A battery checker is provided with: voltage application unit configured to apply an AC voltage to a battery to be measured; ripple voltage measurement unit configured to measure a ripple voltage contained in a terminal voltage of the battery; and electric power storage level detection unit configured to detect an electric power storage level of the battery by comparing the measured ripple voltage with a set reference. The voltage application unit includes a transformer that transforms voltage for an alternating current of an AC power supply such as a commercial AC power supply, and an output circuit that applies, to the battery, an alternating current with transformed voltage.

A semiconductor device for measuring a voltage of a battery cell, including first and second nodes, and first and second battery voltage measurement units. The first node is configured to receive a first voltage, the first voltage being a voltage of a capacitor that accumulates an electric charge based on the voltage of the battery cell. The first battery voltage measurement unit measures the first voltage through a first path. The second node is configured to receive a second voltage based on the voltage of the battery cell, the second node being different from the first node. The second battery voltage measurement unit measures the second voltage through a second path that is different from the first path.

A method and apparatus is provided the battery sensor for a large-scale battery system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the architecture and measurement scheme for a high-accuracy battery voltage sensor based on a calibration scheme. The present disclosure also related to the architecture and measurement method for a cell-level current sensor to effectively and reliably manage a battery pack.

Test measurements on a utility power device by a switch matrix apparatus and a common voltage source as separate devices is performed. Through the switch matrix apparatus, the common voltage source selectively sends a first high voltage signal via a first lead to a first terminal of the utility power device, measures a first corresponding signal returned via a second lead of the switch matrix apparatus from a second terminal of the utility power device. While the first lead and the second lead of the switch matrix apparatus remain electrically coupled to the first and the second terminal of the utility power device, a second high voltage signal is selectively sent via the second lead to the second terminal of the utility power device, and a second corresponding signal returned from the first terminal of the utility power device via the first lead of the switch matrix apparatus is measured.

A load testing apparatus includes: a resistor unit that has a resistor group including relays and resistors and is connected to a power source to be tested to perform a load test; a selection switch that is used to select whether to supply power from the power source to be tested to the resistor group; an electrical signal detection unit that detects at least one of a voltage applied to the resistor unit and a current flowing through the resistor unit; and a control unit. The relay operates in response to an on/off state of the selection switch to control power supply from the power source to be tested to the resistor group including the relay. The control unit performs determination on whether the relay normally operates based on detection information including a time-series change of at least one of the voltage and the current when the selection switch is operated, which is information from the electrical signal detection unit, and performs off control to stop power supply from the power source to be tested to the resistor unit.

A sensor apparatus adjusts output timings of a detection signal and a sensing signal for sensing an abnormality in the detection signal. Provided is a magnetic sensor apparatus comprising a magnetic sensor element, an amplifying section that amplifies and outputs an output of the magnetic sensor element, a plurality of comparing sections that compare the output of the magnetic sensor element or an output of the amplifying section to a threshold value, and a plurality of delaying sections that each delay and output a comparison result output by a corresponding comparing section among the plurality of comparing sections. Also provided is a current sensor apparatus including a current path through which a current serving as a measurement target flows and a magnetic sensor apparatus that is arranged corresponding to the current path and detects a magnetic field generated according to the current serving as the measurement target.

Disclosed is a low fly height in-plane magnetic image sensor chip. This sensor chip comprises a Si substrate with a pit on the surface, a magnetoresistive sensor, and an insulating layer. The magnetoresistive sensor is located on the bottom surface of the pit in the Si substrate. The insulating layer is located above the magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetic image surface detected during operation is coplaner or parallel with the surface of the Si substrate surface. The input and output ends of the magnetoresistive sensor are connected with leads directly, or bonded with leads through pads, or through a conducting post and pads to form connections. And the flying height of the leads is lower than the height of the surface of the Si substrate. This technical solution has several advantages, such as compact structure, high output signal, and direct contact with the magnetic image.

A magnetic field sensing apparatus and detection method thereof are provided. The magnetic field sensing apparatus includes an anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) magnetic field detector, a reference magnetic field detector, and a controller. The AMR magnetic field detector generates a first output voltage according to a detected magnetic field. The reference magnetic field detector generates a second output voltage according to the detected magnetic field. The controller identifies whether an absolute value of a field density of the detected magnetic field is larger or smaller than a predetermined value or not, and selects the first output voltage or a saturation voltage to be a magnetic field detection result accordingly.

