Sensor integration as close to the process as possible provides advantages in the quality of the measurement results as well as the possibility to implement completely new sensor principles and to measure novel quantities of interest. Sensor integration at positions close to the process can be made possible, for example, through the development and application of Sensing Machine Elements (SME). In the first part of this contribution, a general sensor system model is proposed. It is based on the concept of measuring chains and allows the uniform description of functions and uncertainties within a conventional sensor or SME application. For this purpose, essential quantities are defined, which are required for a uniform understanding. In the second part, the presented sensor system model is applied to a load measuring strain gauge on a drive shaft. This enables the condition monitoring of the shaft and drive train by measuring the electrical resistance of the strain gauge and thus allowing conclusions about the acting drive torque. The individual functions and uncertainties of the strain gauge integration are presented in the system model. This example shows the applicability of the presented system model for sensors and SME.

Industry 4.0 represents high-level methodologies for the development of new generation manufacturing metrology systems, which are more intelligent (smart), autonomous, flexible, high-productive, and self-adaptable. One of the systems capable of responding to these challenges is a cyber-physical manufacturing metrology system (CP2MS) with techniques of artificial intelligence (AI). In general, CP2MS systems generate Big data, horizontally by integration [coordinate measuring machines (CMMs)] and vertically by control. This paper presents a cyber-physical manufacturing metrology model (CP3M) for Industry 4.0 developed by applying AI techniques such as engineering ontology (EO), ant-colony optimization (ACO), and genetic algorithms (GAs). Particularly, the CP3M presents an intelligent approach of probe configuration and setup planning for inspection of prismatic measurement parts (PMPs) on a CMM. A set of possible PMP setups and probe configurations is reduced to optimal number using developed GA-based methodology. The major novelty is the development of a new CP3M capable of responding to the requirements of an Industry 4.0 concept such as intelligent, autonomous, and productive measuring systems. As such, they respond to one smart metrology requirement within the framework of Industry 4.0, referring to the optimal number of PMPs setups and for each setup defines the configurations of probes. The main contribution of the model is productivity increase of the measuring process through the reduction of the total measurement time, as well as the elimination of errors due to the human factor through intelligent planning of probe configuration and part setup. The experiment was successfully performed using a PMP specially designed and manufactured for the purpose.

Ancient Roman concrete presents exceptional durability, low-carbon footprint, and interlocking minerals that add cohesion to the final composition. Understanding of the structural characteristics of these materials using X-ray tomography (XRT) is of paramount importance in the process of designing future materials with similar complex heterogeneous structures. We introduce Materials Data Science algorithms centered on image analysis of XRT that support inspection and quantification of microstructure from ancient Roman concrete samples. By using XRT imaging, we access properties of two concrete samples in terms of three different material phases as well as estimation of materials fraction, visualization of the porous network and density gradients. These samples present remarkable durability in comparison with the concrete using Portland cement and nonreactive aggregates. Internal structures and respective organization might be the key to construction durability as these samples come from ocean-submersed archeological findings dated from about two thousand years ago. These are preliminary results that highlight the advantages of using non-destructive 3D XRT combined with computer vision and machine learning methods for systematic characterization of complex and irreproducible materials such as archeological samples. One significant impact of this work is the ability to reduce the amount of data for several computations to be held at minimalistic computational infrastructure, near real-time, and potentially during beamtime while materials scientists are still at the imaging facilities.

The composition of GaAs measured by laser-assisted atom probe tomography may be inaccurate depending on the experimental conditions. In this work, we assess the role of the DC field and the impinging laser energy on such compositional bias. The DC field is found to have a major influence, while the laser energy has a weaker one within the range of parameters explored. The atomic fraction of Ga may vary from 0.55 at low-field conditions to 0.35 at high field. These results have been interpreted in terms of preferential evaporation of Ga at high field. The deficit of As is most likely explained by the formation of neutral As complexes either by direct ejection from the tip surface or upon the dissociation of large clusters. The study of multiple detection events supports this interpretation.

Dimensional measurements from secondary electron (SE) images were compared with those from backscattered electron (BSE) and low-loss electron (LLE) images. With the commonly used 50% threshold criterion, the lines consistently appeared larger in the SE images. As the images were acquired simultaneously by an instrument with the capability to operate detectors for both signals at the same time, the differences cannot be explained by the assumption that contamination or drift between images affected the SE, BSE, or LLE images differently. Simulations with JMONSEL, an electron microscope simulator, indicate that the nanometer-scale differences observed on this sample can be explained by the different convolution effects of a beam with finite size on signals with different symmetry (the SE signal’s characteristic peak versus the BSE or LLE signal’s characteristic step). This effect is too small to explain the >100 nm discrepancies that were observed in earlier work on different samples. Additional modeling indicates that those discrepancies can be explained by the much larger sidewall angles of the earlier samples, coupled with the different response of SE versus BSE/LLE profiles to such wall angles.

