Abstract: Described is a lab-on-a-chip device and a method of employing a lab-on-a-chip device for determining the concentration of species present in the water.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to devices having optical and electrochemical detectors and to methods of performing optical and electrochemical assays using such devices. The present invention is particularly useful for performing immunoassays and/or electrochemical assays at the point-of-care.

Abstract: An optical sensor for monitoring an environmental condition, the optical sensor comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane comprising a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component, wherein exposure of the optical sensor to a specific environmental condition produces a color shift on the optical sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing images of a gemstone is described. The apparatus comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure comprises a plurality of directional light sources directed towards the observation position so as to illuminate the gemstone. The support structure and illumination structure are relatively rotatable relative to one another about a rotation axis. An imaging device is arranged to obtain images of the gemstone at the observation position at a variety of relative rotational positions between the illumination structure and support structure: the imaging device has an imaging axis passing through the observation position. The support structure is arranged so that the gemstone can be placed at the observation position in such a way that the normal to a selected facet of the gemstone is within a range of tilt angles from the rotation axis.

Abstract: The operational state of a surface inspection system for detecting defects on the surface of semiconductor wafers is monitored by: providing a reference wafer having defects of a particular number, size, and density on an examination surface; conducting a reference inspection of the reference wafer and at least one control inspection of the reference wafer by the surface inspection system, the position and size of defects on the examination surface being measured; identifying defects which, because of their position, are regarded as common defects of the reference inspection and of the control inspection; for each common defect, determining a size difference obtained from comparing its size from the reference inspection and from the control inspection; and assessing the operational state of the surface inspection system on the basis of the size differences.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect a first detection signal according to a first diffracted light beam and a second detection signal according to a second diffracted light beam; a storage unit which is configured to store a first reference data and a second reference data; and a determination unit which is configured to determine a processing condition of the pattern in the substrate as an inspection object substrate, based on consistency between the first detection signal and the first reference data, and consistency between the second detection signal and the second reference data.

Abstract: An X-ray detector apparatus which includes a detector panel and a support to support the detector panel. The support is tiltably provided in a rear surface of the detector panel so that the detector panel is erected on a surface by the support.

Abstract: An X-ray transmission inspection apparatus is provided with: an X-ray source configured to irradiate a sample with an X-ray; a sample moving mechanism configured to continuously move the sample in a specific direction during irradiation with the X-ray from the X-ray source; a TDI sensor disposed at a side opposite to the X-ray source with the sample interposed therebetween and configured to detect the X-ray transmitted by the sample; and a polycapillary disposed between the X-ray source and the sample and configured to convert the X-ray radially emitted from the X-ray source into a parallel X-ray parallel to a thickness direction of the sample.

Abstract: A method includes conducting a plurality of tests on process variables of a manufacturing process, with a test of the plurality of tests being associated with two combinations of process variables, the test having first values for a first combination of process variables at a first time and second values for a second combination of process variables at a second time, the test comprising: locally heating a region of a structure, wherein the local heating results in formation of a thermal field in the structure; assessing one or more thermal characteristics of the thermal field during a transition between the first combination of process variables and the second combination of process variables; and based on results of the plurality of tests, generating a process map of a transient response of the one or more thermal characteristics of the thermal field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analysis of thermal structures, not only to reduce analysis errors caused by temperature measurement errors, but also to get the thermal resistance of contact interfaces and the internal resistance distribution of heat conduction components of a DUT, by establishing a heat conduction model of the DUT, solving and analyzing a mathematic heat conduction model on the basis of temperature data of a heat source and thermal model parameters, thus realizing the accurate quantitative analysis of thermal resistance structure of the DUT, comprehensively evaluating the thermal contact conditions inside the whole DUT, and providing an important basis for improving the heat dissipation design of LED and other devices. The analysis method features in simplicity, high accuracy, high speed, wide application range, etc.