A method for determining a position of an RF coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is disclosed. As an example, a center of a field of view (FOV) to be scanned may be adjusted to a magnetic field center of an MRI system, and coordinate values in a coordinate system for shape-characteristic points of the FOV may be determined, where an origin of the coordinate system is located at the magnetic field center of the MRI system. A preset gradient magnetic field may be applied to the FOV, and coil units respectively covering the shape-characteristic points may be determined. An effective region may be obtained by connecting the determined coil units according to the shape of the FOV, and a coil unit located in the effective region may be determined as an effective coil unit for imaging the FOV by the MRI system.

According to one embodiment, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a transmission coil, a plurality of reception channels, transmission/reception circuitry, and processing circuitry. The transmission coil transmits an RF wave to a subject. The reception channels receive MR signals generated from the subject. The transmission/reception circuitry controls the transmission coil to change the flip angle of a nucleus contained in the subject and excited by the transmitted RF wave. The processing circuitry determines whether the reception channels include an impaired channel, based on the comparison between the distributions of the signal values of the received MR signals with respect to the changing flip angles among the reception channels.

A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes dividing k-space into a plurality of regions along a dividing direction; scanning an object using a plurality of sampling sequences; acquiring a plurality of groups of data lines; filling the plurality of groups of data lines into the plurality of regions of the k-space; and reconstructing an image based on the filled k-space.

A universal, modular, temperature controlled MRI phantom for calibration and validation for anisotropic and isotropic imaging comprises an outer insulating shell configured to be received within an MRI chamber; an inner shell received within the outer insulating shell; a fluid conduits adjacent the inner shell for receiving temperature controlling fluid or gas cycling there-through; and a series of stacked layers of frames containing test points for the MRI phantom, each layer including at least one fiducial and including at least some anisotropic imaging test points in at least one frame and at least one isotropic imaging test point in at least one frame. The anisotropic imaging comprises hollow tubular textile fibers, wherein each hollow tubular fiber has an outer diameter of less than 50 microns and an inner diameter of less than 20 microns, wherein at least some hollow tubular fibers are filled with a fluid.

A system for calibration of power meters.

Acquiring seismic data using time-distributed sources and converting the acquired data into impulsive data using a multiple-frequency approach. The methods are performed in frequency-source location domain, frequency-wavenumber domain, or frequency-slowness domain. The methods are applicable to single source acquisition or simultaneous source acquisition.

A measurement while drilling (MWD) system for use in a drilling string, the MWD system comprises: a resistivity module that is configured to generate resistivity information about a resistivity of a formation that is drilled by the drilling string; a near bit sub that is configured to generate inclination information about an inclination of a drill bit of the drilling string; a MWD module; a first wireless communication module that is configured to wirelessly send the resistivity information from the resistivity module to the MWD module; a second wireless communication module that is configured to wirelessly send inclination information from the near bit sub module to the MWD module; and wherein the MWD module is configured to participate in a transmission of the inclination information and the resistivity information towards an upper surface of the formation.

The present disclosure provides a display panel, a method and a device for measuring screen flickering, and a display device. The display panel includes a substrate, data lines and gate lines arranged on the substrate and crossing each other, and subpixel units defined by the data lines and the gate lines. Each subpixel unit includes a TFT, a pixel electrode, a first common electrode and a second common electrode. The second common electrode is connected to an input end capable of providing an alternating voltage at a first frequency. An orthogonal projection of the second common electrode onto the substrate at least partially overlaps an orthogonal projection of the pixel electrode onto the substrate.

A superconducting magnet coil system with high resistance to quench events includes a first coil portion (1) with a first superconducting material and a second coil portion (2) with a second superconducting material. The first superconducting material has a higher critical temperature than the second superconducting material. The first and the second coil portions are bridged by a common quench protection element (6) and together with the quench protection element form a first loop. The magnet coil system also includes a third coil portion (3) which is part of a second electrical loop with a second quench protection element (8, 8', 8″)as well as a heating element (9) which is supplied with a heating voltage in response to a quench of the third coil portion. Among the series connected coil portions (1, 2) only the second coil portion is in thermal contact with the first heating element (9).

A power control apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires information relating to a voltage and an electric current of a chargeable/dischargeable secondary battery during charging/discharging. The determination unit determines a maximum current of the secondary battery during charging on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit so that the voltage of the secondary battery does not exceed a predetermined voltage.

