Abstract: A contrast element tracking method comprises obtaining a sequence of frames each comprising ultrasound or other medical imaging data representing an anatomical region of a human or animal subject at a respective different time; for each frame, identifying one or more portions of the ultrasound or other medical imaging data as single or multiple contrast element signal portions representative of a contrast element or plurality of contrast elements; assigning respective position data to each of the single contrast element signal portions and each of the multiple contrast element signal portions; and using a linking model that uses at least said assigned position data to link single or multiple contrast element signal portions represented in at least one of the frames to single or multiple contrast element signal portions represented in at least one other of the frames thereby to track movement of contrast elements through said region of the subject.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) system comprises an optical waveguide including a hollow core containing a fluid, wherein the optical waveguide is configured to receive pump light and to convert the pump light into signal light and idler light via a third order non-linear optical effect. The OPO system further comprises an optical feedback arrangement for recycling at least a portion of the signal light and/or for recycling at least a portion of the idler light in an optical cavity that includes the optical waveguide. The OPO system may be used, in particular though not exclusively, in metrology, gas and solid-state spectroscopy, laser-assisted manufacturing, semiconductor technology, biomedicine, healthcare, and scientific laboratory use.

Abstract: Active FTIR spectroscopy systems and methods for quantitative measurements of concentrations of chemical targets, such as gas, liquid and solid chemical targets, in an open-path measuring arrangement and a method of extracting an effective illumination spectrum of IR light illuminating chemical targets arranged in an open-path measuring arrangement.

Abstract: A waveguide 200 for a leaky wave antenna 20 is described. The waveguide 200 comprises a male member 210 (210A-210T) and a corresponding female member 220 (220A-220T) arranged to receive the male member 210 (210A-210T) therein. The waveguide is arrangeable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The male member 210 (210A-210T) is received in the female member 220 (220A-220T) spaced apart therefrom in the first configuration and the second configuration. The first configuration defines a first effective delay line. The second configuration defines a second effective delay line. The first effective delay line is different from the second effective delay line. The leaky wave antenna 20 is also described.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (100) for mixing a liquid L is provided. The microfluidic device (100) comprises a microfluidic chamber (20), having an inlet (30), and arranged to receive the liquid L therein. In use, the microfluidic device (100) is arranged to control translation through the liquid L of a body B introduced therein, wherein the translation of the body B is due to a potential field acting on the body. In this way, the controlled translation of the body B mixes the liquid L in the microfluidic chamber (20).

Abstract: A method of determining a position of a target using a metric comprises receiving a plurality of ultrasound signals representative of ultrasound energy received from the target and, for each of a plurality of different foci, adjusting the ultrasound signals in dependence on the focus and determining a value of the metric using the adjusted ultrasound signals. The method further comprises using the determined values for the metric for the different foci to determine a position of the target.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (100, 300) comprising: an optical encoder (150, 350) configured to provide an encoded image of an object (110) with at least one mask pattern; a rotating mirror (170) configured to receive and project said encoded image; and an image sensor (180) configured to receive said encoded; wherein, said rotating mirror (170) is operable such that a plurality of encoded images, which are individually projected by said rotating mirror (170) are spatially shifted as a result of rotation of said rotating mirror (170), are swept across said image sensor (180).

Abstract: A system comprises a waveguide apparatus comprising a plurality of input waveguides, a multimode waveguide, and a guided-wave transition coupling the plurality of input waveguides to the multimode waveguide. The system further comprises at least one light source configured to excite in turn each of a plurality of the input waveguides, or each of a plurality of combinations of the input waveguides, thereby generating a plurality of different light patterns in turn at an output of the waveguide apparatus. The waveguide apparatus is configured to direct each of the plurality of different light patterns to a target region. The system further comprises at least one detector configured to detect light transmitted, reflected or emitted from the target region in response to each of the different light patterns, and to output signals representing the detected light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificially reducing the porosity of any potential flow paths in the near-wellbore region of a well or in permeable zones within or surrounding a well. In doing so, the permeability in this the targeted region will be significantly reduced, thus, preventing unwanted flow of subsurface fluids. The present invention concerns a method comprising applying a first and second solution comprising scale precursors to the porous media, wherein following this application, at least a portion of the scale precursors form at least two insoluble salts. Additionally, the present invention concerns a kit of parts comprising the first and second solutions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for shaping a light spectrum are presented. The apparatus includes a spatial light modulator (140) provided for shaping the spectrum of a primary beam. The spatial light modulator (140) includes an array of cells in which each cell is operable in a first state and a second state. The apparatus also includes a controller (160) configured to change the state of a subset of cells iteratively, based on a stochastic process, to shape the spectrum.

