Abstract: Metal nanoparticles associated with a spectroscopy-active analyte and surrounded by an encapsulant are useful as sensitive optical tags detectable by surface-enhanced spectroscopy.

Abstract: Described is apparatus and a process for collecting for subsequent analysis a volatile composition such as a perfume composition located on the surface and/or in the interstices of a planar pliable porous substrate such as a towel section. A planar surface of the substrate which contains the volatile composition is initially juxtaposed adjacent a solid wall (e.g., glass frit) porous to a nonreactive carrier gas such as air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, and fully and tightly covers the porous section of the wall. The carrier gas is passed through the porous section of the wall and then through the pliable porous substrate section which is adjacent to the wall; after which the carrier gas contains each component of the volatile composition. The composition-carrier gas mixture is then passed through a trapping substance (e.g., TENAX® a polyphenylene oxide) which entraps the molecules of each component of the volatile composition. The thus-collected volatile composition may be subsequently analyzed (e.g.

Abstract: A method for identifying a change in the composition of a liquid, comprising the steps of applying a time varying electrical or electromagnetic input signal to the liquid in a range of frequencies encompassing a resonant frequency of an electrical circuit comprising the liquid; measuring an impedance quantity of the electrical circuit comprising the liquid by means of the output signal as a function of the frequency of the time varying electrical or resonant frequency input signal in said range of frequencies; determining a resonant frequency of the electrical circuit comprising the liquid; after a change in the composition of the liquid, measuring variation in the impedance quantity at or near to the previously determined resonant frequency of the electrical circuit comprising the liquid; and relating the variation in the impedance quantity at or near to the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit comprising the liquid to a change in the composition of the liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining ammoniacal species concentration in a gas sample. In one embodiment, trace concentration of ammonia in an air sample is determined by monitoring emission intensity from an excited radical species (NH*), which is produced in a reaction between ammonia and fluorine. The observed emission intensity is compared with calibration data obtained from previously analyzed gas samples containing ammonia. The method and apparatus can also be adapted to detect ammoniacal species concentration in other NH-containing gas samples.

Abstract: A test method and apparatus for determining the content of carboxylic acid-based corrosion inhibitors in a coolant or heat exchange fluid. The amount of acidic reagent added to the coolant or fluid between two pH equilibrium points is measured to determine the amount of inhibitors. The refractive index can be measured to determine the amount of freezing point depressant.

Abstract: Described is apparatus and a process for collection for subsequent analysis a volatile composition such as a perfume composition located on the surface and/or in the interstices of a planar pliable porous substrate such as a towel section. A planar surface of the substrate which contains the volatile composition is initially juxtaposed adjacent a solid wall (e.g., glass frit) porous to a nonreactive carrier gas such as air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, and fully and tightly covers the porous section of the wall. The carrier gas is passed through the porous section of the wall and then through the pliable porous substrate section which is adjacent to the wall; after which the carrier gas contains each component of the volatile composition. The composition-carrier gas mixture is then passed through a trapping substance (e.g., TENAX®) which entraps the molecules of each component of the volatile composition. The thus-collected volatile composition may subsequently be analyzed (e.g.

Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or more analytes in a sample is disclosed. The device can simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple analytes in a sample. The device comprises an eletromagnetic radiation generator having one or more chemical sensors thereon. The chemical sensor interacts with or reacts with specific analytes in a sample. The presence of an analyte is detected by a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of the chemical sensor in the absence and presence of the analyte. A method is also disclosed for the detection and quantitation of analytes using the device of the present invention. In addition, a method of making the device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula I is used as a marker for organic products, wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthylene group; R1 represents a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group of the formula C(O)R4 where R4 is a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a straight or branched chain alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl group; and Z represents a hydrogen atom or a group of atoms that combine with Ar2 or R3 to form a lactone ring.

Abstract: Sensor arrays, methods, and systems for detecting the presence of gas phase materials by the formation of films based on the gas phase material are disclosed. The gas phase materials preferentially deposit conductive films on receptor materials that can be detected. The invention may also provide for increased sensitivity to the deposition of conductive materials through the use of closely spaced conductive electrodes interconnected by lines of receptor material. Examples of gas phase materials that may be detected include RuO4,IrO4 and RhO4.

