Abstract: Sensors, as well as systems and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the sensors include a piezoelectric base, a plurality of surface-associated compositions that are stably associated with the piezoelectric base, and a plurality of crosslinking compositions that are configured to crosslink one or more surface-associated compositions in the presence of an analyte. The sensors, systems and methods described herein find use in a variety of applications, including the detection of an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing nondestructive evaluation of a specimen comprises a first ultrasonic shear wave transducer configured to be coupled to a first side of a specimen to be tested; a second ultrasonic shear wave transducer configured to be coupled to the first side of the specimen at a predetermined distance from the first ultrasonic shear wave transducer. The first ultrasonic shear wave transducer is configured to transmit a guided wave into the specimen, and the second ultrasonic shear wave transducer is configured to receive the guided wave from the first ultrasonic shear wave transducer. The first ultrasonic shear wave transducer and the second ultrasonic shear wave transducer are low frequency shear transducers that are capable of operating at or below 0.5 MHz (500 kHz). The specimen has a planar surface or a curved surface, and a membrane may be used as the couplant between the specimen and the transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing nondestructive evaluation of a specimen comprises a first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer configured to be coupled to a first edge of a specimen to be tested; a second ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer configured to be coupled to the first side of the specimen at a predetermined distance from the first ultrasonic shear wave transducer, wherein the first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer is configured to transmit a guided wave into the specimen, and the second ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer is configured to receive the guided wave from the first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer. The first ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer and the second ultrasonic longitudinal wave transducer are low frequency longitudinal transducers that are capable of operating at or below 0.5 MHz (500 KHz). A membrane may be used as the couplant between the transducers and the specimen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining data from a density-viscosity (DV) sensor of a downhole tool, wherein the DV sensor comprises a resonating element disposed in a fluid flowing in a flowline of the downhole tool, and determining a resonance frequency and quality factor of the resonating element utilizing a nonlinear regression and/or a plurality of resonance modes exhibited by the obtained data.

Abstract: A heater assembly is provided that includes a substrate having opposed end portions defining raised flanges, a slot extending between the opposed end portions, and opposed chamfered surfaces extending along the slot and across the raised flanges. A plurality of layers are disposed onto the substrate, along with a pair of terminal pads. A protective cover defining at least one aperture is disposed over the layers and is secured to the raised flanges and the opposed chamfered surfaces of the substrate, and the aperture is disposed proximate the terminal pads. A pair of lead wires is secured to the pair of terminal pads, and a lead cap assembly is disposed around the pair of lead wires and is secured to the protective cover.

Abstract: A sensing sensor includes a first vibrating region, a second vibrating region, an adsorbing film, a blocking layer, a wiring board, a channel forming member arranged to cover a region of the one surface side of the wiring board to form a channel. The adsorbing film is arranged such that the adsorbing film is located in a region including the central portion in the front-rear direction of the one vibrating region. Assuming that the front end portion of the vibrating region is P1, the front end portion of the adsorbing film is P2, and the central portion of the vibrating region is C, the front end portion of the adsorbing film P2 satisfies a relational expression expressed as follows: (a distance from C to P1)×0.4?(a distance from P1 to P2)?(a distance from C to P1)×0.8.

Abstract: A technique for characterizing precipitation includes receiving an impedance signal that is indicative of the impedance in a predetermined area on a measurement surface, deriving, on basis of the impedance signal, a first precipitation rate that is descriptive of accumulated mass of precipitation particles falling on the predetermined area during a calculation period, receiving an acoustic signal that is indicative of acoustic impacts caused by the precipitation particles in vicinity of the measurement surface, deriving, on basis of the acoustic signal, a second precipitation rate that is descriptive of accumulated mass of the precipitation particles during the calculation period, and designating, in response to receiving an indication regarding a presence of precipitation, current precipitation type as one of predetermined precipitation types at least in part on basis of a first precipitation indicator value derived on basis of the first and second precipitation rates.

