Abstract: The invention relates to hexenal derivatives of general structure (I), in which one of the bonds represented by dashes is a C—C single bond and the other is a C?C double bond, with the proviso that the C?C double bond can have a Z or E configuration, provided that it is in the C¾ position. Said derivatives are characterised by an interesting and original perfume that pervades a wide area and are suitable for use as perfumes, for example in cosmetic preparations, technical products or the alcohol-based perfume industry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for obtaining a reproducible sample of solid particles. The reproducible sample is obtained by receiving solid particles into a collection system that includes a sheltered volume. Solid particles that settle outside of the sheltered volume are purged from the collection system. The remaining solid particles inside the sheltered volume correspond to the reproducible sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, methods, and kits for quickly and easily measuring and monitoring the pH of aquatic environments, such as lakes, streams, drinking waters, fisheries, aquariums, pools, hot-tubs, and spas. The current invention includes devices that are reusable and capable of monitoring the pH in a reversible fashion, thereby allowing continuous pH sensing without a need for the user to physically perform pH tests. Operation of the invention involves placing the device into the aquatic environment and optically detecting a color change in the membrane, for example, by looking at the device, when a pH measurement is desired. In addition, the device is both inexpensive and reusable, allowing the user to monitor the pH of various aquatic environment at minimal costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantitatively determining a reducing substance, which comprises reacting a reducing substance in a test specimen with iron (III) ions, reacting iron (II) ions formed by reduction of the iron (III) ions or residual iron (III) ions with a metal indicator which is capable of reacting specifically with the iron (II) ions or the residual iron (III) ions to undergo color development, and carrying out quantitative determination by measuring the degree of color development, wherein a chelating agent which is specific to copper ions is added to the test specimen before the reaction of the reducing substance with the iron (III) ions; and a reagent used for it.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of isothiazolones in aqueous systems including removing sample interferences by lowering the pH of a sample collected from the aqueous system containing isothiazolones and filtering the sample, removing additional interferences by raising the pH and subsequent filtering, selectively adsorbing the isothiazolones in the sample desorbing the isothiazolones from the adsorbent, and comparing the absorbance of ultra-violet light of the desorbed sample to a standard of known concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the concentration of a chemical substance in a fluid comprise a micro-fluidic elongated channel formed in a substrate, with the channel being in fluid-flow communication with an ambient region along its elongated dimension. In general, the fluid includes first and second chemical substances having different vapor pressures. The apparatus includes an evaporation controller for increasing the evaporation rate of the fluid from the channel into the ambient region, thereby increasing the concentration of the higher vapor pressure (HVP) substance in the portion of the fluid remaining in the channel and increasing the concentration of the lower vapor pressure (LVP) substance in the portion of the fluid evaporated into the ambient region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enhancement solution for an assay technology using lanthanide ions or their chelates as labels and dissociative fluorescence enhancement as a tool for detection, wherein said enhancement solution comprises a ?-diketone of formula I wherein R1 is an aryl, optionally mono- or multi-substituted, and R2 is a straight or branched alkyl chain with 2 to 9 carbon atoms substituted with four or more fluorine atoms. The invention further relates to a bioaffinity assay using lanthanide ions or their chelates as labels and dissociative fluorescence enhancement as a tool for detection comprising the use of said enhancement solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of luminescent and conductive polymer compositions having chromophores, and particularly solid films of these compositions exhibiting increased luminescent lifetimes, quantum yields and amplified emissions. These desirable properties can be provided through polymers having rigid groups designed to prevent polymer reorganization, aggregation or ?-stacking upon solidification. These polymers can also display an unusually high stability with respect to solvent and heat exposures. The invention also relates to a sensor and a method for sensing an analyte through the luminescent and conductive properties of these polymers. Analytes can be sensed by activation of a chromophore at a polymer surface. Analytes include aromatics, phosphate ester groups and in particular explosives and chemical warfare agents in a gaseous state.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a semiconductor substrate and a sensing membrane. The sensing membrane is located at the bottom of a recess, which is formed by etching the substrate, and includes a heater, heater extension electrodes, a gas sensitive film, and gas-sensitive-film extension electrodes. A first end of each heater extension electrode is in contact with the heater, and a second end of each heater extension electrode extends outward from the sensing membrane. A first end of each gas-sensitive-film extension electrode is in contact with the gas sensitive film, and a second end of each gas-sensitive-film extension electrode extends outward from the sensing membrane. All of the heater, the heater extension electrodes, and the gas-sensitive-film extension electrodes are made of polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: A nitrate reduction device has a cadmium structure forming a plurality of longitudinal channels within a flow chamber, which may be formed by a plurality of wires. The device is used to reduce nitrate to a final nitrite product for analysis.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the concentration of trivalent chromium Cr(III) in a sample. The addition of perchloric acid has been found to increase the atomic chromium spectrometric signal due to Cr(III), while leaving the signal due to hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) unchanged. This enables determination of the Cr(III) concentration without pre-concentration or pre-separation from chromium of other valences. The Cr(III) concentration may be measured using atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry or atomic fluorescence spectrometry.