An electrode-arc sensor for measuring air data. The sensor includes a pair of electrodes which are arranged substantially parallel to one another to form a fluid gap therebetween. The fluid gap is arranged to receive a stream of fluid such as air. A voltage source is operatively connected to the pair of electrodes to generate a voltage and induce an arc therebetween. A controller operatively connected to the voltage source is configured to command the voltage source to generate a voltage until the arc is induced. Once induced, a time-series of the voltage measurements is generated based on a voltage sensor across the pair of electrodes. The ionized air surrounding the induced arc is acted upon by the fluid stream. The controller determines a fluid speed and fluid density of the fluid stream based on the time series of voltage measurement as the arc travels past the pair of electrodes.

In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus comprises a pump, a controller of the pump, and a sample container connecting element connecting member in communication with the pump, wherein the controller is configured based on the predetermined quantity range and a measured quantity indicating a flow rate of the milk conveyed in the conveying line and/or a predetermined quantity indicating a total quantity of milk to be conveyed through the conveying line in a conveying interval, to controlling a pulsed operation of the pump in a conveying interval, wherein the pump conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump during the pulsed operation in each sample pulse interval, and wherein the predetermined quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subsets in the conveying interval.

In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus comprises a pump, a controller of the pump, and a sample container connecting element connecting member in communication with the pump, wherein the controller is configured based on the predetermined quantity range and a measured quantity indicating a flow rate of the milk conveyed in the conveying line and/or a predetermined quantity indicating a total quantity of milk to be conveyed through the conveying line in a conveying interval, to controlling a pulsed operation of the pump in a conveying interval, wherein the pump conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump during the pulsed operation in each sample pulse interval, and wherein the predetermined quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subsets in the conveying interval.

An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.

An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.

A test system for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed by a fluid infusion device includes a test housing. The test housing includes an inlet and an internal channel. The inlet is to be coupled to the fluid infusion device to receive the volume of fluid, and the internal channel is in fluid communication with the inlet. The test system includes an input electrode coupled to the internal channel to be in fluid communication with the volume of fluid, and an output electrode coupled to the internal channel to be in fluid communication with the volume of fluid. The test system includes a power source configured to create a voltage potential between the input electrode and the output electrode. The volume of fluid in the internal channel conducts current between the input electrode and the output electrode to facilitate measurement of the volume of fluid dispensed.

A fabric based digital droplet flowmetry (DDF) method and platform are provided utilizing a fluid collection network, a microfluidic junction for droplet formation and removal, and digital counting and measurement circuitry. The fluidic junction has a droplet emitter, such as a nozzle, and droplet receiver separated by a gap. The measurement circuitry detects the transient formation of a liquid bridge (the closed-circuit state) and the breakup of the bridge (the open-circuit state) as an electrical switching event. The duration of the bridge formation only lasts for a few milliseconds. The platform produces consistent droplet volume over varying flow rates and droplet size is controlled by the selection of structural parameters such as nozzle dimensions, channel geometries, surface wettability, and inlet/outlet pressures.

A fabric based digital droplet flowmetry (DDF) method and platform are provided utilizing a fluid collection network, a microfluidic junction for droplet formation and removal, and digital counting and measurement circuitry. The fluidic junction has a droplet emitter, such as a nozzle, and droplet receiver separated by a gap. The measurement circuitry detects the transient formation of a liquid bridge (the closed-circuit state) and the breakup of the bridge (the open-circuit state) as an electrical switching event. The duration of the bridge formation only lasts for a few milliseconds. The platform produces consistent droplet volume over varying flow rates and droplet size is controlled by the selection of structural parameters such as nozzle dimensions, channel geometries, surface wettability, and inlet/outlet pressures.

The invention described herein relates generally to methods, sensors, devices and kits for electrochemical detection of a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the methods, sensors, devices and kits described herein can be used to detect low concentrations of at least one target analyte using small sample volumes. In some embodiments, methods, sensors and kits for detecting a microbe, microbe fragment or released endotoxin in a test sample, including bodily fluids such as blood and tissues of a subject, food, water, and environmental surfaces, are also provided herein.

The invention described herein relates generally to methods, sensors, devices and kits for electrochemical detection of a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the methods, sensors, devices and kits described herein can be used to detect low concentrations of at least one target analyte using small sample volumes. In some embodiments, methods, sensors and kits for detecting a microbe, microbe fragment or released endotoxin in a test sample, including bodily fluids such as blood and tissues of a subject, food, water, and environmental surfaces, are also provided herein.