Accurate conductance measurements of a pinhole orifice using a constant-pressure flowmeter

A pinhole orifice with a known conductance can be used as a secondary flow standard. Commercially available laser-drilled pinhole orifices with diameters ranging from 1.0 μm to 50 μm can have molecular-flow conductances ranging from about 0.1 μL/s to 200 μL/s for N₂ at 23 °C. Gas flows of 10⁻¹¹–10⁻⁶ mol/s can easily be produced by applying an upstream pressure in the range of 1–10⁵ Pa. Accurate measurements of the orifice conductance as a function of pressure are required to use the pinhole orifice as a basis of a flowmeter. We use a constant-pressure flowmeter to make accurate measurements of the conductance of a 20 μm orifice as a function of pressure for gas flows of Ar and N₂ into vacuum. We present results of these conductance measurements for an orifice with a nominal diameter of 20 μm. The N₂ conductance of this orifice ranged from 30 μL/s to 60 μL/s over the range of pressures investigated, and was measured with an uncertainty of better than 0.2% (k = 2) for upstream pressures greater than 10 Pa.     

Miniature low-power IR monitor for methane detection

A portable methane gas monitor based on an infrared spectrum absorption principle has been developed using a dual-channel and dual-wavelength pyroelectric infrared detector, active filters around the overtone absorption lines of methane at 3.31 μm, reference filters around the non-absorption lines of methane at 3.93 μm, mid-IR LEDs, a miniature gold-filled cell structure, temperature sensors for gas concentration calibration and compensation, an electrical modulation source, and a highly integrated intelligent controller. A detailed investigation has been carried out to design a low-cost portable IR optical sensor for methane detection that can operate in harsh environments with temperature variations between −10 °C and 40 °C. The infrared detection optics principle used in developing this system is mainly analyzed. A prototype based on this design showed an accuracy of ±0.05%, which meets the technology requirements of lower-power consumption, reduced volume, and wide measurement range.     

Evaluation of moment arm length and fulcrum sensitivity limit in a 10 N·m dead weight torque standard machine

Many torque tools, such as torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers, as well as torque measuring devices (TMDs) with a rated capacity of less than 5 N·m are being widely used in industry. Thus, a small-rated-capacity torque standard has to be established as soon as possible. A 10 N·m dead weight torque standard machine (10 N·m DWTSM) has been under development since 2006 at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), part of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Characteristically, the main parts of the moment arm are made of low thermal-expansion alloy (Super INVAR), and an aerostatic bearing is employed as the fulcrum supporting the moment arm to minimize rotational friction. The moment arm was evaluated with regard to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the lengths measured by a 3D coordinate measurement machine (CMM), and temperature correction realized by measuring the moment arm temperature. The sensitivity limit of the fulcrum in the 10 N·m DWTSM was also estimated. As a result, the apparent overall CTE of the moment arm was 1.06 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, and the expanded uncertainty was 2.24 × 10⁻⁹ K⁻¹ (k = 2). The results of the CMM measurement were a right-hand side length of 510.2773 mm and a left-hand side length of 510.2657 mm, with a relative expanded uncertainty of 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ (k = 2). The moment arm temperature increased by approximately 0.6 K during the ordinary calibration process. The corresponding change in the lengths of the moment arm was estimated to be approximately 0.3 μm, which is considered to be sufficiently small compared with the expanded uncertainty of the lengths of the moment arm. The fulcrum of the 10 N·m DWTSM was found to have sufficient sensitivity under three conditions: without the weight loading components, with the weight loading components, and with loaded weights. In particular, the fulcrum had sufficient sensitivity of at least 0.5 mg when weights of 100 g were loaded on both 5th stages in the weight loading components to generate a radial load equivalent to 1 N·m.     

