A particulate matter detection element 1 includes paired detection electrodes 12 for detecting particulate matter contained in exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, and insulating member 13 made of electrically insulating material. In the particulate matter detection element 1, at least part of the paired detection electrodes 12 is exposed from the insulating member 13 in the direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the paired detection electrodes 1, to cause part of the particulate matter to deposit thereon. The surface roughness of at least the insulating member disposed between the paired detection electrodes is between 0.8 μm and 8.0 μm in 10-point average roughness.

A particulate matter detection element 1 includes paired detection electrodes 12 for detecting particulate matter contained in exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, and insulating member 13 made of electrically insulating material. In the particulate matter detection element 1, at least part of the paired detection electrodes 12 is exposed from the insulating member 13 in the direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the paired detection electrodes 1, to cause part of the particulate matter to deposit thereon. The surface roughness of at least the insulating member disposed between the paired detection electrodes is between 0.8 μm and 8.0 μm in 10-point average roughness.

Measurements of a core sample at scales of measurement that differ by multiple orders of magnitude can be used to calculate a value that fairly represents surface roughness of the core sample. This surface roughness value can be used to determine petrophysical properties of the subsurface formation from which the core sample was obtained. The measurements can be nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion-relaxation and gas-adsorption measurements. Surface relaxivities at the different scales are determined from the measurements and a ratio those surface relaxivities can be used to calculate the surface roughness value.

Measurements of a core sample at scales of measurement that differ by multiple orders of magnitude can be used to calculate a value that fairly represents surface roughness of the core sample. This surface roughness value can be used to determine petrophysical properties of the subsurface formation from which the core sample was obtained. The measurements can be nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion-relaxation and gas-adsorption measurements. Surface relaxivities at the different scales are determined from the measurements and a ratio those surface relaxivities can be used to calculate the surface roughness value.

To separate porosity from surface roughness, length scales for pore size and surface roughness are identified. These length scales are determined from surface roughness measurements and confirmed via NMR pore body calculations and pore size capillary pressure measurements. A filter removes pore contribution to surface roughness measurements and delivers intrinsic surface roughness. Additional filters and methods determine the minimum magnification on which to base surface roughness calculation, based on size of the field of view and where measured surface roughness approaches intrinsic surface roughness as magnification increases but larger magnification increase sampling time and difficulty. Sample irregularities, such as saw marks, are also filtered out or determined to be too large to remove via filter and another area of measurement is located. With the pore corrected quantification of surface roughness, surface relaxivity and pore distribution can be calculated with greater accuracy.

Measurements of a core sample at scales of measurement that differ by multiple orders of magnitude can be used to calculate a value that fairly represents surface roughness of the core sample. This surface roughness value can be used to determine petrophysical properties of the subsurface formation from which the core sample was obtained. The measurements can be nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion-relaxation and gas-adsorption measurements. Surface relaxivities at the different scales are determined from the measurements and a ratio those surface relaxivities can be used to calculate the surface roughness value.

Measurements of a core sample at scales of measurement that differ by multiple orders of magnitude can be used to calculate a value that fairly represents surface roughness of the core sample. This surface roughness value can be used to determine petrophysical properties of the subsurface formation from which the core sample was obtained. The measurements can be nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion-relaxation and gas-adsorption measurements. Surface relaxivities at the different scales are determined from the measurements and a ratio those surface relaxivities can be used to calculate the surface roughness value.

A method of inspecting a surface of a component, e.g. a turbine or compressor blade of a gas turbine engine. The method comprises (a) providing a probe for inspecting the component surface; (b) defining a reference surface that is offset from the component surface; (c) moving the probe so as to contact a plurality of discrete spaced apart inspection points on the component surface, each contact of the probe with an inspection point comprising a first movement of the probe from the reference surface to the inspection point; (d) retracting the probe from the component surface after each contact with an inspection point; and (e) inspecting the component surface each time the probe contacts an inspection point.

A surface finish stylus and associated methods for a multi-directional scanning probe the stylus having an elongate stylus shaft having a longitudinal axis and one or more contact elements protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The one or more contact elements are configured to enable measurement of surface finish during motion of the stylus shaft relative to a surface along a measurement direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The multi-directional scanning probe may be carried by a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool.

A surface finish stylus and associated methods for a multi-directional scanning probe the stylus having an elongate stylus shaft having a longitudinal axis and one or more contact elements protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The one or more contact elements are configured to enable measurement of surface finish during motion of the stylus shaft relative to a surface along a measurement direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The multi-directional scanning probe may be carried by a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool.