Abstract: Mercury Detection Method and Apparatus utilizes cartridges including gold for adsorbing mercury as an amalgam. The adsorbed mercury is desorbed by heating and passed through a Cold Vapour Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer. Each cartridge is flushed with an inert gas, so that air and contaminants are never passed directly through the detector, so only inert gas passes through it. To further prevent adsorption of contaminants, the cartridges are maintained at a minimum temperature, above ambient temperature and below 100.degree. C. To enable unattended calibration, a permeation source is provided having a permeation chamber and a valve assembly, including 3 separate valves, to ensure that in an off state mercury vapour cannot leak to the cartridges. To ensure an efficient use of the inert gas, its flow can be adjusted between 3 different levels, for flushing, desorption of mercury, and an idle state to maintain the apparatus purged air.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe for remotely detecting the presence and concentration organic species in aqueous solutions. The probe includes a cylindrical housing with an organic species indicator, preferably diaminonaphthyl sulfonic acid adsorbed in a silica gel (DANS-modified gel), contained in the probe's distal end. The probe admits aqueous solutions to the probe interior for mixing within the DANS-modified gel. An optical fiber transmits light through the DANS-modified gel while the indicator reacts with organic species present in the solution, thereby shifting the location of the fluorescent peak. The altered light is reflected to a receiving fiber that carries the light to a spectrophotometer or other analysis device.

Abstract: A process for measuring and controlling the concentration of a solution at an aim point of an amide solvent and aramid polymers having aromatic and aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds that overlap using a near-infrared analyzer.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for performing the Western Blot Assay and other assays. The invention includes a tray within which multiple samples can be assayed with a minimum of operator attention. The tray that is desirably used with the apparatus is multichambered and can be alternately agitated and drained according to drive cards and/or other controls such as electronic controls. The tray is designed in such a way that reagents and washing fluids, which are added sequentially and then cleared, do not back flow into the chambers of the tray.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus includes a pair of valves. A first valve selectively communicates a sample tube with a vent/aspiration valve, or alternatively communicates a diluent pump with a reaction tube. By moving the first valve, one may selectively relieve a vacuum within a sample tube, aspirate a sample from the tube, or alternatively may drive a diluent and a sample into the reaction tube. The second valve is a vent/aspiration valve which selectively communicates the first valve to two distinct systems. A first system vents a vacuum in the sample tube, and a second system aspirates a sample from the sample tube. The second valve is actuated to initially relieve any vacuum in the sample tube, and is then actuated to connect the aspiration system to the sample tube to begin to withdraw of a sample from the sample tube. At the same time, the diluent pump is filled. The shear valve is then moved to communicate the diluent pump to the reaction tube.

Abstract: A corrosive environment sensor comprises an elongate metal member having a pair of beam portions, each extending in a length direction between first and second ends of the metal member, and having a crack growth portion formed therein and extending in the length direction of the metal member from a crack starting end toward the second end, wherein the crack starting end is at an intermediate position between the first and second ends of the metal member and is between the pair of beam portions, a changeable load member having an expansible chamber disposed between the beam portion around the first end of the metal member and a means for supplying pressurized fluid to the expansible chamber. The changeable load member applies a load to the crack growth portion and the means for supplying pressurized fluid to the expansible chamber is responsible for ensuring that the displacement of the beam portions is accomplished in such a manner so as to provide a constant stress intensity factor at a crack growing point.

Abstract: A fluid sensing pipette includes an outer conductive tube forming a first electrode and an inner conductive tube forming a second electrode. The inner conductive tube is disposed concentrically within the outer conductive tube. To insulate the inner conductive tube from the outer conductive tube, the inner conductive tube is coated with a thin, uniform, and consistent Parylene coating. A hydrophobic polymeric tube is disposed concentrically within the inner conductive tube to prevent cross-contamination between different biological samples aspirated into the pipette. The inner and outer conductive tubes are separately coupled to a level detection circuit which permits the pipette to detect entry of the pipette into a conductive fluid. The level detection circuit determines the impedance between the first and second electrodes and produces a control signal in response to the impedance falling below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An analytic device (1) for reflective luminoscopy comprises within an enclosure (11): a light source (12); a pair of spaced light detectors (141, 142); and a refractor body (16); the refractor body comprises a planar base (161), an entry plane (163) near the light source for light emanating therefrom, and an exit plane (165) near the spaced detectors for light that is being sensed by at least one of the detectors; the entry plane and the exit plane enclose an angle of less then 180.degree. and not less than 90.degree.