An experimental study on the concrete hydration process using Fabry–Perot fiber optic temperature sensors

This paper describes the contribution of Fabry–Perot (FP) fiber optic temperature sensor to investigate the effects of concrete hydration process. The FP temperature sensor was easily fabricated by controllable chemical etching and adjustable fusion splicing. Detailed optical properties of the sensor were theoretically analyzed and temperature calibration experiments were performed. A sensor with a 90 μm cavity length was demonstrated to have a temperature sensitivity of 0.01 nm/°C and the linearity coefficient of 0.99. Furthermore, the FP sensor was embedded in the concrete structure for sensing the temperature change during the early age of hydration. During the concrete hydration experiments, the measured peak temperatures of the concrete specimens with different water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 were 51.42 °C, 52.88 °C, and 55.08 °C, respectively, corresponding to final setting times of 13.52 h (w/c = 0.4), 14.16 h (w/c = 0.5) and 15.2 h (w/c = 0.6) after concrete casting. Temperature profiles will be used for concrete hydration heat study, which will help us to have a better understanding of cement hydration behavior.     

Range expansion of the reference torque wrench calibration service to 5 kN m at NMIJ

The reference torque wrench (RTW) calibration service within the range from 5 N m to 1 kN m has been provided to industry by the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Reflecting the strong demand from Japanese industry, the calibration range was extended to 5 kN m. First, a high-precision torque transducer in the form of a torque wrench with a rated capacity of 5 kN m was developed in order to establish a calibration method for such a large RTW. Second, the calibration method was investigated using a deadweight type torque standard machine with a rated capacity of 20 kN m as a reference standard. Aimed expanded calibration range is from 200 N m to 5 kN m. As a result of calibration experiment using three transducers having different rated capacities, a relative expanded uncertainty of less than 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ could be obtained at a certain calibration point in the best case.     

Influence of Cr content on tribological properties of Ni3Al matrix high temperature self-lubricating composites

High temperature self-lubricating composites Ni₃Al-BaF₂-CaF₂-Ag-Cr were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique. In this paper the effect of Cr content on tribological properties at a wide temperature range starting from room temperature to 1000 °C was investigated. It was found that Ni₃Al matrix composite with 20 wt% Cr exhibited low friction coefficient of 0.24-0.37 and a wear rate of 0.52-2.32×10⁻⁴ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹. Especially at 800 °C it showed the lowest friction coefficient of 0.24 and a favorable wear rate of 0.71×10⁻⁴ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹. This implied that 20 wt% Cr was the optimal Cr content and its excellent tribological performance could be attributed to the balance between strength and lubricity.     

Fabrication and characterization of a new MEMS fluxgate sensor with nanocrystalline magnetic core

This paper presents a new MEMS fluxgate sensor with a Fe-based nanocrystalline ribbon magnetic core and 3D micro-solenoid coils. The excitation coils were placed vertically to the sensing coil on the chip plane. Second harmonic operation principle was adopted in this fluxgate sensor. The total size of the fluxgate sensor was 6.25 mm × 4.85 mm × 120 μm. A simple testing system was established to characterize the fabricated devices. A band pass filter was used to pick up the second harmonic signals in the sensing coils. When excitation rms current of 120 mA and the operational frequency of 200 kHz were selected for the testing of the fabricated devices, the sensitivity of the developed fluxgate sensor was 1005 V/T in the linear range of −500 μT to +500 μT. Due to the combination of the 3D structure coils with the nanocrystalline core, relatively low sensor noise was achieved. The noise power density was 544 pT/Hz^0.5@1 Hz and the noise rms level was 9.68 nT in the frequency range of 25 mHz-10 Hz.     

