Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for predicting an amount of water-sealed gas in a high-sulfur water-bearing gas reservoir. The method solves the problem that no method has yet been proposed for predicting the amount of water-sealed gas in a high-sulfur water-bearing gas reservoir. According to the technical solution, the method includes: considering that the volume of the gas reservoir does not change during the production of the constant-volume gas reservoir, deriving, based on a material balance method, a material balance equation of the high-sulfur water-bearing gas reservoir in consideration of water-sealed gas and water-soluble gas, solving and drawing a chart of water-sealed gas in the high-sulfur water-bearing gas reservoir by an iterative algorithm, obtaining a recovery factor of the high-sulfur water-bearing gas reservoir in consideration of water-sealed gas and water-soluble gas, and further obtaining the amount of water-seal gas in the high-sulfur water-bearing gas reservoir.

Abstract: A method of measuring cement volumetric changes includes loading a sample cement into a flexible container and surrounding the flexible container by a column of fluid in a chamber. The temperature of the column of fluid is adjusted to a cement setting temperature, and the sample cement is allowed to set over several hours. The pressure of the column of fluid is adjusted to a test pressure. The temperature of the column of fluid in the chamber is adjusted to induce volumetric changes in the set cement. As the volume of the set cement changes, fluid volume adjustments are applied to the column of fluid in the chamber to maintain the pressure of the column of fluid in the chamber constant at the test pressure. The volumetric changes in the set cement are determined from the fluid volume adjustments applied to the column of fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A cross-contamination free and multiple laboratory sample grinder includes: a controller unit having a motor and a controller unit; a tube receptacle unit, removably laid on top of the controller unit, comprises a plurality of compartments designed to contain a plurality of laboratory tubes; and a top housing unit, removably laid on top of the tube receptacle unit, comprises an array of pestles coupled to a gear system that is operated by that motor. The top housing unit comprises a handle and a roller connector having a pair of wheels when rotated operable to eject the array of pestles into the plurality of laboratory tubes.

Abstract: The application discloses a system and method for centrifugal intrusion of molten metal into porous media and then solidification positioning, including: test cups, used for placing test medium and molten metal intrusion; a rotor block, used for mounting the test cups, where one end of each test cup for placing the test medium is far away from the rotor block; a constant temperature oil bath preheating device, used for preheating the test cups and the rotor block; a centrifugal device, internally provided with the rotor block, used for performing a centrifugal operation on the test cups, where the test cups and the rotor block are installed inside the centrifugal device after being preheated; and an infrared heating and compression refrigerating device, arranged inside the centrifugal device, used for controlling a temperature of the test cups.

Abstract: An integrated triaxial shear and seepage experimental method for hydrate-bearing sediments and device thereof is provided, relating to the field of geotechnical experiments technologies. The method includes the following steps: generating hydrate; preparing a shear and seepage coupling experiment; and performing the shear and seepage coupling experiment. According to a special integrated experimental device, that coupling analysis of seepage and stress in a triaxial shear breakage process of the hydrate can be realized, and different experiments that are liquid seepage experiment and the gas-liquid seepage experiment can be realized.

Abstract: The method of metered switching for a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) sample injector is a method of controlled switching for a HPLC sample injector to control the amount of the sample being transferred to the HPLC separation column. In a load mode of the HPLC sample injector, a sample to be tested is injected therein until a sample loop is filled. The HPLC sample injector is switched into an injection mode such that a pressurized mobile phase pushes the sample through the sample loop and out of an outlet port. The HPLC sample injector is then switched back into the load mode at a selected time corresponding to a desired volume of the sample to be dispensed from the outlet port. The time-dependent correspondence between a flow rate of the pressurized mobile phase and the desired volume of the sample for the sample loop is already known.

Abstract: A method of automatically selecting beans includes dispersing a plurality of beans on at least a first and a second parallel rows on a motion plane; capturing images of a first part of the beans on the first and second rows; capturing images of a second part of the beans on the first and second rows; determining a plurality of appearance features of the beans; removing the beans with the first appearance feature on the first row; collecting the beans without the first appearance on the first row; removing the beans with the first appearance feature on the second row; and collecting the beans without the first appearance on the second row. The timing of removing the beans with the first appearance feature is related to the motion speed of the motion plane and the positions for capturing the images of the first or second part of the beans.