Abstract: A device for identifying the content of a straw formed of a heat-sealed section of ionomer resin tube offering high performance at cryogenic temperatures comprises a sheath length threaded onto the straw and trapped between the ends of the straw which are flattened and widened in the transverse direction on sealing the straw after filling. The sheath carries printed identifying data and its color facilitates identification. This avoids the possibility of defective printing on the ionomer resin and damage to the straw or its contents by diffusion of constituents of the ink. The sheath can be ovalized at one end to prevent it moving freely.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid sample analyzer for analyzing water samples for metal or other element content. The measurement can be made simultaneously with the determination of electrical conductivity and/or degree of acidity. The invention includes at least two mobile phase containers, and each of the mobile phase containers contains a different reagent. In addition there are elements for causing each of the different reagents to flow from the mobile phase containers to separate pipelines. The pipelines are connected to injection valves which inject the different reagents into a pipeline together with a common liquid sample. The mixed sample and reagent are then introduced into an ion separating column. The invention further is comprised of a detector for detecting data from said ion separating columns, a recorder for recording said detected data, and a casing to enclose the valves and ion separating columns. Determination of all the liquid sample parameters are achieved under the same conditions, i.e.

Abstract: The invention addresses a measuring cell and a process for carrying out electrochemiluminescence measurements (ECL). The measuring cell has a sample space in which there are disposed a working and a counter electrode. The counter electrode is disposed such that it is located in the light path between the working electrode and the optical detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in analytical instruments such as autosamplers comprises a tapered vial and a sleeve. The sleeve includes an annular inner frustoconical portion which receives the closed end of the vial to locate it in an operative position of an autosampler. The portion may include a cylindrical extension for precisely defining the axial height of the vial relative to the sleeve, and hence the instrument.

Abstract: A process for monitoring the concentration level of a detergent or bleach in a washing liquor of an institutional laundry machine by measuring emitted fluorescence radiation in the washing liquor.

Abstract: A connector system for the connection of liquid reservoirs or containers is configured in such a way that a predetermined connection sequence must be followed. For this purpose, the system has two connecting pieces (1, 2) each of which is provided with two connectors (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B), the first connectors (1A, 2A) serving to connect containers of liquid (BI, BII). The configuration of the connectors allows the two connecting pieces to be connected together by means of a specially configured intermediate piece (3), but on the other hand does not allow connection of one of the connecting pieces with a third container. The preferred area of application of the connector system is medical technology, for example the transfer of liquids during hemofiltration.

Abstract: Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE) with laser-excited fluorescence detection has been found to be a fast, easy, and accurate method for directly measuring serum retinol. Due to its small sample requirements, the method may be used for finger-prick analysis.

Abstract: To determine the total organic carbon content of a flowing liquid in a continuous process, water and oxidizing agents enter lower ports in a multistage column and flow upwardly through residence chambers as they are mixed. Spaced apart along the upper path of the liquid, there are helical reaction grooves relatively shallow and containing at least one helical groove to cause rapid motion of the liquid. An ultraviolet lamp extends downwardly through the center of the column so that the outer confining surface of the helical grooves is the outer surface of the ultraviolet lamp, causing the liquid to move rapidly in intimate contact with the ultraviolet lamp to receive intense radiation. The stages are separate and interchangeable so that selected sizes may interconnect. The residence chambers may have different sizes to permit different lengths of residence time and thus permit tailoring of the reaction to the expected organic carbon content and possible side reactions with other impurities in the water.

Abstract: The content of decomposable organic carbon compounds present in a gaseous phase is determined down to the parts per billion (10.sup.-9) range and in special cases down to the parts per trillion (10.sup.-12) range. The gaseous sample material being tested is introduced into a limited quantity of water wherein the organic compounds are photolytically decomposed. The decomposition products are ascertained in the carrier gas and/or in the limited quantity of water.

Abstract: A non-invasive glucose concentration measurement apparatus includes: a light source which projects at the sample radiation of a wavelength range including a wavelength at which absorption greatly changes with glucose concentration but does not greatly vary with temperature; a photosensor which receives the radiation which have been projected by the light source, and transmitted through or reflected by the sample, and generates an electrical signal corresponding to a through-transmitted or reflected level of the radiation of the wavelength; and a calculator which calculates a glucose concentration based on the electrical signal. A more accurate glucose concentration can be obtained without the influence of temperature.

Abstract: An amorphous silicon film is formed on a glass substrate by a CVD method, and then the island regions of the amorphous silicon film is changed to a plurality of polycrystalline silicon regions which are arranged in a line and apart with each other in a predetermined distanced by intermittently irradiating laser pulses each having the same dimensions as those of the island region onto the amorphous silicon film, using a laser beam irradiating section. Switching elements including the island regions as semiconductor regions are formed by etching and film-forming process to constitute a driving circuit section. The section is divided to gate driving circuit sections and source driving circuit sections for driving thin film transistors formed in a pixel region.

Abstract: The inside of a coating chamber (2) has a sputtering cathode (3) bearing a magnet set (6) and having a pot-shaped electrode (4) and a target (5). The electrode (4) is closed on the side facing away from the target (5) by a cover (11) to form a pressure equalizing chamber (12). The latter has a vacuum connection (13) for establishing a vacuum acting against the vacuum in the coating chamber (2).