Disclosed is a piezoelectric material including stereocomplex crystals of poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), wherein poly(D-lactic acid) and poly(L-lactic acid) are crystallized into a stereocomplex, thus exhibiting superior heat resistance and piezoelectric properties. This piezoelectric material, which is obtained using poly(lactic acid), can be produced at very low cost compared to when using PVDF, and is configured to include stereocomplex crystals of PDLA and PLLA and can thus manifest high thermal stability and piezoelectric properties, compared to when using conventional PLLA alone. Such a piezoelectric material can be efficiently utilized in a variety of fields in which low production cost, high processing temperature in the manufacturing process, or high-temperature stability of piezoelectric material products is required.

A method identifies to which one of a plurality of infusion pumps one of a plurality of fluid lines is coupled. The method can include intentionally producing a predetermined pressure pattern in one of the plurality of fluid lines, detecting the predetermined pressure pattern by way of a sensor of one of the plurality of infusion pumps, and indicating detection of the predetermined pressure pattern in the one of the plurality of fluid lines, thereby indicating the one of the plurality of infusion pumps to which the one of the plurality of fluid lines is coupled. In some cases, a tool configured to occlude and the squeeze the fluid line can be used to intentionally produce the predetermined pressure pattern.

Methods and systems for frequency-dependent fluid attenuation measurement are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: generating one or more reference acoustic signals within a reference fluid; receiving one or more reference acoustic signal reflections; determining a frequency-dependent response function based, at least in part, on the one or more reference acoustic signal reflections; generating one or more sample acoustic signals within a sample fluid; receiving one or more sample acoustic signal reflections; and determining a frequency-dependent attenuation function of the sample fluid based, at least in part, on the one or more sample acoustic signal reflections and the frequency-dependent response function.

A first-half combustion period, for example, is estimated/evaluated, with a required accuracy, more simply than the conventional art, while reducing man-hours to produce a heat generation rate waveform of an internal combustion engine. Within a combustion period of an air-fuel mixture, a period from an ignition time FA to a heat generation rate maximum time dQpeakA where the heat generation rate is maximum is defined as the first-half combustion period a that is one of characteristic values of the heat generation rate waveform. The first-half combustion period a is estimated based on an in-cylinder volume at the heat generation rate maximum time, and furthermore by being corrected using an exponential function of the engine rotation speed with a value depending on a tumble ratio as exponent. Thus, the heat generation rate waveform is produced using the estimated first-half combustion period a.

The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines in general. Some embodiments of the teaching may include valve units for use in a fuel tank system of an internal combustion engine having a fuel tank and a storage element for temporary storage of hydrocarbons, wherein the fuel tank and the storage element are connected together such that the hydrocarbons which gasify out of a fuel in the fuel tank are stored in the storage element. They may include a purge air pump connected to the storage element and conveying fresh air to the storage element, thereby releasing the stored hydrocarbons and supplying them to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and a movable adjustment element with at least two positions. The first position may connect a pressure side of the purge air pump to a first line and a suction side of the purge air pump to a second line. The second position may connect the pressure side to the second line and the suction side to the first line.

Disclosed is a device for detecting wall abrasion of a solid-filling feeding well and a detection method thereof. The device comprises a well wall abrasion detector, a horizontal displacement meter, a vertical displacement monitor, and a limit guide rod. One end of the limit guide rod is connected to the well wall abrasion detector. The signal output terminal of the well wall abrasion detector is connected to the signal input terminal of the horizontal displacement meter, and the other end of the limit guide rod passes through the vertical displacement monitor for slidable setting. This disclosure mainly utilizes a resistance strain displacement sensor to detect the abrasion and deformation degree of the well wall, determines the position of damages with the vertical displacement monitor, and draws wall abrasion curves by using the obtained data. The device provided is easy to use, has low cost, has high reliability, and can effectively detect the wall abrasion condition of a solid-filling feeding well, thereby providing a basis for ensuring the working efficiency of the feeding well.

The present invention provides a cushion pad with improved durability without feeling of a foreign object. The present invention thus provides a system for detecting a deformation of a cushion pad, comprising; the cushion pad comprising a matrix layer, in which electroconductive or magnetic filler is dispersed, and a soft polyurethane foam including the matrix layer incorporated therein, anda detecting portion that detects an electric or magnetic change caused by a deformation of the cushion pad,wherein the matrix layer has a hardness lower than the soft polyurethane, and it production method.

