Abstract: Inspection systems and methods for their use comprise: a movable carrier with spaced receptacles, each sized to accept a sample; a first pin positioned proximate to the movable carrier and connected to a first movable member capable of reciprocally moving the first pin alternately into and out of contact with a first end of a sample disposed in one of the spaced receptacles; a second pin positioned proximate to the movable carrier and connected to a second movable member capable of reciprocally moving the second pin alternately into and out of contact with a second end of the sample disposed in the one of the spaced receptacles; a measurement sensor capable of determining a value associated with the sample disposed in the one of the spaced receptacles; and an evaluation device in communication with the measurement sensor for receiving the value, the evaluation device providing a comparison between the value and a predetermined value.

Abstract: A lightweight portable motorized oil filter inspection device comprising a housing, a drive plate having a plurality of gear teeth, an oil filter size adapter mounting adaptable to receive at least one of a plurality of interchangeable oil filter size adapters, at least one drive pin assembly mounting for accepting at least one adjustable drive pin assembly having a plurality of detents, a cutting blade assembly and a means to rotate the drive plate. The drive pin assembly having a plurality of detents enables precise alignment of at least one drive pin with at least one of the oil flow apertures of an oil filter canister. The drive plate is directly driven by a motor drive gear having a plurality of compatible gear drive teeth, mounted on an electric motor shaft.

Abstract: A substance analyzer utilizing Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis for identifying characteristics of a substance and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The analyzer is small enough to be portable and to allow its use in many applications where current analyzers cannot be utilized. The analyzer uses a neutron radiation source and a gamma-ray detector to activate the sample material and detect the prompt gamma rays emitted by the sample material. A novel housing for such an analyzer and method for making the housing are also described. Novel methods of operating such an analyzer including via a communications network are also disclosed. Also disclosed are data analysis methods that improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the results of such material analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides immediate release pharmaceutical compositions for Oral administration that are resistant to abuse.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and evaluating the dry-blending of powders and granular materials via the use of non-dissolvable particulate matter such as mustard seed as a blending aid. The mustard seed is blended into the total batch of dry blend materials and the mustard seed can subsequently be extracted by a process of sieving from a known volume of sample taken of the mixture since the mustard seed is larger than the other particles that are being blended. The weight and or sight count of the extracted mustard seed present in the sample is determined and compared with the amount of seed that should be present in a perfect blend to determine if the dry blend materials are thoroughly mixed.

Abstract: A measuring device incorporating a substrate with sensors that measure the processing conditions that a wafer may undergo during manufacturing. The substrate can be inserted into a processing chamber by a robot head and the measuring device can transmit the conditions in real time or store the conditions for subsequent analysis. Sensitive electronic components of the device can be distanced or isolated from the most deleterious processing conditions in order increase the accuracy, operating range, and reliability of the device. Isolation may be provided by vacuum or suitable material and phase change material may be located adjacent to electronics to maintain a low temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for the testing of quality of polymer-bound rubber additives. According to the method, a polymer-bound rubber additive (3) is mixed with an EPDM masterbatch (2). The resultant test mixture (5) is forced through a test sieve (10), and the number of undispersed particles (14) removed by sieving is determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for quality control of a process to produce concrete goods products. The quality control is effected on the basis of measurements that are carried out on the concrete goods products in an intermediate step of the process after shaping and compacting in the fresh concrete phase. Measurement values are determined on a test fresh concrete product from the intermediate step of the process, which measurement values comprise a measure of the bulk density and the gas permeability of the test fresh concrete product. Subsequently, an estimated value for a quality measure of the hardened concrete product is determined on the basis of a predetermined predictive model. The predictive model relates the measurement values of fresh concrete products from the intermediate step of the process to the quality measure of the corresponding hardened concrete products.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the solubility of a chemical compound containing one or more acidic or basic groups. The method involves preparing a close to saturated solution with solid present of said chemical compound; measuring the pH of the test solution at regular intervals until a consistent rate of pH change; adding a known aliquot of base or acid titrant to the test solution to adjust the pH slope; and repeating steps (b) and (c) until the measured pH slope changes sign. The solubility of the compound is determined as the concentration of unionised compound in solution when the measured pH slope is interpolated to zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of quaternary polyamines having formula (I) for the recovery of oil from reservoirs formula (I), wherein n>=1 R1 represents H, CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R2 represents H2CHOHCH2, CH2, CH2CH?CH2 R3 represents CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R4 represents CH2, CH2CH?CH2 when R2 and R4 are allyl group, they can jointly form aliphatic cyclic structures, the ratio between the carbon atoms and nitrogen atoms (C/N) ranges from 2 to 30.