Abstract: An analysis method and device including detecting at least one particle of matter in a fluid inside in a reaction chamber and correlating a change in the particle to a physicochemical property of the matter.

Abstract: A method of evaluating quality of a wafer or an apparatus of evaluating quality of a wafer may include: performing a copper-haze evaluation on a piece of wafer or a single crystal ingot; collecting copper-haze map data and a copper-haze evaluation score based on a result of the copper-haze evaluation; training an artificial intelligence model based on the copper-haze map data and the copper-haze evaluation score; and performing crystal defect evaluation on the piece of the wafer or the single crystal ingot using the learned artificial intelligence model that outputs the copper-haze evaluation score when the copper-haze map data is input.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid system for a sample processor and a sample processor including the fluid system. The fluid system includes a sample line, a processing fluid line, a vacuum line, and an air pump. The sample line communicates a sample container with a sample port of a flow cell unit. The processing fluid line communicates a sheath fluid container with a processing fluid port of the flow cell unit. The vacuum line is in communication with the flow cell unit. The air pump includes a first output port and a second output port. Pressurized gas is generated at the first output port, and the first output port is in communication with the sample container and the sheath fluid container. A vacuum is generated at the second output port, and the second output port is in communication with a vacuum port of the flow cell unit through the vacuum line.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing system of dual robot arms and an ultrasonic testing method for use in testing quality of surface and interior of a workpiece. The system includes an extension rod provided between a tail-end of a master robot arm and an emitting probe and/or between a tail-end of a slave robot arm and a receiving probe. One or more connected extension rod rotating shafts is provided between the extension rod and the emitting probe or between the extension rod and the receiving probe. The method uses an X-axis constraint method to convert posture data of the discrete points in a trajectory file of the tested workpiece into Euler angles, and constrain the X-axes of the auxiliary coordinate systems at the same time so that the positive direction of the X-axis of each of the auxiliary coordinate systems is the trajectory tangent direction.

Abstract: A method for collection of dry samples taken directly from a nuclear reactor core interior. Incremental samples of irradiated metal alloy components of the reactor core may be taken and collected in-situ using a specialized metal-cutting drill bit having a hollow tungsten carbide sampling cutting head, in conjunction with an angled sampling gantry. The drill bit body has an interior airflow passage in hermetic communication with a filter located in a glove box. Air holes are formed through a face of the cutting head. A vacuumed airflow through the airflow passage and at the cutting head causes a sample of any of metal chips, filings, and dust to be obtained directly from the reactor core by being pulled through the air holes and into the airflow passage and ultimately into the filter. A collected sample may be analyzed for radionuclides and radioactivity level.

Abstract: A method for detecting an abnormal event in an insulator of an electrical conductor of a medium-voltage or high-voltage electrical device. The method includes: acquiring a set of successive samples of a vibration signal associated with the electrical conductor; determining a modelled value of a following sample based on the acquired set of samples and on a prediction model, the prediction model being obtained through machine learning of the vibration signal based on a set of samples acquired in reference conditions in which the electrical conductor is free from any abnormal event; acquiring the following sample of the vibration signal; calculating a difference between the value of the acquired sample and the modelled value; and if the calculated difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, detecting an abnormal event in the electrical conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating the permeability of rock from a digital image of the rock. A three-dimensional image of a rock is obtained and segmented, and an image permeability is determined from the segmented image of the rock. Permeability correction factors are obtained from the segmented image and from a non-wetting liquid capillary pressure curve derived from the segmented image, and the permeability correction parameters are applied to the image permeability to obtain a corrected image permeability of the rock.

