Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for real-time, in situ measurement of gas compositions and heating values. The apparatus includes a near infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, a mid infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide and a semiconductor based sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrogen gas. A data processor having a computer program for reducing the effects of cross-sensitivities of the sensors to components other than target components of the sensors is also included. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for real-time, in situ determination of a composition and heating value of a fuel gas.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle for inspecting a substantially cylindrical object composed of a magnetizable material includes a chassis. A plurality of wheels is disposed on the chassis so as to be rotatable and is configured to move the chassis in a circumferential direction along an external surface of the cylindrical object, at least some of the plurality of wheels being motor-drivable. The plurality of wheels is disposed so as to provide a chassis clearance allowing a movement of the chassis over an obstruction on the external surface of the cylindrical object. A magnetic device is disposed on the chassis and is configured to hold the vehicle on the external surface of the cylindrical object.

Abstract: A bubble reduction device, chromatography device, bubble reduction method and bubble reduction program capable of reducing bubbles in an eluent. Included are a liquid accommodation portion, a liquid supply apparatus, an air layer formation apparatus, a first channel and an evacuation portion. The liquid accommodation portion accommodates a liquid that is to elute an analysis component from a specimen adsorbed to an adsorption portion. The liquid supply apparatus, by operation of a rod pushing up and polling down, sucks and discharges the liquid through an aperture portion of a tube portion, the aperture portion being oriented upward. The air layer formation apparatus forms an air layer in the tube portion. The first channel connects the liquid supply apparatus with the liquid accommodation portion. The evacuation portion is connected to the first channel via a first switching valve and evacuates the air layer through the first channel.

Abstract: An automated system for handling components of a chromatographic system, comprising: one or more trap columns each having sorbent material therein; a robotic system for moving a trap column from a storage position to an operating position where the trap column is connected in a liquid pathway along which solvent is flowed in operation to a liquid chromatography (LC) column; and an optical sensor for sensing one or more parameters of the trap column. Sensed parameters can include: a presence or absence of a trap column in the operating position, a position or orientation of the trap column, a fluid level in the trap column, the presence and position of a sorbent material in the trap column, the condition of the trap column and/or whether the trap column is new or used.

Abstract: A microfluidic electrochemical device and process are detailed that provide chemical imaging and electrochemical analysis under vacuum at the surface of the electrode-sample or electrode-liquid interface in-situ. The electrochemical device allows investigation of various surface layers including diffuse layers at selected depths populated with, e.g., adsorbed molecules in which chemical transformation in electrolyte solutions occurs.

Abstract: A method for determining the interstitial oxygen concentration of a sample made from a p-doped semiconductor material includes a step of heat treatment of the sample in order to form thermal donors, determining the duration of the heat treatment required to obtain a compensated semiconductor material, determining the thermal donors concentration in the sample of compensated semiconductor material, from the charge carriers concentration, and determining the oxygen concentration from the thermal donors of and the duration of the heat treatment.

Abstract: A method and device for operating a fluid-insulated electrical apparatus. The insulation fluid of the electrical apparatus includes at least two components. The method includes the step of determining a physical state of the insulation fluid by measuring at least three measurement variables with sensors. The method further includes the step of deriving trend variables indicative of changes over time for the measurement variables and/or for characterizing variables. These characterizing variables are derived from the measurement variables by using a relating equation, such as an equation of state, and are also indicative of the physical state of the insulation fluid. By testing for specific patterns of the trend variables, an operating state of the electrical apparatus is determined. The possible operating states correspond to specific and distinguishable non-fault and fault scenarios for the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) comprising a GC column for separating analytes of a sample, a GC oven and a mass spectrometer comprises: providing a conduit extending between the GC oven and the mass spectrometer such that a conduit interior volume is contiguous with an interior volume of the GC oven; routing the GC column through the GC oven and conduit interior volume to an ion source of the mass spectrometer; providing a flow of temperature regulated air or gas between a fan or blower of the gas chromatograph and the conduit interior volume; introducing the sample into the GC column; controlling the temperature of the GC oven interior volume and the conduit interior volume so as to facilitate analyte separation within the GC column and transfer of the separated analytes to the mass spectrometer; and analyzing the separated analytes with the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A flow-through measuring cell having one inlet opening for entry of the fluid, and one outlet opening for exit of the fluid. A single measurement space is located between the inlet opening and outlet opening. A radiation measurement region is provided for measuring the interaction of the fluid in the measuring cell with electromagnetic radiation from outside the measuring cell. The radiation measurement region is bordered by two opposite windows of which one is intended for inlet and the other for exit of the electromagnetic radiation. The measuring cell has a positioning range with several operating positions with a different distance A, A? between the windows into which the measuring cell can be set without rotation.

Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.

Abstract: In a method for detecting the operational readiness of a jump lambda sensor associated with an internal combustion engine the internal resistance of the sensor is determined as the criterion for the operational readiness of the sensor. The internal resistance is measured by applying a pulsed current to the sensor, the frequency of the current being selected as a function of the state of the sensor (1, 2, 3, 4).

