In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

This specification describes a leaf cell resonator sensor based on a geometry of Rhodonea conformal contours joined circumferentially in an eight-fold symmetry by central spoke electrode members. The resonator sensor may provide simultaneous and congruent measurement of fluid density and sound speed based on interaction of the leaf cell dynamics with self-formed Helmholtz cavity dilatational response of the fluid, and the associated changes in electrical admittance spectra in the sensor resulting from changes in fluid acoustic properties. A leaf cell resonator sensor may be capable of retrieving a density and sound speed measurement from fluid independent of the method of deployment, resulting from the principle of the self-formed Helmholtz resonant cavity feature that develops a standing acoustic wave pattern in the fluid without extraneous reflecting structure/hardware.

A fluidic device and a method of preventing isolation material from bleed-out therein is described herein. The fluidic device includes a bulk acoustic wave resonator structure defining at least one surface area region on which a functionalization material is disposed and the resonator structure includes a repelling area. The fluidic device also includes isolation material disposed on the resonator structure and away from the at least one surface area region. The repelling area is configured to prevent the isolation material from extending into the at least one surface area region. Further, an electronic board may be operably attached to the resonator structure and the isolation material may be disposed in a gap therebetween to electrically isolate electrical contacts and form a fluidic channel.

An ultrasonic measuring device for the measurement of a flow of a fluid, includes a measuring tube, a first chamber and a second chamber. The measuring tube has a central axis, which defines a flow direction for the fluid; The first chamber has a first ultrasonic transducer arranged therein. The second chamber has a second ultrasonic transducer arranged therein. The measuring tube includes an inlet and an outlet for the fluid. The first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer bound a rectilinear measuring section for the fluid, the first chamber and the second chamber being configured and arranged such that the fluid is capable of flowing around each of them. The first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer are arranged such that the measuring section extends in the flow direction.

A fluid sensing apparatus and a method for detecting pressure and a presence of bubbles within a fluid tube. The fluid sensing apparatus comprises a housing configured to receive a portion of the tube and to house a pressure sensor and an ultrasonic transmitter. The pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the tube and is configured to receive a pressure sensor signal, which correlates to a detected pressure differential within the tube. A controller transmits a drive signal to the ultrasonic transmitter, which emits ultrasonic waves through the portion of the tube and to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor receives both the ultrasonic waves and the pressure sensor signal, and subsequently transmits an output signal to the controller. In a presence of a pressure differential or a bubble within the tube, the output signal will exhibit a DC shift or a distortion of signal characteristics of the output signal, respectively.

A MEMS device for detecting particulate and gases in the air, comprising: a first semiconductor body; a second semiconductor body with a first surface facing a first surface of the first semiconductor body; and a first spacer element and a second spacer element, which extend between the first surfaces of the semiconductor bodies so as to arrange them at a distance apart from one another and define a first duct. The MEMS device further comprises at least one of the following: a first particulate sensor comprising a first emitter unit for generating acoustic waves in the first duct, and a first particulate-detection unit for detecting the particulate, the first emitter unit and the first particulate-detection unit facing one another through the first duct; and a first gas sensor, which faces the first duct and is configured to detect said gases in the air present in the first duct.

In some embodiments, a piezoelectric biosensor is provided. The piezoelectric biosensor includes a semiconductor substrate. A first electrode is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A piezoelectric structure is disposed on the first electrode. A second electrode is disposed on the piezoelectric structure. A sensing reservoir is disposed over the piezoelectric structure and exposed to an ambient environment, where the sensing reservoir is configured to collect a fluid comprising a number of bio-entities.

A gas sensor comprises a substrate, a first semiconductor-based sensor element for determining the density and/or viscosity of a gas, which element is arranged above the substrate and which has a resonant element, and a cover arranged above the first sensor element, wherein the substrate and/or the cover has an opening to allow the passage of a gas to the first sensor element.

An environment detection system includes a sound wave transmitter, a sound wave receiver, and a determination unit. The sound wave transmitter transmits a detection sound wave to a target space where an environment control device that conditions air in a space is installed. The sound wave receiver receives the detection sound wave transmitted by the sound wave transmitter. The determination unit determines a temperature or an air velocity in a first region near the environment control device, based on predetermined acquired information acquired from the environment control device. The environment detection system obtains a temperature or air velocity distribution in the target space, based on measured sound wave data. A temperature or air velocity distribution in a second region is obtained based on at least either the temperature or the air velocity in the first region determined by the determination unit and the measured sound wave data.

In some embodiments, a piezoelectric biosensor is provided. The piezoelectric biosensor includes a semiconductor substrate. A first electrode is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A piezoelectric structure is disposed on the first electrode. A second electrode is disposed on the piezoelectric structure. A sensing reservoir is disposed over the piezoelectric structure and exposed to an ambient environment, where the sensing reservoir is configured to collect a fluid comprising a number of bio-entities.