Abstract: A process for producing tin oxide fibers, which comprises forming a melt comprising a solute composed essentially of tin oxide and a solvent selected from the group consisting of copper, a copper alloy, tin or a tin alloy, evaporating the solute from the melt, and introducing the evaporated solute to a low temperature zone, whereby tin oxide fibers are permitted to precipitate and grow in the low temperature zone.

Abstract: A gas sensor element comprising a film of a semiconducting compound of formula I supported by a non-conductive substrate, the film being disposed between conductors for supplying a current to the film and withdrawing a current therefrom. ##STR1## in which: M represents 2H, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb, Pt or Pd;R.sub.1 represents H, CH.sub.3, Cl, Br, I, CN, CO.sub.2 H, COOC.sub.n H.sub.2n+1, CONH.sub.2 or NO.sub.2 ;R.sub.2 represents H or CH.sub.3 ; andR.sub.3.sup.a and R.sub.3.sup.b, which may be identical or different represent H, NO.sub.2, Cl, CO.sub.2 H or CH.sub.3 ;provided that when M represents cobalt at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3.sup.a and R.sub.3.sup.b is other than hydrogen.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric apparatus (10) utilizes a sample cell (14) to perform infrared spectrophotometric analysis on a moving process stream (11) containing, for example, polymer melt. Material to be analyzed flows between two closely spaced-apart crystals (40) in an observation chamber (42). Infrared radiation is transmitted from one side of the material through it to the other side. Crystals (40) are contained within threaded retainers (38) and (39) positioned in a bore. The retainers (38) and (39) can be moved towards and away from each other to vary the absorption rate of the material.

Abstract: An automatic sample injector for high pressure liquid chromatography, utilizing a cassette-like holder of a plurality of sample columns and an automatic injection unit which sequentially and successively advances the cassette and removes each sample therefrom in accordance with the test to be conducted on the sample. The cassette-like sample carrier utilizes a plurality of sample columns disposed in line with each other, with the body of the cassette being unsymmetrical to prevent reversal thereof in the injection machine. The injection machine, when a sample cassette is placed thereon, automatically advances the cassette to the first sample column, connects the column to the chromatographic or other system, removes the sample therefrom, decouples the sample tube from the system and again advances the cassette to the next sample tube therein for similar processing thereof.

Abstract: The presence of certain chemicals on the emitting surface of the surface-derivatized photoluminescent semiconductor alters the characteristics of radiation emitted from said surface. This alteration is used to indicate the presence of those chemicals in the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting leaks from underground gasoline storage tanks and the like by routine or periodic soil samples tested for a particular tracer. A fluorinated halocarbon compound tracer having a boiling point less than that of gasoline is slowly dispensed within the gasoline, natural gas, or the like in the tank. A sampling pipe having a plurality of apertures therein is also buried in selected locations in the vicinity of the tank, and samples of the soil gas are pumped from the pipe and supplied to a Nafion water separator prior to analysis by gas chromatographic techniques. If a leak in the tank should occur, the tracer will exit with the leaking gasoline, quickly vaporize, and travel rapidly by molecular diffusion in all directions. Elements of the tracer will therefore be detected in the soil gas pumped from the sample pipe using standard gas chromatography techniques, indicating that a leak exists in the tank.

Abstract: A breath alcohol testing instrument comprises a breathing tube (10) connected to an instrument (15) for detecting alcohol, including a sampling system comprising a spring-loaded piston (30) arranged to draw a gas sample into a sampling chamber (21) in contact with an electrochemical fuel cell (20). A pressure sensor (52) detects a predetermined breath flow rate and starts a timer (53) which after a predetermined interval actuates a solenoid (40) to release the sampler. If the suspect interrupts normal breath flow the system does not "abort". The solenoid (40) is still actuated automatically either immediately when the pressure sensor (52) indicates a predetermined drop in pressure or after the preselected time interval. Simultaneously a "test fail" signal is generated (55) and applied to a warning signal generator (56) which actuates a visible or audible warning sign to indicate a non-standard test result.

Abstract: A method of testing a cellular hematologic fluid derived from a mammal to determine the existence in the mammal of a pathological state or condition wherein an immunomodulator is admixed with the cellular hematologic fluid of the mammal and a reaction parameter determined and compared with known reaction parameters of cellular hematologic fluids of mammals of known healthy states to like immunomodulator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction parameter is a clotting parameter as determined as fibrin levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling single crystals of dissociative compounds, with a volatile component gas sealed in a growth chamber at a controlled pressure thereof, is disclosed, wherein the chamber is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of ceramics, gas-tight carbon, heat-resistant metallic materials, ceramic-coated carbon and ceramic-coated heat-resistant metallic materials, the chamber can be divided, with a structure of the divided portion of the chamber capable of being sealed by making use of a sealing material with a pressure exerted on the seal, and an optical window is disposed in the chamber through which the growing state of the crystal in the chamber can be observed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the sequential performance of chemical processes on a sample of chemical material wherein the sample is embedded in a solid matrix of fluid permeable material located within a reaction chamber and is sequentially subjected to a plurality of fluids passed through the chamber in a pressurized stream, causing chemical interaction between the sample and the fluids.

