Abstract: An energy converter is disclosed which is provided for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Also disclosed is a counter, which includes its operating energy and also the counting information or the counting pulses from the energy converter named above. A method is also disclosed for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Also disclosed is a method for operating the counter with the electrical energy obtained according to the method. Also disclosed is a system made from at least one or more of the counters named above.

Abstract: A container (1) is provided, which serves as reagent support and measuring vessel for analysis using various analytical processes, and has a region which is divided into at least two chambers (9a, 9b, 9c) by one or more bars (8) extending from the container wall (5) or the container base (4), wherein the chambers are arranged so that liquid or solid reagents may be introduced therein without them being able to be mixed by diffusion or running into one another. The container is used for drying or freeze-drying by with completely or partly filled chambers and serves at the same time as a measuring vessel after re-dissolving the dried material by adding water, reagent solution, or the sample present in aqueous phase.

Abstract: Test apparatus for the optoelectronic evaluation of test paper strips such as are used, for example, for determining the blood sugar level, which apparatus may be calibrated in a simple and accurate manner. For dark calibration, there is provided in a position opposite the light source and the photosensor a reflector having a black reflector surface, with the space for receiving the test paper strip - as determined by the holding means - being located between the light source and the photosensor on the one hand and the reflector on the other hand. There are provided accuracy-improving means for the test paper-dependent calibration of the evaluation and display means and a bar code reader comprising a channel for passing therethrough a bar code strip, a light source for illuminating the bar code strip and a photosensor to scan the bar code pattern and having its output connected to the evaluation and display means (FIG. 1).