensor for detection of biomolecules including an increased Schottky contact area, a method for preparing the same, and a method for detection of biomolecules using the SWNT-FET-based sensor. According to the method of the present invention, a SWNT-FET-based sensor for detection of biomolecules having a thin and increased Schottky contact area can be obtained. The biomolecule detection sensor exhibits a superior detection sensitivity, and can effectively detect both nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules and specific biomolecule-biomolecule interactions, even at a low concentration of 1 pM, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Hee Cheul Choi, Hye Ryung Byon