Abstract: A device and method for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly, a bellows with a seal body, a low-density float and a high-density ballast. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the seal body of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates through the fluid sample and then stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The seal body of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the seal body sealingly engages the container and the composite element separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A test method and apparatus for determining the content of carboxylic acid-based corrosion inhibitors in a coolant or heat exchange fluid. The amount of acidic reagent added to the coolant or fluid between two pH equilibrium points is measured to determine the amount of inhibitors. The refractive index can be measured to determine the amount of freezing point depressant.

Abstract: A composition of matter has the formula: where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. The composition of matter possesses characteristic absorbance behavior with respect to infrared and visible energy, which is used to detect and determine the concentration of TCE. In another aspect, a method for generating the composition comprises reacting trichloroethylene (TCE) with poly(ethylenimine) in accordance with the formula: where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. Also, the invention sets forth a sensor to detect trichloroethylene (TCE) in materials. The sensor includes the composition of material that can absorb at least one of infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) or visible (VIS) energies when formed by the reaction of trichloroethylene (TCE) with poly(ethylenimine).

Abstract: An improved instrument for measuring the total organic carbon content of water provides substantially instantaneous TOC measurements that are repetitively calibrated, provides substantially improved accuracy of results in a circuit providing improved noise rejection, allowing faster response, and provides controlled dilution of the sample stream to extent the useful range of the instrument.

Abstract: Colored indicator for measuring the distribution of hydrocarbon families contained in a mixture, a procedure for obtaining it and its uses. In the colored indicator, the colorants that are able to be eluted with the family of aromatic hydrocarbons are free of organic compounds having an affinity with oxygenated compounds containing at least 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention is for a method of quantitatively analysing the hexose monophosphate (HMP) composition of a biological sample, preferably a dried blood sample, using tandem mass spectrometry and for a method for quantitatively analysing the abundance of amino acids acylcarnitines and HMP from the same biological sample (such as a dried blood spot sample). The method is useful in screening infants for galactosemia and can be integrated with a method of screening for disorders in the metabolism of amino acids, organic acids and fatty acids.

Abstract: A multiwell plate scanner comprises a detector for measuring an attribute of a sample which is scanned continuously over wells of a multiwell plate. An signal obtained during the scan may be sampled and digitized based on detector position over the multiwell plate. The scanner is also disclosed for scanning microarrays, bio-chips and areas of samples not having physical separations. The scanner may be used in a high throughput screening system comprising a storage and retrieval module, a sample distribution module, a reagent distribution module, and a detector which incorporates the scanner. The screening system may further comprise a transport module and a data processing and integration module for transporting samples between the components of the system and for controlling system operation. Another aspect of the invention is a system and method for performing an assay to detect the effect of a reagent on a target.

Abstract: A method for preparing at least one metal layer of an integrated circuit for visual analysis. The at least one metal layer to be visually analyzed is exposed, and a solution of nitric acid, acetic acid, and ammonium fluoride is applied to the at least one metal layer. The at least one metal layer is rinsed to substantially remove the solution, and the s integrated circuit is dried. The solution is made with one part nitric acid, three parts acetic acid, and two parts ammonium fluoride. The nitric acid is a solution of about seventy percent by weight in water, the acetic acid is glacial acetic acid, and the ammonium fluoride is a solution of about forty percent by weight in water. The solution is at a temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, and is applied to the at least one metal layer by swabbing the solution onto the layer for between about ten seconds and about fifteen seconds. The step of exposing the at least one metal layer includes sawing the integrated circuit along a desired cross section.

Abstract: This invention provides devices for the measurement of total organic carbon content in water samples. The device has a microfluidic sample cell with a sample channel for receiving a water sample wherein the water sample can be irradiated with UV radiation to oxidize organics to CO2. The sample channel is sufficiently thin in the region irradiated to allow very rapid substantial mineralization of the organics in the sample. A photocatalyst, such as TiO2 or platinized TiO2 can be employed to speed sample oxidation. Substantial mineralization of a sample can be achieved in less than about 30 seconds, significantly decreasing the time required for making a TOC measurement. CO2 generated by sample oxidation can be detected and/or quantitated by various methods, particularly by conductivity measurements or by infrared methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately determining weight loss of a sample during heating in a furnace. The method includes the steps of placing a sample in a heated furnace, heating the sample while measurements of sample weight are made, determining rate function from the sample weight measurements, producing a weight loss correction factor using the rate function and using the weight loss correction factor to obtain a corrected weight loss for the sample.