Abstract: A system includes a gas chromatograph configured to determine experimental chromatographic data including retention times associated with samples. The system also includes a mass spectrometer configured to determine experimental mass spectral data associated with samples. The mass spectrometer can include a quadrupole field ion trap that uses a non-classical detection technique. The system determines a retention index for an unknown sample based upon retention times for a calibration sample and the unknown sample, and identifies reference mass spectral data using the retention index. The reference mass spectral data can include spectra measured using a classical detection technique. The system can compare the experimental mass spectral data to the reference mass spectral data using one or more comparison metrics, such as a percent fragment match and/or a variance match. A score can be determined to identify the unknown sample using one or more of the metrics.

Abstract: A line-frequency rotary transformer is provided, including a primary core and a secondary core. The primary core is magnetically couplable to the secondary core. The primary core includes a first plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a first ring couplable to a stator. The primary core includes a primary winding disposed within the first ring and configured to transmit line-frequency AC power. The secondary core includes a second plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a second ring couplable to a gantry. The gantry is rotatably couplable to the stator. The secondary core includes a secondary winding disposed within the second ring and is configured to receive a line-frequency AC power induced in the secondary winding through the primary core and the secondary core by the primary winding.

Abstract: A gantry system for use with a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The gantry system includes a gantry assembly configured to rotate about a rotational axis to collect imaging data from an object. The gantry assembly includes a support rail. A radially inner surface of the support rail includes a canted first portion and an oppositely canted second portion. The gantry system also includes a plurality of roller assemblies rotatably supporting the gantry assembly. Each of the plurality of roller assemblies comprises a first roller sleeve configured to engage the first portion and a second roller sleeve configured to engage the second portion.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer (100) comprising a first ion source (102-1, 108-1) for providing positive ions to be analyzed, an electric field applier arranged to provide an electric field configured to move the positive ions in a first direction towards a first ion detector (106-1, 110-1) adapted for detecting the positive ions, and a second ion source (102-2, 108-2) for providing negative ions to be analyzed, wherein the electric field applier is arranged to move the negative ions in a direction opposite to the first direction, towards the first ion source (102-1, 108-1) and towards a second ion detector (106-1, 110-1) adapted for detecting the negative ions.

Abstract: A spectroscopic scanning device, a portable spectroscopic scanning system, and methods for using the spectroscopic scanning device are described that include at least one focusing element configured to collect light, a beam-steering element configured to direct a portion of the collected light from the at least one focusing element, and a detector configured to receive the directed light from the beam-steering element, wherein the beam-steering element is operable to successively select portions of light from a plurality of locations within its field of regard.

Abstract: A system includes a gas chromatograph configured to determine experimental chromatographic data including retention times associated with samples. The system also includes a mass spectrometer configured to determine experimental mass spectral data associated with samples. The mass spectrometer can include a quadrupole field ion trap that uses a non-classical detection technique. The system determines a retention index for an unknown sample based upon retention times for a calibration sample and the unknown sample, and identifies reference mass spectral data using the retention index. The reference mass spectral data can include spectra measured using a classical detection technique. The system can compare the experimental mass spectral data to the reference mass spectral data using one or more comparison metrics, such as a percent fragment match and/or a variance match. A score can be determined to identify the unknown sample using one or more of the metrics.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer analytical instrument, including an ion mobility spectrometer, a swab interface, and a desorber assembly. The desorber assembly includes a heat transfer device configured to heat a desorber, as well as a supply configured to direct gas through the desorber. The instrument further includes a drift tube, high voltage device arrayed, at least in part, proximate to the drift tube, wherein the high voltage device is configured to change a polarity of a voltage applied to the drift tube and have an absolute voltage of about 500 to 1500 volts. The instrument further includes a reactant supply unit adapted to supply reactant during a sample substance analysis, and a control unit.