A gyroscope includes a substrate, a first structure, a second structure and a third structure elastically coupled to the substrate and movable along a first axis. The first and second structure are arranged at opposite sides of the third structure with respect to the first axis A driving system is configured to oscillate the first and second structure along the first axis in phase with one another and in phase opposition with the third structure. The first, second and third structure are provided with respective sets of sensing electrodes, configured to be displaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to rotations of the substrate about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and to the second axis.

An ultrasonic measurement system and a measurement method thereof are disclosed. The system includes a subsystem summarization processing device, and at least two measurement subsystems mounted on different regions to be measured, each measurement subsystem includes a primary measurement sensor and a secondary measurement sensor, the primary measurement sensor includes a first housing, and a first transduction element, a measurement processing element and a signal control element mounted within the first housing respectively, the signal control element is coupled to the first transduction element and the measurement processing element respectively, the first transduction element is mounted on a bottom end surface of the first housing, the secondary measurement sensor includes a second housing and a second transduction element mounted on a bottom end surface of the second housing, the second transduction element is coupled to the signal control element, and the measurement processing element of each of the measurement subsystems is coupled to the subsystem summarization processing device respectively. The measurement accuracy can be improved by implementing the present invention.

A flow speed measurement method includes conducting a heat exchange at a prescribed part of a surface of a pipe, the flow speed measurement method further includes measuring a temperature distribution in a pipe-axis-direction on the surface of the pipe in a case that the heat exchange has been conducted at the prescribed part, and the flow speed measurement method further includes determining a flow speed of a thermal fluid flowing inside the pipe, based on the temperature distribution measured.

The invention provides a breather tube indicator device which includes a sealing body which is adapted to fit within a breather tube of a grouted rock support installation to allow passage of air past the body, without the body moving relatively to the tube, but to resist passage of an adhesive material thereby to cause movement of the body relatively to the tube to an indicating position.

In a method of operating a sensor assembly for a fluid tank of a motor vehicle, plural sensor elements of the sensor assembly are electrically connected to a sensor controller. The sensor controller determines measuring data from the sensor elements, and transmits the measuring data from at least some of the sensor elements separately and at least in part sequentially to a reprogrammable control unit.

The invention relates to a method for determining a liquid level in a tank (1) comprised in a vehicle, wherein said method uses an ultrasonic sensor (4) for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves (11). Basically the liquid level is determined based upon measuring the transition time of an ultrasonic wave (11) emitted by the ultrasonic sensor, wherein said emitted wave is deflected two times before being reflected by the surface (2) of the liquid contained in the tank.

A first detection electrode that outputs a first flow rate signal and a second detection electrode that outputs a second flow rate signal, a differential circuit that outputs a differential flow rate signal obtained by obtaining a difference between the first flow rate signal and the second flow rate signal, an AC signal generation circuit that causes a first AC current to flow between the first detection electrode and the ground electrode and causes a second AC current with a reverse phase at the same frequency as that of the first AC current to flow between the second detection electrode and the ground electrode, and a diagnosis unit that diagnoses an abnormality of at least either of the first detection electrode or the second detection electrode based on a differential flow rate signal.

Mass flow controllers with on-tool diagnostic capabilities and methods for on-tool diagnosis of mass flow controllers are disclosed herein. One method includes opening a control valve to a fixed position and closing an upstream valve to produce a flow rate that decreases from a high flow rate, across a range of flow rates, to a low flow rate. A pressure signal is generated that is indicative of a pressure of the fluid within a volume between the upstream valve and a sensor tube, and a flow sensor signal is provided with the mass flow sensor that is indicative of a mass flow rate of the fluid through the main flow path. Ratio curves are produced that relate, across the range of flow rates, a rate of change of the pressure signal to the flow sensor signal and comparing a test ratio curve to a previously generated baseline ratio curve.

An abnormality detecting apparatus (10) for a rotating machine includes: a calculating part (15) which calculates a phase difference between signals respectively output from two sensors of one or more sets, the one or more sets being predetermined combinations of two sensors among the plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors each of which detects an elastic wave generating in the rotating machine (1) having a rotor during rotation of the rotor, the sensors being arranged at predetermined different locations of the rotating machine (1); a storing part (16) which stores in advance information concerning a relationship between a phase difference and a contact position when a contact occurs during the rotation of the rotor, regarding the one or more sets; and a specifying part (17) which specifies a contact position by using a phase difference calculated by the calculating part (15) and the information stored in the storing part (16).

