Abstract: A sample inspection system (100) includes an X-ray emitter, a collimator (170) and a first energy resolving detector (180) arranged along a symmetry axis (105). The X-ray emitter generates at least one focused conical shell beam (150) of X-ray radiation comprised of X-ray photons that propagate through a focal point on the symmetry axis downstream of the X-ray emitter. The collimator (170) has one or more channels, each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation propagating either along the symmetry axis, or parallel with the symmetry axis, or both along and parallel with the symmetry axis (105). Upon incidence of the conical shell beam (150) onto a sample (106) the first energy resolving detector (180) detects radiation diffracted or scattered by the sample (106) via the collimator (170).

Abstract: A sample inspection system (100) includes an X-ray emitter, a collimator (170) and a first energy resolving detector (180) arranged along a symmetry axis (105). The X-ray emitter generates at least one focused conical shell beam (150) of X-ray radiation comprised of X-ray photons that propagate through a focal point on the symmetry axis downstream of the X-ray emitter. The collimator (170) has one or more channels, each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation propagating either along the symmetry axis, or parallel with the symmetry axis, or both along and parallel with the symmetry axis (105). Upon incidence of the conical shell beam (150) onto a sample (106) the first energy resolving detector (180) detects radiation diffracted or scattered by the sample (106) via the collimator (170).

Abstract: An interferometric fluid sensing system includes: a laser; a plurality of first fibre portions arranged to receive laser light from the laser; a second fibre portion configured to provide a reference arm for the interferometric fluid sensing system; and a detector arranged to receive light from the first and second fibre portions, wherein the laser light that passes through a void of each first fibre portion is caused to interfere with light passing through the second fibre portion at or before reaching the detector, wherein each of the first fibre portions is arranged such that that light passing through the void of each first fibre portion travels from the laser to the detector over a different path length from the light passing through the voids of the other first fibre portions.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a plurality of coaxial and substantially conical shells of radiation, a detection surface and a set of conical shell slot collimators. Each conical shell has a different opening angle. The detection surface is arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of one or more of the conical shells upon the sample to be inspected. The set of conical shell slot collimators is provided at or close to the detection surface which each stare at different annular regions of different corresponding conical shells.

Abstract: There is presented an apparatus for identifying a sample. Such an apparatus may be used to detect unwanted items as part of a security screening system. The apparatus includes a platform for receiving the sample, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, a plurality of detectors and a calculator. The electromagnetic radiation emitter is adapted to provide a plurality of conical shells of radiation. Each conical shell has a characteristic propagation axis associated with it. The detectors are arranged to detect radiation diffracted by the sample upon incidence of one or more conical shells of radiation. Each detector is located on the characteristic propagation axis associated with a corresponding conical shell. The calculator is adapted to calculate a parameter of the sample based on the detected diffracted radiation. The parameter includes a lattice spacing of the sample.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a plurality of coaxial and substantially conical shells of radiation, a detection surface and a set of conical shell slot collimators. Each conical shell has a different opening angle. The detection surface is arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of one or more of the conical shells upon the sample to be inspected. The set of conical shell slot collimators is provided at or close to the detection surface which each stare at different annular regions of different corresponding conical shells.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a substantially conical shell of the radiation with the conical shell being incident on a sample to be inspected, a detection surface arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of the conical shell beam upon the sample to be inspected, and an unfocused collimator provided at or close to the detection surface and having a grid structure formed of cells which each stare at different portions of the conical shell.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing method is provided.

Abstract: An interferometric fluid sensing system is provided.

Abstract: A fibre optic sensing device is provided. The fibre optic sensing device includes a plurality of optical fibre portions, wherein each optical fibre portion is arranged to receive laser light from a common laser and reflect the laser light to a common detector. Each optical fibre portion includes a first reflector spaced from a distal end of the optical fibre portion and a second reflector at the distal end. Each optical fibre portion also includes a sensor provided at the distal end of the optical fibre portion. The sensor includes a third reflector the position of which varies depending on a value of a property being sensed. A distance between the first and second reflectors is different for each of the optical fibre portions.