Abstract: A device for checking the passability of a through-hole of a component includes a front section and an inflatable balloon. The front section is configured so that it can be pressed into or onto the through-hole. The inflatable balloon is fluidically connected to the front section. In one embodiment, a middle section is provided, which is formed as a tube, wherein the inflatable balloon, is fluidically connected to the front section via the middle section.

Abstract: A system for insertion of a probe into a pressurized fluid stream by means of a threaded body formed to engage an elastomeric seal employed to form a fluid barrier thereabout. The present invention contemplates a system which effectively lessens resonance vibration effects and associated damage resulting there from in fluid sampling probes operating in high velocity fluid streams and the like, utilizing mechanical dampening properties associated with its seal(s) and insert(s), forming non-rigid attachment to support the length of the probe in a manner which facilitates resonance absorption and dampening, so as to lessen associated vibration/oscillation in the system. The threaded body forms, in effect, helical strakes to facilitate aerodynamic stabilization and reduce oscillations/vibration, as well as reduce force and deflection caused by high velocity fluid flow passing thereby.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles were incorporated into wood. Ionic liquids were used to expand the wood cell wall structure for nanoparticle incorporation into the cell wall structure. Nanoparticles of elemental gold or silver were found to be effective surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) imaging contrast or sensing agents. Nanoparticles of elemental iron were found to be efficient microwave absorbers and caused localized heating for disrupting the integrity of the lignocellulosic matrix. Controls suggest that the localized heating around the iron nanoparticles reduces losses of cellulose in the form of water, volatiles and CO2. The ionic liquid is needed during the incorporation process at room temperature. The use of small amounts of ionic liquid combined with the absence of an ionic liquid purification step and a lower energy and water use are expected to reduce costs in an up-scaled pretreatment process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for physical vapor deposition are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for measuring pressure of a substrate processing chamber may include a shield having an annular one-piece body having an inner volume, a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein a bottom of the annular one-piece body includes an inner upwardly extending u-shaped portion, a gas injection adapter disposed about an outer wall of the shield, a pressure measuring conduit formed within the gas injection adapter, wherein the pressure measuring conduit is fluidly coupled the inner volume via a gap formed between an outer wall of the shield and substrate processing chamber components disposed proximate the shield, and wherein the gap has substantially the same pressure as the inner volume, and a pressure detector coupled to the pressure measuring conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collection sled for collecting a waste droplet stream 122 in a waste stream catcher that is located below sample collectors. Contamination of collected samples is reduced by collecting the waste droplet stream at a position that is below the sample collectors. A waste trough is provided that gets progressively larger in a downward direction, which prevents backsplash of waste fluid from the collection cavity. Standard sample collector tubes, as well as 8-well strips and microscope slides can be used with the collection sled to collect sample particles.

Abstract: A molecular concentrator comprising a thermal ratchet for driving molecules from one place to another. A plurality of linear, two-dimensional, and/or three-dimensional arrangements of heater structures are arranged on or suspended above a substrate. Each of the heater structures is configured to strongly sorb a vapor of interest when the heater structure is at room temperature and to rapidly desorb the vapor when the heater structure is at an elevated temperature. The vapor sorption of the individual heater structures is made selective by surface treatments, by monomolecular film depositions or by thicker absorbent polymer depositions. By selectively heating and cooling the heater structures, vapor molecules incident on the heater structures can be directed in a desired manner, e.g., from heater structures closest to a vapor-containing environment to a sensor.

Abstract: A method for performing surface sampling of an analyte, includes the step of placing the analyte on a stage with a material in molar excess to the analyte, such that analyte-analyte interactions are prevented and the analyte can be solubilized for further analysis. The material can be a matrix material that is mixed with the analyte. The material can be provided on a sample support. The analyte can then be contacted with a solvent to extract the analyte for further processing, such as by electrospray mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Primarily (but not exclusively) in the field of natural resources exploration, there is a requirement to measure the absolute value and variation of gravity at a given point and over an area gradient, thereby detecting the presence of sub-surface anomalies which give rise to the variation in the measured gravity value. In order to provide a portable, accurate, efficient and cost effective method for making the measurements, a gravity sensing apparatus (ABCD) can be deployed using a variety of vehicles, such as (for example, but not limited to) an aircraft or helicopter, with compensation applied by a motion sensing apparatus (EFGH) to reduce or eliminate the effects of vibration and vehicle motion and structural flexure on the gravity and gravity gradiometry data.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and concentration of an oxidant in a turbid water sample. This method is very helpful in allowing accurate and efficient (not too much nor too little) amounts of microbe killing oxidants to be introduced to water supplies that require oxidants but which at present cannot be measured properly. The method comprises the steps of: passing the water through at least one filter array, passing the filtered water to an analyzer, and then returning from the analyzer a measurement of the concentration. The filter array comprises at least one filter constructed and arranged to remove turbidity inducing material but not oxidant from the water sample. The analyzer can be a commonly commercially available analyzer that currently cannot accurately measure the oxidant concentration if the water had not been so filtered.