Abstract: A dissolution test apparatus includes a vessel support member, weight sensors, a movable component, a media transport cannula, a pump, and an electronic controller. The vessel support member receives vessels. A weight sensor is located at each vessel site. Each weight sensor contacts a vessel and transmits a measurement signal indicative of the weight of the vessel and any contents therein. The movable component moves the media transport cannula toward a vessel site. The pump establishes media flow between the media transport cannula and the selected vessel. The controller communicates with the weight sensors and may also communicate with the pump. Based on the measurement signals received from the weight sensors, the electronic controller may calculate the volume of media in a given vessel. The electronic controller may also control media flows to or from the vessels by transmitting control signals to the pump assembly.

Abstract: Device for recovering a material to be measured comprising a reservoir filled with a sample holding material impregnated with a sample liquid in which a material to be measured is dissolved and an adsorbing column for adsorbing the material to be measured, wherein the reservoir and the adsorbing column are communicated by a straight pipe, and further communicated with a recovery vessel via a recovery pipe branched out the straight pipe. Accordingly, operations of opening/closing or switching a first valve provided on the in-flow side of the reservoir, a second valve provided on the out-flow side of the adsorbing column, and a third valve provided to a vent hole to the atmosphere in the recovery vessel, make it possible to recover the material to be measured without depositing the material on the valves.

Abstract: A membrane-permeation test for evaluating pharmaceutical compositions is described. The method comprises the following steps: (1) providing a microporous membrane having a plurality of pores, the membrane having a feed side and a permeate side, wherein the feed side of the membrane is in fluid communication with the feed solution, and wherein the permeate side of the membrane is in fluid communication with a permeate solution; (2) administering a pharmaceutical composition to an aqueous solution to form a feed solution; and (3) measuring the concentration of drug in the permeate solution; wherein the feed side of the membrane is hydrophilic, and/or wherein the permeate solution comprises an organic fluid.

Abstract: In a combustion facility, a portion of the bottom ash (BA) is mixed with substantially all of the fly ash (FA) as necessary to obtain a stabilized material that prevents toxic metals solubility and achieves a desired TCLP extraction pH value, preferably in the range of 8-11. The actual quantities of BA to be mixed with FA will vary depending upon various factors, so embodiments of the present invention include testing the ash to determine the desired distribution to achieve sufficient alkalinity to prevent the leaching of toxic metals in landfills. Because the resulting ash has a desired alkalinity by design, minimal additional alkali reagent amendment is necessary for safe disposal of the waste ash. The remaining BA may be recycled or deposited in a landfill without additional processing. Valuable materials in the waste ash may also be more easily recovered and reused.

Abstract: A moisture metering calibration method and system for, e.g., determining the moisture lumber within a lumber drying kiln is disclosed. Calibration of moisture indicative electrical signals obtained from, e.g., moisture sensing capacitive plates spaced apart within a stack of drying lumber is performed, wherein long lengths (e.g., up to 1000 linear feet or more) of coaxial cable can be used for transmitting the signals, and effectively removing signal anomalies induced in such cabling so that accurate lumber moisture measurements result. Such extended cable lengths provides flexibility with respect to placement of electronic moisture metering equipment. This flexibility allows such equipment to be placed in an environmentally-controlled enclosure, rather than on the weather exposed exterior of a kiln whose lumber is being monitored.