Abstract: A treatment vessel may allow a user, or automated system, to manipulate sample material within a treatment area during processing (e.g., focused acoustic treatment), as well as subject the sample material to a staged processing protocol. The vessel may include openings for receiving/discharging the sample material. Walls within the vessel may be movable between various positions, to permit or obstruct flow of sample material into or out from a treatment area. The wall(s) may push the sample material within the vessel, as well as adjust pressure levels within the treatment area. In some embodiments, an acoustic treatment system may include a flexible coupling medium that may be deformed toward the vessel upon an application of suitable pressure thereto. When the medium presses up against the vessel, defects (e.g., particles, bubbles, interfaces, etc.) that may otherwise be present along the acoustic wave path may be reduced.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes providing a sensor assembly having a sensing region with a plurality of resonant circuits, and a plurality of tuning elements. The method further includes exposing the sensor assembly to an environment comprising the sample, and probing the sample with one or more frequencies generated by the sensor assembly. Furthermore, the method includes determining an impedance of a sensor response over a measured spectral frequency range of the sensor assembly, and relating measurement of impedance of the sensor assembly to at least one environmental property of the sample.

Abstract: Determination of fluid properties is important in a variety of research and industrial applications. Real-time measurements in operating fluidic systems are performed for monitoring, diagnosis, and feedback-control. A simplified, microfabricated resonant sensor for separate density and viscosity measurements of a fluid with a common sensor is disclosed. The sensor is micron-scale, so as to produce a minimum of perturbation to the fluid under test, and may be arrayed to probe viscosity and density across a flowstream or vessel. Measurement is performed at resonance peaks, and geometry or operating conditions of sensor are varied to produce different resonance responses useful for separate sensing of density and viscosity of a fluid. Another embodiment includes a method for reducing quiescent in-plate elastic strain in a plate or membrane so as to allow bending-stiffness dominated behavior of a resonator.

Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: Biosensor apparatus and associated method for detecting a target material using a vibrating resonator having a surface that operably interacts with the target material. A detector is in electrical communication with a sensor, the sensor comprising a first paddle assembly connected to a second paddle assembly, the first paddle assembly having at least one microbalance sensing resonator proximate a proximal end and at least one sensing electrical contact proximate a distal end in electrical communication with the sensing resonator. The at least one sensing resonator has a target coating for operably interacting with the target material, and the second paddle assembly has a microbalance reference resonator proximate the proximal end and at least one reference electrical contact proximate the distal end in electrical communication with the reference resonator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for carrying out measurements of a analyte fluid having a housing (12, 18), a measurement chamber (40) arranged in the housing (18), a resonator (16, 34) and conduits (42, 44) for inputting and outputting media for the measurements into/out of the measurement chamber (40), wherein the resonators (16, 34) delimit the measurement chamber (40) in areas. The invention distinguishes thereby that two resonators (16, 34) are provided which delimit the measurements chamber (40) each.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to resonating detection devices in which the sample flows through a conduit having a section in which the conduit is grouped or concentrated with the point of maximum movement. An exemplary device includes a primary conduit, at least one first flex section, at least one second flex section and at least one analysis section. The primary conduit cooperates with an energizer for inducing vibration and a programmed calculator for determining a resonant frequency to calculate a mass related parameter of the solution carried therein.

Abstract: In the present invention a controllable acoustic source (14) in connection with the process fluid (10) emits a signal (18) into the fluid (10), consisting of a suspension of particles (12), being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase. The controllable acoustic signal (18) is allowed to interact, with the particles (12), and the acoustic (pressure) signals (22) resulting from such an interaction is measured preferably via a sensor (24). A spectrum is measured. The spectrum is used to predict properties, content and/or size of the particles (12) and/or used to control a process in which the process fluid (10) participates. The prediction is performed in the view of the control of the acoustic source (14). The used acoustic signal has preferably a frequency below 20 kHz.

