Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.

Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A method for testing an engine in a vehicle includes arranging a bath separate from the vehicle configured to cool a driveline component of the vehicle, adjusting a temperature of the driveline component to a target temperature, and responsive to the driveline component achieving the target temperature, operating the engine according to a mapping procedure, and controlling the bath to maintain the temperature of the driveline component at the target temperature during the operating. The method further includes measuring heat transfer from the driveline component to the bath during the operating, and calculating torque loss or energy loss of the driveline component during the operating based on the heat transfer.

Abstract: A microplate reader simultaneously obtains Raman measurements from samples contained in non-adjacent wells. At least two Raman probes are positioned perpendicularly above or below the microplate to simultaneously acquire Raman spectra data of the non-adjacent liquid samples. Each probe is coupled to a laser and a spectrometer and includes a lens focusing laser light within the sample and collecting light from the sample for the spectrometer. The spectrometer may include a 2D imaging sensor (sCMOS or CCD) to image light from multiple probes simultaneously, spaced from one another to reduce crosstalk. A positioner moves the microplate plate or probes to acquire data from a different subset of non-adjacent samples, and may also vary laser focus within wells during data acquisition. Multiple fluorescence probes may simultaneously acquire fluorescence data from the same samples, or non-adjacent samples. Probes may be fiber-coupled and positioned within a reaction chamber of a liquid handling system.

Abstract: A vehicle longitudinal speed control testing apparatus includes a first movable target body spaced away from a vehicle executing active speed control while loaded by a dynamometer assembly, and a controller. The controller changes a distance between the first movable target body and the vehicle to cause a speed parameter of the vehicle to follow a desired vehicle speed schedule based on speed parameter feedback from the dynamometer assembly or the vehicle, a sum of a speed of the first movable target body and the speed parameter feedback to follow a desired absolute speed schedule, or the distance between the first movable target body and the vehicle to increase according to a desired distance schedule.

Abstract: A test method for a vehicle powertrain includes, during a first test in which dynamic engine torque from a powertrain drives a vehicle on a road, recording throttle position or accelerator pedal position to define a throttle schedule, and recording engine speed to define an engine speed schedule. The test method further includes, during a second test of a vehicle engine, controlling a dynamometer and the vehicle engine according to the engine speed schedule and throttle schedule to reproduce the dynamic engine torque.

Abstract: A method for testing an engine in a vehicle includes arranging a bath separate from the vehicle configured to cool a driveline component of the vehicle, adjusting a temperature of the driveline component to a target temperature, and responsive to the driveline component achieving the target temperature, operating the engine according to a mapping procedure, and controlling the bath to maintain the temperature of the driveline component at the target temperature during the operating. The method further includes measuring heat transfer from the driveline component to the bath during the operating, and calculating torque loss or energy loss of the driveline component during the operating based on the heat transfer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting contaminants in a sample fluid. The system has a colloidal dispersion circuit with a reservoir containing a colloidal dispersion with colloidal particles capable of exhibiting localized surface plasmon resonance (“LSPR particles”), a Raman spectrometer/flow cell and a pump for circulating the colloidal dispersion through the colloidal dispersion circuit. A colloidal dispersion level sensor measures the extent of colloidal dispersion in the colloidal dispersion circuit. A permeation valve diverts the colloidal dispersion in the colloidal dispersion circuit through an ultra-filtration membrane with a pore size smaller than the LSPR particles, thus preventing the LSPR particles from passing through. The sample may be introduced into the colloidal dispersion circuit through a fluid sample injection valve. A processor is connected to the Raman spectrometer/flow cell, the pump, the permeation valve, the colloidal dispersion level sensor, and the fluid sample injection port.

Abstract: A system and method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas include mass flow controllers configured to deliver a controllable mass flow of a carrier gas and adsorptive gas to vary concentration of the adsorptive gas flowing through at least one measurement channel containing a sample cell. A concentration detector downstream of the sample cell provides a signal indicative of the adsorptive gas concentration to a controller that determines the amount of adsorptive gas adsorbed and/or desorbed to characterize the surface area, pore volume, pore volume distribution, etc. of the sample material. The detector may include a housing, heat exchanger, thermal conductivity detector, and a temperature regulator.

Abstract: A test method includes deriving road grade information or wind load information from test schedule torque outputs generated by a dynamometer operatively arranged with a first vehicle, and controlling an accelerator pedal, an accelerator pedal signal, a fuel injector, a manifold pressure, a motor controller, or a throttle valve associated with the first or a second vehicle according to a speed schedule such that the dynamometer, or another dynamometer, programmed with the road grade information or wind load information and operatively arranged with the first or second vehicle applies a load to the first or second vehicle that reflects the road grade information or wind load information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.

Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A special-purpose cuvette assembly with features that create a small, restricted volume to minimize bulk movements of liquid and minimize backscattering-induced broadening of light. The special-purpose cuvette assembly enables recording of Brownian movements of nanoparticles in a liquid when it is placed in a suitable optical device comprising a light sheet and an optical microscope attached to a video camera that is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the light-sheet plane.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a novel system for generating a high dynamic range video of a colloid under investigation. This helps record images of various sizes of nanoparticles that scatter light with very different efficiencies (effective cross-sections), typically orders of magnitude different.

Abstract: A test method for a vehicle powertrain includes, during a first test of a first vehicle or a portion of a first vehicle on a dynamometer, coordinatingly controlling (i) an accelerator pedal, an accelerator pedal signal, a fuel injector, a manifold pressure, a motor controller, or a throttle valve according to a load schedule and (ii) the dynamometer according to a speed schedule such that the dynamometer applies dynamic torque that causes a powertrain of the first vehicle or portion of the first vehicle to produce dynamic powertrain torque.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a novel optical chopper that can rapidly change the intensity of light incident on a colloid under investigation. This helps record images of various sizes of nanoparticles that scatter light with very different efficiencies (effective cross-sections), typically orders of magnitude different.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a novel optical chopper that can rapidly change the intensity of light incident on a colloid under investigation. This helps recording various sizes of nanoparticles that scatter light with very different efficiencies (effective cross-sections), typically orders of magnitude different.

Abstract: A particle image analyzer is disclosed that includes a transparent moving structure with a load surface and an opposite surface, where a portion of the load surface is constructed to adhere particles. A particle discharge nozzle deposits particles on the load surface and an image sensor positioned adjacent to the load surface takes images of the particles as they move past the image sensor. A light source positioned adjacent to the opposite surface illuminates the particles imaged by the image sensor. The light from the light source defines an illumination path that travels from the light source, through the opposite surface, through the load surface and to the image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hermitically sealed rigid vessel, a differential pressure sensor, and a controller. The differential pressure sensor measures a difference between ambient pressure in a vicinity of the vessel and internal pressure in the vessel, and outputs a signal indicative of the difference. The controller computes a change in elevation of the apparatus between a first location and a second location based on a value of the signal associated with the first location and a value of the signal associated with the second location.

Abstract: An optical system includes a spectrograph having a concave diffraction grating and a detector. An aperture is selectively positioned by an associated actuator or positioning mechanism either into, or out of, an optical path of the input light beam downstream of a sample and prior to entering the spectrograph. A slit plate having a plurality of different size entrance slits is positioned downstream of the aperture and movable by an associated actuator or positioning mechanism to position one of the plurality of entrance slits in the optical path of the input light beam. A controller coupled to the detector and the actuators is configured to control the actuators to selectively position the aperture and the slit plate to provide a selectable resolution of the spectrograph. The aperture setting and slit plate setting may be determined from a lookup table in response to a request for finer or coarser spectral resolution.