Abstract: A flexible sensor device can include a flexible substrate, and at least one flexible sensor included on the flexible substrate. The flexible sensor can be deposited on the flexible substrate by inkjet printing a composition that forms the flexible sensor. The flexible sensor device can be configured to function when subjected to elongation, contraction, and/or distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for analyzing the release of active agent(s) from pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical-like products. The apparatus and method provide for more accurate simulation of the conditions in the GI tract. A sinker is utilized to hold the dosage form so that substantially all of the surfaces of the dosage form are equally agitated by the dissolution medium.

Abstract: A resin material measuring method which obtains a prescribed amount of a resin material by measuring liquid resin material, the resin material measuring method including: charging the resin material having a fluidity into an internal space of a cylinder using a cylinder-piston mechanism which includes: the cylinder having a discharge aperture at one end and the internal space being constant in cross-sectional area; and a piston which is inserted in the internal space; determining a necessary movement stroke length of the piston corresponding to the resin material of a prescribed volume according to a relationship between the volume of the resin material and the cross-sectional area and the movement stroke length; discharging the resin material from the cylinder through the discharge aperture by moving the piston by the determined movement stroke length; and cutting the discharged resin material from the resin material located inside the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expanded concrete composed of binder-containing mixtures, preferably having binders composed of Portland cement as specified in DIN EN 197 or of mixtures of hydraulic, latent-hydraulic and/or pozzolanic binders, having binders, water with a fraction of 20-60% by mass based on the mass of the binder in the mixture, chemical gas-forming agent, preferably in the form of aluminium powder, at 0.05-0.25% by mass, based on the mass of the binder, for forming mostly air pores in the expanded concrete, wherein the gas-forming agent in the form of a powder forms a mixture of different particle sizes, concrete additives such as in particular microsilica and/or flyash with a fraction of 0.5-25% by mass, based on the mass of the binder, concrete admixtures of mostly liquefying character and at a fraction of 0.

Abstract: A method for determining the state of preservation of a wooden support and establishing a diagnosis in order to find out whether the wooden support is in a state which is suitable for use, in a state requiring a maintenance operation or in a state requiring its elimination includes measuring the hardness of the wooden support and the hygrometricity of the wooden support. The method further includes determining the species of the timber of the wooden support, determining the treatment previously applied to the wooden support, calculating the resulting safety residual stress, comparing the value of the calculated safety residual stress with an observed average safety residual stress and establishing a diagnosis depending on this comparison.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus and method for testing a particulate material suitable for use as a proppant. According to one embodiment, a sample of the particulate material is captured in the cavity of a test vessel between a cavity wall and a piston sealed with the cavity wall. A fluid is flowed into the test vessel from a fluid inlet of the test vessel to wet the sample of particulate material. The fluid is pressurized to a target fluid pressure greater than ambient pressure and heated to a target temperature greater than ambient temperature. The piston is moved into direct contact with the particulate material with sufficient force to crush at least a portion of the particulate material while maintaining one or both of the target temperature and the target pressure for one or more test cycles. Each test cycle has a duration of at least about 120 seconds and as long as about 24 hours.

Abstract: A method is provided for probing the effective hydrodynamic flow of a liquid at various positions within a dissolution testing apparatus. The method includes embodiments of an appropriate electrode probe, and methods of generating a signature pattern from the sampled current that may be used to characterise the hydrodynamic flow of the liquid in the apparatus. The signature pattern may be used to validate and qualify the performance of the dissolution apparatus, diagnose problems with dissolution apparatus, predict the initial dissolution rate of a drug, or determine the local flow rate around specific parts of a drug.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a measure of the stickiness of heated particulate solids (40) includes pouring a sample of the particulate solids (40) onto a generally horizontal support (12) and allowing it to freely form its own angle of repose. The sample is subjected to a predetermined heat and gas atmosphere regime, and the support is rotated about a generally horizontal axis to an angle (42) where the integrity of the sample (40) fails. The angular position (42) is a measure of the stickness of the particulate solid (40).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for rapid testing of the quality of cereals, grits and flours by measuring the aggregation of gluten, whereby the sample to be tested in aqueous solution/suspension containing mineral salts and/or acids and/or liquors in a specific amount in a sample cup is stirred with an electrically driven stirring paddle and the resistance opposed to the paddle by the sample during the stirring process is measured, the torque loads acting on the rotatably mounted electric drive motor being measured from the beginning of the stirring process by means of extensometric gauges, the measurement being completed once the maximum rotating torque is reached and the measuring process being monitored, controlled and analyzed by software.