Abstract: A measuring device is configured to measure a reaction of test objects suspended in a first liquid. The measuring device includes a base and a vibration generator. The base has a first cavity and second cavities provided therein. The first cavity is configured to store the first liquid. The vibration generator generates a standing wave in the first liquid stored in the first cavity. The base has through-holes provided therein. Each of the through-holes allows respective one of the second cavities to communicate with the first cavity. The through-holes have opening sections. The opening sections open to the first cavity and are configured to capture the test objects. This measuring device can measure a test objects with a high efficiency.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring scale deposition in a water-containing industrial process are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the water-containing industrial process is an aqueous cooling system. In certain embodiments, the methods incorporate fluorometric monitoring and control techniques along with a piezoelectric microbalance sensor. A particular embodiment of a piezoelectric microbalance sensor is additionally disclosed, along with at least one method for using the particular embodiment that is independent of whether fluorometric monitoring and control techniques are utilized.

Abstract: Methods and are provided for determining, monitoring or detecting particle size distribution of a medium. An example method includes comparing a measured ultrasound attenuation spectrum of the medium with a calculated attenuation spectrum, where the calculated attenuation spectrum is obtained by accounting for the scattering of ultrasound waves into the receiver. The methods of the present invention can be used to determine particle size distribution in a dense suspension of particles in the intermediate wavelength regime. In other aspects, methods of the present invention may also be used to monitor changes in particle size distribution, infer the shape of particles, provide feedback to a process involving a change in particle size, and determine the completion of a dissolution process.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising: a mechanically oscillatable unit; an electromechanical transducer unit, which has at least one piezoelectric or inductive, transducer element, which excites the oscillatable unit by means of an exciter signal to execute mechanical oscillations and which receives oscillations from the oscillatable unit and converts them into an electrical, received signal; a reference element having a first component of electrically adjustable size, wherein the reference element is connected in parallel with the electromechanical transducer unit and supplied with the same exciter signal and produces a reference signal uninfluenced by the oscillations of the oscillatable unit, and an electronics unit, which extracts a wanted signal from the received signal and the reference signal and, based on the wanted signal, determines and/or monitors the process variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining haemostasis parameters by measuring vibration parameters of a resonator having a measuring surface which contacts a platelet containing sample fluid. The invention is characterized by the analysis of the characteristic of a vibration parameter over time, based on which the platelet function will then be assessed and a distinction will be made between the presence of an adhesion disorder or that of an aggregation disorder.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring and/or monitoring concentrations of a dispersed phase in a fluid. A wettable surface may be used that is configured to be selectively wettable by the dispersed phase in the fluid being tested/monitored and the amount of or the rate of change of the wetting/deposition of the dispersed phase on the wettable surface is sensed and used to monitor the concentration of the dispersed phase.

Abstract: A method for optimizing particle throughput in a particle analyzer includes determining an optimal concentration of particles in a sample for achieving a user defined coincidence rate; adjusting the concentration of the particles in the sample to the determined optimal concentration to achieve the user defined coincidence rate; acoustically focusing the particles in the particle analyzer; adjusting a flow rate of the particles to achieve a user defined transit time of the particles; and analyzing at least some of the particles with an interrogation source.

Abstract: A sensing sensor includes a crystal element having a first excitation electrode, a second excitation electrode, and a common electrode, an adsorbing layer, a wiring board, and a channel forming member. The crystal element is secured to the wiring board so as to form a space at one surface side of the first vibrating region and the second vibrating region. The channel forming member is disposed to form a supply channel of sample solution upward of each of the first vibrating region and the second vibrating region. The channel forming member is disposed such that an inferior surface of a left edge and a right edge of the channel forming member is positioned on the common electrode. The channel forming member is formed such that an injection port of the sample solution and a discharge port of the sample solution are opposed to the crystal element.

Abstract: A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.

Abstract: To provide a biosensor including a suctioning mechanism while using a detection element such as a surface acoustic wave device, included are: a first cover member 1 including an element-accommodating recess 5 on an upper face thereof; a detection element 3 including an element substrate 10, and at least one detection unit 13 located on the upper face of the element substrate 10 to perform detection of an analyte; and a second cover member 2 joined to the first cover member 1 and covering the detection element 3, and including an inflow port 14 from which the analyte flows in and a groove 15 extending from the inflow port 14 to at least above the detection unit.

