A system and method for moisture sensing and methods for making and using same. The present disclosure describes a fluid sensing array that comprises a first and second set of conducting lines with a fluid layer disposed between the first and second set of conducting lines. Proximate intersections of the sets of conducting lines define a plurality of sensing regions. Reading the plurality of sensing regions may provide for calculating a value for fluid volume present, a value for surface area where fluid is present, or a determination of the identity, class or a characteristic of a fluid present.

In one aspect, a method of classifying a plurality of objects includes receiving, from a sensor mat, a pressure indication and a capacitance indication, corresponding to the plurality of objects placed on the sensor mat. The method includes determining an object location for each object from the plurality of objects from the pressure and/or capacitance indication. The method includes determining an object profile which includes an object pressure profile and an object capacitance profile for each object. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, the identity of a first object based on a correlation of the determined object profile matching with a first stored object profile from a plurality of first stored object profiles in a data store. The method includes performing at least one action based on the determined identity of the first object.

In one aspect, a method of classifying a plurality of objects includes receiving, from a sensor mat, a pressure indication and a capacitance indication, corresponding to the plurality of objects placed on the sensor mat. The method includes determining an object location for each object from the plurality of objects from the pressure and/or capacitance indication. The method includes determining an object profile which includes an object pressure profile and an object capacitance profile for each object. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, the identity of a first object based on a correlation of the determined object profile matching with a first stored object profile from a plurality of first stored object profiles in a data store. The method includes performing at least one action based on the determined identity of the first object.

Disclosed are a method and system for detecting a concentration of an analyte based on a change in relative permittivity of a biological tissue within a living body. The method of detecting a concentration of an analyte may include generating a fringing field, measuring a change in a resonant frequency generated by an oscillator based on a change in capacitance attributable to a change in an analyte within a region of the fringing field, and measuring a change characteristic of the analyte within the fringing field based on the change in the resonant frequency.

The present invention provides capacitive gas sensor and manufacturing method thereof in which the capacitive gas sensor comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode; a gas-sensitive dielectric material arranged between the first and the second electrodes to form a gas sensitive capacitor, the gas-sensitive dielectric material has a permittivity that depends on an amount of a gas compound absorbed from the environmental medium; and a dielectric-electrode interfacing material arranged at an interface between the gas-sensitive dielectric material and at least one of the first and second electrodes. The dielectric-electrode interfacing material is adapted to absorb thermally-induced dilatation of the at least one of the first and second electrodes for reducing mechanical stress on the gas-sensitive dielectric material.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to evaluating the electromagnetic impedance characteristics of a material under test (MUT) over a range of frequencies. In particular aspects, a system includes: an electrically non-conducting container sized to hold the MUT, the electrically non-conducting container having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second, opposite end thereof; a transmitting electrode assembly at the first end of the electrically non-conducting container, the transmitting electrode assembly having a transmitting electrode with a transmitting surface; and a receiving electrode assembly at the second end of the electrically non-conducting container, the receiving electrode assembly having a receiving electrode with a receiving surface, wherein the receiving electrode is approximately parallel with the transmitting electrode, and wherein the transmitting surface of the transmitting electrode is larger than the receiving surface of the receiving electrode.

Described examples include devices and methods for measuring relative humidity of an environment using inductance. The devices can include a resonant circuit, including a capacitor and an inductor. The inductor includes a moisture-absorbing core with at least a portion thereof exposed to an environment, with at least one magnetic property of the core being variable in response to changing levels of moisture in the environment. An excitation circuit provides an AC excitation signal to the resonant circuit. A sense circuit determines an inductance of the inductor according to a sense signal from the resonant circuit. The sense circuit is coupled to generate an output signal that indicates a humidity level of the environment according to the sense signal.

A system for determining material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a frame member, and first and second ground engaging tools coupled to the frame member. The first and second ground engaging tools are configured to engage soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The first and second ground engaging tools are electrically isolated from each other. The system may further include a power source configured to apply a voltage across the first and second ground engaging tools, a sensor configured to measure a capacitance across the first and second ground engaging tools, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a presence of material accumulation between the first and second ground engaging tools based at least in part on the measured capacitance.

A method for utilizing a lubricating oil composition in which the content of a metal-based cleaning agent (X) having a base value of 100 mgKOH/g or less is 630 mass ppm or less in terms of metal atoms, and the content of sulfated ash is 1.5 mass % or less. The method includes measuring at least one physical property value among the capacitance and the dielectric constant of the lubricating oil composition while using the lubricating oil composition, and evaluating the progress of degradation of the lubricating oil composition.

A sensor for gas species in water includes two membranes separating first, second and third chambers. The first and second chambers are separated by an ion exchange membrane, and the second and third chambers are separated by a gas permeable membrane. Water electrolysis in the first and second chambers provides analyte-ions corresponding to an analyte being detected that pass through the ion exchange membrane from the first chamber to the second chamber. Within the second chamber, these analyte-ions generate analyte via the electrolysis. Analyte in the second chamber passes through the gas permeable membrane to arrive at the third chamber. Within the third chamber, the analyte-ion is generated chemically from the analyte. Electrical detection of the analyte-ion in the third chamber provides sensing of the analyte present in the first chamber.