Abstract: A method of using an exhaust flow simulation system to test the effects of exhaust system conditions on various materials. A typical exhaust flow simulator is a burner-based system, in which exhaust from burner combustion is exhausted through an exhaust line. A “test coupon” of the material may be placed at an appropriate location in the flow line, and tested to determine how it is affected by the exhaust resulting from various fuels and additives.

Abstract: A diaphragm is formed by etching a substrate. This substrate has a first surface provided with a depression by isotropic dry etching, and a second surface opposite the first surface. Furthermore, a through-hole is formed from the depression to the second surface by anisotropic dry etching. The depression and the through-hole are formed by using one resist mask. The depression has a hemispherical shape or a semi-elliptical spherical shape.

Abstract: A recovery phenomenon in which the concentration of a compound to be measured in soil increases again after reducing the concentration is utilized for changing the distribution state of the compound to be measured in soil, whereby the direction of the high-concentration region of the compound to be measured in soil can be detected.

Abstract: A one-dimensional composite structure which comprises at least one nanowire. The nanowire comprises a metal core and a metal oxide sheath.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical product release rate testing device includes a base, at least one carousel member rotatably mounted on the base, each carousel member including a plurality of test tube pockets each adapted to receive a test tube fillable with test media, and a dipping mechanism for dipping samples to be tested into the test tubes when present in the pockets and filled with test media. A rinsing/filling mechanism is provided to rinse or fill test tubes in one set of pockets while test tubes in another set of pockets are involved in the dipping process via the dipping mechanism. The carousel member is temperature-controlled such that all of the test tubes when present in the pockets are at substantially the same temperature for critical stages of the testing process. Methods for conducting pharmaceutical product release rate testing using the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids is fluidized in a test chamber to yield multiple test samples for subsequent evaluation of segregation effects. A controlled stream of gas enters the chamber in a series of flow rate cycles each progressively increasing to a maximum rate of gas flow and then decreasing, the maximum rate increasing for successive cycles. An indicating function is formed from measurements of corresponding rates of gas flow and pressure across the bed. Upon termination of the fluidization, multiple samples are sequentially extracted from a single space at the bottom of the test chamber.

Abstract: A method for measuring the rigidity of paper or other products made from cellulose fibers wherein the paper is torn and a digitized sound recording is made during the tearing process which is then analyzed to determine the percentage of time during which characteristic frequencies are present during the tearing process. It has been found that this percentage correlates well with rigidity.

Abstract: A vessel includes a cylindrical section, a bottom section, a flange, and a shoulder between the flange and the bottom section. The shoulder extends from an outside vessel surface and is concentric with an inside vessel surface relative to a central axis of the vessel. The vessel may be mounted at a dissolution test apparatus by inserting the vessel in an aperture such that the shoulder abuts an inside edge defining the vessel plate. The concentric shoulder enables the vessel to be centered in the aperture, or relative to an instrument inserted in the vessel along the central axis.

