The invention encompasses systems and methods for detecting and/or monitoring the integrity and/or condition of cement, structures incorporating cement including, for example, highways, bridges, buildings, and wellbores using Nano-Electro-Mechanical System (NEMS)-based and/or Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based data sensors. The disclosure further encompasses systems and methods of monitoring the integrity and performance of a structure and the surrounding formation of structure through the life of the structure using NEMS/MEMS-based data sensors.

An ultra-low-power wireless impedance measurement system is provided having a sensor group with a piezoelectric sensor, a temperature sensor, an impedance analyzer and a wireless transceiver is to transmit associated data via wireless transmission. Processed temperature and impedance data are transmitted to a server, whereby the processed temperature and impedance data are conveyed to a user via a website.

An example system includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to generate at least one time-dependent acoustic data signal indicative of an acoustic signal generated by a thermal spray system performing a process associated with a plurality of process attributes. The example system includes a computing device including an acoustic data signal module and a control module. The acoustic data signal processing module may transform the at least one time-dependent acoustic data signal to a frequency-domain spectrum. The control module may determine a process attribute of the plurality of process attributes that deviates from a predetermined operating range by identifying at least one characteristic of the frequency-domain spectrum, selecting at least one component of the thermal spray system based on the process attribute, and controlling the thermal spray system to adjust the process attribute toward the predetermined operating range by sending a control signal to the at least one component.

A method of testing blood hemostasis may include introducing a blood sample into a fluid processing structure, where the fluid processing structure contains a reagent, for example in a passage. The fluid sample may be processed by passing a portion through the fluid processing structure so as to contact the reagent. The processed portion is then communicated to a sample retention structure of the fluid processing structure. Testing is accomplished by vibratory excitation of the processed portion to obtain data indicative of at least one hemostasis parameter.

A non-intrusive monitoring method and system for the detection and potential assessment of damage that may occur during a manufacturing process is described. Potential damage events such as impact events can be detected by one or more sensors located on a workpiece or on a machine utilized in the manufacturing process. Through wireless monitoring of the sensors, potential damage events are detected and products of the manufacturing process can be examined to determine if the event has led to damage.

The invention relates to a method for checking the silanization of pale-colored fillers, where a mixture comprising at least one silanized pale-colored filler, preferably silanized silica, and comprising at least one rubber is irradiated with ultrasound waves in a frequency range of 4 to 10 MHz, preferably of 5 to 7 MHz, and the signal strength of the ultrasound waves is determined after transmission through the rubber mixture, where the relative attenuation coefficient .sub.rel of the rubber mixture in the frequency range of the ultrasound waves is determined, the standard deviation of the relative attenuation coefficient .sub.rel is determined, and .sub.rel and are used for detection of incipient crosslinking of the rubber mixture.

A system for detecting an interface between polymer-rich phase and solvent-rich phase comprising a liquid-liquid separator configured to receive a polymer solution as an inlet stream produced in a solvent-based polymerization reactor through an inlet feed, wherein the tank is configured to permit the stream to separate into a polymer rich phase and a solvent rich phase; a first sonic transponder for sending a first sonic signal from either a top or bottom of the liquid-liquid separator and for receiving a first reflected portion of the sonic signal, the reflected portion of the sonic signal created by the passage of the sonic signal through a liquid-liquid interface between the solvent rich phase and the polymer rich phase is provided.

A probe head of a magnetostrictive oscillator includes a base and a plurality of hollow protrusions extending from the base. Each protrusion of the plurality of hollow protrusions includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is connected to the base. Each protrusion also includes an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side.

A system and a method of monitoring physical properties of a physical medium over time are provided herein. The method may include the following steps: embedding a plurality of acoustic sensors into a physical medium before curing thereof; transmitting an acoustic wave by at least one transmitter coupled to or embedded within said physical medium; repeatedly calculating, over different points of time, a travel time of said acoustic wave between the at least one transmitter and the plurality of acoustic sensors; and analyzing said travel times, to detect a change over time in physical properties of said physical medium associated with said travel time.

A device has a piezoelectric or ferroelectric substrate on which ice is deposited. Electrodes are connected to the substrate. A vector network analyzer is connected to the electrodes and configured to determine the resonant frequency of the substrate. An excitation module including a function generator communicates with the vector network analyzer and is connected to an amplifier. The amplifier is connected to the electrodes. The excitation module uses an automatic switch to apply to the electrodes an AC electrical signal having a frequency coinciding with the resonant frequency measured in the vector network analyzer and which changes gradually as the ice melts.