Abstract: A photobioreactor is described for cultivating phototrophic organisms and in particular a mat, as can be used in one such photobioreactor. The mat has a plurality of first fibres which are light conductive along their longitudinal direction and are constructed to decouple light conducted in the longitudinal direction laterally, at least somewhat transversely to the longitudinal direction. The mat furthermore has a plurality of second fibres which are electrically conductive along their longitudinal direction. With the aid of one such mat, light can on the one hand be coupled in the interior of a photobioreactor. On the other hand, a travelling electric alternating field can be generated by applying a suitable polyphase voltage from a voltage source with the aid of electrically conductive second fibres. This alternating field can act on electrically charged particles.

Abstract: A photobioreactor is described for cultivating phototrophic organisms and in particular a mat, as can be used in one such photobioreactor. The mat has a plurality of first fibres which are light conductive along their longitudinal direction and are constructed to decouple light conducted in the longitudinal direction laterally, at least somewhat transversely to the longitudinal direction. The mat furthermore has a plurality of second fibres which are electrically conductive along their longitudinal direction. With the aid of one such mat, light can on the one hand be coupled in the interior of a photobioreactor. On the other hand, a travelling electric alternating field can be generated by applying a suitable polyphase voltage by means of a voltage source with the aid of electrically conductive second fibres. This alternating field can act on electrically charged particles.

Abstract: A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, a fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.

Abstract: An apparatus used for the surface examination of components. The apparatus comprises: a radiation source configured to convert at least one non-volatile substance at least partially into a gas by irradiating a sample surface of a component; and a detector unit configured to qualitatively and/or quantitatively detect the at least one substance converted into gas. A method provided for a surface examination of components. The method comprises irradiating a sample surface of a component with a radiation source configured to convert at least one non-volatile substance at least partially into a gas; and a qualitative and/or quantitative detection of the at least one substance converted into gas via a detector unit.

Abstract: A photobioreactor and a photobioreactor system are proposed in order to cultivate phototrophic organisms for the purpose of generating fuels, for example. The photobioreactor comprises a container and at least one laterally light out-coupling light conductor mat. The phototrophic organisms are received in the container together with a nutrient solution. One or preferably more light conductor mats are arranged within the container and each comprises a plurality of light conducting fibres which are arranged and/or designed such that light which is coupled into a fibre at one end of the fibre leaves the fibre laterally at least in part. A large adjacent volume within the container can thus be extensively illuminated by means of the light conductor mat, in order to thus increase efficiency of the photobioreactor. A photodetector that is externally coupled to the fibres can allow on-site monitoring of vital functions of the organisms.

Abstract: A method for ionizing, using pulses of ionization radiation, an analyte to be examined by way of ion mobility spectrometry using a pulse sequence is modulated with a known time-variable impression pattern is provided. An ionization device for carrying out the method and an ion mobility spectrometry method and an ion mobility spectrometry device that use the ionization method and/or the ionization device are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-sensor laser system for the selective trace analysis of organic material, the multi-sensor system having at least one laser ion mobility spectrometer, an absorption spectrometer and a fluorescent measuring device. The system is characterized in that it is equipped with a device for the simultaneous generation of a common laser beam with different wavelengths and pulses for the simultaneous operation of the laser ion mobility spectrometer, the absorption spectrometer and the fluorescent measuring device. This avoids the disadvantages of the known solutions in prior art and provides an improved solution for the highly sensitive and highly selective trace analysis of organic material, in particular hazardous substances such as explosives and warfare agents in the air.

Abstract: A method for ionizing, using pulses of ionization radiation, an analyte to be examined by way of ion mobility spectrometry using a pulse sequence is modulated with a known time-variable impression pattern is provided. An ionization device for carrying out the method and an ion mobility spectrometry method and an ion mobility spectrometry device that use the ionization method and/or the ionization device are also provided.