Abstract: An integrated electronic device 1 for detecting at least one parameter related to humidity and/or presence of water and/or acidity/basicity of an environment surrounding the device is described. Such device 1 comprises a separation layer 14 from the surrounding environment, comprising at least one portion of insulating material 14, and further comprises a first conductive member 11 and a second conductive member 12, made of an electrically conductive material, arranged inside the separation layer 14, with respect to the surrounding environment, and separated from the surrounding environment by the separation layer 14. The device 1 also comprises a measurement module 15, having two measurement terminals 151, 152, electrically connected with the first 11 and the second 12 conductive members, respectively; the measurement module 15 is configured to provide an electric potential difference between the first 11 and the second 12 conductive members.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based multi-sensor module integrates miniature temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors onto a single substrate. Pressure and humidity sensors can be implemented as capacitive thin film sensors, while the temperature sensor is implemented as a precision miniature Wheatstone bridge. Such multi-sensor modules can be used as building blocks in application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Furthermore, the multi-sensor module can be built on top of existing circuitry that can be used to process signals from the sensors. An integrated multi-sensor module that uses differential sensors can measure a variety of localized ambient environmental conditions substantially simultaneously, and with a high level of precision. The multi-sensor module also features an integrated heater that can be used to calibrate or to adjust the sensors, either automatically or as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically conditioning a patch plate and a plenum of an electrophysiology measurement system is provided. An arm is linearly movable between a non-operative position and an operative position. An end effector mounted to one side of the arm is configured to condition the patch plate. Another end effector mounted to an opposite side of the arm is configured to condition the plenum. A linear actuator is coupled to the arm and is configured to drive movement of the arm between the operative position and the non-operative position. When the arm is positioned in the operative position, the arm is situated between the patch plate and the plenum.

Abstract: Provided are a composite metal oxide material, a method of manufacturing the same, and a gas sensor using the same as a sensing material thereof. The composite metal oxide material may include polycrystalline nanofibers and at least one of microparticles and nanoparticles. The use of the composite metal oxide material makes it possible to improve structural, mechanical, thermal, and lifetime stabilities of the gas sensor. Further, the presence of the microparticles and/or nanoparticles allows the gas sensor to have a base resistance lower than that of a nanofiber-based gas sensor. Since the microparticles and/or nanoparticles are attached to the nanofibers, the composite metal oxide material can have an increased mobility of electrons or holes and an increased surface area, and thus, the gas sensor can have fast response/recovery speeds and high gas sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for scaling body fluid analysis data to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature, variations in electrode conductivity or combinations thereof before providing an analyte concentration. The scaling methods utilize current response data obtained from an AC block applied prior to a DC block to minimize the impact of such confounding variables upon the observed DC current response before creating descriptors or algorithms. The scaling methods therefore compensate the measured DC current by using data from the AC block made on the same sample. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various scaling methods.

Abstract: Methods for the electrochemical detection of target analytes using a porous substrate and related systems are provided. In some embodiments, an electrochemical assay comprises determining the presence, absence, and/or concentration of one or more target analyte based on the electrical potential of an electroactive moiety (EAM) comprising a self-immolative moiety (SIM). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrochemical assay may occur within, on, and/or near a porous substrate. In some such embodiments, one or more component of the electrochemical assay (e.g., capture ligand, enzyme) may be immobilized within and/or on the porous substrate. In some embodiments, the immobilization of one or more assay components within and/or on the porous substrate may allow for the detection of multiple target analytes in a single sample as well as enhance assay performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor biosensor and a control method thereof are disclosed for enhancing performance of semiconductor biosensor and the reducing price of medical healthcare chip. An embodiment of the semiconductor biosensor includes a central reaction unit. The central reaction unit comprises a plurality of semiconductor conducting wires; a common source, wherein one end of each conducting wire is connected to the common source; a plurality of non-volatile memory type transistors respectively connected to another end of each conducting wire; a plurality of sense-amplifiers respectively connected to the said non-volatile memory type transistors; a bit line controller analyzing signals sensed by the said sense-amplifiers and managing the operation of the said non-volatile memory type transistors; an oxide film wrapping or covering the said conducting wires, and a plurality of receptors fixed on a surface of the said oxide film.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for reducing the negative effects of bubble formation on the detection, quantification and/or monitoring of analytes.

Abstract: Electrotransfer is performed in an instrument that receives electroblotting cassettes and that contains an integrated power supply, controls, and a display that allows the user to monitor and control each of a plurality of cassettes individually through electrical contacts within the housing that mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the cassettes.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for accurate size determination of nanoparticles and nanobubbles, comprising detecting multiple repeated translocations of a captured nanoparticle or nanobubble across the sensing zone of a conical nanopore in fluid communication with a fluid comprising nanoparticles or nanobubbles.