A force detector includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a circuit board provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an element mounted on the circuit board and outputting a signal in response to an external force, wherein a hole is formed in the circuit board at a location where the element is placed, and a first convex part inserted into the hole and protruding toward the element is provided on the first substrate. Further, the element is placed within a periphery of the first convex part as seen from a direction perpendicular to the first substrate.

Pre-loaded force sensitive input devices, force sensing resistors (FSR), are formed as a multiple membrane assembly that is capable of detecting low intensity pressure inputs and quantifying varying applications of pressure to the sensor surface. Pre-loading the force sensor elements results in controlled amount of force between the two substrates causing a constant state of pre-load and eliminating the low-end or minimal pressure signal noise associated with unloaded sensors. Pre-loading the force sensing resistor sensors also enables the sensor to detect removal of low intensity pressure input such as might occur during theft of light weight articles placed in contact with the pre-loaded force sensor. Using an FSR or FSR Matrix Array will enable any handling of protected retail packaging to be detected and identified. A library of “touches” can be established that will yield cutting, ripping, twisting, etc. making the detection of a theft in progress more accurate.

Provided is a torque sensor terminal block structure including an electric motor (1) which outputs driving force for driving a load (8), a strain body (3) interposed on a way of a power transmission system from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), a power detector (4) which outputs a detection signal according to a strain of the strain body (3) as a signal indicating a driving force transmitted from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), and a terminal block (6) which acquires the detection signal of the power detector (4) and transmits the output result to a signal processing circuit section. The terminal block (6) is set parallel to a magnetic flux output from the electric motor (1).

Provided is a torque sensor terminal block structure including an electric motor (1) which outputs driving force for driving a load (8), a strain body (3) interposed on a way of a power transmission system from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), a plurality of power detectors (4) which output a detection signal according to strain of the strain body (3) as a signal indicating the driving force, and a terminal block (6) which acquires the detection signal of the power detectors (4) and transmits the output result to a signal processing circuit section (10). The wirings to the signal processing circuit section (10) are twisted spirally as a single stranded wire, and an opening degree between single wirings when the stranded wire extending from the power detectors (4) to the terminal block (6) is unwound, is set to be same for each of the power detectors (4).

A planet gear train based torque detector is provided with idler gears between an input shaft and an output shaft wherein a rotation of the input shaft rotates the idler gears which rotate the output shaft, and a force is applied to a tangent line between each idler gear and the input shaft; peripheral resilient members, each having a fixed first end and a second end for receiving force applied thereon by the revolution of idler gears; and at least one strain gauge, each attached on one resilient member for measuring a deformation at the resilient member due to the revolution of the idler gears. A torque between the input shaft and the output shaft is obtained by calculating the deformation. The resilient members parallel the input shaft.

A transducer sensor body includes a first support structure and a second support structure. A tubular element has a center bore along a longitudinal axis. An elongated first flexure joins the tubular element to the first support structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first flexure is rigid to transfer a longitudinal force therethrough along the longitudinal axis and is rigid to transfer an axial force therethrough along an axial axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. An elongated second flexure joins the tubular element to the second support structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second flexure is rigid to transfer a longitudinal force therethrough along the longitudinal axis and is to transfer the axial force therethrough along the axial axis.

A sensor for detecting a pressure of a fluid medium is provided. The sensor includes a sensor element for detecting the pressure of the fluid medium, a supply duct for supplying the fluid medium to the sensor element and a control and/or evaluation circuit for processing signals of the sensor element. The control and/or evaluation circuit is situated on the sensor element.

A system comprising: a parent structure made of composite material and having a repair site; a repair patch made of composite material, the repair patch being bonded to the parent structure at the repair site; and a sensor embedded in the repair patch. The system may further comprise non-volatile memory and an interface unit embedded in the repair patch and electrically connected to the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor is a loop-shaped sensor comprising an electrically conductive structure having an electrical conductivity that varies as a function of a pressure exerted on the repair patch. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensor chip having nonvolatile memory. In a further embodiment, the sensor comprises an optical fiber that is sensitive to changes in pressure on or strain in the repair patch.

