A method and apparatus for measuring an unknown impedance. The apparatus comprises a first input to receive a first signal generated by a first portion of a sensor circuit, the first portion comprising an unknown impedance and a first known resistance, the unknown impedance to vary based upon a phenomenon to be measured by the sensor circuit. The apparatus also comprises a second input to receive a second signal generated by a second portion of the sensor circuit, the second portion of the sensor circuit comprising a known impedance and a second known resistance. And the apparatus comprises control logic to, based on a difference in time at which each of the first input and the second input reach a reference voltage, determine a measurement of the sensor circuit.

A substrate that includes a base layer having a first principal surface defining a plurality of first trenches and intervening first lands, and a cover layer provided over the first principal surface of the base layer and covering the first trenches and first lands substantially conformally, wherein the surface of the cover layer remote from the first principal surface of the base layer comprises a plurality of second trenches and intervening second lands defined at a smaller scale than the first trenches and first lands. The substrate may be used to fabricate a capacitive element in which thin film layers are provided and conformally cover the second trenches and second lands of the cover layer, to create a metal-insulator-metal structure having high capacitance density.

A micro-total analysis system and a method thereof are provided. The micro-total analysis system includes: a microfluidic device, configured to accommodate a liquid to be detected; an optical unit, configured to form a first light irradiated to the microfluidic device; and a detection unit, configured to detect the liquid to be detected and output a detection signal to obtain detection information.

Provided is an electrical circuit for electrochemical measurement of a solution, said electrical circuit comprising: a voltage generation circuit; an operational amplifier that has an output (OUT), a non-inverting input (+IN), and an inverting input (−IN), wherein the output (OUT) is connected to a counter electrode (CE) in contact with the solution, the inverting input (−IN) is connected to a reference electrode (RE) in contact with the solution, and the non-inverting input (+IN) is connected to the voltage generation circuit; a capacitor that is connected between the output (OUT) and inverting input (−IN) and has a capacitance of 1 μF or greater; and a current measurement circuit that is connected to a working electrode (WE) in contact with the solution.

A humidity measuring device is equipped with a temperature and humidity measurement unit including a temperature sensing element that measures temperature and a humidity sensing element that measures humidity, a casing having an accommodating section in which the temperature and humidity measurement unit is accommodated, and a supply tube that supplies a gas at a measurement location into the accommodating section, and a display unit having a display device, and which is fixed to the casing. The display unit further includes a display control unit that controls the display device to thereby cause the display device to display at least one of the humidity of the gas measured by the humidity sensing element, or a dew point temperature of the gas calculated based on the temperature of the gas measured by the temperature sensing element, and the humidity of the gas measured by the humidity sensing element.

A sensor for measuring ocean water salinity is described. The sensor may include a measurement clock circuit, a control clock circuit, and a comparator circuit. The measurement clock circuit, having an output that varies with salinity of a fluid, may have a first circuit architecture that includes a capacitive gap assembly that permits a fluid to flow into a gap between two electrodes of the capacitive gap assembly. The control clock circuit, having an output that does not vary with salinity of the fluid, may have a second circuit architecture comprising a capacitor. The comparator circuit may be configured to compare the controlled clock output to the measured clock output over a duration of time to determine a salinity measurement of the fluid. The first circuit architecture may differ from the second circuit architecture in that an electrically connected position of the capacitive gap assembly within the first circuit architecture is the electrically connected position of the capacitor within the second circuit architecture.

The invention relates to a sensor device and a method for detecting properties of a liquid. The liquid is accommodated in an inner chamber 14. A capacitor arrangement 22, 26 in the inner chamber has spaced, opposing capacitor surfaces 24a, 24b, 28a, 28b so that at least part of the liquid accommodated in the inner chamber 14 is arranged between the capacitor surfaces 24a, 24b, 28a, 28b. An evaluation device 30 for supplying an output signal A depending on a capacitance value C1, C2 of the capacitor arrangement 22, 24 comprises an excitation circuit 32 and an evaluation circuit 34. The excitation circuit 32 has at least one measuring resistor R1, R2, R1a, R1b and means for applying an AC voltage to a series circuit consisting of the measurement resistor R1, R2, R1a, R1b and the capacitor arrangement 22, 24. The evaluation circuit 30 has means for supplying the output signal A by measuring a voltage U1, U2 across the capacitor arrangement 22, 24.

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die including terminals, a plurality of leads, at least some of the leads being electrically coupled to the terminals within the semiconductor package, a sensor on a surface of the semiconductor die, a set of metal columns on the surface of the semiconductor die, the set of metal columns forming a perimeter around the sensor on the surface of the semiconductor die, and a mold compound surrounding the semiconductor die except for an area inside the perimeter on the surface of the semiconductor die such that the sensor is exposed to ambient air.

Methods and systems for monitoring fluid levels and electrolyte levels used in a dialysis machine. A receptacle, configured to receive a container, comprises a plurality of curved side panels and a base to form a cylindrical shaped cavity for receiving a container. Each panel includes a conductive material on its inner surface and, optionally, a shielding on its outer surface. An electronics component housed within, or near, the receptacle drives the capacitive process and interprets generated data to determine fluid levels and compositions. An alternate receptacle includes one or two coils wrapped about the container and uses induction to determine fluid level.

Methods and systems for monitoring fluid levels and electrolyte levels used in a dialysis machine. A receptacle, configured to receive a container, comprises a plurality of curved side panels and a base to form a cylindrical shaped cavity for receiving a container. Each panel includes a conductive material on its inner surface and, optionally, a shielding on its outer surface. An electronics component housed within, or near, the receptacle drives the capacitive process and interprets generated data to determine fluid levels and compositions. An alternate receptacle includes one or two coils wrapped about the container and uses induction to determine fluid level.