Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performance verification of a thermal block cycler unit for automated thermal treatment of at least one sample is described. The thermal block cycler unit includes at least one thermal block configured for receiving at least one sample vessel, and a plurality of hardware modules. The hardware modules include a plurality of heating and/or cooling elements and at least one temperature sensor. The method includes consecutively functional testing the hardware modules, and defining the order of tests by using a thermal energy of its preceding test and/or a status of the thermal block cycler unit of its preceding test, and balancing energy consumption between the steps to minimize a difference between an input temperature before consecutively testing the hardware modules and an output temperature after consecutively testing the hardware modules.

Abstract: A method for increasing operational security of a laboratory system or device comprising: a reagent storage area (1) comprising at least two reagent drawers (2, 3) mounted slidably along a first axis Y between an open position (O) and a closed position (C) and arranged stacked with respect to a second axis Z perpendicular to the first axis Y, and having each a position sensor (P2, P3) for determining the closed position (C) of the respective reagent drawer (2, 3), at least one robotic handler head (4) movably arranged in the reagent storage area at least along the first axis Y and the second axis Z a control unit (5) configured to control the operation of the robotic handler head (4) and connected to the position sensors (P2, P3), the method comprising the steps of defining for each reagent drawer (2, 3) a first forbidden zone along the first axis Y (Y) and a second forbidden along the second axis Z (Z2, Z3), determining by means of the position sensors (P2, P3) if the reagent storage drawers (2, 3) are in th

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a sensor system for determining a flow rate of a fluid flow within a fluid channel comprising an elastic segment arranged next to a rigid segment, wherein a first pair of electrodes is provided at the rigid segment and a second pair of electrodes is provided at the elastic segment of the fluid channel. The system further comprises a sensor unit for detecting a capacitance of the first and second electrode pairs, and a processing unit for calculating and monitoring a distance between the electrodes of the second electrode pair based on the detected capacitance of the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair, wherein the first electrode pair is in contact with the rigid segment and the second electrode pair is in contact with the elastic segment. Moreover, a respective method for determining a flow rate of a fluid flow within a fluid channel is provided by the present disclosure, as well as a use of the sensor system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a sensor system for determining a flow rate of a fluid flow within a fluid channel comprising an elastic segment arranged next to a rigid segment, wherein a first pair of electrodes is provided at the rigid segment and a second pair of electrodes is provided at the elastic segment of the fluid channel. The system further comprises a sensor unit for detecting a capacitance of the first and second electrode pairs, and a processing unit for calculating and monitoring a distance between the electrodes of the second electrode pair based on the detected capacitance of the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair, wherein the first electrode pair is in contact with the rigid segment and the second electrode pair is in contact with the elastic segment. Moreover, a respective method for determining a flow rate of a fluid flow within a fluid channel is provided by the present disclosure, as well as a use of the sensor system.