A traceable technique to calibrate dc current shunts and resistors in the range from 10 μΩ to 10 mΩ

A traceable to dc resistance and dc voltage National Standards measurement technique to calibrate dc current shunts and resistors in the range from 10 μΩ to 10 mΩ has been developed at National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM) in addition to the primary reference system for low value resistors calibration. This technique is applicable in secondary and industrial metrological laboratories. It is based on a volt-amperometric method, to compare an unknown shunt with a standard one in 1:1 or 1:10 ratios. In the setup are involved: a dc current calibrator and a current generator to supply currents respectively up to 100 A and up to 1200 A, with a switch to reverse the current, two 7 1/2 digit nanovoltmeters (nVs) for the acquisition of the voltage on the standard and under calibration shunts and two Tinsley 100 μΩ and 1 mΩ standard shunts kept in mineral oil and with a cooling system. An optional variation in the procedure that can reduce the measurement uncertainties is discussed. The 2σ relative capabilities of the technique span from 6.0 × 10⁻⁶to 4.6 × 10⁻⁴. Compatibility results with the INRIM reference measurement system for low value resistors calibration are also given.     

Studies of high temperature sliding wear of metallic dissimilar interfaces IV: Nimonic 80A versus Incoloy 800HT

Wear variations of Nimonic 80A slid against Incoloy 800HT between room temperature (RT) and 750 °C, and sliding speeds of 0.314 and 0.905 m s⁻¹ were investigated using a ‘reciprocating-block-on-cylinder’, low debris retention configuration. These were considered alongside previous observations at 0.654 m s⁻¹.Different wear types occurring were mapped, including high transfer ‘severe wear’ (RT and 270 °C, also 0.905 m s⁻¹ at ≤570°C), low transfer ‘severe wear’ (0.314 m s⁻¹ at 390 °C to 510 °C oxide abrasion assisted at 510 °C), and ‘mild wear’ (0.314 m s⁻¹ at ≥570 °C; 0.905 m s⁻¹ at ≥630 °C). Wear surfaces at 750 °C were cross-sectioned and profiled.     

Development and characterization of a new nickel(II) ion selective optode based on 2-amino-1-cyclopentene-dithiocarboxylic acid

A highly sensitive and selective optical membrane sensor was prepared for the determination of ultra trace amount of Ni²⁺ ions. The plasticized PVC membrane incorporating dibuthylphthalate and 2-amino-1-cyclopentene-dithiocarboxylic acid (ACDA) as a chromoionophore works on the basis of a cation-exchange mechanism and shows a significant absorbance signal change on exposure to acidic solution containing nickel(II) ion. The sensor displays a calibration response for Ni²⁺ ion over a wide concentration range of 3.1 × 10⁻⁸-8.0 × 10⁻³ M, and a response time of 3 min. In addition to high stability, reproducibility and relatively long working lifetime, the sensor possesses good selectivity for nickel(II) ion over several common diverse ions. The sensor was successfully applied to determine the traces of Ni²⁺ ion in some water samples.     

Design and implementation of a low-cost multi-channel temperature measurement system for photovoltaic modules

An efficient and low-cost temperature logging system with a 16-channel input was developed for measurements of photovoltaic module temperature. This paper reports the principle of operation, design aspects, as well as the experimentation and performance of the simultaneous temperature measurement of 16 solar cells/modules. The system consists of a 16 channel multiplexer, a 12 bit A/D, a differential amplifier and NTC temperature sensors. The temperature range of the sensor is from −20 °C to 120 °C. The simplistic design requires no large internal memory to store data but incorporates a high degree of sensitivity and dynamic range (according to climate condition), thus the cost of the design remains low and makes it suitable for field applications. The system was successfully tested for the operating temperature of a 40-cell mono crystalline Si photovoltaic module under realistic outdoor conditions during a summer and a winter day. The temperature Instrumentation developed for avoidance of special interface card use enabled the successful collection of data from long distances with negligible level of noise.     

Metrological characterization of the new 1 MN force standard machine of NPL India

Since November 2010, NPL India’s force scale has been complemented in the range from 10 kN to 1 MN by a further force standard machine. This automatically working 1 MN force standard machine utilizes a lever amplification of a 100 kN mass stack and enables low relative expanded uncertainties of smaller than 9 × 10⁻⁵ on the lever, and 2 × 10⁻⁵ on the deadweight side. In this paper, the constructional design of the machine is described. According to the new EURAMET Calibration Guide, a model for the uncertainties is developed.Supplementary to this, results from comparison measurements of the new NPL India machine with PTB´s force standard machines are presented.     