Abstract: A method and instructions for operating an image integrity and repeatability system can comprise: acquiring an original image; extracting a protocol from the original image; recording the original image to an image history; determining an area within an image frame of the original image as a skin area; creating a background as the inverse of the skin area within the image frame of the original image; and acquiring a subsequent image including: extracting an image parameter from the subsequent image, providing feedback based on the image parameter being outside a threshold, prohibiting capture of the subsequent image based on the image parameter being outside the threshold, displaying the background overlaid on the subsequent image, and storing the subsequent image to the image history based on the image parameter of the subsequent image being within the threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for analytical wettability assessment of fracturing proppants for improving fluid recovery are disclosed. Embodiments include determining, for a proppant sample, a first value related to an oil-wet index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, for the proppant sample, a second value related to a water-wet index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, for the proppant sample based on the first value and the second value, a third value related to a wettability index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, based on the third value, a wetting characteristic of the proppant sample. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlled temporal extraction of ingredients of a pharmaceutical dosage form is disclosed, which comprises at least one reservoir for storing a fluid comprising a solvent, a cell having at least one inlet port in fluid communication with said reservoir for receiving a flow of the fluid from the reservoir and an outlet port through which fluid can exit the cell, where the cell is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dosage form. The system can further include an in-line heater disposed in proximity of the inlet port of the cell for heating the fluid to an elevated temperature prior to entry thereof into the cell, and a pump for causing fluid circulation between said reservoir and said cell.

Abstract: An integrity testing method for a porous medium in a housing having an interior separated by the medium into upstream and downstream portions, an inlet and an outlet communicating, respectively, with the upstream and downstream portions, the outlet connected to a closeable conduit, comprises filling the downstream portion and conduit with liquid, draining the upstream portion and filling it with gas while retaining liquid in the downstream portion, connecting a gas-filled testing volume to the downstream portion, maintaining gas pressure of a predetermined testing differential pressure in the upstream portion, the differential pressure being lower than a predefined bubble point of the medium, determining the pressure in the testing volume, the testing volume selected such that, when a medium is tested having a bubble point corresponding to the predefined bubble point, a pressure increase within the testing volume of about 100 mbar or more is obtained within 10 minutes.

Abstract: A method for performing a medical procedure may comprise advancing a first device through a first body lumen. A distal portion of the first device may include a magnet. The method may further comprise advancing a second device through a second body lumen. The second device may include a magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise_receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensor. The signal may be indicative of a magnetic field measured by the magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise, if the received signal matches a magnetic field of the magnet, identifying a position of the magnet.

Abstract: A discontinuous deformation measurement method based on infrared and visible light cameras may include: preparing a conductive film and a random speckle pattern on a surface of the conductive film; obtaining a visible image and an infrared image under a loading stage; applying a crack boundary detection to the visible image to obtain an initial coordinate of a micro-crack, determining an range of the micro-crack based on a temperature-rising region from the infrared image and the initial coordinate; setting a position corresponding to the range of the micro-crack in the visible image as a new region of interest; obtaining full-field principal tensile strains by a DIC method, and locating an accurate boundary of the micro-crack based on gradient distribution of the full-field principal tensile strains; analyzing displacement and strain fields around the micro-crack using the DIC method.

Abstract: A shear control instrument under a three-dimensional space condition and a control method of the shear control instrument can include a loading system, a transposition system and a control monitoring system. The loading system is used for loading a soil body sample. The transposition system is connected with the loading system in an anchoring manner and is used for adjusting the direction of the loading system. The control monitoring system is connected with the transposition system in an anchoring manner and is used for controlling the transposition system and monitoring test data.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of evaluating the hydrophobicity of a powder. According to the present invention, a powder is charged into a mixed solvent composed of a lipophilic solvent and a hydrophilic solvent, the voltage rate R of the mixed solvent is measured at predetermined time intervals while adding a lipophilic solvent to the mixed solvent charged with the powder, a parameter x correlating with the concentration of powder is defined for an arbitrary voltage rate R, a continuous function HP(x) of the ratio of a lipophilic solvent corresponding to x is defined, and HP(x) for required x is set as a representative value of a lipophilic solvent ratio distribution and used as an index of hydrophobicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and kits to improve procedures for reducing carbohydrates, such as glycans released from glycoconjugates, or for labeling carbohydrates by reductive amination.

