Abstract: A system for controlling the deglycerolization of red blood cells includes a cell sorter having multiple fluid channels each having a unique cross-sectional area for directing a fluid mixture consisting essentially of a saline solution and a plasma solution having glycerized red blood cell products through one or more of the fluid channels based on the sizes of the red blood cell products. An optical energy source illuminates the fluid mixture in the cell sorter, whereupon an optical detector generates a data signal in response to receiving light signals that propagate through the fluid mixture. A processor generates a control signal in response to receiving the data signal that is used by a servo-controlled device to control the ratio of the saline and plasma solutions in the fluid mixture so that the red blood cell products substantially flow only through one or more of the fluid channels having particular cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A colorimetric red blood cell sensor provides an automatic system for deting and preventing the further mixing of red blood cells and plasma. The sensor includes a processor that controls blue and red light sources so that they collectively generate pulsed blue and red light signals that are directed through blood serum held in an optically transparent container. The red and blue signals are 180 degrees out of phase, and hence staggered, with respect to each other. A photodetector system detects the pulsed red and blue light signals and generates output signals representing the intensities of the staggered signals received by the photodetector system. A microprocessor determines the ratio of the intensities of the red and blue light signals detected by the photodetector system. If the ratio exceeds a limit, the microprocessor generates a fluid control signal that prevents further mixing of red blood cells and plasma.

Abstract: A system for measuring toxicity levels of a solution includes a water proof sample container transparent to visible light which holds an aqueous test solution containing bioluminescent organisms. A light tight chamber has a cavity which holds the sample container and includes a light port. A stress generating system positioned in the sample container generates pressure pulses which stimulate the organisms to generate light emissions. A light detector system mounted to the light tight chamber in a light tight manner detects light emissions generated in the sample container which propagate through the light port and are received by the light detector system. The light detector system generates an electric pulse in response to detecting each detected light emission. A controller enables the stress generating system and the light detector system, and then counts the electric pulses within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A thermal neutron detector comprises an enclosure containing a helium-xenon gas mixture, an optical fiber, and an electrode arranged to detect ion particles. The optical fiber detects photons generated by a reaction of the gas mixture with neutrons passing through the enclosure. The reaction also generates ion particles that are detected by the electrode. A coincidence detector generates an output signal corresponding to the correlation of ion detections from the electrode with photon detections from the optical fiber, rejecting signals generated from the electric field that are not correlated with photon detections.

Abstract: A system for measuring toxicity levels of a solution includes a water proof sample container transparent to visible light which holds an aqueous test solution containing bioluminescent organisms. A light tight chamber has a cavity which holds the sample container and includes a light port. A stress generating system positioned in the sample container generates pressure pulses which stimulate the organisms to generate light emissions. A light detector system mounted to the light tight chamber in a light tight manner detects light emissions generated in the sample container which propagate through the light port and are received by the light detector system. The light detector system generates an electric pulse in response to detecting each detected light emission. A controller enables the stress generating system and the light detector system, and then counts the electric pulses within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for detection of thermal neutrons includes a volume of gas which includes .sup.3 He. A wavelength shifting optical (WSO) fiber is disposed to receive ultra-violet (UV) photons generated by reactions between neutrons and .sup.3 He. UV photons are absorbed within the WSO fiber to produce longer wavelength fluorescence generated photons that propagate within the WSO fiber. A photodetector is disposed to receive fluorescence generated photons from at least one end of the optical fiber and provide an output signal corresponding to neutron detection.

Abstract: A photoneutron detection apparatus comprises an X-ray generator and a neutron detector adapted for placement in proximity to subsurface soil. The X-ray generator produces timed pulses of X-ray photons having a range of electronically controlled energies which penetrate the subsurface soil to produce photoneutron emissions that are received by the neutron detector. The neutron detector generates a signal representative of the neutron flux. A signal analysis system time correlates the signal with the timed X-ray pulses to determine the presence of selected contaminants.

Abstract: A bioluminescent detector is disclosed for detecting and measuring in situ bioluminescence generated by marine microorganisms. The detector includes a laminar flow chamber, a turbulent flow chamber in fluid communication with the laminar flow chamber, and a photon detector network positioned with the turbulent flow chamber. The detector is dropped over the side of a ship which may be underway and sinks at constant velocity. As the detector descends, ocean water flows through the laminar flow chamber and then into the turbulent flow chamber where fluid turbulence subjects any bioluminescent organisms present to shear stress, causing them to generate photons that are detected by the photon detector network.

Abstract: A device for monitoring low levels of light emission in a selected underwr environment is provided with a photodetector having a light sensitive surface oriented into the environment, the photodetector generating electrical signals which are representative of light impinging upon the light sensitive surface. A window is positioned between the light sensitive surface and the underwater environment to protect the photodetector from the underwater environment, and a first material is positioned between the window and the underwater environment to prevent biological growth upon the window. A second material is placed in cooperative relationship with the first material to shift the wavelengths of certain light photons occurring in the underwater environment from a first wavelength range to a second wavelength range, in order to increase the attenuation lengths of the photons before they pass through the window.