Abstract: Presented herein is a method for in-situ real-time non-invasive estimation of the level of living cells proliferation and/or growth in a biological material present in a container sealed to prevent biological contamination. The method comprises measuring the concentration of at least one metabolic gas that is emitted by the living cells. The method can be adapted inter alia to detect a microorganism contamination in a storage container for platelets sealed to biological contamination, to monitor a fermentation process in a fermenter enclosing microorganisms and sealed to biological contamination, and to monitor the concentration of living cells in a bioreactor sealed to biological contamination.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring metabolic gas concentration. The method includes: applying, via a tunable coherent infrared light source, an infrared light beam to a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is positioned between the tunable coherent infrared light source and a detection module, wherein the region of interest is in fluid communication with a biological material including living cells emitting a metabolic gas; measuring, via the detection module, a plurality of signals based on the application of the infrared light beam to the region of interest, wherein measuring each of the plurality of signals further comprises tuning the tunable coherent infrared light source; and determining the concentration of the metabolic gas based on the plurality of signals.

Abstract: An optical system for determining the concentration of a metabolic gas in a container sealed to biological contamination and enclosing a biological material. The optical system has a broadly tunable coherent infrared light source, a detection module, and a control system connected to the light source and detection module and operates the light source, to receive and analyze the data provided by said detection module, and to process the data indicative of the concentration of said metabolic gas in said sealed container.

Abstract: A biological material such as platelets is sealed inside a container with a dead space to accommodate a metabolic gas. The concentration of the gas in the dead space is monitored while the container remains sealed. In some embodiments, the container is permeable to the gas. In other embodiments, the biological material is the only growth medium in the container. The disposal of the biological material is in accordance with the monitored gas concentration. Preferably, the gas concentration is measured spectroscopically. A container for a biological material includes a main body that retains the biological material but that is permeable to a gas and a reservoir in fluid communication with the main body that is transparent to an optical wavelength that is absorbed by the gas.

Abstract: An optical system for determining the concentration of a metabolic gas in a container sealed to biological contamination and enclosing a biological material. The optical system has a broadly tunable coherent infrared light source, a detection module, and a control system connected to the light source and detection module and operates the light source, to receive and analyze the data provided by said detection module, and to process the data indicative of the concentration of said metabolic gas in said sealed container.

Abstract: A biological material such as platelets is sealed inside a container with a dead space to accommodate a metabolic gas. The concentration of the gas in the dead space is monitored while the container remains sealed. In some embodiments, the container is permeable to the gas. In other embodiments, the biological material is the only growth medium in the container. The disposal of the biological material is in accordance with the monitored gas concentration. Preferably, the gas concentration is measured spectroscopically. A container for a biological material includes a main body that retains the biological material but that is permeable to a gas and a reservoir in fluid communication with the main body that is transparent to an optical wavelength that is absorbed by the gas.

Abstract: A relaxation oscillator and a method for offset cancellation in a relaxation oscillator. The relaxation oscillator comprises two comparator units, each comparator unit comprising a comparator element and a memory element; and a switch control generator coupled to each of the comparator units; wherein each comparator unit, in a reset state, stores an input-offset voltage on the memory element under the control of the switch control generator such that, in a comparison state, the input-offset voltage is applied to both inputs of the comparator for implementing an offset-free threshold.

Abstract: A relaxation oscillator and a method for offset cancellation in a relaxation oscillator. The relaxation oscillator comprises two comparator units, each comparator unit comprising a comparator element and a memory element; and a switch control generator coupled to each of the comparator units; wherein each comparator unit, in a reset state, stores an input-offset voltage on the memory element under the control of the switch control generator such that, in a comparison state, the input-offset voltage is applied to both inputs of the comparator for implementing an offset-free threshold.

Abstract: A method for converting a sensor capacitance under parasitic capacitance conditions and a capacitance-to-voltage (CV) converter circuit for converting a sensor capacitance under parasitic capacitance conditions are provided. The method comprises the step of using a two stage operational amplifier (op-amp) in non-unity-gain configuration, wherein the two stage op-amp is chosen to be unstable in unity-gain configuration for reducing power consumption.

Abstract: A universal offset traffic sign bracket includes a first clamp cantilevered from a base support, the first clamp including a clamp beam, a fixed member connected to an end of the first clamp beam, and a moving member movably connected to the first clamp beam; a second clamp connected to the first clamp moving member and compressible against the first clamp fixed member, the second clamp including a spike plate for gripping a traffic sign post between the spike plate and the first clamp fixed member.