Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting a dissolved gaseous impurity in an aqueous environment, comprises a tube for isolating liquid surface, or a sampler for obtaining a liquid sample from the aqueous environment, a vacuum pump located to exert a vacuum, leaving the surface to evaporate into the vacuum; and a holding compartment for holding evaporated gas which may then be analyzed using electrochemical or spectroscopic methods. The apparatus is useful for detecting levels of ammonia in fish ponds or indeed any impurity that may be dissolved in the water.

Abstract: An infrared image sensor includes a first integrate circuit (IC), a bolometer disposed on or above one surface of the first IC configured to detect infrared rays passing through a lens module, a via electrically connecting the first IC and the bolometer, and a reflective layer disposed between the first IC and the bolometer, wherein the first IC includes at least one of a read-out (RO) element configured to perform analog processing for the bolometer to generate infrared sensing information and an image signal process (ISP) element configured to perform digital processing based on the bolometer to generate infrared image information, and at least one of an autofocusing (AF) control element and an optical image stabilization (OIS) control element configured to adjust a positional relationship between the lens module and the bolometer.

Abstract: A method of imaging described herein comprises (a) disposing ultrasound-switchable fluorophores within an environment; (b) exposing the environment to ultrasound to create a first activation region within the environment; (c) disposing the fluorophores within the first activation region to switch the fluorophores from an off state to an on state; (d) irradiating the environment to excite the fluorophores within the first activation region; (e) detecting photoluminescence from the excited fluorophores at a first optical spot on an exterior surface of the environment; (f) subsequently creating a second activation region within the environment; (g) switching fluorophores within the second activation region to an on state; (h) exciting the fluorophores in the on state within the second activation region; and (i) detecting photoluminescence from the excited fluorophores within the second activation region at a second optical spot on the exterior surface, wherein the first and second optical spots are optically res

Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products of inspecting solar panels using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A UAV can obtain a position of the Sun in a reference frame, a location of a solar panel in the reference frame, and an orientation of the solar panel in the reference frame. The UAV can determine a viewing position of the UAV in the reference frame based on at least one of the position of the Sun, the location of the solar panel, and the orientation of the solar panel. The UAV can maneuver to the viewing position and point a thermal sensor onboard the UAV at the solar panel. The UAV can capture, by the thermal sensor, a thermal image of at least a portion of the solar panel. A server onboard the UAV or connected to the UAV can detect panel failures based on the thermal image.

Abstract: Method and system for determining sealing integrity and/or contamination of the sealing region by the filling material of a heat-sealed container, including imaging at least a part of a sealing region of the container using an imaging camera; wherein the imaging is performed during movement and/or transport of the container at a predetermined speed; and wherein the imaging is performed while moving the field of view of the camera in a same direction as the container, wherein the moving of the field of view is configured to reduce the velocity of the container relative to the imaging camera sufficiently to reduce smearing of images obtained.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample. The method includes optically exciting at least part of the sample. This step includes directing excitation light onto an interface between the sample and a medium. The excitation light is incident onto the interface under an angle of incidence such that total internal reflection of the excitation light occurs at the interface. The method further includes measuring the electric field using a terahertz near-field probe, wherein the terahertz near-field probe is positioned on one side of the interface and the excitation light approaches the interface on another side of the interface. This disclosure further relates to a system and computer program for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with feces of a subject that are disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device. One or more light sensors are configured to receive light from the toilet bowl, while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl. A computer processor analyzes the received light, and, in response thereto, detects a currently-occurring inflammatory bowel disease episode, and/or a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode. The computer processor generates an output on the output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for updating a uniformity map of a detector. The detector defines a detector surface area. The method includes positioning a flood on a sub-portion of the detector surface area of the detector. The flood defines a flood area that is smaller than the detector surface area. Also, the method includes collecting counts from the flood for the sub-portion of the detector surface area. Further, the method includes updating an adjustment portion of the uniformity map using the counts collected for the sub-portion of the detector surface area, wherein the adjustment portion corresponds to at least a part of the sub-portion of the detector surface area.

Abstract: An ultraviolet sensor that may include a group of serially connected photovoltaic diodes of alternating polarities; a selective blocking portion that is configured to prevent ultraviolet radiation from reaching photovoltaic diodes that belong to the group and are of a first polarity, while allowing the ultraviolet radiation to reach photovoltaic diodes that belong to the group and are of a second polarity; and an interface for providing an output signal of the group, the output signal is indicative of ultraviolet radiation sensed by the photovoltaic diodes that belong to the group and are of the second polarity.

Abstract: A shield around an x-ray tube, a voltage multiplier, or both can improve the manufacturing process by allowing testing earlier in the process and by providing a holder for liquid potting material. The shield can also improve voltage standoff. A shielded x-ray tube can be electrically coupled to a shielded power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a haze and/or particulate level in the air is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detecting unit (sensor) and a controller. The detecting unit is configured to detect the haze and/or particulate level in real time. The controller in communication with the detecting unit is configured to receive data related to a haze level from the detecting unit. The apparatus further comprises a display and a control switch. The display in communication with the controller is configured to display data related to the haze level monitored by one or more sensors. The sensors are laser based particulate sensors. The control switch in communication with the controller is configured to send a signal to control a haze generator, thereby monitoring the haze level in real time and controlling the haze generator at predetermined time periods using the control switch for attaining and maintaining a desired haze level.

