A system and method for monitoring environmental state that includes a structure element with a base substrate and at least one reflector element integrated to the base substrate, wherein the reflector element is physically configured with at least one response signature that is discretely expressed based on an substance induced environmental condition of the reflector element; and a remote monitor device comprising a transmitter and receiver unit and a controller, wherein the monitor device is configured to interrogate the structure element; detect a response signature corresponding to at least the one reflector element; and map the response signature to a corresponding substance induced environmental condition.

A sensor for measuring thermal conductivity includes an insulator, a test material over the insulator, a conductor over the test material, and a gas within an open volume adjacent the test material and the conductor. An electrical source is configured to provide an alternating current through the conductor to heat the test material. Leads are connected to the conductor and configured to connect to a voltmeter. A method of measuring thermal conductivity includes disposing the sensor in a reactor core in which a nuclear fuel undergoes irradiation and radioactive decay. An alternating current is provided from the electrical source through the conductor to heat the test material. A voltage is measured as a function of time at the leads connected to the conductor. A thermal conductivity of the test material is calculated based on the voltage measured as a function of time. Methods of forming a sensor are also disclosed.

Monodispersed colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized by an easy, cost-effective, and eco-friendly synthesis route. The resulting AuNPs exhibited excellent electroanalytical ability to simultaneously detect toxic As(III) and As(V). The limit of quantification (LOQ) toward As(III) was 0.075 ppb (1 nM), which is well below the guideline value approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Under the optimal conditions, a linear response in the concentration range of from about 0.075 ppb to about 0.03 ppm (1 nM-400 nM) was observed. The method is useful to detect arsenic contamination of water intended for human and animal consumption.

A fluid characteristic sensing device has a projection. The fluid characteristic sensing device receives current pulses and directs the received current pulses through the projection. The received and directed current pulses enable determination of a resistance of the projection and a rate of change of temperature.

A sensor is configured to measure the carbon dioxide concentration in a gas mixture. The sensor has a dielectric layer arranged between a layer-like first electrode and a layer-like second electrode. The second electrode is a composite electrode that has at least one carbonate and/or one phosphate as first material and at least one metal as second material. This sensor can be manufactured by a method comprising applying a layer-like first electrode to a substrate, applying a dielectric layer to the first electrode, and applying a layer-like second electrode to the dielectric layer. The second electrode is applied as a composite electrode that has at least one carbonate and/or one phosphate as first material and has at least one second material that has an electrical conductivity of more than 10-2 S/m.

A system and method for monitoring environmental state that includes a structure element with a base substrate and at least one reflector element integrated to the base substrate, wherein the reflector element is physically configured with at least one response signature that is discretely expressed based on an substance induced environmental condition of the reflector element; and a remote monitor device comprising a transmitter and receiver unit and a controller, wherein the monitor device is configured to interrogate the structure element; detect a response signature corresponding to at least the one reflector element; and map the response signature to a corresponding substance induced environmental condition.

This disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring a tire for a puncture based on a change in a voltage established based on a resistance of a material disposed within the tire. In one example, the material is a conductive material layer. In another example, the material is a resistive strip. The systems and methods described herein can monitor for a change in an established voltage over time that is a function of parameters including the resistance of the conductive material layer or the resistive strip, and an applied voltage, to provide an indication of the change in the resistance in the material. The change in resistance of the material can be indicative of the puncture within the tire. The systems and methods described herein can alert a vehicle operator of the puncture within the tire.

A Kelvin probe system is provided. The invention is achieved using a rotating Kelvin probe head comprising a Kelvin probe face is provided on a side face of the Kelvin probe head.

An operating method of a processing liquid supply apparatus which supplies a processing liquid to a substrate from a processing liquid supply path via a nozzle includes measuring a surface potential of a first electrode which is configured to be in contact with the processing liquid of the processing liquid supply path. The operating method further includes displaying the measured surface potential in the measuring of the surface potential of the first electrode.

A device is provided for electrically measuring surface characteristics of a sample. The device comprises at least one group of three electrodes: a first and second electrode spaced apart from each other and configured to be placed onto the surface of the sample, and a third electrode between the first two but isolated from these two electrodes by a one or more first insulators, wherein a second insulator further isolates the central electrode from the sample when the device is placed thereon. The three electrodes and the insulators are attached to a single or to multiple holders with conductors incorporated therein for allowing the coupling of the electrodes to power sources or measurement tools. The placement of the device onto a semiconductor sample creates a transistor with the sample surface acting as the channel. The device thereby allows the determination of the transistor characteristics of the sample in a straightforward way.