Abstract: An opposed migration classifier classifies particles suspended in a sample fluid that are passed through a classification channel defined by two permeable walls. Sample flow distribution input and output channels are located asymmetrically with respect to a center of the classification channel such that trajectories of the one or more particles in the sample fluid deviate from constant voltage operation trajectories. A cross-flow fluid enters the classification channel through a permeable wall and exits through the other permeable wall. An imposed field, created by a time varying filed imposed in a direction normal to the permeable walls, causes the particles to migrate in a direction opposite to that of the cross-flow fluid, such that the particles travel between the permeable walls. The particles in the sample are classified based on their mobility. The sample fluid enters and exists through or within a threshold distance of the permeable walls.

Abstract: An analog matching filter includes a first plate, a second plate coupled with the first plate and separated from the first plate via a spacer, and a replicate matching material fixed to an inside surface of the first plate. A conductive plate or sheet is fixed to an inside surface of the second plate. An electrical circuit connects the first plate to the conductive plate or sheet. The replicate matching material and the conductive plate or sheet generate an opposite polarization pattern carried by the electrical circuit that is based on a polarization pattern of a to-be-detected entity according to a spatial gradient of the to-be-detected entity local electric field distribution.

Abstract: A device (100) includes a sensor (101) to determine a capacitance between a first metal piece (209, 309, 409, 509, 609, 709, 809, 909) coupled to a paper tray (213, 413, 513, 913) of a printing device (206, 306) and a second metal piece (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707, 807, 907) coupled to a paper width adjuster (212) of the printing device (206, 306). The device (100) also includes a controlled (102) coupled to the sensor (101) comprising a processor (103) in communication with a memory resource (104) including executable instructions to determine a size of paper in the paper tray (213, 413, 513, 913) based on the determined capacitance.

Abstract: A method for measuring the attraction propensity of fabric including the steps of charging a neutralized test fabric, optionally by contacting with a charging fabric, presenting the charged test fabric a predetermined distance from a static-influenced agent such that at least a portion of the static-influenced agent attaches to the charged test fabric, and determining the quantity of attached static-influenced agent.

Abstract: A sensing system and method is provided for crop material in a harvester. The sensing system includes a conveyor auger device oriented in a substantially vertical direction and having an entrance aperture, an exit aperture located upwardly above a radially oriented sensing aperture disposed therebetween. The conveyor auger device includes a conveyor auger having a flight for moving crop material upwardly, wherein the flight has a reduced radial extension adjacent the sensing aperture. A sensor disposed at or adjacent the sensing aperture senses the essentially continuously upwardly moving crop material for determining a property thereof.

Abstract: A test system can use first and different second driver stages to provide test signals to a device under test (DUT). A compound stage can receive signals from the driver stages and provide a voltage output signal to the DUT, such as via a gain circuit. The compound stage can include a buffer circuit configured to provide a first portion of the voltage output signal based on a first output signal from the first driver stage, and the compound stage can include a transimpedance circuit configured to provide a second portion of the voltage output signal based on a second output signal from the second driver stage. In an example, the gain circuit can receive a superposition signal comprising the first and second portions of the voltage output signal and, in response, provide a test signal to the DUT.

Abstract: A lightning protection system of a wind turbine (10) comprises electrically grounded receptors (51, 52) on turbine blades. A corresponding electrical ground connection must be tested regularly. For such a test, an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV (4) places an electrode (41) near a receptor (51, 52). Using a high voltage generator (42), a high voltage is created between the electrode (41) and the receptor (51, 52), causing an electrical arc (45) between the two. A corresponding current through the lightning protection system (5) indicates whether the ground connection is in order. Thanks to the high voltage used, the electrical arc (45) can bridge a gap between the electrode (41) and receptor (51, 52) of at least several millimetres. It is not necessary to establish a direct physical contact between the electrode (41) and the receptor (51, 52). This simplifies controlling the UAV and speeds up the testing procedure.

Abstract: In the examples provided herein, an apparatus has a memristive element coupled to a pin of an integrated circuit, wherein the memristive element switches from a first resistance within a first range of resistance values to a second resistance within a second range of resistance values in response to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event at the pin. The apparatus also has read circuitry coupled to the memristive element to determine whether a resistance of the memristive element is in the first or second range of resistance values, wherein the read circuitry includes a first transistor. Further, the coupling between the read circuitry and the memristive element does not include a direct path for current from the ESD event to a gate terminal of the first transistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a compact and lightweight, radial-flow DMA designed to operate at low aerosol and sheath flowrates (on the order of 0.3 L/min aerosol flow, and 0.6-1.2 L/min sheath flow) and so as to classify aerosols including particles having sizes in the 10-500 nm range. Thus, the DMA is capable of operating at relatively low resolution (RND=2-4) to minimize both instrument volume and pumping/power requirements, while enabling size distribution measurement with the precision required for desired applications.

