Self-identification algorithm for zeolite-based thermal capacity gas sensor

Microsystem Technologies - We demonstrate a new operation mode of thermal gas sensor based on thermal capacity extraction with identification algorithm. The system is a silicon microstructure...     

Protein crystallization under an electric field

New methods for improving the quality of protein crystals are always being sought. Electric-field-induced protein crystallization is one of them. A few devices have already been developed. We conducted a series of experiments for several years and fabricated many electrode panels to realize a device for electric-field induced protein crystallization for the microbatch method. The review mainly deals with the application of the various devices that have so far been reported in the literature on the subject, including an overview of the work that has already been conducted. The factors affecting the electric-field-induced protein crystallization are also discussed.     

Integration of two degree-of-freedom magnetostrictive actuation and piezoresistive detection: application to a two-dimensional optical scanner

A novel two-dimensional (2-D) optical-scanner device is presented. This device incorporates a highly magnetostrictive thin film with anisotropic properties, so that it can produce 2-D-actuation corresponding to bending and torsion vibrations. The magnetostrictive material is a TbFe-CoFe multilayer film, which has optimized properties for micro-actuators operating at low excitation magnetic fields. The new scanner also integrates an original 2-D piezoresistive detector realized in an easy fabrication process using integrated circuit (IC)-compatible technology. The detectors are able to selectively measure bending and torsional vibrations. This new device enables the synchronization of actuation and sensing for 2-D position control.     

Determination of iodine value with a fourier transform-near infrared based global calibration using disposable vials: An international collaborative study

A method for the determination of iodine value (IV) by Fourier transform-near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was developed and evaluated in an international collaborative study. The FT-NIR analyzer employed in this work uses disposable vials for sample handling and incorporates validation protocols designed to ensure that the calibration will give accurate results from analyzer to analyzer and stability over time without any further calibration development work. The global IV calibration was developed from over 1,200 animal, marine, and vegetable oils and fats, which were obtained on a number of different instruments worldwide. The Standard Error of Cross Validation measured from a range of 0–190 IV varied from ±0.2–1.4 IV (1 sigma). The repeatability for all models was on the order of 0.1 IV, which states that most of the error was inherited from the primary methods. Finally, an international interlaboratory study was carried out with 16 samples obtained from the AOCS Smalley Laboratory Proficiency Program and an oil processor. The average reproducibility error in any one lab was better than 0.15, and the average reproducibility between labs was better than 0.33. An uncertainty of 0.45 was calculated from the average FT-NIR values obtained from the collaborative study vs. the AOCS Certified Wijs method (Cd 1d-92).