The primary objective of this article is twofold: to address the key concept of topology that impacts materials science in a major way and to convey the excitement to the materials community of recent significant advances in our understanding of the important topological notions in a wide class of materials with potential technological applications. A paradigm of topology/geometry → property → functionality is emerging that goes beyond the traditional microscopic structure → property → functionality relationship. The new approach delineates the active roles of topology and geometry in design, fabrication, characterization, and predictive modeling of novel materials properties and multifunctionalities. After introducing the essentials of topology and geometry, we elucidate these concepts through a gamut of nanocarbon allotropes of de novo carbons, hierarchical self-assembled soft- and biomaterials, supramolecular assemblies, and nanoporous materials. Applications of these topological materials range from sensing, energy storage/conversion, and catalysis to nanomedicine.

All French medical biology laboratories must be accredited according to ISO 15189 for alltests conducted. Metrology is therefore critical and covers a wide variety of areas. Thispresentation will focus on the metrology manager’s role which is tailored to the medicalbiology laboratory: human resources in place, methods used, parameters followed, equipmentused and strategies implemented when using equipment which is not connected to theInternational System of Units. It will be illustrated by examples of in vitroand in vivo clinical biochemistry, biological haematology, humantoxicology and radiotoxicology. The presentation will cover the exploitation of results ofinternal controls and interlaboratory comparisons in order to calculate uncertainties andprovide doctors with a result along with an interpretation or opinion to ensure optimumpatient care. The conclusion will present the steps carried out at the LaboratoireNational d’Essai (French National Testing Laboratory) to provide medicalbiology laboratories with certified clinical biology standards.

The wood preservation laboratory of Cirad is accredited by COFRAC (French accreditationcommittee – accreditation No. 1-1686) for tests on (1) durability of wood and wood-basedproducts; (2) protective efficacy of wood preservatives; (3) efficacy of termite controlproducts. In order to test the efficacy of wood preservatives, non-durable wood blocks aretreated using different product doses and exposed to the attack of xylophageous organisms(fungi, insects). To reproduce the ageing of treated wood blocks, some laboratoryprocedures are available. Amongst them, there is an evaporation procedure, reproducing theaction of a warm air flow onto treated wood. This ageing step is very discriminant, asonly the formulations fixing effectively the active ingredients will pass the biologicaltest afterwards. This ageing by evaporation is described in the EN73 standard.Nevertheless, many points remain difficult to overcome. The tunnels used for theevaporation are all prototypes; as such equipment is not available currently on themarket. So each laboratory has got its own tunnel device. Moreover the way to measure thetemperature and speed of the air flow is very difficult to achieve considering theprescriptions of the EN73 standard. The EN73 standard is being revised by the Europeanstandardization group (CEN TC38) and despite the metrological aspects were crucial andinadequate in former version, they were not considered as they should. The woodpreservation laboratory has forwarded remarks in order to supersede some points of therevision document in order to consider the metrological aspects. This is of mainimportance as the ageing procedure is commonly used prior to most of the biological test,and such tested products are put on the market based on the efficacy results.

Today a wide range of instruments are available for the rapid roughness quantification ofoptical surfaces but especially for three dimensional measurement methods no standardizedprocess is established. This leads to different results, even if the same specimen istested with similar measurement devices. In order to solve this problem an exemplaryprocess development is described in this paper. To do this firstly the term of roughnessis defined as a surface deviation and then the functionality and importance of filters inroughness measurement as well as the used measurement devices are described. The followingchapter defines the used materials and methods which were used during the measurementprocess. In the last part of this paper the results are discussed and a process assignmentis suggested.

As part of its training activities, SupAgro – Institut des Régions Chaudes (IRC),an agricultural engineering school in Montpellier, has introduced an appliedtraining session in metrology for its students. This was undertaken by the CIRAD metrologyplatform in partnership with the agrifood technology platform of the Qualisud JointResearch Unit. The session comprises two hour workshops during which students can applythe basic notions required for metrological monitoring of the quantities “temperature” and“weight”. To that end, standard weights, a temperature calibration device comprising athermostatically controlled calibration oil bath (uncertainty at k = 2 of 0.14°C) and a standardtemperature probe with an accuracy of ±0.01 °Cwere made available to the technology platform by the CIRAD metrology platform. Duringpractical work, these COFRAC calibrated instruments are used to check balances and, inparticular, make students aware of the importance of parameters that might influence thetemperature measurement of a thermostatically controlled bath (homogeneity, resolution andaccuracy of the thermometers, measurement repeatability, etc.). To that end, the Qualisudteam specifically adapted a water bath so as to be able to position several temperatureprobes at different places in the bath. Students have to acquire an approach that needs totake into account a particular measuring context. The teaching scenario of the trainingsession is structured around these metrological checks proposed directly to the students.The training session takes place each year with 2nd year students on the SAADS 2/IAAScourse “Sustainable Agriculture and Agrifood Systems in the South” at SupAgroin Montpellier.