The disclosure relates to a method for calculating surface electric field distribution of nanostructures. The method includes the following steps of: providing a nanostructure sample located on an insulated layer of a substrate; spraying first charged nanoparticles to the insulated surface; blowing vapor to the insulated surface and imaging the first charged nanoparticles via an optical microscope, recording the width w between the first charged nanoparticles and the nanostructure sample, and obtaining the voltage U of the nanostructure sample by an equation.

A noncontact voltage measurement apparatus includes a sensing electrode to which a voltage corresponding to an alternating current voltage is applied, a feedback electrode, a conductive movable body that is supported so as to be displaceable in accordance with the Coulomb force generated between the movable body and the sensing electrode and the Coulomb force generated between the movable body and the feedback electrode, an elastic force for causing the movable body to return to a predetermined neutral position acting on the movable body, a displacement detection unit configured to detect a displacement of the movable body, a voltage applying unit configured to apply an alternating current voltage to the feedback electrode, and a control unit configured to control the voltage to be output from the voltage applying unit such that a detection result of the displacement from the displacement detection unit approaches a predetermined reference value.

A noncontact voltage measurement apparatus includes a sensing electrode to which a voltage corresponding to an alternating current voltage is applied, a feedback electrode, a conductive movable body that is supported so as to be displaceable in accordance with the Coulomb force generated between the movable body and the sensing electrode and the Coulomb force generated between the movable body and the feedback electrode, an elastic force for causing the movable body to return to a predetermined neutral position acting on the movable body, a displacement detection unit configured to detect a displacement of the movable body, a voltage applying unit configured to apply an alternating current voltage to the feedback electrode, and a control unit configured to control the voltage to be output from the voltage applying unit such that a detection result of the displacement from the displacement detection unit approaches a predetermined reference value.

Disclosed is a system for setting the timing or phase of the separation of droplets from a fluid stream in a flow cytometer, or the timing or phase of a charge pulse generator, based upon the collected charge of charged droplets. In one embodiment, a conductive mesh can be used to collect the charged droplets that are either deflected or not deflected by the deflection plates. In another embodiment, the charge can be collected from metal plates in the waste collection device. In addition, a defanning device is disclosed that allows substantially uniform deflection of charged cells.

This surface potential sensor is provided with an electret electrode (28), which is configured of a metal film (26) and an electret film (27), said electret electrode being provided on an upper surface of a diaphragm (25) of a semiconductor substrate. Four piezoresistors (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d) are formed on the diaphragm (25), and a distortion quantity detecting unit (32) is configured by forming a bridge circuit using the piezoresistors. Since an electrostatic force that operates between an object and the electret electrode (28) changes corresponding to potential of the object, and the electret electrode (28) warps corresponding to the change, the potential of the object can be detected by measuring a distortion quantity of the electret electrode (28) by means of the distortion quantity detecting unit (32). Consequently, not only the potential of the object but also a polarity thereof can be detected with reduced size and high sensitivity.

This surface potential sensor is provided with an electret electrode (28), which is configured of a metal film (26) and an electret film (27), said electret electrode being provided on an upper surface of a diaphragm (25) of a semiconductor substrate. Four piezoresistors (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d) are formed on the diaphragm (25), and a distortion quantity detecting unit (32) is configured by forming a bridge circuit using the piezoresistors. Since an electrostatic force that operates between an object and the electret electrode (28) changes corresponding to potential of the object, and the electret electrode (28) warps corresponding to the change, the potential of the object can be detected by measuring a distortion quantity of the electret electrode (28) by means of the distortion quantity detecting unit (32). Consequently, not only the potential of the object but also a polarity thereof can be detected with reduced size and high sensitivity.

A piezo sensor having an inner conductor having an inner conductor segment, where the inner conductor segment forms a tubular sidewall having a break, and also having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a plurality of individually polarized piezoelectric members, each having an inner face and an outer face, and each inner face contacting the first conductor exterior surface, each piezoelectric member being adjacent to another on the exterior face of the inner conductor, forming sets of adjacent faces; an outer conductor having an outer conductor segment forming a tubular sidewall having a break, the outer conductor having an interior surface and an exterior surface, where the interior surface contacts the outer face of the piezoelectric members; and where the break of the outer conductor segment is alignable with adjacent faces of two of the plurality of piezoelectric members, and further being alignable with the break of the inner conductor segment.

A piezo sensor having an inner conductor having an inner conductor segment, where the inner conductor segment forms a tubular sidewall having a break, and also having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a plurality of individually polarized piezoelectric members, each having an inner face and an outer face, and each inner face contacting the first conductor exterior surface, each piezoelectric member being adjacent to another on the exterior face of the inner conductor, forming sets of adjacent faces; an outer conductor having an outer conductor segment forming a tubular sidewall having a break, the outer conductor having an interior surface and an exterior surface, where the interior surface contacts the outer face of the piezoelectric members; and where the break of the outer conductor segment is alignable with adjacent faces of two of the plurality of piezoelectric members, and further being alignable with the break of the inner conductor segment.

Disclosed is a system for setting the timing or phase of the separation of droplets from a fluid stream in a flow cytometer, or the timing or phase of a charge pulse generator, based upon the collected charge of charged droplets. In one embodiment, a conductive mesh can be used to collect the charged droplets that are either deflected or not deflected by the deflection plates. In another embodiment, the charge can be collected from metal plates in the waste collection device. In addition, a defanning device is disclosed that allows substantially uniform deflection of charged cells.

A device for measuring an electric field in a conducting medium comprises: two electrodes separated by a volume of an insulating medium; a device for measuring current coupled to said electrodes; and adjustment elements making it possible to vary a quantity on which the electrical conductivity of the field measuring device depends.