Abstract: A rolling press for the manufacture of a battery electrode includes a first roller of a non-conductive material, a base of a non-conductive material spaced from the first roller equal to a desired thickness of the battery electrode, and a conductivity detector having a first electrode configured to contact a first side of the battery electrode and a second electrode configured to contact a second side of the battery electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for detecting surface electric field distribution of nanostructures. The method includes the following steps of: providing a sample located on an insulated surface of a substrate; spraying first charged nanoparticles to the insulated surface; and blowing vapor to the insulated surface to observe a distribution of the first charged nanoparticles via an optical microscope.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for calculating surface electric field distribution of nanostructures. The method includes the following steps of: providing a nanostructure sample located on an insulated layer of a substrate; spraying first charged nanoparticles to the insulated surface; blowing vapor to the insulated surface and imaging the first charged nanoparticles via an optical microscope, recording the width w between the first charged nanoparticles and the nanostructure sample, and obtaining the voltage U of the nanostructure sample by an equation.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an amplifier, a signal conversion unit configured to include at least one photodiode, in response to an optical signal being received from an external device, convert the received optical signal into an electric signal by using the at least one photodiode and output the electric signal, and a processor configured to control to supply power to the amplifier in response to the electric signal being received from the signal conversion unit, wherein the amplifier, in response to the power being supplied, receives the electric signal from the signal conversion unit, amplifies the received electric signal and outputs the amplified electric signal to the processor.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, causes the front aligning member to be moved from the aligning position to a detecting position, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). When it is determined that the sensor detects misalignment, the front aligning member is moved from the detecting position to the aligning position so that sheets are realigned.

Abstract: A low input current amplifier has a voltage spectral density curve to operate at 50 Hz or less and is connected to dielectric materials to receive a signal irrespective of ground reference. The amplifier outputs a first output. A multi-stage amplifier includes a stage connected in series with the low input current amplifier to amplify the first signal to distinguish the incidence, traverse and physiological condition of a living human. The resulting signal is then processed by an algorithm and displayed as human specific motion, heart rate and respiratory rate.

Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic power station. The module has a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a number of solar cells, in particular thin-layer solar cells. An electric field emitted by the photovoltaic module as a result of solar radiation is measured at an exposed measurement location during the operation of the power station and the electrical voltage present between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is determined from the measured electric field. A corresponding measuring instrument has a sensor to be placed near the photovoltaic module so as to measure the electric field strength. A rod or wand may be used to position the sensor, or a robot may be configured for automatic travel on the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). After the control portion determines that there is no misalignment, the control portion performs detection strength adjusting for a sensor and initial value setting for detecting misalignment of a next sheet.

Abstract: Measuring distance along a wire rope, by steps that include moving the wire rope across a sensor head; counting rotations of a rotary encoder driven by the moving wire rope; detecting a first distance marker crossing the sensor head at a first position of the wire rope; detecting a second distance marker crossing the sensor head at a second position of the wire rope; and establishing calibration parameters for producing a calibrated distance measurement corresponding to any output of the rotary encoder, based at least on correlating a known distance between the first and second distance markers to a counted number of pulses of the rotary encoder between the first and second positions of the wire rope.

Abstract: The invention is essentially a sequential (“DMA”) apparatus using a novel arrangement of at least three electrodes and at least two block electrodes to produce a DMA apparatus having at least two sequential DMA regions between pairs of adjacent electrode walls within the same housing. This apparatus is used to improve the transfer of particles into the subsequent DMA region without a vacuum or pump, and to improve the separation of target particles from non-target particles and concentration and collection of the target particles.

Abstract: A water solution in which an observation sample is, for example, dissolved is sandwiched on a first insulative thin film side provided under a conductive thin film. When an electron beam incident part is charged minus, electric dipoles of water molecules are arrayed along a potential gradient. Electric charges are also generated on the surface of a second insulative thin film. The electric charges are detected by a terminal section and changes to a measurement signal. In a state in which an electron beam is blocked, the minus potential disappears. Consequently, the electric charges on the surface of the first insulative thin film also disappear, and the measurement signal output from the terminal section changes to 0.