Abstract: A device for detecting chemical or biological substances includes an analytical instrument for detecting the substances and for providing information concerning the qualitative or quantitative presence of the substances, and also a contamination sensor for measuring the degree of contamination of the analytical instrument and/or of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-sensor laser system for the selective trace analysis of organic material, the multi-sensor system having at least one laser ion mobility spectrometer, an absorption spectrometer and a fluorescent measuring device. The system is characterized in that it is equipped with a device for the simultaneous generation of a common laser beam with different wavelengths and pulses for the simultaneous operation of the laser ion mobility spectrometer, the absorption spectrometer and the fluorescent measuring device. This avoids the disadvantages of the known solutions in prior art and provides an improved solution for the highly sensitive and highly selective trace analysis of organic material, in particular hazardous substances such as explosives and warfare agents in the air.

Abstract: A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for detecting chemical or biological substances, having an analytical instrument (2) for detecting the substances and for providing information concerning the qualitative or quantitative presence of the substances, wherein the device (1) additionally has a contamination sensor (3) which is constructed for measuring the degree of contamination of the analytical instrument (2) and/or of the device (1).

Abstract: A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, a fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.

Abstract: A method is for selectively removing gaseous pollutants from the ambient air, and a device is for implementing the method. Undesirable emissions may be selectively and completely removed from the ambient air using relatively simple equipment and a small amount of energy. Pollutants contained in the air to be purified are ionized by the action of optical radiation, based on resonant and/or non-resonant single-photon excitation and/or multiple-photon excitation, so that the ionized pollutants are drawn off and removed from the air to be purified, using an electric field. A small portion of the energy necessary for the ionization may also be applied in the form of microwave energy or electric-field energy. The method and device may be used in air-conditioning or other air-circulation systems.

Abstract: A method is for selectively removing gaseous pollutants from the ambient air, and a device is for implementing the method. Undesirable emissions may be selectively and completely removed from the ambient air using relatively simple equipment and a small amount of energy. Pollutants contained in the air to be purified are ionized by the action of optical radiation, based on resonant and/or non-resonant single-photon excitation and/or multiple-photon excitation, so that the ionized pollutants are drawn off and removed from the air to be purified, using an electric field. A small portion of the energy necessary for the ionization may also be applied in the form of microwave energy or electric-field energy. The method and device may be used in air-conditioning or other air-circulation systems.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has two opposing wall elements connected by at least one spacer with parallel, mutually assigned, planar, gas-guiding wall surfaces with opposing conductor structures to generate a drift field. The ratio of distance of the gas-guiding wall surfaces to the field-generating width of the conductor structure perpendicular to the drift direction is less than 1:2 and is advantageously 1:3 to 1:10.

Abstract: In an ion mobility spectrometer, especially a miniaturized ion mobility spectrometer, the potential-conducting surfaces of the ion collector and ion gate form an angle less than 90° with the drift chamber axis. This makes it possible to provide openings in the face of the drift chamber for the required purge gas supply without limiting the size of the potential-conducting surface.

Abstract: A system for cleaning the air, such as air in the interior of motor vehicles, airplanes, buildings or shelters, having organic substances such as alcohols, alkanes and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The air cleaning system includes a cylindrical adsorber. The cylindrical adsorber has a plurality of circular segments for passing air to be cleaned and for passing desorption air through the adsorber. The adsorber contains adsorption agents, such as a hydrophobic zeolite, that can be regenerated with microwaves. The air cleaning system also includes a microwave unit disposed on adsorber and an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A material, such as a fiber composite material, has embedded inside at least one, preferably more, surface acoustic wave filters of piezoelectric material for receiving testing energy in a wireless manner and for retransmitting a material quality signal in a wireless manner which is evaluated in a system that has a wireless transmitter for sending testing energy into a material and a wireless receiver for receiving the material quality signal which is then processed and evaluated by a respective processor of the testing system. An output of the processor provides information regarding the nature and quality of the material tested and of the presence and location of any material faults that may be displayed on display screen.

Abstract: A filter for cleaning air by removing noxious and/or odorous matter from the air flow by desorption is constructed so that filter sections (12) can be sequentially heated for a desorption of the noxious and odorous matter. An air discharge (13) for desorption air is provided on the air exit side (11) of the filter (2) for the discharge of the desorbed noxious and odorous matter, preferably into the combustion air of an engine. The air discharge (13, 22) for the desorption air covers at least one filter section 12 at a time when that section is being heated. A relative motion between the filter sections (12) and the air discharge (13) assures that other filter sections keep filtering while at least one filter section at a time is regenerated.