Abstract: A fluid applicator device includes an applicator body having a surface that is generally planar. A plurality of aligned applicator teeth extend from said applicator body. Each applicator tooth extends longitudinally from said applicator body along a length from a base of the applicator tooth proximate to the applicator body to a tip of the applicator tooth distal to the applicator body. At least one applicator tooth of the plurality of aligned applicator teeth has a width that is greater at the base than at the tip. A method for depositing a liquid sample on a substrate using the fluid applicator device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting particles are provided. The particle extraction apparatus includes: a main body; a support unit provided in the main body and in which a sample plate is disposed; an extraction unit that can be selectively submerged in a sample of the sample plate and that extracts particles within the sample; a signal generator that generates an electrical signal so as to generate an electrical field within the sample within the sample plate; and a controller that controls operation of the signal generator, wherein particles within the sample are attached to the extraction unit to be extracted by an electrical field generated within the sample.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention provides an accurate, fast, and cost effective method for determining the additive concentrations of at least two inhibitors simultaneously in an electroplating bath by using different electrical load conditions. The method of the present invention is able to determine additive concentrations of different inhibitors effectively during on-line feedback control for adjusting the amount of additives in the electroplating bath to maintain the additive concentrations within pre-defined limits during device production.

Abstract: Mass-transfer rate control arrangement and method in which a process precursor mixture is produced containing carrier gas and a process precursor gas. A quantity of the process precursor present in the process precursor mixture is acoustically sensed to produce a sensor output. A dilution gas is provided and the process precursor mixture and the dilution gas are separately conveyed to a diution point, at which a diluted mixture of the dilution gas and the process precursor mixture is achieved. A relative flow rate of the carrier gas and the dilution gas is automatically controlled in response to the sensor output such that the diluted mixture at the dilution point has a prescribed mass transfer rate of the precursor gas.

Abstract: A tool may be inserted into the pressure tube inside a calandria tube of a fuel channel of a nuclear reactor. Once in position, the tool may act to generate information useful for determining a location for an annulus spacer. Once the annulus spacer has been located, the tool may act to generate information useful for determining a compressive load on the annulus spacer due to the annulus spacer being pinched between the two tubes. In both the locating and the load determining, the tool may act to isolate a section of the pressure tube, excite the isolated section of the pressure tube with vibrations and measure resultant tube vibrations. Tube vibration characteristics, determined from the vibrations, may then be analyzed to determine an axial location along the pressure tube for the annulus spacer and/or determine a load on the annulus spacer.

Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope comprises a structure including a loading portion and a scanning portion, a transducer disposed in the scanning portion and operable to develop ultrasonic energy, and a controller. A driver is responsive to the controller and is capable of moving the transducer along a scan path with respect to a first plurality of parts disposed in the scanning portion as a second plurality of parts are being loaded into the loading portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: a housing having an opening provided at a first end portion of the housing; a transducer provided in a position corresponding to the opening and configured to generate ultrasonic waves; a heat spreader provided underneath the transducer; and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed between the transducer and the heat spreader, wherein the heat spreader includes: a body portion configured to absorb heat from the transducer; and a coupling portion that is formed at a side portion of the body portion and coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprising ultrasound sensors to monitor the structure of a composite material part during production is automatically calibrated using reference sensors mounted on reference blocks and placed in the production environment of the part. The automatic calibration comprises actuating a reference sensor to transmit an ultrasonic wave and measuring the amplitude of a reference echo constituted by the transmitted ultrasonic wave after it has passed through the reference block. The measured amplitude is compared to a set point value and the gain is applied to the reference sensor to obtain an amplitude value of the reference echo substantially equal to the set point value. The gain applied to the reference sensor is applied to the ultrasound sensors of the same type as the reference sensor. The operation is performed for each reference sensor, and successively for all of the stages of production of the part.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and devices for quantitating, separating and/or detecting water in a liquid, gas or solid sample comprising one or more chemicals, the method comprising: providing the liquid, gas or solid sample comprising water and the one or more chemicals; and exposing said liquid, gas or solid sample to at least one solid support including at least one dicationic and/or tricationic species of Formula I or II adsorbed, absorbed or immobilized on the solid support.