Abstract: Certain stretched polymers have defects which reduce their tenacity and effectively render the stretched polymers opaque. These defects are at least in part cause by the undesirable stresses being applied to the fiber. Such stresses may be avoided by avoiding thermal shock and by avoiding bending and twisting during processing. Such stretched polymers may be used in optically clear application such as bullet resistant glass.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a pair of columnar members 12 disposed on both sides of a specimen piece SP; a crosshead 15, bridging the pair of columnar members 12, that applies a load to the specimen piece SP by moving in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the columnar member 12 and; a movable member 31 disposed at a side of the columnar member 12, extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and elastically supported so as to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis; a striker 35, integrally attached to the movable member 31 so as to be displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal direction, that is allowed to be pushed by a movement of the crosshead 15 to a position where the striker is attached; a position sensor 38 that detects a movement of the movable member 31 by being pushed by the striker 35; a limitation member 34 that limits the position where the striker 35 is attached; and an elastic member 36 that supports the striker 35 so that the striker 35 is capable of relative

Abstract: Among other things, a force is applied, at a first location in a medium and at a first time, to cause an object to move in a direction along the medium. At a later, second time, a force is applied at a second location, which is farther along the direction in which the object is moving, to cause the object to move an additional distance in the medium, when the force is no longer being applied at the first location. Both the distance traveled by the object and how long the object is subject to the force depend on a property of the object. At least one of the times and locations of applying the force is selected based on the property of the object.

Abstract: A method for computing activation energy of diffusion for a material in a liquid is provided. At least two identical samples of the material are submerged in the liquid at different temperatures. The time required for each sample to reach a goal weight percentage is measured. A reaction acceleration factor is computed for the two samples from the resulting times and temperatures. Activation energy of diffusion is computed from the reaction acceleration factor and the temperatures. Additional samples can be used to give an error estimate.

Abstract: A device for measuring a molecule, wherein a gel substrate material (200) comprises a gel (220) containing a solvent in the network structure thereof and a molecular chain (210), and a cantilever (100) is bound with the molecular chain (210) by a covalent bonding or a physical bonding and pulls up the molecular chain (210) through the above bonding, and wherein the force loaded when the cantilever (100) pull up the molecular chain (210) is measured and the interaction between polymer chains acting between the gel (200) and the molecular chain (210) is detected. The above device can be used for measuring the interaction between molecules, and in particular, can construct an experiment system for measuring the non-covalent bonding interaction between polymer chains at a molecular level.

Abstract: Fluid permeation testing involves filling a first cavity of a test cell with a test fluid and filling a second cavity of the test cell with a challenge fluid. The challenge fluid comprises at least one analyte useful for testing permeation of the challenge fluid through a test film that separates the first and second cavities. Samples of the test fluid in the first cavity are introduced to a mass spectrometer, such as in a pulsed manner, without substantially changing the total pressure in first cavity. Samples of the test fluid in the first cavity may be introduced to the mass spectrometer while maintaining substantially balanced total pressures in the first and second cavities.

Abstract: There are described solid compositions or examining drug solubility comprising bile salts and phospholipids, optionally containing buffer components suitable for preparation of intestinal media that simulate the composition of the intestinal fluids in fasted and fed states.

Abstract: Devices and methods facilitate inspections, repairs, and other operations within vessels without human entry into the vessels, and without introducing contaminants that could reduce the purity of materials held in the vessels below predetermined minimum levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the enantiomer ratio of trimethylcyclopentene derivatives of structure (I), wherein Z is an alkyl radical having 1-10 C atoms, can be saturated or olefinically unsaturated, straight-chained or branched and which is substituted by an OH or CHO group, by means of capillary gas chromatography, wherein a stationary phase is applied containing a compound selected from the group of Heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert.-butyldimethylsily)-?-Cyclodextrin and Heptakis-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl)-?-Cyclodextrin and at least one polysiloxane, wherein the mixing ratio of Cyclodextrin derivatives and polysiloxanes is adjusted to a value ranging from 10:90 to 50:50.

Abstract: A portal (1) has a millimetric wave imager (10, 11) arranged to detect articles concealed on the person. A pump (21) supplies jets of air through gas outlets (20) in the lower part of the portal (1), which are directed onto the feet of the person being screened. A second pump (25) pumps air with substances released by the jets via inlets (22) to an ion mobility spectrometer (24) arranged to detect the presence of explosives or narcotics. A screen (12) indicates the presence of any suspect article or substance on the person being screened.

