Devices and methods are provided for continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. The device can include a sensor having a plurality of sensor elements, each having at least one characteristic that is different from other sensor(s) of the device. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor elements are each tuned to measure a different range of analyte concentration, thereby providing the device with the capability of achieving a substantially consistent level of measurement accuracy across a physiologically relevant range. In other embodiments, the device includes a plurality of sensor elements each tuned to measure during different time periods after insertion or implantation, thereby providing the sensor with the capability to continuously and accurately measure analyte concentrations across a wide range of time periods. For example, a sensor system 180 is provided having a first working electrode 150 comprising a first sensor element 102 and a second working electrode 160 comprising a second sensor element 104, and a reference electrode 108 for providing a reference value for measuring the working electrode potential of the sensor elements 102, 104.

A device installed between a surface of a coating bath and an air knife equipment to produce a hot dip metal coated steel sheet to form a non-oxidation atmosphere in a surface of a coated steel sheet ascending from the coating bath, the device comprising: lower gas discharge bars spaced apart from the surface of the coating bath by a predetermined distance and discharging a non-oxidation gas in a direction of the surface of the coating bath along the surface of the coated steel sheet; a side cover extending upwardly slopingly in a direction of the coated steel sheet from the sides of the lower gas discharge bars; and upper gas discharge bars formed at an upper end of the side cover and discharging a non-oxidation gas downwardly.

A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path including a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and a scavenger blade positioned downstream of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The scavenger bar includes a blade edge facing the first surface of the web of media, the blade edge being spaced apart from the first surface of the web of media by a gap distance. The scavenger blade removes at least some liquid from the first surface of the web of media as it passes by the scavenger blade, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that is carried along to portions of the web-transport path that are downstream of the scavenger blade.

A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path includes a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and first and second fluid shields positioned proximate to first and second ends of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar into a region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The fluid shields are positioned to redirect fluid that is ejected from the region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar along the edges of the web of media.

A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path includes a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and first and second fluid shields positioned proximate to first and second ends of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar into a region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The fluid shields are positioned to redirect fluid that is ejected from the region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar along the edges of the web of media.

A device for metal coating of fibers, for example ceramic fibers, by a liquid process, the device including a crucible containing a liquid metal bath through which a fiber is drawn to be coated with the metal, and a cooling system positioned downstream from the metal bath to solidify the metal sheath created around the fiber by capillarity. The cooling system includes at least one nozzle for ejecting a compressed gas towards the coated fiber, and the system is sized such as to solidify the metal on the periphery of the coated fiber over a length of no more than 200 mm.

A roll for a hot-dip metal coating bath has a substantially cylindrical shape. At least an outer peripheral surface of the roll is formed of a ceramic material. A relatively coarse groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the roll in a direction crossing the rotation axis. A plurality of relatively fine grooves is formed in the bottom surface of the coarse groove along the longitudinal direction of the coarse groove. In place of the fine grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the coarse groove, a plurality of rows of fine grooves may be formed along the crosswise direction of the coarse groove.

A roll-to-roll electroless plating system, including a plating tank containing plating solution, and a web advance system for advancing a web of media along a web-transport path that passes through the plating tank. One or more fluid guides are positioned within the plating tank to redirect plating fluid containing gas bubbles introduced by a gas bubble source away from the web of media as it is advanced through the plating solution in the plating tank.

A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web transport path in an in-track direction, including at least one non-contact web guide. The web guide includes a wall having a curved exterior surface, wherein the web of media travels around a bearing portion of the curved exterior surface from a web guide entry position to a web guide exit position, and a hollow interior containing a pressurized liquid. A first row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide entry position having axes that are inclined toward a downstream direction, and a second row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide exit position having axes that are inclined toward an upstream direction. The pressurized liquid flows through the liquid ejection holes to force the web of media away from the bearing surface of the web guide.

A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web transport path in an in-track direction, including at least one non-contact web guide. The web guide includes a wall having a curved exterior surface, wherein the web of media travels around a bearing portion of the curved exterior surface from a web guide entry position to a web guide exit position, and a hollow interior containing a pressurized liquid. A first row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide entry position, a second row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide exit position, and an intermediate array of liquid ejection holes is provided between the first and second rows. A total number of liquid ejection holes in the intermediate array is less than a total number of liquid ejection holes in the second row.