Abstract: Techniques are described for resolving and identifying peaks of signal intensity in mass chromatograms so that the peaks may be associated with components (e.g., chemical and/or ionic species) representative of an analysis sample to identify the components. The techniques facilitate correction of shift errors in the peaks of signal intensity of the mass chromatograms.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly includes a body portion (14), that is thermally and electrically non-conductive, defining an opening (28), a bus bar (18) coupled to the body portion, the bus bar being thermally and electrically conductive, and a clamping bar (20), including a scalloped surface configured to oppose the bus bar, the clamping bar being thermally and electrically conductive. At least one of the bus bar and the clamping bar is biased toward the other of the bus bar and the clamping bar.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing fluid real-time camera control of at least one camera to at least one network user via a network including the internet. A control pad or area can be provided to camera users via an application or applet that can be calibrated to provide fluid camera control. Compressed or uncompressed analog, digital, or streaming video and audio data can also be provided to the users to allow real-time low latency continuous audio/visual feedback. Multiple camera users can obtain control of a camera using a dynamic queuing technique that can allow single user camera control for certain time intervals. An administrator can establish user camera control parameters including camera control intervals for subscriber users versus non-subscriber users, camera usurping by an administrator, elimination of camera control privileges for a user, and denial of camera control requests by a user.

Abstract: A surface ionization source comprises a tube having a first end, a second end, and an interior bore extending through the tube from the first end to the second end. The first end of the tube is configured to receive a flow of gas and the second end of the tube is configured to direct the flow of gas onto a surface configured to hold an analyte. A radioactive source is at least substantially disposed in the interior bore of the tube. The radioactive source is configured to form ions in the flow of gas as the flow of gas passes through the interior bore. The flow of gas containing the ions is directed onto the analyte to at least partially ionize the analyte.

Abstract: A sampling swab useful in trace analyte detection is provided. The sampling swab possesses absorption/adsorption and desorption properties suitable for use trace analyte sample collection. The sampling swab is also capable of withstanding repeated high heat treatment and mechanical stress. A method for producing a sampling swab that is substantially free of impurities and detection interferants is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for electrically-augmented damping of an actuator and associated devices. In particular, electrically-augmented damping derived from measurement of voltage across an actuator and current flowing through an actuator is provided.

Abstract: An imaging system (1) comprises a transmitter (3, 6), a receiver (3, 4, 6), an antenna array (2); and a controller (4, 5, 10, 11) for directing the transmitter, the receiver, and the antenna array to scan a volume containing an object. The controller has multiple distributed processors (15) to calculate antenna control pattern data during run-time. The processor (4, 5) assesses misalignment of antennae using a receiver placed in the imaging volume, and monitors level of energy received by the receiver and compares it with a reference energy level. Also, the controller performs on-the-fly modification of antenna control pattern data according to real time conditions such as mechanical misalignment of the transmitter, the receiver, or of one or more antennas. The controller may generate three-dimensional offset vectors to provide a profile of the offset across the scan volume, and the position of an antenna may be moved to compensate for the mechanical misalignment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system having a reflect array for reflection of radiation such as millimeter-wave radiation. It can apply to imaging systems which operate over a wide range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry system for screening a sample for one or more analytes includes a pre-mass spectrometry screening apparatus configured to pre-screen an ionized sample to generate output correlated to the composition of the sample, and a mass spectrometer. A sample gate is opened to allow flow of at least a portion of the ionized sample to the mass spectrometer and closed to prevent flow of the ionized sample to the mass spectrometer. A processing system compares results of the pre-mass spectrometry screening to an analyte database, wherein correlation of the results to an analyte within the analyte database comprises a preliminary positive identification. When the processing system determines that a preliminary positive identification is made, it causes the gate to open for a period of time. However, when the processing system determines that a preliminary positive identification is not made, it causes the gate to remain closed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for resolving and identifying peaks of signal intensity in mass chromatograms so that the peaks may be associated with components (e.g., chemical and/or ionic species) representative of an analysis sample to identify the components. The techniques facilitate correction of shift errors in the peaks of signal intensity of the mass chromatograms.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to identifying unknown compounds and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and systems for identifying unknown compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry by use of retention index as a second dimension for identification.