Abstract: A local area, thermal cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A neutron shield is positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers lateral sides of the neutron detector and substantially an entirety of a top of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a bottom side of the neutron detector. Local area, thermal cosmogenic neutrons propagating from the measurement surface travel through an air space before arriving at the neutron detector.

Abstract: A wide area cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A moderator material and neutron shield are positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers an entirety of a bottom of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a top side of the neutron detector. Wide area cosmogenic neutrons propagating from the measurement surface travel through an air space before arriving at the moderated neutron detector.

Abstract: A local area, thermal cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A neutron shield is positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers lateral sides of the neutron detector and substantially an entirety of a top of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a bottom side of the neutron detector. Local area, thermal cosmogenic neutrons propagating from the measurement surface travel through an air space before arriving at the neutron detector.

Abstract: A local area cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A moderator material and neutron shield are positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers lateral sides and an entirety of a top of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a bottom side of the neutron detector. A thermal neutron shield is positioned below the neutron detector and in a path of neutron travel between the measurement surface and the neutron detector to substantially block environmental thermal neutrons from reaching the neutron detector, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio and signal contrast of the local area cosmogenic neutron sensor.

Abstract: A wide area cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A moderator material and neutron shield are positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers an entirety of a bottom of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a top side of the neutron detector. Wide area cosmogenic neutrons propagating from the measurement surface travel through an air space before arriving at the moderated neutron detector.

Abstract: A local area cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A moderator material and neutron shield are positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers lateral sides and an entirety of a top of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a bottom side of the neutron detector. A thermal neutron shield is positioned below the neutron detector and in a path of neutron travel between the measurement surface and the neutron detector to substantially block environmental thermal neutrons from reaching the neutron detector, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio and signal contrast of the local area cosmogenic neutron sensor.

Abstract: A cosmogenic neutron sensor includes a hydrogen-sensitive neutron detector orientable above a measurement surface. A neutron shield is positionable on the hydrogen-sensitive neutron detector. The neutron shield is positioned to interact with at least a portion of cosmogenic neutrons propagating in a direction of the hydrogen-sensitive neutron detector.

Abstract: A cosmogenic neutron sensor includes a hydrogen-sensitive neutron detector orientable above a measurement surface. A neutron shield is positionable on the hydrogen-sensitive neutron detector. The neutron shield is positioned to interact with at least a portion of cosmogenic neutrons propagating in a direction of the hydrogen-sensitive neutron detector.

Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage and/or nutritional product is disclosed that includes a body that forms a first compartment for liquid injection and a second compartment for containing beverage and/or nutritional ingredients. A separation wall separates the first and second compartments and includes an aperture for the liquid transfer from the first compartment to the second compartment. A separate liquid injector is inserted in and/or against the separation wall and is arranged for transferring liquid from the first compartment to the second compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter unit 10 for a capsule for preparing a beverage and/or nutritional product. The filter unit is designed to avoid clogging. The filter unit therefore comprises a second filter 50, which is provided upstream a first filter 40 in respect to the liquid flow through the filter unit 10. The second filter 50 has a pore size to hold back large particles such as scale, bio-film or iron oxide. The present invention is able to ensure a consistent liquid flow through the filter unit. The filter unit can be used with any kind of liquid source.

Abstract: A filter unit for a capsule for preparing a beverage and/or nutritional product is disclosed, along with a capsule containing same. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (10) for preparing a beverage and/or nutritional product, comprising a body (20) for forming integrally a first compartment (21) for liquid injection and a second compartment (22) for containing beverage and/or nutritional ingredients, a separation wall (30) for separating the first compartment (21) and the second compartment (22), the separation wall (30) comprising an aperture (31) for the liquid transfer from the first compartment to the second compartment, a separate liquid injector (40) comprising a liquid inlet (41) and a liquid outlet (42), wherein the liquid injector (40) is inserted in and/or against the separation wall (30), and is arranged for transferring liquid from the first compartment (21) to the second compartment (22).

Abstract: An TDLS gas sensor with a measuring pick-up to be arranged outside of the interior chamber of an incubator or a climate chamber of similar design, and with an absorption pick-up to be arranged inside the interior chamber, and also with a window separating the measuring area and absorption area for the atmospheric separation of the laser diode from the interior chamber of the incubator, with the window being arranged at an angle to the axis of the laser beam emitted by a laser diode, and with the optronic components being arranged in a block of material in the measuring pick-up, said block being made of thermally well-conducting material and serving as heat sink, and with a heating system for the window in the measuring pick-up. In addition, a process for measuring the moisture and the carbon dioxide concentration.

