Abstract: A novel automatic analysis apparatus in which a plurality of reaction tub according to the necessity, are held by a pair of turret tables disposed in predetermined spaces, and a reaction tube exchange means held between the tables automatically exchanges the reaction tubes held by one table for those of the other table at a predetermined position without stopping the rotation of the tables, and thereby achieves a charging operation, a measuring operation and a cleaning operation necessary for analysis of a specimen, such as blood, reagent or the like at a high speed with high precision and, in addition, facilitates measurement of an urgent specimen such as for operation.

Abstract: A liquid encapsulation Czockralski method for growing a single crystal of a semiconductor compound which comprises: melting a semiconductor compound in the presence of a B.sub.2 O.sub.3 liquid encapsulant to form a two phase liquid; dipping a semiconductor seed crystal into the compound melt covered with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 encapsulant; growing the crystal from the compound melt by pulling up and rotating the seed crystal; and, cooling the crystal in a cooling zone above a crucible. The cooling zone is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature distribution with a small temperature gradient by using primarily an independently controlled crystal cooling zone heater H3. In addition, an independently controlled melt heater H1 and an independently controlled crystal growing heater H2 are employed. Also, a crystal cooling zone heat shield 11 can be provided to aid in slowly cooling the grown crystal in the substantially uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing characteristics of a substance, such as blood, including a membrane support having first and second recesses and first and second dissimilar membranes extending over the first and second recesses, respectively. The membrane support has a groove between the recesses, and edge portions of the membranes extend into the groove on the side thereof adjacent the first recess. A retaining bar is received within the groove, and the membranes are tightly held between the retaining bar and the wall of the groove to form a smooth, essentially continuous surface. The membrane support forms a portion of a flow passage so that blood can flow along the membranes. First and second sensors are mounted on the sides of the first and second membranes opposite the flow passage for sensing characteristics of the blood. The first and second sensors engage the first and second membranes, respectively, to tension the membranes.

Abstract: A method for the production of a gallium arsenide single crystal which comprises bringing a seed crystal into contact with a fused layer of raw materials for the crystal while applying to the fused layer a magnetic field which has intensity enabling the temperature fluctuation in the neighborhood of the solid-liquid boundary in the fused layer to be repressed to within 1.degree. C., thereby effecting crystal growth.

Abstract: A tablet for use in preserving samples of milk for analysis comprises bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol) and a water-soluble solid organic carboxylic acid, the amount of the organic acid being within the range 0.002-0.07 milli-equivalents per milligram of bronopol. The presence of the organic acid stabilizes the bronopol, thereby providing a tablet with an adequate shelf life. Suitable organic acids include citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid and fumaric acid.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the separation of complex mixtures of carbonaceous material by sequential elution with successively stronger solvents. In the process, a column containing glass beads is maintained in a fluidized state by a rapidly flowing stream of a weak solvent, and the sample is injected into this flowing stream such that a portion of the sample is dissolved therein and the remainder of the sample is precipitated therein and collected as a uniform deposit on the glass beads. Successively stronger solvents are then passed through the column to sequentially elute less soluble materials.

Abstract: A versatile and highly sensitive procedure of indirect photometric chromatography in which a variable capacity pH dependent weakly basic or weakly acidic ion exchange medium is used in the chromatographic column to effect ion separations. Adjusting eluent pH allows increased detection limits without extended analysis time, reduced column efficiency, or the need for a battery of conventional strongly basic/acidic ion exchange columns.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measurements of total organic carbon content of water, particularly of low relative organic content, is described which features a single sample cell for exposure of a sample to ultraviolet radiation comprising electrodes for measuring the resistivity of the water. The conductivity is monitored as a function of time and the second time derivative of the conductivity signal is monitored to indicate when the oxidation reaction has been completed. Compensation for the contribution to conductivity of the water sample made by the instrument is achieved by subtracting a quantity porportional to the first time derivative of the resistivity at a time when the second time derivative reaches zero, indicating that the oxidation reaction is complete, from the overall conductivity measurement, the remainder being equal to the contribution of conductivity made by the organic content to the water.

Abstract: A method of fabricating SiC single-crystal substrate having a large area and a high quality which is suited to mass production, said method comprises covering the surface of a silicon substrate with a uniform thin film of silicon carbide grown by the CVD method at a low temperature, and thereafter growing a single-crystal film of silicon carbide on the thin film by the CVD method at a higher temperature than in the preceeding step.

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 leading 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 method for analyzing specific chemical substances in a gaseous environment which utilizes a thermionic source formed of multiple layers of ceramic material composition, an electrical current instrumentality for heating the thermionic source to operating temperatures in the range of 100.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C., an instrumentality for exposing the surface of the thermionic source to contact with the specific chemical substances for the purpose of forming gas phase ionization of the substances by a process of electrical charge emission from the surface, a collector electrode disposed adjacent to the thermionic source, an instrumentality for biasing the thermionic source at an electrical potential which causes the gas phase ions to move toward the collector, and an instrumentality for measuring the ion current arriving at the collector.