Abstract: An in vitro intestinal drug disposition device (1) comprises a donor chamber (2) for a donor solution and having a bottom end (18) and a top end (19). The device (1) also comprises a receiver chamber (3) for an absorption solution and an absorption membrane (4) arranged in between and separating the chambers (2, 3). A first side (5) of the absorption membrane (4) is to be in contact with the donor solution and a second side (6) of the absorption membrane (4) is to be in contact with the absorption solution. A ratio of an internal volume of the donor chamber (2) to an area of the first membrane side (5) is equal to or smaller than 3 ml/cm2. A cross-sectional area of the donor chamber (2) at the bottom end (18) is larger than a cross-sectional area of the donor chamber (2) at the top end (19).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing dissolution properties of a drug, especially anti-inflammatory drugs administered by aerosol into the respiratory system. The apparatus shortens the time it takes for a drug to dissolve and thus provides for rapid testing of new drugs for quality control as well as for regulatory purposes. It is suitable for evaluating bioequivalence or to study the pharmacokinetics of drugs administered into the respiratory system. This method shortens dissolution times for testing a drug to about 10 and 20 minutes and thus provides for rapid testing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for this disclosure describe systems and methods that are directed to monitoring active clay in water-based drilling fluid may be provided. A method for monitoring active clay concentration while drilling may be provided. The method may include providing a sample of water-based drilling fluid. The method may further include adding methylene blue to the sample in a methylene blue titration. The method may further include performing an impedance measurement on the sample during the methylene blue titration. The method may further include determining an endpoint of the methylene blue titration using a phase angle measurement from the impedance measurement. The method may further include correlating the endpoint to the active clay concentration of the sample. The method may further include determining a treatment for the water-based drilling fluid based on the active clay concentration.

Abstract: A method of predicting a corrosion loss of a metal material, the method including: inputting a prediction request point including a use period of the metal material for which a corrosion loss is desired to be predicted and second environmental parameters indicating a use environment of the metal material in the use period; calculating a similarity degree between first environmental parameters in corrosion loss data and the second environmental parameters in the prediction request point; dimensionally reducing the first environmental parameters in the corrosion loss data to a latent variable taking the similarity degree into consideration; and predicting a corrosion loss of the metal material for the prediction request point based on a prediction expression constructed using the latent variable and the similarity degree.

Abstract: A system for collecting data associated with one or more sub-surface characteristics of a material is provided. The system may include a plurality of sensor nodes configured to collect data regarding the one or more sub-surface material characteristics and transmit the collected data to a data gateway. The data gateway may be configured to receive the collected data from the plurality of sensor nodes and store the collected data in memory. The system may also include a controller configured to receive the collected data from the data gateway via a network. The controller may be further configured to display data associated with the one or more sub-surface material characteristics.

Abstract: A compact, handheld, battery-powered radar transceiver used to analyze the stability of the snowpack to avoid avalanche danger. The device scans the snowpack and presents a depth vs. density profile chart and highlights layers of concern (strong over weak layers) and other relevant information on an integrated backlit touchscreen LCD.

Abstract: A method and instructions for operating an image integrity and repeatability system can comprise: acquiring an original image; extracting a protocol from the original image; recording the original image to an image history; determining an area within an image frame of the original image as a skin area; creating a background as the inverse of the skin area within the image frame of the original image; and acquiring a subsequent image including: extracting an image parameter from the subsequent image, providing feedback based on the image parameter being outside a threshold, prohibiting capture of the subsequent image based on the image parameter being outside the threshold, displaying the background overlaid on the subsequent image, and storing the subsequent image to the image history based on the image parameter of the subsequent image being within the threshold.