Abstract: An TDLS gas sensor with a measuring pick-up to be arranged outside of the interior chamber of an incubator or a climate chamber of similar design, and with an absorption pick-up to be arranged inside the interior chamber, and also with a window separating the measuring area and absorption area for the atmospheric separation of the laser diode from the interior chamber of the incubator, with the window being arranged at an angle to the axis of the laser beam emitted by a laser diode, and with the optronic components being arranged in a block of material in the measuring pick-up, said block being made of thermally well-conducting material and serving as heat sink, and with a heating system for the window in the measuring pick-up. The TDLS gas sensor is easy to install and remove and permits the measurement of moisture and of the carbon dioxide concentration in one measuring cycle. However, it does not need to be removed for the sterilization.

Abstract: A gas detection laser diode device and gas detection unit including the gas detection laser diode device having a hermetically sealed housing with electrical connectors at the bottom and a window, and inside the housing a laser diode and thermistor mounted on one stage of a thermo element. The thermo element is connected with the other stage to the base of the housing. Collimating means are arranged in the laser beam between the laser diode and the window. The window is tilted in respect to the axis of the laser beam such, that the ordinary reflection of the laser beam is steered off the laser beam axis and at least does not impinge on the laser diode. Preferably the collimating means and the laser diode are mounted on a same surface for holding them on the same temperature. The new device allows the detection of toxic gases with reduced detection limits over the prior art. The arrangement further claims a method to achieve reduced detection limits for gases.

Abstract: A combined gas sensor device allowing the measuring of the concentration of a gas by tunable diode laser spectrometry as well as by resonant photo-acoustics within one housing. A laser beam used for laser spectrometry is sent across the openings of a measuring cell usually used for resonant photo-acoustic determination. Thus, both measuring principles use the same gas sensing module with a minimum of space consumption, so that the device can be produced with minimum dimensions. Further, a common opto-electronics and electronics platform can be used which reduces the overall costs of such a combined gas sensor.

Abstract: A method for performing quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy of a gas, includes providing a light source configured to introduce a laser beam having at least one wavelength into the gas such said at least one molecule within in the gas is stimulated generating an acoustic signal, accumulating the acoustic signal in a resonant acoustic detector, generating a resonant absorption signal (SA) relative to the gas concentration by at least one tuning fork serving as resonant acoustic detector, generating additionally a resonant intensity signal (SI) proportional to the intensity of the laser beam travelling through the gas, and providing an output signal (SGC) from said absorption signal (SA) and said intensity signal (SI) being independent of the intensity of the light relative to the presence or concentration of the gas.

Abstract: A method for performing quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy of a gas, includes providing a light source configured to introduce a laser beam having at least one wavelength into the gas such said at least one molecule within in the gas is stimulated generating an acoustic signal, accumulating the acoustic signal in a resonant acoustic detector, generating a resonant absorption signal (SA) relative to the gas concentration by at least one tuning fork serving as resonant acoustic detector, generating additionally a resonant intensity signal (SI) proportional to the intensity of the laser beam travelling through the gas, and providing an output signal (SGC) from said absorption signal (SA) and said intensity signal (SI) being independent of the intensity of the light relative to the presence or concentration of the gas.

Abstract: A combined gas sensor device allowing the measuring of the concentration of a gas by tunable diode laser spectrometry as well as by resonant photo-acoustics within one housing. A laser beam used for laser spectrometry is sent across the openings of a measuring cell usually used for resonant photo-acoustic determination. Thus, both measuring principles use the same gas sensing module with a minimum of space consumption, so that the device can be produced with minimum dimensions. Further, a common opto-electronics and electronics platform can be used which reduces the overall costs of such a combined gas sensor.

Abstract: A method for etalon suppression in a gas detection device by determining an etalon fringe period during a calibration step without gas in dependency of the DC drive current. A measuring signal which is a function of the gas absorption and substantially independent of an intensity modulation of an initial light signal at an initial frequency (f) is generated by determining a first pre-measuring signal when the laser source is operated at the center of the gas absorption peak, a second pre-measuring signal when the laser source is operated with a DC drive current below the gas absorption peak of the gas to be detected, and a third pre-measuring signal when the laser source is operated with a DC drive current above said gas absorption peak, with a difference between said DC drive currents which corresponds to the etalon fringe period determined in a calibration step before.