Abstract: A lateral flow test device includes a test chamber having a detection aperture. The lateral flow test device also includes an optical detector configured to receive light from an assay test strip through the detection aperture when the assay test strip is provided in the test chamber. The test chamber is configured for manual feed of at least a portion of the assay test strip passed the detection aperture. The optical detector is configured to detect one or more tracking features associated with the assay test strip so as to determine when at least a test line on the assay test strip is detectable through the detection aperture.

Abstract: An optical module for reading a test region of an assay includes a near-infrared light source for illuminating the test region of the assay with light in a near-infrared spectrum. The optical module also includes an optical detector. The optical detector includes an optical input for receiving light emitted from the test region of the assay and an electrical output. The optical module further includes an electrical signal processor electrically coupled to the electrical output. The optical module additionally includes one or more optical filter arranged in front of the optical input of the optical detector.

Abstract: An optical absorbance spectrometer includes a sample housing, a light source and a spectral sensor. The sample housing comprises at least two sample cells configured to hold a sample, respectively, and includes an optical waveguide which is configured to guide light from an input side, through the sample cells, to an output side. The light source is operable to emit broadband light and is connected to the input side to couple emitted light into the optical waveguide. The spectral sensor is connected to the output side and operable to receive light from the optical waveguide and to detect the intensity of the received light at multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive device is disclosed. The radiation-sensitive device includes: a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), and processing circuitry configured to determine an intensity of incident radiation using at least one of the plurality SPADs. An amount of the SPADs used to determine the intensity of the incident radiation varies in relation to the intensity of the incident radiation. Also disclosed in an associated method of determining an intensity of radiation incident upon such a radiation-sensitive device, and uses of the radiation-sensitive device in an electronic-nose or point-of-care apparatus, or for ambient light sensing.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive device is disclosed. The device includes an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and circuitry configured to measure an intensity of incident radiation from the array of SPADs with a plurality of different measurement windows to provide an associated plurality of results. The circuitry is configured to determine the intensity of the incident radiation from one of the plurality of results, a selection of the result determined by whether the result exceeds a maximum count defined, at least in part, by a duration of the measurement window associated with the result. An associated method of increasing a dynamic range of a radiation-sensitive device comprising an array of SPADs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive device is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and circuitry configured to adapt a read-out rate of the plurality of SPADs in relation to an intensity of incident radiation. Also disclosed is an associated method of increasing a dynamic range of a radiation-sensitive device comprising a plurality of SPADs. The method comprises adapting a read-out rate of the plurality of SPADs in relation to an intensity of incident radiation.

Abstract: It is proposed to use self-mixing interferometry for determining an absorption. The monitoring device for use in lateral flow testing for detecting presence or amount of an analyte in a liquid includes a housing, the housing including a carrier holder for holding a carrier for transport of the liquid; at least a first light source which is a resonant-cavity light source having a cavity; and an evaluation unit, operationally connected to at least the first light source for detecting a measurement signal. The first light source is structured and arranged to illuminate with light a test range in a test area of a carrier held in the carrier holder; and to couple back into the cavity of the first light source a portion of the light coming back from the test range.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the presence or concentration of target molecules comprises: a radiation source; a surface; a waveguide; a detector; and a spectral filter. The radiation source is operable to produce electromagnetic radiation. The surface defines a two dimensional array of receptor sites. The waveguide is arranged to receive the electromagnetic radiation produced by the radiation source, divide the electromagnetic radiation and direct a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to each one of a two dimensional array of receptor sites. The detector comprises a two dimensional array of sensing elements, each sensing element arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation from a different one of the two dimensional array of receptor sites. The spectral filter is provided between the surface and the detector.

Abstract: An optical absorbance spectrometer including a sample housing configured to hold a sample, a light source configured to emit broadband light into the sample housing, one or more reflectors configured to reflect the light such that the light passes through a sample holding volume of the sample housing multiple times, and a sensor arranged to receive the light from the sample housing, after the reflections. The sensor comprises a plurality of detectors configured to detect the intensity of the received light at multiple different wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical detector (1) on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprises at least one photodiode (5) for receiving incident light and configured to provide at least one diode signal, a modulator (2) configured to provide an AC drive signal and to provide a reference signal associated with the AC drive signal; and a lock-in amplifier (6) configured to receive said at least one diode signal from said at least one photodiode (5) and to receive the reference signal from the modulator (2), and to determine at least one of a phase and an amplitude of said at least one diode signal using the reference signal.