Abstract: An analysis circuit for a field effect transistor having a displaceable gate structure, includes a measurement circuit coupled between a supply voltage connection of the analysis circuit and a drain connection of the field effect transistor and configured to output a measurement signal that is dependent on the current strength of a current flowing through the field effect transistor to a measurement connection.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit that exhibits an enhanced surge withstand voltage of a nonvolatile memory and has a reduced chip area, having a nonvolatile memory and a Zener diode connected in parallel between a write terminal and a ground terminal. The nonvolatile memory is connected to the write terminal by a write terminal line and to a common connection point by a first ground line. The cathode of the Zener diode is connected to the write terminal line. The anode of the Zener diode is connected to the specified connection point by a second ground line. The first ground line and the second ground line are connected to the specified connection point.

Abstract: A biometric finger sensor may include an array of biometric finger sensing pixels and an array shielding electrode outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels. The biometric finger sensor may further include a finger drive electrode outside the array shielding electrode. Finger drive circuitry may generate a finger drive signal for the finger drive electrode and generate a compensating finger drive signal for the shielding electrode.

Abstract: The invention is essentially a sequential (“DMA”) apparatus using a novel arrangement of at least three electrodes and at least two block electrodes to produce a DMA apparatus having at least two sequential DMA regions between pairs of adjacent electrode walls within the same housing. This apparatus is used to improve the transfer of particles into the subsequent DMA region without a vacuum or pump, and to improve the separation of target particles from non-target particles and concentration and collection of the target particles.

Abstract: In a method for detecting working states of I/O pins of electronic components, a signal is transmitted between at least two of the I/O pins. A probe of an oscilloscope is connected to an I/O pin. A waveform of the signal through the I/O pin is detected. Charges are transmitted to the probe. A working state of the I/O pin is determined by detecting whether the waveform of the signal through the I/O pin is changed when the charges are transmitted to the probe.

Abstract: A micropositioning device for a piezoelectric actuator includes a means for controlling an electric field applied to the piezoelectric actuator so as to deform the piezoelectric material, and means for simultaneous measurement of a variation of electric charge accumulated on the piezoelectric actuator resulting from the deformation; and means for acquiring measurements of the variation of electric charge, for processing these acquisitions and for estimating a displacement (x, y, z) of the piezoelectric actuator and/or an applied force.

Abstract: A device for detecting a banknote thickness includes a transmission electrode and a reception electrode facing one another at a predetermined interval and forming an electric field when a driving voltage is applied thereto; a driving voltage applying unit configured to apply a driving voltage having a pre-determined frequency and form an electric field between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode; a current detecting unit configured to detect a current when a banknote is between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode; an antistatic device configured to remove static electricity from the banknote; and a controller configured to detect at least one of a changed current (e.g., when the banknote is present) and a corresponding voltage waveform, and to detect one or more of a state, a thickness and a type of the banknote based on the detected current change or voltage waveform.

Abstract: An electrostatic occupant detection system includes an electrostatic sensor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is switchable between an occupant determination state in which the electronic control unit outputs a sine wave having a constant amplitude and a diagnosis state in which the electronic control unit maintains a voltage of the electrostatic sensor at a constant level. The electronic control unit gradually changes at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the sine wave either when the electronic control unit switches from the occupant determination state to the diagnosis state and/or when the electronic control unit switches from the diagnosis state to the occupant determination state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-accuracy electrostatic capacitance type physical quantity sensor and angular velocity sensor configured so as to be capable of suppressing noise derived from internal noise while maintaining resistance to externally-incoming noise. A detection element 10 has a movable mass 18 supported displaceably by a physical quantity given from the outside, and a detection electrode Ef. A shield wire 16 is disposed around wirings connected to the input of a capacitance detection circuit 30 and is connected to a dc potential of low impedance. A value Cin of an input capacitance relative to a fixed potential of low impedance at a portion at which the detection element 10 is connected with the capacitance detection circuit 30 is set to fall within a range of 1.5 pF<Cin<20 pF.

Abstract: A fixture can include a test fixture that holds an object whose electrostatic charge characteristics are to be measured, means for moving a piece of rubbing material into contact with the object, and means for rubbing a surface of the object. A method for measuring the electrostatic charge characteristics of an object using a test fixture can include: placing the object in the test fixture, moving a piece of rubbing material into contact with the object and rubbing a surface of the object with the piece of rubbing material for a period of time. The rubbing causes an electrostatic charge to be built up on the surface of the object. The electrostatic charge characteristics of the object can be measured and the measured electrostatic charge characteristics of the object can be displayed.

Abstract: An ESD test method for testing an object is disclosed. The object is activated and controlled to separate from a horizontal plane by a pre-determined distance. A first discharge voltage is provided to an external metal portion of the object. A first error is determined to have or have not occurred during the operation of the object each time after the first discharge voltage is provided to the external metal portion. The object is processed to eliminate the first error and then the first discharge voltage is provided to the external metal portion when the first error occurs during the operation of the object. The first error is induced by a hardware structure of the object. The object is moved to contact with the horizontal plane and a specific action is executed when the first error has not occurred during the operation of the object.

Abstract: A method for testing a conductive web includes moving a conductive web past at least one electrostatic probe, providing an alternating current or voltage which generates an alternating current to the at least one electrostatic probe, measuring a current or voltage in the at least one electrostatic probe induced by a capacitance between the conductive web and the at least one electrostatic probe, comparing the measured current or voltage to a reference value, and determining a level of bagginess of the conductive web based on the step of comparing.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting static electricity of a substrate includes a probe having substantially a same shape as a substrate to be inspected, the probe including a contact surface made of a conductive material, a wiring connected to the contact surface of the probe and delivering static electricity collected by the probe, and a measurement unit connected to the wiring, the measurement unit receiving the static electricity from the wiring and analyzing an intensity of the static electricity.

Abstract: A method of implementing electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing of an integrated circuit includes applying an ESD event to an exposed backside of a substrate of the integrated circuit, wherein the backside of the substrate is electrically isolated from circuit structures formed at a front-end-of-line (FEOL) region of the integrated circuit. The operation of the circuit structures is tested to determine whether the ESD event has caused damage to one or more of the circuit structures as a result of a breakdown in the electrical isolation between the circuit structures and the backside of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of performing electrostatic discharge testing on a transaction card are disclosed. A transaction card may be placed on an insulated surface. A grounding probe may be placed at a first location on the transaction card. A discharge probe may be charged to a known voltage level. The discharge probe may then be discharged at a second location on the transaction card. A discharge wave shape may be recorded from the ground probe, and one of a pass condition and a fail condition may be assigned based on at least the value of the known voltage level as compared to a reference voltage level. The first location and the second location may each be selected from a plurality of areas on the transaction card.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining at least one parameter of at least one medium, said medium being introducible into at least one measuring path. An electric and/or electromagnetic field can be partially coupled into or out of the medium by passing at least one electric and/or electromagnetic signal into the measuring path. The measuring path comprises at least one line arrangement having at least two elementary cells arranged along the measuring path, said elementary cells comprising at least one electric path from at least one input to at least one output and comprising at least one respective capacitative element. The electrical properties of the capacitative element can by be modified by the medium. The electric and/or the electromagnetic signal can be applied to the input of a first elementary cell and the output of the first elementary cell can be connected to the input of a second elementary cell.

Abstract: An ESD test method for testing an object is disclosed. The object is activated and controlled to separate from a horizontal plane by a pre-determined distance. A first discharge voltage is provided to an external metal portion of the object. A first error is determined to have or have not occurred during the operation of the object each time after the first discharge voltage is provided to the external metal portion. The object is processed to eliminate the first error and then the first discharge voltage is provided to the external metal portion when the first error occurs during the operation of the object. The first error is induced by a hardware structure of the object. The object is moved to contact with the horizontal plane and a specific action is executed when the first error has not occurred during the operation of the object.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) package is disclosed herein. The MEMS package includes a movable mass. The MEMS package further includes a first and second sense electrodes spaced apart from the movable mass. The first and second sense electrodes are configured to be electrically coupled with a controller. The MEMS package further includes a first test electrode and a second test electrode spaced apart from the movable mass. The first and the second test electrodes are configured to be electrically connected to first and second external electrical connectors, respectively. The first and second test electrodes are biased at a first voltage and a second voltage, respectively, when the first and second external electrical connectors are connected to external voltage sources.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor for a vehicle includes a loop-shaped electrode arranged in a seat bottom of the vehicle, and a sensor portion to detect a weak electric field generated between the electrode and a chassis of the vehicle when a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode. The electrode has an imaginary center line linearly extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle. The electrode defines a resistance distribution approximately symmetrical in a left-and-right direction of the vehicle relative to the imaginary center line.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor device including a first sensor element and a second sensor element; a dielectric substrate material formed in two layers, and a sensing hole which penetrates the dielectric substrate material from its upper surface to its lower surface. The first sensor element is receivable in the sensing hole; and second sensor element includes a first conducting ring disposed on an upper surface of said dielectric substrate and surrounding said sensing hole. The second conducting ring is disposed on a lower surface of the dielectric substrate and surrounds the sensing hole. The first sensor element and the second sensor are capable of producing a variable response when the first sensor element is disposed in the sensing hole.