Abstract: An assay cartridge which has a substantially rectangular base plate, a substantially rectangular top plate, and four side walls. The top plate has a plurality of aligned adjacent reaction wells located on its top side. Each well has a hole at its bottom which opens into a waste reservoir which is the space inside of the base plate, top plate and four walls. A filter membrane is positioned against the underside of the top plate covering the well holes. A port through the base plate allows reducing the pressure in the waste reservoir relative to the pressure over the wells for drawing the liquid phase of a reaction from the well through the filter and into the waste reservoir.

Abstract: A moisture sensor having the moisture sensitive film comprising an inner layer in the form of a plasma-polymerized high polymer layer of a hydrophobic organic compound and a surface layer in the form of a plasma-polymerized high polymer layer having incorporated therein a hydrophilic groups of an ammonium salt type, and a process for producing same.

Abstract: A process and arrangement for the formation of single crystals from the gas phase, in which the single crystal which is located in the gas phase, and which is in the process of growth originating from only one adhering surface, is subjected to a static temperature gradient between the exposed crystal surface and the surroundings about the crystal. When the crystal which is in the process of growth, within the metastable range of supersaturation is warmer than its surroundings, than homogeneous crystals of larger dimension can be formed. During the formation of HgI.sub.2 (.alpha.) crystals, the crystal is irradiated for purposes of observation with only orange-colored light during the growth process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the precisely controlled and coordinated supply of sample and sheath stream fluids to a sheath stream flow cell, and comprise the use of positive displacement differential pumping means which are operable to insure consistent sample and sheath stream fluid diameters, velocity and volume flow conditions within the flow cell, thereby maximizing the accuracy and reproducibility of successive analyses.

Abstract: Nitrides and oxynitrides which can be used as selective detectors of reducing gases in the atmosphere, and a detection device containing them. Selective detectors of nitrogen-containing reducing gases in the atmosphere, in particular ammonia and gases containing NH and/or NH.sub.2 groups, of the semiconductor resistance type, the nitrides and oxynitrides according to the invention are of tetrahedral structure and contain:a metal chosen from the group comprising Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and Mn;a second element chosen from the group comprising Si, Ge, P, Al and Ga;nitrogen and, if appropriate,oxygen.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially fractionating a centrifuge tube includes a capillary tube and a means for applying positive pressure. The capillary tube has an O-ring at the lower end thereof. As the capillary tube is placed within the centrifuge tube, the O-ring forms a seal within the tube. Movement of the capillary tube within the centrifuge tube places the liquid in the centrifuge tube under pressure, thus forcing the liquid to flow up through the capillary tube and into a chamber. A chase fluid is then pumped horizontally through the chamber to force the liquid therein through an exit port and into a fraction collector. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be entirely automated and controlled by a single microprocessor.

Abstract: A procedure for photometric measurement of liquids in a reaction vessel in an automatic analyser, with a radiation flow having its course perpendicular to a row of the reaction vessel, so as to provide a reliable and positively operating measuring method for the photometric measurement of the liquids. The procedure is characterized in that the radiation flow and the reaction vessel are in movement relative to each other during the measurement. The invention affords the advantage of improved accuracy of measurement and improved reliability since it becomes possible, by measuring a moving object and at the same time calculating the mean of the radiant flux over accepted portions of the signal, to eliminate the error of measurement introduced by a dirt particle or by a scratch. The invention also concerns a row of reaction vessels employed in the procedure, wherein each reaction vessel is contiguous to the next and separated by a wall.

Abstract: Epitaxial layers of bismuth-containing magnetic garnet materials are grown from a melt which comprises flux components lead oxide, bismuth oxide, and one or several additional oxides selected from vanadium oxide, tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, and chromium trioxide. The presence of such additional flux component results in increased magnetic anisotropy per degree of supercooling and thus enhances device properties and facilitates epitaxial layer deposition.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a volatile, air or moisture sensitive or pyrophoric, liquid, organometallic compound for an impurity comprising inserting a sample of the compound into an exponential dilution flask, allowing substantially the entire sample to vaporize, and analyzing the vapor by plasma spectroscopy; or decomposing the sample by dropwise addition into frozen aqueous acid, diluting the decomposed sample with water, and analyzing the diluted, decomposed sample by plasma spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the test device and method of determining the presence and relative concentration of a component in a test sample. The device includes a carrier matrix incorporated with a reactant system capable of interacting with a sample component to produce a detectable response. For home use, the reactant system produces a visibly detectable response. The carrier matrix of the device comprises a new and improved whole blood compatible, glucose-permeable strip or layer of a polymerizable silicone material. A reactant system is homogeneously mixed into the polymerizable carrier matrix prior to complete curing of the matrix, and the matrix then is cured to hold the reactant system homogeneously throughout the carrier matrix in a known concentration while maintaining matrix penetrability of the predetermined component after complete curing of the carrier matrix.