Abstract: A photonic gas sensor and a method for producing a photonic gas sensor are disclosed. In an embodiment a photonic gas sensor includes a component housing with at least one cavity, a radiation-emitting semiconductor chip arranged in the cavity and configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation in a first wavelength range, a radiation-detecting semiconductor chip arranged in the cavity and configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a second wavelength range and an active sensor element having a fluorescent dye configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the second wavelength range upon being excited by electromagnetic radiation in the first wavelength range, wherein an intensity of the emitted electromagnetic radiation in the second wavelength range changes reversibly in presence of a gas to be detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detection and compensation for an oblique ear-probe insertion in especially hearing testing diagnostic setups. More particularly the disclosure relates to detecting an oblique probe insertion from an ear-probe measurement and estimated characteristic impedances and compensate for its effect on the ear-canal reflectance.

Abstract: A system for biomolecule identification by terahertz sensing, an asymmetric triple split-rectangular (ATSR) metamaterial biosensor, and a method for biomolecule identification by terahertz sensing are presented. The asymmetric triple split-rectangular (ATSR) metamaterial biosensor includes three gap areas which highly confine an electric field. The biosensor includes an E-shaped structure facing an inverted E-shaped structure with gaps between the respective legs. Each leg has a specially designed extension on either side which increases the electric field. A terahertz laser interrogates an analyte upon the metamaterial structure with a plurality of frequencies. The amplitude difference is estimated by an amplitude difference referencing technique. The amplitude difference is matched to a database record to identify the biomolecule analyte.

Abstract: A sensory evaluation method for spectral data of mainstream smoke includes: performing a data enhancement on spectral data of mainstream smoke of a plurality of cigarettes; extracting a shallow spectral characteristic from the spectral data of the mainstream smoke of each cigarette; obtaining a shallow sensory quality result of the spectral data of the mainstream smoke of each cigarette based on the spectral data of the mainstream smoke of each cigarette and the shallow spectral characteristic; extracting deep spatial characteristics from the spectral data of the mainstream smoke of each cigarette; obtaining a deep sensory quality result based on the spectral data of the mainstream smoke of each cigarette and the deep spatial characteristics; obtaining a comprehensive sensory quality result according to the shallow sensory quality result and the deep sensory quality result. The sensory evaluation method achieves accurate screening of unknowns in the mainstream smoke.

Abstract: A system identifying a source of radiation is provided. The system includes a radiation source detector and a radiation source identifier. The radiation source detector receives measurements of radiation; for one or more sources, generates a detection metric indicating whether that source is present in the measurements; and evaluates the detection metrics to detect whether a source is present in the measurements. When the presence of a source in the measurements is detected, the radiation source identifier for one or more sources, generates an identification metric indicating whether that source is present in the measurements; generates a null-hypothesis metric indicating whether no source is present in the measurements; evaluates the one or more identification metrics and the null-hypothesis metric to identify the source, if any, that is present in the measurements.

Abstract: A cell detection method and a cell detection device. The cell detection method includes: dividing a liquid sample into a plurality of droplets in a sample detection region so that each of the plurality of droplets includes fewer than ten cells; and performing optical detection on the plurality of droplets in the sample detection region to determine a target droplet including a target cell from the plurality of droplets.

Abstract: Near-infrared pulses are emitted from a pulsed light source. A scanner directs the near-infrared pulses as scanned light. An optical element directs the scanned light into the eye. The scanned light is scanned in two dimensions to form an image on the eye. Photon-pairs of the near-infrared pulses deliver a photon energy that is perceived as visible light.

Abstract: A method for regulating a photoelectric spectral response range, including: pre-pressurizing a gasket material, and drilling a circular hole at the center of indentation as a sample chamber; padding the sample chamber with a layer of photoelectric material, where two ends of the photoelectric material each are connected to one platinum sheet as an electrode; respectively connecting the two electrodes to probes of a digital source-meter, and using the digital source-meter to apply a 5 V bias voltage to the photoelectric material; placing a pressure calibration substance for pressure calibration; applying a high pressure to the photoelectric material, to make a pressure in the sample chamber reach a preset pressure; irradiating a near-infrared laser onto the photoelectric material through diamonds, controlling the presence or absence of illumination, and using the digital source-meter to display a current-time curve at the preset pressure; and determining a photoelectric spectral response range.

Abstract: A system includes a first transmission unit configure to emit a first terahertz wave, a second transmission unit disposed at a position different from a position of the first transmission unit and configured to emit a second terahertz wave, a detection unit for detecting at least one of a first reflected terahertz wave that is a part of the first terahertz wave reflected from an object, or a second reflected terahertz wave that is a part of the second terahertz wave reflected from the object, and outputting image data based on the detected terahertz wave, and a first control unit configured to, under a condition set based on the image data, control at least one of an operation of the first transmission unit or an operation of the second transmission unit.