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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.

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: 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: 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: A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

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: The application provides a method for reducing the loss of electromagnetic radiation caused by passing electromagnetic radiation through material with a rough surface. The method comprises applying a surface layer, such as a liquid or plastic film, to the material. The surface layer masks or decreases the surface irregularities or effects therefrom resulting in decreased loss of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide probes are provided that are capable of hybridizing to different target nucleic acid sequences in a temperature-dependent manner allowing for detection of more than one target sequence by the same probe or by different probes having reporter labels with identical or similar detection characteristics. Also provided is a method for detecting target nucleic acid sequences using an oligonucleotide probe capable of hybridizing to the sequences in a temperature-dependent manner or using different probes having reporter labels with identical or similar detection characteristics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing assay information to a portable detection unit, by way of a remote server in communication with the portable detection unit or a consumable with stored information for use with the portable detection unit. Global Positioning System (GPS) information is provided to a portable detection unit having a GPS receiver, so that the unit can determine its current position, including altitude. Based on the determined position, assays and parameters, such as PCR melt temperatures, can be selected. Assays to be performed by the portable detection unit can be selected based on the results of a prior assay.