Abstract: Described herein is a high-energy x-ray imaging system including a stationary gantry, a conveyor assembly configured to convey an object to be imaged through the gantry, a plurality of linear accelerators, a detector array, and a control system. The linear accelerators are arranged in an array within the gantry and are configured to generate high-energy x-ray fan beams to be transmitted through the object. The detector array is positioned opposite the linear accelerators and is configured to collect the high-energy x-ray fan beams transmitted through the object. The control system is configured to energize the linear accelerators according to a predetermined control sequence to generate the high-energy x-ray fan beams, and construct a 3-D image of the object based on data received from the detector array and representative of the high-energy x-ray fan beams transmitted through the object.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a sample is described. The device can include a data store comprising executable instructions for at least one convolutional neural network, CNN, configured to process images: and a processor coupled to the data store and configured to execute the instructions to operate the at least one CNN. The detection device can be configured to: obtain spectrometry data, operate a first one of the CNNs to process the spectrometry data to obtain a first CNN output; apply a mask to the spectrometry data to obtain masked data; operate a second one of the CNNs to process the masked data to obtain a second CNN output; and determine if the substance of interest is present in the sample based on both the first CNN output and the second CNN output.

Abstract: An intermittent sample inlet device and methods for use of the intermittent sample inlet device are described that include an orifice plate with an entrance orifice and a rotating skimmer with a skimmer orifice, where the rotating skimmer is disposed between the orifice plate and a vacuum chamber wall. The rotating skimmer rotates so that the skimmer orifice intermittently aligns with the entrance orifice and allows an ion sample to pass through to a mass analyzer.

Abstract: A substance analysis system and method are provided, the system disposable a variable stand-off distance from a substance in situ, including an emitter disposed to emit radiation onto the substance in situ, and a detector disposed the variable stand-off distance from the substance in situ, the detector comprising a receiver defining a substantially collimated collection path over the variable stand-off distance.

Abstract: A sample inlet device and methods for use of the sample inlet device are described that include an ion funnel having a plurality of electrodes with apertures arranged about an axis extending from an inlet of the ion funnel to an outlet of the ion funnel, the ion funnel including a plurality of spacer elements disposed coaxially with the plurality of electrodes, each of the plurality of spacer elements being positioned between one or two adjacent electrodes, each of the plurality of spacer elements having an aperture with a diameter that is greater than a diameter of each adjacent electrode. The ion funnel is configured to pass an ion sample through the apertures of the electrodes and the spacer elements to additional portions of a detection system, such as to a mass analyzer system and detector.

Abstract: An ion transfer tube assembly, a mass spectrometry system, and a method for providing an ion stream to an ion detection device are described that include using an ion transfer tube that provides a coaxial sheath gas flow. In an implementation, an ion transfer tube assembly includes an ion transfer tube for delivering the ion stream, where a sheath gas flows through the ion transfer tube, and where the ion transfer tube receives the ion stream from a first conduit coupled to an ion source; a pump fluidly coupled to the ion transfer tube, where the pump causes the sheath gas to flow through the ion transfer tube, where the ion stream is separated from the ion transfer tube walls by the coaxial sheath gas flow, and where the ion stream is received by a second conduit coupled to the ion detection device.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for optical spectrometer detection using, for example, IR spectroscopy components and Raman spectroscopy components are described. For instance, a system includes a first electromagnetic radiation source configured to illuminate a sample with a first portion of electromagnetic radiation in a first region of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., an IR source) and a second electromagnetic radiation source configured to illuminate a sample with a second portion of electromagnetic radiation in a second substantially monochromatic region of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., a laser source). The system also includes a detector module configured to detect a sample constituent of a sample by analyzing a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the sample associated with the first electromagnetic radiation source and a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the sample associated with the second electromagnetic radiation source.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) devices, systems comprising such devices, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. In particular, SPME devices provided herein are configured to prevent damage (e.g., to the device and/or to a system in which they are employed) incurred, for example, through user error.

Abstract: An ion transfer system includes an ion source coupled to an ion inlet; an ion transfer tube assembly including a concentric ion transfer tube with a porous material that is permeable to a gas, the concentric ion transfer tube coupled to the ion inlet and the ion source, where a first gas that includes an ion stream flows through the concentric ion transfer tube; and a concentric gas tube, the concentric ion transfer tube disposed within the concentric gas tube, where a second gas flows between the concentric ion transfer tube and the concentric gas tube; an ion detection device coupled to a capillary tube that is coupled to the concentric ion transfer tube, where the capillary tube transports the ion stream to the ion detection device; and a pump coupled to at least one of the concentric ion transfer tube or the concentric gas tube.

