A system includes a chip detector that includes a magnet, the chip detector operable to collect a plurality of chips in a lubricant flow. The system also includes a radiation sensor associated with the magnet and operable to detect radiation emitted by at least some of the plurality of chips collected by the magnet.

According to embodiments, a method of forming a coating on an article includes forming a coating including an emitting layer. The emitting layer includes an elemental isotope with a known property that can be measured by a spectroscopic method. The elemental isotope provides a distinguishing identification tag for the coating, and the coating providing a layer of protection to the substrate. The method further includes depositing the coating on a surface of a substrate of the article. The elemental isotope is a stable isotope, an unstable isotope, a neutron scattering isotope, a neutron capturing isotope, or combinations thereof.