A detecting element unit of a physical quantity detection apparatus includes a detection part and a supporting part. The detection part has a base part, a movable part coupled to the base part via a joint part, and a vibrator provided over the base part and the movable part, and the supporting part includes a fixing portion to be fixed to a base for supporting the base part. A processing unit of the physical quantity detection apparatus extracts vibration response signals at a resonance frequency of the detecting element unit from output of the vibrator.

A sensor arrangement with a sensor element for measuring at least one physical and/or chemical fluid characteristic in a turbomachine is provided. The sensor element detects the at least one fluid characteristic inside a non-contact seal, in particular a labyrinth seal, between a rotor stage and a stator stage, wherein during operation the sensor element is in contact with the fluid flow along the flow path inside the labyrinth seal.

A rail vehicle collision test rig used for a collision test on a tested vehicle is provided, and includes: a track configured to support and guide the tested vehicle; a small vehicle configured to push the tested vehicle; a drive motor configured to drive the small vehicle to advance and arranged at a first end of the track; a first rotating hub arranged at the first end of the track and connected to the drive motor; a brake motor configured to brake the small vehicle; a second rotating hub arranged at the second end of the track and connected to the brake motor; a connecting rope wound on the first rotating hub and the second rotating hub; a detector configured to detect a velocity and a position of the tested vehicle; and a controller connected to the detector and is allowed to be in communication with the detector.

The invention relates to a drilling-resistance measuring device (10) and to a method for material testing in a humid environment or underwater. The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises a housing (1), in which a drive and a drill chuck (3) coupled to the drive are arranged, in which drill chuck a drilling needle (4) is or can be releasably held, wherein the housing (1) has a drilling-needle outlet opening (5') enclosed by a drilling-needle outlet guide (5), through which drilling-needle outlet opening the drilling needle (4) extends out of the housing (1). The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises at least one water-tight bellows (6), which is arranged in the interior of the housing (1) around the drilling needle (4) between the drill chuck (3) and the drilling-needle outlet guide (5), wherein moisture or water can enter the bellows (6) through the drilling-needle outlet opening (5').

A rheometer includes a drive shaft, a drag cup motor for rotating the drive shaft, a first measuring object supported by the drive shaft, a second measuring object, a linear position sensor, and processing and control electronics. The linear position sensor includes a target (e.g., an aluminum target) mounted to the drive shaft, and a pair of coils. The linear position sensor is configured to measure thermal expansion of the drive shaft based on a change in impedance of the coils resulting from a displacement of the target relative to the coils. The processing and control electronics are in communication with the coils and are configured to adjust a position of one of the measuring objects relative to the other based on a change in impedance of the coils resulting from a displacement of the target relative to the coils, thereby to maintain a substantially constant measurement gap therebetween.

A percolation network of functionalised reduced graphene oxide flakes, the percolation network configured to allow for hopping of charge carriers between adjacent reduced graphene oxide flakes to enable a flow of charge carriers through the percolation network, and wherein the reduced graphene oxide flakes are functionalised to facilitate detectable changes in the flow of charge carriers in response to a stimulus to the percolation network.

A mass sensor is provided for measuring a particle mass within an aerosol. The duration of a sensing cycle is set such that a pre-set change in mass resulting from particles deposited is caused. In the absence of cleaning, the lifetime of the sensor is dependent on the total mass deposited. As a result, the lifetime is made essentially constant by this approach, because each sensing operation is made to give rise to a constant amount of deposited particle mass. This means the lifetime can be predicted more accurately.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to ultrasonic inspection of turbine components. In one embodiment, a method for ultrasonic inspection of a turbine component can include mounting at least one array of transducer elements to the turbine component, (a) separately pulsing a transducer element of the at least one array of transducer elements to transmit a signal to the turbine component, (b) capturing reflected signals from the turbine component at each transducer element in the at least one array of transducer elements, repeating (a) and (b) for each of the other transducer elements in the at least one array of transducer elements, maintaining a constant relative position of the array of transducer elements with respect to the turbine component, analyzing the captured reflected signals using a computer, generating an image of the interior volume of the turbine component by reconstruction of the captured reflected signals and based at least in part on detecting an anomaly in the image of the interior volume of the turbine component, identifying at least one defect or failure in the turbine component.