Abstract: A dissolved nitrogen concentration monitoring method is used for monitoring a dissolved nitrogen concentration of a cleaning liquid when an ultrasonic wave is irradiated onto the cleaning liquid in which a substrate is dipped. The method includes measuring an amount of increase of a dissolved oxygen concentration of the cleaning liquid resulting from an oxygen molecule generated from a water molecule as a result of a radical reaction caused by ultrasonic wave irradiation. A dissolved nitrogen concentration of the cleaning liquid is calculated from the measured amount of increase of dissolved oxygen concentration based on a predetermined relationship between a dissolved nitrogen concentration and an amount of increase of dissolved oxygen concentration.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes providing a sensor assembly having a sensing region with a plurality of resonant circuits, and a plurality of tuning elements. The method further includes exposing the sensor assembly to an environment comprising the sample, and probing the sample with one or more frequencies generated by the sensor assembly. Furthermore, the method includes determining an impedance of a sensor response over a measured spectral frequency range of the sensor assembly, and relating measurement of impedance of the sensor assembly to at least one environmental property of the sample.

Abstract: A resonant sensor assembly includes a dielectric substrate having a sensing region. The sensor assembly further comprises a plurality of tuning elements operatively coupled to the sensing region, where the sensing region is coupled to the plurality of tuning elements to define a plurality of resonant circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement device with at least one resonator, comprising a measurement chamber with a fluidic input and a fluidic output wherein the measurement chamber is delimited, at its bottom surface, by a resonator, and wherein the resonator surface is configured to be electrically conducting, and the resonator surface forms the working electrode for an electrochemical measurement, and wherein electrodes are provided at the fluidic input and/or output at the transition to the measurement chamber. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes are exchangeable and allow the reception of a fluidic connection.

Abstract: A measuring device (2) for testing a liquid (4) used as reducing agent in connection with exhaust cleaning for exhaust gases from a combustion engine. A temperature sensor (6) measures the temperature in the liquid. An acoustic velocity measuring unit (8) measures the acoustic velocity in the liquid. The measured first temperature T1 for the liquid and a first acoustic velocity v1 for the liquid at the temperature T1 are delivered to a calculation unit (10). The temperature sensor determines a second temperature T2 for the liquid and delivers a temperature signal (12) to the calculation unit (10). That unit calculates the absolute value of a temperature difference ?T between T1 and T2, i.e. ?T=|T1?T2, and compares ?T with a predetermined threshold value TTH.

Abstract: A method for analyzing liquid samples may comprise applying a liquid to a cMUT device having a plurality of sensors, drying the plurality of sensors, electronically detecting an agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the electrical circuit provides a sensor output responsive to a mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor, wherein the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor is responsive to the binding of an agent to the functionalized membrane, and determining the mass of the agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A system for determining a quality and/or depth of a fluid in a tank. The system includes a controller, one or more transducers, and a temperature sensor. A fixed distance transducer transmits a sound wave toward a fixed surface. A depth transducer transmits a sound wave which reflects off a surface of the fluid. The temperature sensor senses a temperature of the fluid in the tank and provides an indication of the temperature to the controller. The controller measures the elapsed time for the sound waves to travel between the fixed distance transducer and a fixed surface and the elapsed time for the sound waves to travel between the depth transducer and the surface of the fluid held within the container. Using the elapsed times and the temperature of the fluid, the controller is able to determine a quality and the depth of the fluid.

Abstract: Technologies are generally disclosed for systems and methods for monitoring a liquid. An illustrative method may include disposing one or more sensors in the liquid, sensing one or more properties exhibited by the liquid using the one or more sensors, producing sensed data from the properties by the one or more sensors, encoding the sensed data into an acoustic signal by the one or more sensors, transmitting the acoustic signal through the liquid by the one or more sensors and receiving the acoustic signal by one or more sound receiving devices.