Abstract: A system for measuring an angle of repose includes an angle of repose device that holds a granular material, and a portable smart device having a camera and a processor. The angle of repose device is configured to open a slit to allow a first part of the granular material to remain in an upper chamber while a second part of the granular material moves freely, due to gravity, from the upper chamber to a lower chamber. The portable smart device uses the camera to take a digital image of the first part and the second part of the granular material and uses an app installed on the processor to calculate an internal angle of repose and an external angle of repose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drug dissolution testing may include an overflow vessel with an overflow outlet port at a predetermined height from a bottom of the overflow vessel, a first water bath submerging the overflow vessel and configured to keep a temperature of the overflow vessel at a first predetermined temperature, a pressurized vessel containing a dissolution medium, a second water bath submerging the pressurized vessel and configured to keep the dissolution medium at a second predetermined temperature, a dissolution medium path with an output end connected in fluid communication with the flow cell and an input end attached in fluid communication to the pressurized vessel, where the dissolution medium path may transfer the dissolution medium from the pressurized vessel into the flow cell, a collection vessel connected to the overflow outlet port of the flow cell, and a third water bath submerging the collection vessel and configured to keep the collection vessel at a third predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides an instrument and a method for examining the condition of column-shaped or cylindrical sections of objects. It comprises a drive device having a drill chuck, which holds a drill needle that can be driven by the drive device, and a guiding device for guided insertion of the drill needle into the object to be examined. The guiding device is a telescopic tube that comprises a shorter inner tube section that is arranged in a longer outer tube section such that it is axially displaceable, and has a longitudinally arranged measuring scale on its outer circumference. The telescopic tube is placed on the drive device in non-rotating manner via the inner tube section. The inner and the outer tube sections have guiding means for centrally-axially guiding the drill needle, which extends in central-axial direction from the drill chuck through the inner tube section and through the outer tube section.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion accessory capable of detecting infusion liquid parameters, which is a lid body, comprising a first portion provided with one or more detecting members and a second portion having one or more liquid channels. Relative position changes may occur between the first portion and the second portion, the liquid channels and the detecting members may be switched between an open position and a closed position as position changes occur between the first portion and the second portion, the open position enables communication between the liquid channels and the detecting members so that liquid in the liquid channels may flow into the detecting members, the close position enables sealing between the liquid channels and the detecting members so that the liquid in the liquid channels cannot flow into the detecting members and the liquid that already flows into the detecting members cannot return to the liquid channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing drilling operations in earth formations. The systems and methods include drilling a borehole within the earth formation, receiving data acquired within the borehole in the earth formation, analyzing the data to locate a plurality of data structures formed by the data, the plurality of data structures including a first structure at a first location and a second structure at a second location, projecting the first structure as a first geological projection intersecting the first location, and projecting the second structure as a second geological projection intersecting the second location, classifying the first geological projection and the second geological projection based on a hierarchy of geological feature types to generate a hierarchical classification, and adjusting one or more of the first geological projection and the second geological projection based on the hierarchical classification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the physical properties of polymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for predicting long-term stability of polymers using a molecular weight distribution curve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the efficacy of an insect repellent is disclosed. The apparatus according to one embodiment includes a housing having an aperture extending through a wall of the housing, a carbon dioxide delivery device coupled to the housing through the aperture, a skin substitute substrate, and a heater coupled to the substrate. The method includes the steps of providing a skin substitute substrate, treating the skin substitute substrate with an insect repellent, exposing a plurality of insects to the treated skin substitute substrate for a first period of time, blocking the treated skin substitute substrate from the plurality of insects for a second period of time, and recording the insect repellent's complete protection time.

Abstract: The technology relates to a system and method for monitoring an environment. The method comprises receiving first and second sets of data from a plurality of mobile units, wherein the first set of data is associated with a first temporal indicator, the second set of data is associated with a second temporal indicator and each mobile unit comprises: a position determining device configured to generate position data associated with a position of the mobile unit within the environment, and a laser scanning device configured to generate scan data based on a scan of at least part of the environment; determining a first parameter associated with the first set of data; determining a second parameter corresponding to the first parameter and associated with the second set of data; and determining a difference between the first and second parameters.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for determining dissolution properties of a particle. The method comprises providing into a vessel dissolution medium capable of dissolving the particle and providing the particle into said vessel in contact with the dissolution medium for dissolving the particle. According to the invention, the particle is trapped in a particle trapping zone formed at a predetermined location in the vessel, the particle trapping zone being formed preferably at least partially by continuous hydrodynamic motion of the dissolution medium. Residue of the particle is imaged while being trapped in said particle trapping zone for providing a plurality of sequential images of the particle residue. Finally, at least one dissolution property of the particle is determined based on the sequential images.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for dissolution testing comprises a tank (2) having a circular cylindrical outer body portion (21) with a transparent side wall and a circular cylindrical inner body portion (22) with a transparent side wall, wherein the inner body portion (22) is coaxially arranged with respect to the outer body portion (21) such that an outer interior (23) having a ring-shaped cross section is defined between the outer body portion (21) and the inner body portion (22) and an inner interior (24) having a circular cross section is defined inside the inner body portion. The apparatus (1) further comprises a plurality of dissolution vessels (4) arranged in the outer interior (23) of the tank and a heater assembly being arranged to heat a test media in the vessels (4) to a predefined temperature. The apparatus (1) according to the invention allows for a comparably precise monitoring of vessels (4) inside the tank (2) and/or an appropriate manipulation of the vessels (4) inside the tank (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and measuring volume fraction constituents of a fluid using time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis to identify individual volume fraction constituents within a pipe on a real time basis and to measure the volume of the individual volume fraction constituents flowing through the pipe on a real time basis.

