A compatibility prediction method includes predicting compatibility between a prediction target food and a prediction target drink using: a model for predicting the compatibility between the prediction target food and the prediction target drink, and measurements that are values related to predetermined information obtained when a measuring instrument measures aroma components of the prediction target food and the prediction target drink or calculations calculated based on the measurements.

Ultrasonic excitation to a sample is provided with an apparatus including: a cylindrical ultrasonic transducer, and a plate disposed on an end of the cylindrical ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to provide a vertical vibration in operation. A Lamb wave vibration is generated in the plate by the vertical vibration of the ultrasonic transducer. The Lamb wave vibration converges at a central region of the plate, where a sample is disposed. Alternatively, a cylindrical array of ultrasonic transducers can be used instead of a single cylindrical transducer. Such an array can be driven as a phased array for beam shaping and/or multi-focusing.

Ultrasonic excitation to a sample is provided with an apparatus including: a cylindrical ultrasonic transducer, and a plate disposed on an end of the cylindrical ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to provide a vertical vibration in operation. A Lamb wave vibration is generated in the plate by the vertical vibration of the ultrasonic transducer. The Lamb wave vibration converges at a central region of the plate, where a sample is disposed. Alternatively, a cylindrical array of ultrasonic transducers can be used instead of a single cylindrical transducer. Such an array can be driven as a phased array for beam shaping and/or multi-focusing.

A production system and method of operating the production system. A fluid flows through a flow control device. The flow control device having an element that generates an acoustic signal indicative of a value of a parameter of the fluid in response to the fluid flowing through the flow control device. The processor receives the acoustic signal from the element, determines the value of the parameter of the fluid from the parameter of the acoustic signal, and changes an operation of the production system based on the value of the parameter of the fluid.

A method and a system to determine a gelation time of a substance in a container is disclosed. The system includes a container, a bubble generator arranged at a first end of the container, and a bubble sensor arranged at the second end of the container. The container holds a substance having a surface adjacent the second end. The bubble generator is configured to generate a bubble at the first end. The bubble sensor is configured to sense the bubble at the surface of the substance. The method includes releasing a gas into a first end of the container such that the gas bubbles rise from the first end of the container to a second end of the container, sensing the released bubbles, determining an absence of a bubble released by the bubble generator at the bubble sensor, and determining a gelation time based on a number of detected bubbles.

A method and a system to determine a gelation time of a substance in a container is disclosed. The system includes a container, a bubble generator arranged at a first end of the container, and a bubble sensor arranged at the second end of the container. The container holds a substance having a surface adjacent the second end. The bubble generator is configured to generate a bubble at the first end. The bubble sensor is configured to sense the bubble at the surface of the substance. The method includes releasing a gas into a first end of the container such that the gas bubbles rise from the first end of the container to a second end of the container, sensing the released bubbles, determining an absence of a bubble released by the bubble generator at the bubble sensor, and determining a gelation time based on a number of detected bubbles.

Systems and methods for analysing milk are described. A plurality of First Type Sensors (FTPs) are provided, each associated with a respective one of a plurality of Milking Clusters (MKs) of a milking system and configured to analyse milk extracted from an animal by the MK to determine at least one FTP value of a parameter of the milk across an event period. At least one of a Second Type Sensor (STP) associated with at least one of the plurality of MKs is configured to analyse the milk to determine at least one STP value of the parameter within the event period, wherein the STP is less susceptible to animal specific bias than the FTP. An Animal Specific Bias Correction (ASBC) is determined based on the at least one FTP value and the at least one STP value and applied to FTP values for milk extracted from the animal.

Various embodiments of an interconnect device and modules and systems that utilize such interconnect device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the interconnect device can include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include a substrate forming a resiliently deflectable element, a conductive material disposed on the substrate, and an electrical contact disposed on the resiliently deflectable element and electrically coupled to the conductive material. The interconnect device can also include a connector that includes a connecting pin configured to electrically couple with the electrical contact of the resiliently deflectable element of the PCB and cause the resiliently deflectable element to deflect when the element contacts the connecting pin.

A detection device includes a substrate, first electrodes formed on a first surface of the substrate, a responsive layer, and second electrodes formed on a first surface of the responsive layer, each of the second electrodes are capacitively coupled to one of the first electrodes and each second electrode is connected to a power supply to provide driving power.

According to the invention there is provided a flowmeter (10) includes a body (12) defining a passageway (14) for allowing fluid to flow therethrough and a sensing arrangement (16) which extends substantially inwardly from opposing end regions (18) of the passageway (14) for sensing a flow of fluid through the passageway (14) along an axis (20) which is substantially parallel thereto.