Abstract: There is disclosed a system for detecting and timing the coagulation of blood from a liquid to a clot. The system comprises a vessel containing blood, a member of ferromagnetic material disposed within the vessel, means for providing relative motion between the vessel and the member, and a plurality of Hall effect sensors coupled through the walls of the vessel for sensing the strength of the magnetic flux lines and varying the electrical conductance upon change in the magnetic flux lines when the blood transforms itself and the member changes position relative to the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A modular instrumentation system for monitoring and control of biochemical processes, and in particular of fermentation processes is provided. The system includes a plurality of function monitoring and control modules each including a microprocessor and associated memory devices, manual input devices and an interface for the receipt of sensor signals and the transmission of control signals. The modules for a plurality of functions have substantially common design and are adapted for relatively quick conversion to another function. The system may include an instrument console adapted to receive a plurality of the function monitoring and control modules as well as incorporating provision for sensor inputs, power inputs, one or more recorders, one or more pumps and/or an interface for an external computer.