Fabrication and characterization of ZnO thin film for hydrogen gas sensing prepared by RF-magnetron sputtering

A ZnO thin film-based gas sensor was fabricated using a SiO₂/Si substrate with an integrated platinum comb-like electrode and heating element. The structural characteristics, morphology, and surface roughness of the as-grown ZnO nanostructure were investigated. The optical properties were examined by UV–vis spectrophotometry. The film revealed the presence of a c-axis oriented (0 0 2) phase of 20.8 nm grain size. The sensor response was tested for hydrogen concentrations of 50, 70, 100, 200, 400, and 500 ppm at operating temperatures ranging from 250 °C to 400 °C. The sensitivity toward 50 and 200 ppm of hydrogen at the optimum operating temperature of 350 °C were about 78% and 98%, respectively. The response was linear within the range of 50–200 ppm of hydrogen concentration. Our results demonstrated the potential application of ZnO nanostructure for fabricating cost-effective and high-performance gas sensors.     

Approach to accuracy improvement and uncertainty determination of radius of curvature measurement on standard spheres

In high accuracy radius of curvature (ROC) measurement, significant discrepancy may exist in results on the same optical surface obtained by different techniques. Metrological standard sphere is a potential solution to this problem. Mathematical models are built up to characterize the relationship between the ROC of standard spheres and the roundness error as well as the aperture angle. Equations for calculating the uncertainty of ROC are derived and tested on several ROC measuring methods. The reason for the inconsistency between results of different techniques is analyzed and solutions are proposed. A method is developed which can remarkably reduce the uncertainty of ROC. Experiments are carried out on a set of high quality spheres whose diameters are from 11 mm to 93 mm and roundness below 0.1 μm, measured by instruments with relative accuracy of 10⁻⁵–10⁻⁶, which are a length measuring machine, a profilometer and a homemade differential confocal system. Relative uncertainties of ROC are calculated and analyzed against several factors. Experimental results show good consistency with theoretical analysis. Approaches to trace the ROC to the metrological length standard area discussed.     

Improved system for the automatic calibration of standard resistors in the meg-ohm range

An automated measuring system has been developed to improve the calibration of high value standard resistors in the meg-ohm range at the National Institute for Standards (NIS), Egypt. This system is suitable for the calibration of the standard resistors from 100 kΩ to 100 MΩ using the DMM-based method by the substitution technique where the unknown resistor and the standard resistor are indirectly compared in the same position using a dummy resistor as a short-term reference standard. The system operation is automatically controlled by using a Lab VIEW program which is especially developed for this purpose. The uncertainty for the high value standard resistors measurement of this system is estimated. The performance of this system is also evaluated by comparing the measurement results obtained from this technique with those obtained by the direct comparison DMM-based method. It is found that the measurement uncertainty of with this method spans from 4.1 × 10⁻⁶ to 27 × 10⁻⁶, while it spans from 40 × 10⁻⁶ to 110 × 10⁻⁶ for the direct comparison method. The relative differences of the deviation from nominal values of the working standards resistors measured by the two methods are found to be within their expanded uncertainties.     

Measurement of thermal conductivity of fluid using single and dual wire transient techniques

A modified measurement device to measure thermal conductivity of fluids using transient hot-wire technique has been designed, developed, tested and presented in this paper. The equipment is designed such that the thermal conductivity could be measured using both single wire sensor of different length and dual wire sensor. The sensor, which is also a heater, is a platinum micro-wire of 50 μm diameter. The influence of wire length on the measurement of thermal conductivity of fluids is tested using two single wires of length 50 mm and 100 mm. The thermal conductivity is also measured using a dual hot wire arrangement; which is achieved by placing the 100 mm and 50 mm wires in a Wheatstone bridge with the 100 mm wire as the sensor and 50 mm wire as a compensation wire. The apparatus requires a 100 ml of test fluid to perform the experiment. The testing temperature of the test fluid during the experimentation can be suitably varied by the choice of heat exchange fluid used in the apparatus. Water is chosen as testing fluids for primary standards. When compared to single wires, the thermal conductivity of the fluids measured is consistent with dual-wire method with an uncertainty of ±0.25%.     