Abstract: A system for tracking resource parameters includes a resource having an associated memory tag; a parameter sensing element sensing a parameter of the resource; and a memory tag reader/writer. The system is configured to store information gathered from the parameter sensing element on the memory tag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collar for measuring lateral deformation of a test piece during uniaxial or triaxial compression tests. According to the invention, the collar includes a metal hoop or a hoop that is made from composite materials, which can clasp the test piece. When the hoop is open, the free ends thereof are separated by a distance ?. The inventive collar is also equipped with a measurement device for directly or indirectly measuring the distance ?. Between the free ends of the hoop, the device can be a linear variable differential transformer-type probe. The invention also relates to a protective sleeve for the test piece, which can co-operate with the collar.

Abstract: A hazardous materials sensing robot includes a robot platform and a universal mounting tray on the robot platform for removably mounting thereon a plurality of sensors each having an output. An electronic interface unit is configured to receive the outputs of the sensors. An operator control unit remotely operates the robot platform. There is a communication link between the robot platform and the operator control unit for transmitting the sensor outputs to the operator control unit.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the quality of spot weld joints between pieces of metal includes an ultrasound transducer probing a spot weld joint. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasonic radiation into the spot weld joint, receives corresponding echoes, and transforms the echoes into electrical signals. An image reconstructor connected to the ultrasound transducer transforms the electrical signals into numerical data representing an ultrasound image. A neural network connected to the image reconstructor analyzes the numerical data and an output system presents information representing the quality of the spot weld joint. The system is trained to assess the quality of spot weld joints by scanning a spot weld joint with an ultrasound transducer to produce the data set representing the joint; then physically deconstructing the joint to assess the joint quality.

Abstract: A test facility is provided for testing materials under high temperature, pressure, and mechanical loads. The facility provides a physically sealed system that simulates conditions in hot sections or gas turbine engines. A test article is coated with a test material and exposed to a hot combusting flow in a test section housing. The article may be a pipe or conduit member oriented at any direction to the flow. A second cooler flow of fluid is channeled through the test article to create a sharp temperature gradient in the test article and through the test material. A liquid-cooled sleeve is disposed about the test article to create an annular channel of combusting flow over the test article. The downstream end of the second cooler flow is connected to the upstream end of the main hot flow at the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods remove and manage heavy metals. In one implementation, an exemplary method can be applied to food processing and food consumption to remove heavy metals such as mercury, lead, uranium and cadmium before absorption by a living organism. The exemplary method exposes the food to a heavy-metal binding ligand, such as a concentrated protein or phytic acid, to form a heavy-metal chelate, and then allows the chelate to separate from the food. In another implementation, an exemplary probe possesses innovative molecular layers on its surface to detect and quantify heavy metals by attracting and binding traces of the heavy metals on a ligand layer.

Abstract: A method for measuring samples includes fitting and mounting, onto a transfer stage, a chip pallet for transporting sensor chips; fitting a positioning hole of a chip package onto a positioning pin; pulling a bottom plate of the chip package off the chip package, so as to simultaneously transfer the housed sensor chips onto the transfer stage; pulling upward the chip pallet so as to simultaneously transfer, onto the chip pallet, the sensor chips on the transfer stage; and mounting the chip pallet having the sensor chips mounted thereon onto a measuring device, and measuring samples.

Abstract: Determination of the mineral content of a sample by suspending a needle at its center of mass horizontally above the sample is provided. In doing this, the needle will rotate or swing back and forth along an arc of defined starting and ending positions in a horizontal plane. Samples of different mineral content will cause the needle to swing back and forth along a similar arc but with different defined starting and ending positions. By recording the starting and ending positions of the arc for known samples a chart is compiled that can be used to make a determination of the mineral content of unknown samples. An apparatus and method of using the same is also provided.