Abstract: Method for determining the depth of entry of lift gas into a production tube of a gas lift well includes the step of determining the concentration of GCOI endogenous to formation gas produced from the production tube of a gas lift well and absent from gas used as the lift gas in said gas lift well versus time after a perturbation of the rate of introduction of said lift gas into said production tube via one or more gas lift valves. The invention includes a system configured for evaluating the performance of gas lift well, including a separator, a flow regulation device, a measurement device for measuring over time the concentration of a GCOI in production fluids, a data collection and storage device for recording data from the measurement device, and a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium for analyzing the data collected by the measuring device.

Abstract: An electrolytic method for suppressing liquid eluent containing previously separated sample analyte anions, counterions to the sample anions, and non-sample anions suppressible to weak acids in an electrolytic device comprising a housing defining at least a sample stream flow channel and an ion receiving flow-through channel separated by an ion exchange bather. The sample stream flow channel includes an upstream channel portion and a downstream channel portion. A first current is applied across the upstream channel portion for substantially completely suppression. A second current is applied across the downstream channel portion at a magnitude of less than 10% of the magnitude of the first current.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to substance detecting assemblies that include: (1) a sample medium (e.g., filter paper); and (2) a solid test chemical (e.g., zinc) impregnated with the sample medium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of A making an assembly for detecting a substance by: (1) providing a sample medium; (2) providing a solid test chemical; and (3) impregnating the sample medium with the solid test chemical. In further embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods for detecting a substance by: (1) collecting the substance on a sample medium that is impregnated with a solid test chemical; and (2) initiating a reaction of the substance with the solid test chemical on the sample medium to generate a color that corresponds to the substance. In some embodiments, the sample medium is then inserted into a chemical detection unit for the detection of the substance.

Abstract: Nanofiber-based sensors for the rapid detection, identification, and/or quantification of analytes, including gaseous analytes such as oxygen, are provided. The nanofiber-based sensors can comprise core-shell nanofibers. The core-shell nanofibers can comprise (a) a core comprising a first polymer and an sensor dispersed therein; and (b) a shell disposed coaxially around the core, comprising a second polymer.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring fluid in a fluid supply vessel during operation including dispensing of fluid from the fluid supply vessel. The monitoring system includes (i) one or more sensors for monitoring a characteristic of the fluid supply vessel or the fluid dispensed therefrom, (ii) a data acquisition module operatively coupled to the one or more sensors to receive monitoring data therefrom and responsively generate an output correlative to the characteristic monitored by the one or more sensors, and (iii) a processor and display operatively coupled with the data acquisition module and arranged to process the output from the data acquisition module and responsively output a graphical representation of fluid in the fluid supply vessel, billing documents, usage reports, and/or resupply requests.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing a sensor for an exhaust system may include perturbing an output signal from the sensor for the exhaust system. The method may further include monitoring an output signal from a controller for controlling a component affecting the exhaust system or an unperturbed output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the sensor based on the monitored output signal from the controller or the unperturbed output signal from the sensor. In another implementation, a first controller may output the output signal from the sensor to a second controller configured to have a predetermined response to output signal. The first controller receives a response from the second controller and diagnoses the sensor based on the received response.

Abstract: Methods for sample collection for assessment of air quality include generating an atmospheric condensate from air to be sampled, and collecting the atmospheric condensate in a collection vessel for subsequent use and analysis. Atmospheric condensate may be generated through a heat exchange module, such as a cold trap or the cooling coils of an HVAC system. The collection vessel may be an ultraclean glass jar or a cold trap. Air may be sampled actively or passively for both chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) detecting apparatus for measuring the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide species in a given sample is disclosed. The hydrogen sulfide detecting apparatus can comprise a plurality of reaction chambers separated from a plurality of trapping chambers by a (H2S) permeable membrane, with the reaction chambers and trapping chambers each having buffer component(s) and/or reactive agents that expose the incoming sample to a particular pH and chemical environment in order to allow for the selective liberation and trapping of hydrogen sulfide from the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid and efficient method and assay for monitoring yield enhancement in a plant using a measure of silk number. The plant is transformed with a prospective gene associated with yield enhancement. The transformed plant is grown along with non-transformed control plants until silk growth is apparent. The change in the number of silks in the transformed plant correlated to the change in yield for the plant. Therefore, changes in yield enhancement can be estimated in the transformed plant prior to harvest of mature plant tissues.