Abstract: A method for testing a conductive web includes moving a conductive web past at least one electrostatic probe, providing an alternating current or voltage which generates an alternating current to the at least one electrostatic probe, measuring a current or voltage in the at least one electrostatic probe induced by a capacitance between the conductive web and the at least one electrostatic probe, comparing the measured current or voltage to a reference value, and determining a level of bagginess of the conductive web based on the step of comparing.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive electrostatic discharge (ESD) event detector includes at least one magnetoresistive device. The at least one magnetoresistive device detects an ESD event in an ESD sensitive device based on magnetoresistive properties of the at least one magnetoresistive device. The magnetoresistive device has an ESD failure level that is lower than the ESD failure level of said ESD sensitive device.

Abstract: Method for assessment of electrostatic properties of fibers or substrates, this method being particularly useful for demonstrating the efficacy of a composition for minimizing the accumulation of particles onto fiber or substrate, and for supporting advertising claims about this efficacy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the sampling of temporally changing amounts of charge (102) by receiving varying amounts of charge (102) varying as a function of time, transforming the varying amounts of charge received into a linear distribution pattern, sampling the linear distribution pattern at a plurality of discretely spaced sampling locations (104), and collecting the amounts of charge (102) located between two adjacent scanning locations, and further detecting the collected amounts of charges (102).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of testing a substrate. In the method, a first test terminal is connected to a first external circuit layer coupled to a first connection pad of a first active element included in a substrate, and a second test terminal is connected to a second external circuit layer coupled to a second connection pad of the first active element. Static electricity is applied through the first test terminal and a voltage drop of an electrostatic discharge protection circuit of the first active element is measured at the second test terminal, thus testing a status of a connection between the first active element and the external circuit layers. In the method, status of a connection of a connection circuit layer, a connection of an external circuit layer, a connection of a surface mount element, and a normal operation of the substrate is further tested.

Abstract: To realize a small size and high detection accuracy in a substance detection apparatus. A charge detection field effect transistor and a control circuit therefor are provided in each cell, and the control circuit controls the charge detection field effect transistor so that the drain-source voltage and the drain current of the charge detection field effect transistor are always maintained constant. The control circuit may be formed in a CMOS configuration including a small number of elements in a small area using a standard CMOS integrated circuit technique.

Abstract: An arrangement to detect a lightning strike in a wind turbine is provided. According to the arrangement, the wind turbines contains an ozone sensor. The ozone sensor is located close to a component of the wind turbine. The component is constructed and arranged in a way that a lightning current, which results from a lightning strike into the wind turbine, is conducted through the component. The component is constructed and arranged in a way that the lightning current results in a corona generating a certain amount of ozone gas, which is detected by the ozone sensor.

Abstract: The invention is comprised, in part, of a surface that contains more than one component or construct. Such heterogenous surface compositions and configurations, related systems and methods for sensing particle or analyte interaction therewith can selectively and/or differentially interact with a range of particles/analytes, in lieu of specific molecular sensor-analyte interactions for each particle. These interactions of various analytes or particles can differ sufficiently in strength and range between multiple analyte types or particles to effect a separation of analytes or particles mixtures, in a way that requires no sensing or detection. With incorporation of a sensing mechanism, discrimination/detection of different compounds within an analyte mixture can be accomplished.

Abstract: A charge eliminating apparatus eliminates, when an electrical characteristics test of a target object is performed by moving a mounting table mounting the target object thereon and a probe card relative to each other to bring the target object into electrical contact with the probe card, static electricity of the target object via the mounting table. The charge eliminating apparatus includes a grounding wiring for grounding the mounting table; a relay switch disposed on the grounding wiring; and a switch controller that controls the relay switch to be opened or closed.

Abstract: An electrostatic occupant detection system includes an electrostatic sensor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is switchable between an occupant determination state in which the electronic control unit outputs a sine wave having a constant amplitude and a diagnosis state in which the electronic control unit maintains a voltage of the electrostatic sensor at a constant level. The electronic control unit gradually changes at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the sine wave either when the electronic control unit switches from the occupant determination state to the diagnosis state and/or when the electronic control unit switches from the diagnosis state to the occupant determination state.