Abstract: A method for analyzing a volatile liquid mixture is described. The method includes providing a sensor, and placing the sensor within a chamber. The mixture is stored in the chamber for a duration sufficient to achieve a series of dynamic non-equilibrium mass-transfer processes: (1) spreading and wetting of the analyte on at least a portion of the bottom-inside surface of the chamber from the source of the injection, (2) evaporation of at least a portion of the analyte liquid into a vaporized analyte, (3) convection and/or diffusion of the vaporized analyte through the chamber to the sensor, and (4) sorption of the vaporized analyte on the sensor. The sensor detects, over time, a plurality of non-equilibrium spectral responses, each corresponding to at least one compositional change in the analyte liquid. The method further includes machine learning algorithms to measure or predict the compositional change and/or presence of contaminants.

Abstract: A system includes a device having a conduit having a proximal end having a proximal end radius, a distal end opposite the proximal end and having distal end radius, an inner surface connecting the proximal end and the distal end and forming a proximal angle at the ends, the inner surface having surface properties, and an outer surface connecting the ends; the distal end radius, the proximal end radius, the distal angle, the proximal angle, and the surface properties of the inner surface are selected to: allow entry of a first material to the distal, transport of the first material through the conduit along the inner surface toward the proximal end, and exit of the first material from the proximal end, and to resist entry of a second material into the proximal end; and the Young-Laplace pressure for the first material is less for the second material.