Abstract: An environment risk sorting method includes preparing a plant environment database for storing several pieces of environment risk data for abandoned plants; using a first risk evaluation module, based on the environment risk data, to generate a first risk evaluation result for each abandoned plant; using the first risk evaluation result to generate an environmental site evaluation list, which in turn, generates an environment site evaluation data of each abandoned plant and updated environmental risk data; using a second risk evaluation module, based on the environment site evaluation data of each abandoned plant and the updated environmental risk data, to generate a second risk evaluation result for each abandoned plant; and using the second risk evaluation result for each abandoned plant to generate an investigation list as a basis for follow-up investigation.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating conditions of reservoir fluid in an underground reservoir that includes a sensor for measuring one or more measured parameters of that fluid, the measured parameters including at least one of: temperature, pressure and density of the fluid and a processor. The processor is configured to: receive data representing the one or more measured parameters; determine or receive coefficients for an extended corresponding states (XCS) model, wherein propane is used as a reference fluid in determining the coefficients or was used in the forming of the received coefficients; and solve the XCS model with the coefficients to form estimates of the fluid conditions.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula: is disclosed. R is hydrogen or alkyl; X is alkylene; Y is a bond, ether, thioether, amine, amide, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, carbamate, thiocarbamate, urea, thiourea, alkylene, arylalkylene, alkylarylene, or arylene, wherein alkylene, arylalkylene, alkylarylene, and arylene are optionally at least one of interrupted or terminated by at least one of an ether, thioether, amine, amide, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, carbamate, thiocarbamate, urea, or thiourea; and Z is an acrylate, a methacrylate, an acrylamide, a methacrylamide, a styrenyl, or a terminal alkenylene having at least three carbon atoms. A composition including the compound, and a method of determining the degree of cure of a curable polymeric resin are also disclosed.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a cell analyzer system, a cell analyzing program and a cell analyzing method for effectively evaluating a cell and a cell network. [Solving Means] A cell analyzer system according to the present technology includes an image acquisition unit, a vibration information extraction unit, and a vibration characteristics calculation unit. The image acquisition unit acquires a cell image by capturing cells at elapsed time. The vibration information extraction unit extracts vibration information attributable to spontaneous membrane potential vibration of cells from the cell image. The vibration characteristics calculation unit calculates vibration characteristics of the vibration information from the vibration information.

Abstract: A method for quantifying acetylamantadine in a urine sample comprises eluting acetylamantadine from the urine sample using solid phase extraction and quantifying the acetylamantadine eluted from the urine sample using Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring subject compliance with a prescribed treatment regimen are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises measuring a drug and a metabolite level in fluid of a subject and transforming the ratio of the measured drug levels and comparing the subsequent Drug Ratio with a likewise transformed Data Set of drug/metabolite ratios. Using the transformed ratio of parent drug to metabolite eliminates the need for further adjustments using patient specific parameters and other transforming/normalizing quantities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silica gel-based composition capable of changing color when placed in contact with alcohol vapors. Said composition is particularly useful for preparing devices for the detection of alcohol, for example devices for carrying out an alcohol test on samples of air exhaled by individuals when subjected to checks by the police or competent authorities.

Abstract: Provided herein are placebo-controlled methods for identifying Celiac disease in a subject, and related compositions and kits.

Abstract: In some aspects, a cross-species platform useful for drug discovery in neurodegenerative diseases is described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices comprising one or more cantilevers comprising one or more neuromuscular junctions formed by a co-culture of myotubes and motoneurons. Disclosed herein are methods of using the disclosed devices comprising one or more cantilevers. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for the detection or measurement of oxalate in a sample. Such compositions include test devices that provide for the rapid and accurate detection of oxalate in a sample from a biological fluid. Advantageously, the compositions can be used to monitor the oxalate levels of a patient at a point of care (e.g., at the patient's home, clinic, physician's office, or other clinical setting).

Abstract: The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to the use of a hand-held mobile computing device, such a smartphone or tablet, to interpret the results of a medical assay device. By controlling conditions like image placement and illumination and correcting for imperfect illumination, accurate results can be obtained with hand-held mobile computing device.