The present application describes embodiments of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor based on a combinationof a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducer and two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) or two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) conducting structure, and its use in chemical detection and (bio)molecular diagnostics. The SAW RFID sensor chip contains apiezoelectric substrate, on which a multilayer heterojunction structure is deposited. The heterojunction structure comprises atleast two layers, a buffer layer and a barrier layer, wherein both layers are grown from III-V single-crystalline or polycrystallinesemiconductor materials, such as GaN/AlGaN. Interdigitated transducers (IDTs) transducing SAWs are installed on top of thebarrier layer. A 2DEG or 2DHG conducting channel is formed at the interface between the buffer and barrier layers and provideselectron or hole current in the system between the non-ohmic (capacitively-coupled) source and drain contacts connected to the formed channel.

A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms. The system includes a number of sensors, each mounted to a corresponding sled, such that the sensor is operationally coupleable to an inspection surface in contact with a bottom surface of the corresponding sled. A couplant chamber is provided within at least two of the sleds, the couplant chamber between a transducer of a sensor and the inspection surface. The system includes a biasing member for each of the arms, where the biasing member provides a down force on the corresponding sled.

A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms. The system includes a number of sensors, each mounted to a corresponding sled, such that the sensor is operationally coupleable to an inspection surface in contact with a bottom surface of the corresponding sled. A couplant chamber is provided within at least two of the sleds, the couplant chamber between a transducer of a sensor and the inspection surface. The system includes a biasing member for each of the arms, where the biasing member provides a down force on the corresponding sled.

A method and an apparatus to improve the precision and reproducibility of particle size analysis by laser diffraction is presented. Powder particles are typically prepared for laser diffraction testing using an ultra-sound bath which will disperse particle agglomerates and allow a precise measurement. However, the precision and reproducibility of agglomerate dispersion is affected by ultra-sound probe wear, corrosion and age. Differences in sonication performance can be compensated by voltage adjustments to the ultra-sound probe, leading to substantial improvements in the precision and reproducibility of particle size determination.

A method and an apparatus to improve the precision and reproducibility of particle size analysis by laser diffraction is presented. Powder particles are typically prepared for laser diffraction testing using an ultra-sound bath which will disperse particle agglomerates and allow a precise measurement. However, the precision and reproducibility of agglomerate dispersion is affected by ultra-sound probe wear, corrosion and age. Differences in sonication performance can be compensated by voltage adjustments to the ultra-sound probe, leading to substantial improvements in the precision and reproducibility of particle size determination.

A system, comprising: (i) an interposer layer; (ii) a circuit layer positioned on the interposer layer and comprising a plurality of sonically-enabled pads; and (iii) an interrogator layer positioned on the circuit layer and comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducers configured to sonically interrogate the circuit layer; wherein the sonically-enabled pads are configured to generate an electrical signal in response to sonic interrogation from the interrogator layer, if the sonically-enabled pad is functional.

Provided herein are methods and devices for identifying and/or distinguishing UCA formulations and specifically activating such formulations to produce UCA suitable for in vivo use.

Provided herein are methods and devices for identifying and/or distinguishing UCA formulations and specifically activating such formulations to produce UCA suitable for in vivo use.

A gas sensor includes: at least one resonator; a vibrator provided on the at least one resonator; at least one converter that converts sound waves outputted from the at least one resonator to an electric signal; and a detection unit that detects a specific gas on the basis of the electric signal attained by conversion by the at least one converter, wherein the vibrator includes at least either one of: a plurality of vibrating bodies that have respectively differing frequency characteristics during vibration, that vibrate a gas inside the at least one resonator, and that output sound waves by resonance of the at least one resonator; and a heater that heats a gas inside the at least one resonator, and that outputs sound waves by resonance of the at least one resonator.

A method for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (DED) in a human or animal subject is provided. Thread thinning dynamics of a tear sample of the subject are determined using an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument. At least one physical parameter value of the tear sample is calculated based at least in part on the determined thread thinning dynamics. DED is evaluated based at least in part on the at least one calculated physical parameter value of the tear sample. A device for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (DED) in a human or animal subject is also provided. The device includes an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument and a processing device configured to evaluate DED based at least in part on the calculated at least one physical parameter value of the tear sample.