Abstract: Method and system for background suppression in magneto-motive photoacoustic imaging of labeled target objects.

Abstract: An automated calibration device that comprises a tube for trapping a multiphase sample between three ultrasound (US) transducer pairs, wherein each of the three transducer pairs is positioned to measure a different fraction of the multiphase sample.

Abstract: A device for detecting elements in a fluid environment includes at least one acoustic resonator having a surface designed for fixing of elements. The resonator is configured for generating and measuring Lamb waves fostering generation of symmetrical Lamb waves. The device analyzes the resonance frequency of the resonator to determine the variation of the resonance frequency of the symmetrical Lamb waves representative of the presence of the elements.

Abstract: Sensor device (1) for detecting flowable media (3, 3?), and pressure device (5) and measuring method for operating the sensor device (1). A sensor device (1) for detecting flowable media (3, 3?), in particular in the form of fluids (9) which can be received in pressure devices (5), such as pressure containers (7) or pressure lines, with at least one sensor element (11) is characterized in that the respective sensor element (11) has an oscillation device (13) which is excited to produce oscillations under the action of a field (15) of a field generation device (17), the oscillating behaviour of which oscillations changes upon inflow of the respective medium (3), and in that the change can be detected by a measuring device (19).

Abstract: A method of boil and boil-dry detection for appliances. The method includes the steps: detecting vibrations that correspond to cookware situated on a burner assembly; generating a vibration signal based on the vibrations; and performing signal processing on the vibration signal. The method also includes the steps: collecting vibration data related to the vibration signal; and detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware based at least in part on an evaluation of the vibration data. The method may also include the steps: indicating the boiling and boil-dry conditions; and controlling the burner assembly based at least in part on the boiling and boil-dry conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a milk measuring device for measuring the acoustic properties, such as acoustic damping and sound velocity in milk, in order to determine milk properties. The sound velocity in milk depends on temperature and composition. By carrying out, for example by means of a piezo element, a reference measurement on vibrations that have been directed by a second piezo element into a wire or the like of known material, which wire is strung in the measuring chamber which is filled with the milk to be tested, the milk temperature can be derived, so that other milk properties, in particular the fat/protein composition, can be determined in a more reliable manner.

Abstract: To provide a sensing device having a high processing power and capable of high-accuracy measurement. It is determined whether or not an oscillation frequency is stabilized while a buffer solution is supplied to a quartz-crystal resonator 4. from a syringe pump 10. When it is determined that the frequency is stabilized, a second valve 14. is switched to a sample solution supply mode to supply a sample solution in an injection loop 14a. to the quartz-crystal resonator 4. An instant at which the sample solution reaches the quartz-crystal resonator 4. and an instant at which the sample solution finishes passing through the quartz-crystal resonator 4. are automatically found based on a supply flow rate of the buffer solution, a volume of the injection loop 14a, a volume of a supply channel supplying the sample solution to the quartz-crystal resonator 4, and an instant at which the second valve 14. is switched to the sample solution supply mode.

Abstract: To provide a sensing device and a sensing method that, by a simple method of liquid supply to first and second excitation electrodes, makes it possible to make a first oscillation area adsorb an adsorption substance that adsorbs a substance to be sensed in a sample solution and a blocking substance that prevents the adsorption of a substance and to make the electrode in a second oscillation area adsorb the blocking substance. By the supply of a solution containing the adsorption substance to a first liquid storage space 53A surrounding a first excitation electrode 42A, a front surface of the excitation electrode 42A is made to adsorb the adsorption substance, and next, by the supply of a solution containing the blocking substance to the first liquid storage space 53A, an area, of the excitation electrode 42A, on which the adsorption substance is not adsorbed, is made to adsorb the blocking substance.