Abstract: A fluidic device (10) is described. The fluidic device (10) comprises the first part (110) and the second part (120). The first part (110) comprises a first inlet (111) and a first outlet (112), mutually spaced apart. The second part (120) comprises a first chamber (121) arranged to contain a predetermined first amount A1 of a first fluid F1 therein and a first wall portion (122) arranged to contain, at least in part, the first fluid F1 in the first chamber (121). The fluidic device (10) is arrangeable in a first configuration, wherein the first part (110) is fluidically isolated from the first chamber (121). The fluidic device (10) is arrangeable in a second configuration, wherein the first inlet (111) and the first outlet (112) are fluidically coupled via the first chamber (121), whereby increasing a first pressure P1 in the first chamber (121) via the first inlet (111) urges at least a part of the predetermined first amount A1 of the first fluid F1 through the first outlet (112).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for determining viscoelastic characteristics of at least a portion of an object. The apparatus comprises a fluidly sealable housing, comprising at least one aperture and at least one fluid inlet port and at least one resilient membrane that is operatively coupled to the housing so as to sealingly engage with the at least one aperture. The apparatus further comprises at least one actuator that is operatively coupled to the at least one inlet port and adapted to actuate the at least one resilient membrane via a working fluid that is contained within the housing, so that the at least one resilient membrane is moved towards and into engagement with at least a portion of an object at a predetermined pressure. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises at least one first sensor that is operably coupled to the membrane and that is adapted to determine at least a deformation of the at least one resilient membrane during actuation.

Abstract: Active FTIR spectroscopy systems and methods for quantitative measurements of concentrations of chemical targets, such as gas, liquid and solid chemical targets, in an open-path measuring arrangement and a method of extracting an effective illumination spectrum of IR light illuminating chemical targets arranged in an open-path measuring arrangement.

Abstract: An optical device includes a unitary substrate of optically transparent material. The unitary substrate has formed therein at least one collection lens and channel, the channel for receiving an optical fibre and arranged to align the optical fibre inserted therein such that the collection lens couples light collected by the collection lens into the optical fibre.

Abstract: A positive air pressure attenuation device (1) comprising:—a housing (3) with an inner central portion (6) forming a channel (7); and an elastic flexible inflatable reservoir (8) associated to the inner central portion (6), whereby the inner central portion (6) has a wall portion (60) with a plurality of openings (61) forming passages between the channel (7) and the reservoir chamber (8A).

Abstract: A contrast element tracking method comprises obtaining a sequence of frames each comprising ultrasound or other medical imaging data representing an anatomical region of a human or animal subject at a respective different time; for each frame, identifying one or more portions of the ultrasound or other medical imaging data as single or multiple contrast element signal portions representative of a contrast element or plurality of contrast elements; assigning respective position data to each of the single contrast element signal portions and each of the multiple contrast element signal portions; and using a linking model that uses at least said assigned position data to link single or multiple contrast element signal portions represented in at least one of the frames to single or multiple contrast element signal portions represented in at least one other of the frames thereby to track movement of contrast elements through said region of the subject.

Abstract: There is presented a microfluidic device comprising a plurality of layers and a common manifold, wherein a fluid comprising a target population of particles having a specified range of diameters may be processed by the device by flowing from the common manifold through the channels of each layer within the plurality of layers, and fluid collected from a first outlet of each layer within the plurality of layers comprises the target population of particles, and fluid collected from a second outlet of each layer within the plurality of layers is substantially devoid of the target population of particles. A method of use of said device and systems comprising at least one said device are also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction unit made from various recyclable materials, for example, from recycled waste plasterboard from the construction industry or flue-gas gypsum which is a by-product from fossil-fueled power plants. The construction units are made from a raw mix comprising gypsum, clay and aggregate and methods of making construction units. The invention also relates to a raw mix for making a construction unit; a kit including a construction unit and mortar; and uses of the construction unit to form a structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction unit made from various recyclable materials, for example, from recycled waste plasterboard from the construction industry or flue-gas gypsum which is a by-product from fossil-fueled power plants. The construction units are made from a raw mix comprising gypsum, clay and aggregate and methods of making construction units. The invention also relates to a raw mix for making a construction unit; a kit including a construction unit and mortar; and uses of the construction unit to form a structure.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing proteins from the by-product streams arising from distillation processes, in particular the by-product stream known as “pot ale” or “burnt ale” and the use of such proteins as protein feed ingredients or food additives.