Abstract: The molecular weight distribution in a polymer sample can be used as a measure for when parts need to be replaced, and can be tracked over time to allow for predicting when parts need to be replaced and/or identifying the type of aging taking place in the polymer part. Molecular weight distribution determination has particular application in determining the replacement time and or aging parameters in polyamide (e.g., formed from 11-aminoundecanoic acid or formed from 12 aminododecanoic acid) polyvinyldiflouride, and polyethyelene pipe liners used in, for example, offshore oil and gas production and fuel transport operations.

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument having a cellular analysis system capable of running standardized immune monitoring panels. The system could include an automated and integrated specimen sampling method through a continuous flow process. The instrument could include a probe washer station, scheduler, cassette autoloader, bar coding system, and/or containment area common interface. An improved optimization test is proposed for instrument and flow cytometer quality assurance. The proposed method analyzes population separation for measuring instrument performance and/or sample quality. Such a method may also use population separation for measuring sample and/or run quality.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a time at which a first device in a frequency-hopping communication network is expected to transmit a data message is determined. A first schedule is then generated based on the determined time, and the first schedule is overlaid on a frequency-hopping schedule for a second device in the network. The first schedule defines a first timeslot during which the second device listens for the data message, while the frequency-hopping schedule defines second timeslots during which the second device listens for data messages from other devices in the network. Notably, a duration of the first timeslot is greater than respective durations of the second timeslots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for verifying representativeness of samples collected in a contaminated soil. The method includes the steps of horizontally and vertically collecting the samples from the contaminated soil on a basis of a stratum of the contaminated soil at a predetermined sampling interval; measuring a total concentration of trace elements by analyzing the collected samples according to the sampling interval; and determining horizontal and vertical sampling intervals and a sample number based on a statistical analysis result for the total concentration of the trace elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a time at which a first device in a frequency-hopping communication network is expected to transmit a data message is determined. A first schedule is then generated based on the determined time, and the first schedule is overlaid on a frequency-hopping schedule for a second device in the network. The first schedule defines a first timeslot during which the second device listens for the data message, while the frequency-hopping schedule defines second timeslots during which the second device listens for data messages from other devices in the network. Notably, a duration of the first timeslot is greater than respective durations of the second timeslots.

Abstract: Thermal conductivity detectors and methods of operating thermal conductivity detectors are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a single fluidic channel, wherein the single fluidic channel includes a single inlet and a single outlet, and multiple sensors configured to determine one or more properties associated with a thermal conductivity of a fluid in the single fluidic channel.

Abstract: A testing machine includes a pair of vertical columns, a crosshead selectively positionable on the vertical columns, and a head assembly supported by and movable with the crosshead. The head assembly has an electric actuator, a support that can be selectively moved from a first position when the test machine is operated to a lowered position. The support supporting components are related to powering or controlling the electric actuator, said components are exposed for servicing in the lowered position.

Abstract: The present inventions relate generally to methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow stability and structure which may be used to assess avalanche risk. The disclosed apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to measure a size of snow grains as the sensing unit is being driven into a layer of snow. The disclosed apparatus may also be configured to take other environmental measurements, including resistance to penetration, temperature, humidity, slope aspect and inclination. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for generating a profile of snow grain size according to depth based on the measured size of snow grains. Systems and apparatus are also disclosed for sharing the generated profiles among a plurality of users via a central server, and for evaluating an avalanche risk at a geographic location.

Abstract: A protective device for a test installation, the test installation being used for testing objects that have a tendency to burn and emit gas, in particular for testing lithium-ion batteries, and the test installation having a test chamber that is sealable via a door-type opening element with the interposition of a sealing element, and having a testing device configured in the test chamber for the objects. The test chamber includes a venting device for gases and is surrounded by a sealed enclosure.