Use of a higher order Heydemann–Welch model to characterize a controlled clearance piston gauge

We present a new method for characterizing a controlled-clearance piston gauge as a primary pressure standard. This method requires operating the piston gauge to jacket pressures of over 80% of the system pressure. We present measurements on a hydraulic piston gauge with a 290 MPa maximum pressure and a nominal piston diameter of 3.27 mm. Measurements showed that the cylinder becomes stiffer as the jacket pressure increases, and that non-linear models of the Heydemann–Welch parameters improve the determination of the effective area. The relative standard uncertainty in the effective area of the piston gauge ranges from 16.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 17.6 × 10⁻⁶, and the agreement to the present NIST pressure scale is within the standard uncertainty.     

Studies of high temperature sliding wear of metallic dissimilar interfaces III: Incoloy MA956 versus Incoloy 800HT

Wear variations of Incoloy MA956 slid against Incoloy 800HT between room temperature and 750 °C, and sliding speeds of 0.314, 0.654 and 0.905 m s⁻¹ were investigated using a ‘reciprocating block-on-cylinder’ (low debris retention) configuration.Three forms of wear depending largely on sliding temperature were observed: ‘severe wear’ with high transfer between room temperature and 270 °C, ‘severe wear’ with low transfer between 390 and 570 °C and ‘glaze formation’ (retarded by increased sliding speed) at 630 °C and above. The differences in wear behaviour are discussed, with wear behaviour mapped and wear surfaces at 750 °C (0.314 and 0.905 m s⁻¹) cross-sectioned and profiled.     

Simultaneous measurement of CO and CO2 at elevated temperatures by diode laser wavelength modulated spectroscopy

One single semiconductor distributed-feedback (DFB) laser is used to demonstrate the possibility of simultaneous measurements of CO and CO₂ at elevated temperatures. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy with second-harmonic detection is used to improve the detection sensitivity and accuracy. The concentrations of CO and CO₂ are determined from the WMS-1-normalized absorption-based WMS-2f signal peak heights of a proper line pair of CO and CO₂ near 6357.814 cm⁻¹ and 6357.312 cm⁻¹, which are selected using some line-selection criterions for the target temperature range of 300–1000 K. The CO and CO₂ concentrations measurements are within 2.86% and 2.69% of the expected values over the tested temperature range 300–1000 K. The minimum detectable concentrations of CO and CO₂ at 1000 K are 250 ppm m and 280 ppm m respectively.     

Evaluation of actual sensitivity limit in a 10 N·m dead weight torque standard machine and stability of a new 1 N·m torque transducer

A 10 N·m dead weight torque standard machine (10-N·m-DWTSM) has been under development at NMIJ/AIST since 2006 to expand the range of the torque standard. Estimation of the sensitivity limit of the fulcrum is one of the most important issues to realize a precise reference torque of small capacity by using a dead weight torque standard machine. In this study, a torque transducer was installed on the 10-N·m-DWTSM in order to keep the moment-arm on the horizontal line (balancing). The sensitivity limit of the fulcrum under real calibration conditions was estimated by reading the change in the output from the torque measuring device (TMD: the torque transducer with a cable and an indicating device) when small weights were loaded or unloaded. The small weights used in the experiment were 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 10 mg, and 100 mg. Equivalent radial loads from 0.1 N·m to 10 N·m were imposed on the fulcrum during the sensitivity measurement.