Abstract: An optical module (100) for reading a test region of an assay. The optical module comprises: a first light source (101) for illuminating the test region of the assay; an optical detector (103), comprising an optical input for receiving light emitted from the test region and an electrical output; a substrate (104) for mounting the first light source (101) and the optical detector (103); and a housing (105) comprising: a first opening (106) for providing a first optical path from the first light source (101) to the test region (103); wherein the housing (105) and the substrate (104) enclose and positionally align the first source (101) and the optical detector (103) relative to the first opening (106). The housing (105) may comprise one or more legs (108), such as a flexible hook portion which secures the housing (105) to the substrate (104) with a snap-fit engagement, extending from a first and/or second outer surface of the housing (105) in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An integrated optical transducer for detecting dynamic pressure changes comprises a micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS, die having a MEMS diaphragm with a first side exposed to the dynamic pressure changes and a second side. The transducer further comprises an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC, die having an evaluation circuit configured to detect a deflection of the MEMS diaphragm, in particular of the second side of the MEMS diaphragm. The MEMS die is arranged with respect to the ASIC die such that a gap with a gap height is formed between the second side of the diaphragm and a first surface of the ASIC die and the MEMS diaphragm, the ASIC die and a suspension structure of the MEMS die delineate a back volume of the integrated optical transducer.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises an electrochemical film, a plurality of electrodes coupled with the electrochemical film and a semiconductor wafer coupled with the plurality of electrodes. A passivation layer is formed between the electrochemical firm and the semiconductor wafer and a dielectric layer is coupled between the electrochemical film and the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS, microphone assembly comprises an enclosure defining a first cavity, and a MEMS microphone arranged inside the first cavity. The microphone comprises a first die with bonding structures and a MEMS diaphragm, and a second die having an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC. The second die is bonded to the bonding structures such that a gap is formed between a first side of the diaphragm and the second die, with the gap defining a second cavity. The first side of the diaphragm is interfacing with the second cavity and a second side of the diaphragm is interfacing with the environment via an acoustic inlet port of the enclosure. The bonding structures are arranged such that pressure ventilation openings are formed that connect the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: A particle detector. The particle detector comprises one or more light sources, an optical sensor, and a controller. The one or more light sources are collectively operable to simultaneously produce at least two wavelength ranges of emitted light. The optical sensor is configured to sense light of the at least two wavelength ranges emitted by the one or more light sources and to distinguish each range. The controller is configured to detect particles based on the light sensed by the optical sensor.

Abstract: A sensing system comprising a measurement sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and a reference sensor configured to detect a source of measurement uncertainty. The sensing system further comprises a shield configured to reduce an interaction between the electromagnetic radiation and the reference sensor.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS, microphone assembly comprises an enclosure defining a first cavity, and a MEMS microphone arranged inside the first cavity. The microphone comprises a first die with bonding structures and a MEMS diaphragm, and a second die having an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC. The second die is bonded to the bonding structures such that a gap is formed between a first side of the diaphragm and the second die, with the gap defining a second cavity. The first side of the diaphragm is interfacing with the second cavity and a second side of the diaphragm is interfacing with the environment via an acoustic inlet port of the enclosure. The bonding structures are arranged such that pressure ventilation openings are formed that connect the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: An integrated optical transducer for detecting dynamic pressure changes comprises a micro-electro-mechanical system, MEMS, die having a MEMS diaphragm with a first side exposed to the dynamic pressure changes and a second side. The transducer further comprises an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC, die having an evaluation circuit configured to detect a deflection of the MEMS diaphragm, in particular of the second side of the MEMS diaphragm. The MEMS die is arranged with respect to the ASIC die such that a gap with a gap height is formed between the second side of the diaphragm and a first surface of the ASIC die and the MEMS diaphragm, the ASIC die and a suspension structure of the MEMS die delineate a back volume of the integrated optical transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading a test region (6, 7) of an assay, e.g. on a lateral flow test strip (5), the apparatus comprising: an optical detector (2, 4; FIG. 1c), comprising an optical input for receiving light emitted from the test region (6, 7) of the assay and an electrical output; an electrical signal processor, electrically coupled to the electrical output; and a plurality of spectral filters (FIG. 1b) substantially transparent to a plurality of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises an electrochemical film, a plurality of electrodes coupled with the electrochemical film and a semiconductor wafer coupled with the plurality of electrodes. A passivation layer is formed between the electrochemical firm and the semiconductor wafer and a dielectric layer is coupled between the electrochemical film and the semiconductor wafer.