Abstract: To provide a sensing device capable of easily sensing a substance to be sensed with high accuracy. When sensing, by supplying a sample solution to an absorption layer 46 while oscillating a quartz-crystal resonator 4 to make the absorption layer absorb a substance to be sensed in the sample solution, the substance to be sensed based on an amount of variation in an oscillation frequency of the quartz-crystal resonator 4 after an absorption time elapses, the quartz-crystal resonator 4 is oscillated, before supplying the sample solution to the absorption layer 46, to measure the oscillation frequency of the quartz-crystal resonator 4 at a predetermined measurement interval, for instance, at every one second, and the oscillation frequency of the quartz-crystal resonator 4 is stabilized for the same period of time as a measuring time 19 until the measurement result becomes equal to or less than a frequency tolerance value 19b previously set based on a measurement sensitivity of the substance to be sensed.

Abstract: One or more of the embodiments of the present invention provide for a method of non-contact particle manipulation and control of particle spacing along an axis which includes axial and radial acoustic standing wave fields. Particles are suspended in an aqueous solution, and this solution then flows into the cylindrical flow channel. While the solution flows through the flow channel, the outer structure of the flow channel is vibrated at a resonant frequency, causing a radial acoustic standing wave field to form inside the flow channel in the solution. These radial acoustic standing waves focus the particles suspended in the solution to the center axis of the cylindrical flow channel. At the same time, a transducer is used to create an axial acoustic standing wave field in the flow channel parallel to the axis of the flow channel.

Abstract: A method for analyzing liquid samples may comprise applying a liquid to a cMUT device having a plurality of sensors, drying the plurality of sensors, electronically detecting an agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the electrical circuit provides a sensor output responsive to a mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor, wherein the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor is responsive to the binding of an agent to the functionalized membrane, and determining the mass of the agent bound to each of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing and/or preventing fouling of a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises operating ultrasound technology that is submerged or partially submerged into a liquid medium that is responsible for the fouling. The device comprises the ultrasound technology itself. The ultrasound technology may be operated intermittently at high intensity to advantageously provide cavitation of the liquid medium, while avoiding the disadvantages typical of continuously operating ultrasound technology at high intensity. Additionally, the method may be carried out by taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of quartz.

Abstract: The present invention provides a standing wave fiber assembly for the collection and detection of a biological target in a complex biological fluid, including: an oscillator; and an elongated fiber coupled to the oscillator, wherein the elongated fiber is selectively exposed to a fluid potentially containing the biological target, and wherein the resonated elongated fiber attracts the biological target, and wherein a change in a response of the resonated elongated fiber indicates the presence of the biological target. The assembly also includes a top cover plate including one or more electrical connections and a port through which the fluid is introduced. The assembly further includes a bottom cover plate including a well in which the fluid is contained. Optionally, the elongated fiber includes one or more probes homogenously functionalized along its length that bind targeted biological materials.

Abstract: To provide a quartz sensor capable of detecting a sensing target with high sensitivity also in measurement in a liquid phase in which a difference in Q values at the time of measurement in the liquid phase and in a vapor phase is small. In a quartz sensor 1 including an AT-cut quartz plate 11 having a capture layer (absorbing layer) 12 formed on one surface (XZ? surface) thereof and detecting a sensing target based on an amount of change in a frequency of a quartz resonator 10 caused when the sensing target is absorbed by the capture layer 12, there are formed electrodes 13 for oscillating the quartz plate 11 on end faces (XY? surfaces) mutually opposite in a Z? direction of the surface of the quartz resonator 10 on which the capture layer 12 is formed (XZ? surface).

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: A method for measuring the properties of a fluid that uses a torsionally resonant structure having a base structure; at least two parallel tines affixed to the base structure and projecting in the same direction from the base structure; and wherein the base structure is sufficiently compliant as to mutually couple the tines so that they behave as a single resonator when the tines are driven in synchronized manner. The torsionally resonant structure is immersed in the fluid to be measured and a tine driving mechanism is used to drive the tines torsionally. A tine movement sensing mechanism form measurements of tine movement response to the driving mechanism and the measurements of tine movement to form measurements of fluid properties.