An autonomous vehicle, such as a robotic cleaning device, includes wheels which support the vehicle and allow the vehicle to traverse a surface. Downward looking wheel sensors sense the presence of a surface in front of the wheels. Another sensor is provided at or near a leading edge of the vehicle for sensing the presence beneath the leading edge of the vehicle. The vehicle is arranged so that movement of the vehicle is possible if the leading edge sensor senses that there is no surface beneath...

A method of making a microenvironmental sensor for neurological use in which the sensor is formed on a silicon wafer by the use of known integrated circuit techniques. A mask is applied to define the outline of the sensor, trenches are etched surrounding the sensor by the use of an anisotropic etchant and the sensor is separated by etching surplus silicon from the rear surface of the wafer.

The amount of carbon monoxide or oxygen in a gas is measured by determining the change in dielectric properties of a polymer film disposed between two electrodes. A preferred polymer film comprises an organometallic gas carrier interdispersed within an interpenetrating polymer network matrix.

An electrochemical sensor having a substrate, conductive strips deposited on the substrate, and a layer insulating portions of the conductive strips except those portions which define a working electrode and at least one second electrode. A solid electrolyte contacting the electrodes is covered by a semipermeable membrane which may comprise an acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer or an acrylate-based copolymer. A sample chamber is defined by the membrane, a cover member, and a gasket therebetween, ...

A plurality of seismic sensors calibration method (100) includes: an assembling so that sensors are coupled with each sensor positioned with its axis of sensitivity in a different spatial direction calibration system step (105), a rotating sensors step (110), a measuring sensors output signals step (115), a sensor output signal processing step (120) and a storing calibration coefficient(s) step (125).

A corrosion sensor (1), apparatus for detecting corrosion of a surface incorporating the sensor, a structural assembly (1,21) incorporating the sensor and method for detecting corrosion of a surface employing the sensor are provided. The sensor comprises a thin flexible non-conducting substrate (18) for attachment to a surface subject to corrosive influence and an array of at least two thin flexible metallic electrodes (2,3,4) carried on the substrate wherein the electrodes are disposed closely ...

A chemical sensor consists of (a) a solid substrate, (b) a layer (D) which is applied to the substrate and contains one or more fluorescent compounds and (c) a layer (A) which is applied to the layer (D) and contains one or more coupling components (K) which, as a result of reacting with the analyte, give rise to one or more specific absorption bands, some or all of which overlap in the spectrum with the emission of the fluorescent compound of layer (D).

An improved perfluorinated, ion-exchange polymer, either in the form of a membrane or a thin film useful as the electrolyte in chemical sensors. The polymer is treated with an acid, such as boric acid or a mixture of boric acid and phosphoric acid, to maintain the ionic conductivity of the polymer to approximately 180 degrees Centigrade. The improved polymer electrolyte is utilized to sense moisture by a two electrode structure with the electrodes arranged in interdigital fashion and the electro...

A device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte, a method of making the device, and a method of detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte. The invention features one or more supports, such as beads, which carry a thin film of polymer substrate. The polymer substrate has a sensing reagent and a porous matrix. The sensing reagent alters the optical properties of the polymer substrate in the presence of analyte.

SnO.sub.2 gas sensors are described incorporating Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an amount less than 35% but sufficient to confer hydrogen sensitivity and selectivity to the sensors described comprises 25% by weight Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and incorporates a platinum catalyst.