Abstract: An interface configured to transfer ions produced at or near atmospheric pressure conditions into a mass spectrometer for mass analysis is provided. The interface includes a first conduit including an inlet configured to receive a fluid containing the ions and an outlet configured to direct the fluid containing the ions into the mass spectrometer. The first conduit defines a first flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet. The interface includes a pump. The interface includes a second conduit. The second conduit includes an inlet. The second conduit defines a second flow path extending from a location between the inlet and the outlet of the first conduit to an outlet of the second conduit. The pump is configured to divert a portion of the fluid including the ions moving in the first flow path to the second flow path.

Abstract: A sample inlet device and methods for use of the sample inlet device are described that include an ion funnel having a plurality of electrodes with apertures arranged about an axis extending from an inlet of the ion funnel to an outlet of the ion funnel, the ion funnel including a plurality of spacer elements disposed coaxially with the plurality of electrodes, each of the plurality of spacer elements being positioned between one or two adjacent electrodes, each of the plurality of spacer elements having an aperture with a diameter that is greater than a diameter of each adjacent electrode. The ion funnel is configured to pass an ion sample through the apertures of the electrodes and the spacer elements to additional portions of a detection system, such as to a mass analyzer system and detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing samples in containers are provided, where an emitter emits radiation at a first location on the container, with a portion of the radiation passing through the container and into the sample, some of the radiation is reflected within the container, a detector receives a transmission Raman signal including Raman radiation from multiple portions of the sample, and a comparator compares the transmission Raman signal with the radiation emitted by the emitter.

Abstract: A novel gas analysis system and method of identifying analytes in a gas sample are provided. The system uses multiple gas analysis technologies and uses the combined qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the multiple gas analysis technologies to analyze a gas sample.

Abstract: A server in connection with a plurality of multimedia sources that has a plurality of clients. The server determines if at least one of the clients is requesting to receive at least one of the sources. The server then multicasts these requested sources to the requesting clients, respectively. If none of the clients is requesting a particular source, the server does not multicast that particular source. If all of the clients cease requesting a particular source that the server is currently multicasting, the server terminates the multicast of that particular source.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) devices, systems comprising such devices, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. In particular, SPME devices provided herein are configured to prevent damage (e.g., to the device and/or to a system in which they are employed) incurred, for example, through user error.

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: Systems and methods for analyzing samples in containers are provided, where an emitter emits radiation at a first location on the container, with a portion of the radiation passing through the container and into the sample, some of the radiation is reflected within the container, a detector receives a transmission Raman signal including Raman radiation from multiple portions of the sample, and a comparator compares the transmission Raman signal with the radiation emitted by the emitter.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring for chemical or other toxic agents includes operating a plurality of first type sensors having a first level of sensitivity to an agent in a monitored area. Concurrently a second type sensor is operated having a second level of sensitivity to the agent in the monitored area, where the second level of sensitivity is at least ten times more sensitive than the first level of sensitivity. Input from the plurality of first type sensors and the second type sensor is received and analyzed, at a central location, in order to determine the presence of the agent in the monitored area.

Abstract: A detection and identification system includes a sensor unit (100) having a sensor array that detects and identifies at least one chemical included in an air flow. The system also includes a pump (120) that drives the air flow through the detection and identification system, in which the pump receives the air flow that has passed out of the sensor unit. The system further includes an adsorption unit (130) that dries and cleans the air flow within the detection and identification system, to obtain a substantially dry and clean air flow, in which the adsorption unit receives the air flow that has passed out of the pump. The system also includes at least one valve (140) that receives the substantially dry and clean air flow that has passed through the adsorption unit. The valve provides the substantially dry and clean air flow to the sensor unit in a close-loop circulation operation to thereby clean a sensor array.

Abstract: A server in connection with a plurality of multimedia sources that has a plurality of clients. The server determines if at least one of the clients is requesting to receive at least one of the sources. The server then multicasts these requested sources to the requesting clients, respectively. If none of the clients is requesting a particular source, the server does not multicast that particular source. If all of the clients cease requesting a particular source that the server is currently multicasting, the server terminates the multicast of that particular source.