Abstract: There is presented an apparatus for identifying a sample. Such an apparatus may be used to detect unwanted items as part of a security screening system. The apparatus includes a platform for receiving the sample, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, a plurality of detectors and a calculator. The electromagnetic radiation emitter is adapted to provide a plurality of conical shells of radiation. Each conical shell has a characteristic propagation axis associated with it. The detectors are arranged to detect radiation diffracted by the sample upon incidence of one or more conical shells of radiation. Each detector is located on the characteristic propagation axis associated with a corresponding conical shell. The calculator is adapted to calculate a parameter of the sample based on the detected diffracted radiation. The parameter includes a lattice spacing of the sample.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a substantially conical shell of the radiation with the conical shell being incident on a sample to be inspected, a detection surface arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of the conical shell beam upon the sample to be inspected, and an unfocused collimator provided at or close to the detection surface and having a grid structure formed of cells which each stare at different portions of the conical shell.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a moulded article from first and second moulding compounds includes attaching a first moulding component to a carrier tool, placing the carrier tool and the attached first moulding component in a mould, applying a first moulding process, removing the carrier tool, placing a second moulding component in the mould, and applying a second moulding process to shape the first and second moulding components and bond the first moulding component to the second moulding component. A moulded article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus irradiates a sample with a conical shell of X-ray or similar radiation generating a plurality of Debye rings originating from a circular path on the sample. The apparatus is provided with two detectors. A first detector receives diffracted radiation and a second detector receives radiation which is transmitted through a coded aperture provided at a detection surface of the first detector.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing method is provided.

Abstract: A system (1) for detecting and locating corrosion on the outer surface of a metal body (2). The system includes an extended electromagnetic waveguide (6) arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the metal body. The electromagnetic waveguide includes a sacrificial component that experiences substantially the same environment as the outer surface of the metal body. The system also includes a waveform generator (10) arranged to be connected to the waveguide and to inject an electromagnetic waveform into the waveguide. The system also includes a waveform analyser (12) connected to the waveguide. The waveform analyser is arranged to receive a reflected portion of the injected electromagnetic waveform from the waveguide. The reflected portion of the injected electromagnetic waveform is used by the waveform analyser to determine the location of corrosion of the sacrificial component of the waveguide.

Abstract: A fibre optic sensing device is provided. The fibre optic sensing device comprises a plurality of optical fibre portions, wherein each optical fibre portion is arranged to receive laser light from a common laser and reflect the laser light to a common detector, wherein each optical fibre portion comprises a first reflector spaced from a distal end of the optical fibre portion and a second reflector at the distal end, wherein each optical fibre portion comprises a sensor provided at the respective distal end of the optical fibre portion, the sensor comprising a third reflector the position of which varies depending on a value of a property being sensed, wherein a distance between the first and second reflectors is different for each of the optical fibre portions.

Abstract: A toilet is disclosed, having a bowl (400) for receiving human waste and a wiper (402). The bowl (400) is moveable between a waste receiving position and a waste emptied position. This movement is provided based on a waste emptying actuation by a user of the toilet. The wiper (402) is movable to remove residual waste from an inside surface of the bowl (400) by wiping the inside surface of the bowl (400). The movement of the wiper (402) is coupled to the movement of the bowl (400), the wiper (402) being configured to move during the movement of the bowl (400), for at least a part of the movement of the bowl (400) between the waste receiving position and the waste emptied position.

Abstract: A sample inspection apparatus irradiates a sample with a conical shell of X-ray or similar radiation generating a plurality of Debye rings originating from a circular path on the sample. The apparatus is provided with two detectors. A first detector receives diffracted radiation and a second detector receives radiation which is transmitted through a coded aperture provided at a detection surface of the first detector.

Abstract: A system for mitigating slugging in the conveyance of a subterranean resource can include at least one first pipe disposed proximate to a subterranean formation, where the at least one first pipe has a first cavity through which the subterranean resource traverses from the subterranean formation. The system can also include at least one second pipe disposed proximate to field equipment at an operating platform, where the at least one second pipe has a second cavity through which the subterranean resource traverses, where the field equipment is used to extract the subterranean resource. The system can also include a first slug mitigation assembly disposed between the at least one first pipe and the at least one second pipe, where the first slug mitigation assembly includes a first plurality of non-linear segments for reducing accumulation of gas or liquid pockets in the subterranean resource as the subterranean resource flows therethrough.