Abstract: A centrifuge chamber for cytodiagnostic investigation of epithelial cells contained in a sample, wherein a cell suspension investigated is placed in a first bore of a sample chamber containing a plurality of bores disposed parallel to one another and subjected to a centrifuging process. During a centrifuging process, the sample fluid is separated into a proximal fraction and a distal fraction, and the proximal fraction is then separated by the centrifuging process so that it is transferred via a flow connection provided between the first and second bores, into the second bore. In addition to automatic separation of the proximal and distal fractions during the centrifuging process, it is also possible to perform a staining procedure during the centrifuging process.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the heating value of a fuel gas stream of variable composition utilizes a housing of high thermal conductivity defining a small volume combustion chamber, and filled with a bed of highly thermally conductive particles surrounding an electrical-resistance heater. The heater maintains the internal temperature of the chamber above the combustion point of the fuel gas, to totally combust the enclosed sample. The bed of particles transmits the heating effects of the combustion to the housing. A temperature sensor attached to the housing communicates with a feedback controller which acts to maintain the housing temperature constant, by appropriately adjusting the electrical energy supplied to the heater. Means are provided to correlate changes in the electrical energy to the heating content of the fuel sample.

Abstract: An analyte in solution is made to react with a spectific reactant coated on the wave-guide thus modifying the optical properties thereof. The index of refraction of the wave-guide material is higher than that of the reaction medium which ensures that a light signal injected into said guide be carried by multiple total reflection, the distance of penetration of the evanescent wave associated with the totally reflected signal being of the same order of magnitude or greater than the thickness of the analyte-reactant product layer.

Abstract: An improved 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: A sensor element comprising a substrate made of a compound oxide of the perovskite type, the compound oxide having the formula A.sub.1-x A'.sub.x B.sub.1-y B'.sub.y O.sub.3 in which A represents a trivalent element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr and Nd, A' represents a divalent element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, B represents equal amounts of trivalent and tetravalent Co, B' represents a tetravalent element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, V and Ti, x has a value ranging from (0.6) to (0.95) and y has a value ranging from (0.2) to (0.9) with the proviso that x must equal 1/2(1+y).

Abstract: A specimens rotating device including a cooling source located in the central portion of a rotary plate, and a plurality of specimens arranged in the peripheral portion of the rotary plate in a manner to surround the cooling source. A plurality of heat pipes are arranged between the cooling source and the specimens so that each heat pipe is secured at one end to the cooling source and at the other end to one of the specimens. Each heat pipe has a working fluid sealed therein and its one end is exposed in a cooling fluid in a channel in the cooling source. Upon rotation of the rotary plate, the specimens are rotated along with the rotary plate, and the working fluid in the heat pipes is shifted toward the specimens.

Abstract: A reagent detection system for detecting an agglutination reaction in a reagent is provided. A light source directs monochromatic light toward an isoplanar sample field. A detector is provided for detecting a change in the amount of light scattered from the isoplanar sample field caused by the agglutination reaction of the reagents. The agglutination reaction is controlled by the intervention of a kinetic activator and results in consistently reproducible sensitive detection of the agglutination reaction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suspending a seed crystal over a fixed crucible containing a melt from a rotary and axially operable vertically disposed drive adaptor comprising the steps of forming a tubular receptacle adapted to be detachably secured at its upper end coaxially to the adapter, and having an internal bore formed therein with an internal step near its lower end for supporting the seed. The seed is formed in the shape of a cylinder of a diameter to pass axially through the stepped bore of the receptacle and having its upper end conically tapered downwardly and inwardly from the upper end thereof. A split sleeve is formed to be receivable downwardly within the internal bore of the tubular receptacle except as limited by the internal steps of the bore of the receptacle. The sleeve has an internal conical taper complimentary to the taper of the upper end of the seed about which it is disposed before insertion of the seed and sleeve within the bore of the receptacle.

Abstract: In a distributing method for sucking a desired amount of a sample liquid in a sample vessel and discharging the thus sucked sample liquid into a reaction vessel, a probe for sucking and discharging the liquid is connected to a syringe driven by a pulse motor. A photoelectric detector is provided for detecting whether the sample liquid is existed or not up to a predetermined level in the sample vessel and an actual amount of the sample liquid aspirated by the syringe is detected by a counter which counts clock pulses during the aspirating operation. When the liquid level descends lower than the predetermined level, the counting operation is stopped. The actual amount of the aspirated liquid in the probe is compared with a desired amount stored in a memory. When the actual amount of the sucked liquid is smaller than the desired value, an alarm is produced.