Abstract: An apparatus for holding a tissue sample including a retaining member having a first tissue engaging surface and at least one biasing element, the first tissue engaging surface being moveably attached to the retaining member by said biasing element; and a base having a second tissue engaging surface and configured to engage the retaining member to form an interior area with the first and second tissue engaging surfaces facing each other, wherein the at least one biasing element urges the first tissue engaging surface toward the second tissue engaging surface to retain the tissue sample therebetween in the interior area.

Abstract: A filter device (1) for filtering complex fluid samples, comprising a first filter funnel (2) having an inlet (2a) an outlet (2b) and a first internal space (2c) and a second filter funnel (3) having an inlet (3a), an outlet (3b) and a second internal space (3c). The first and second filter funnels (2,3) are sequentially arranged with a first filter medium (4) located therebetween such that the volume of sample fluid placed in the first internal space (2c) can pass through the first filter medium (4) and be collected in the second internal space (3c). An intermediate connector (12) provided downstream of the first filter medium (4) and upstream of the internal space (3c) has a port (13) and/or a vent for communicating the internal second space (3c) with an external gas source/atmosphere and/or a vacuum source via a valve arrangement (14).

Abstract: A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float having a first portion and a second portion, a ballast circumferentially disposed about a section of the float, and a deformable bellows defining an open passageway extending between a first end and a second end. The ballast is longitudinally moveable with respect to the float and engaged with the deformable bellows between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the float is transitionable from a restraint position to a sealed position through the first end of the bellows. The first portion of the float can be positioned within the interior of the deformable bellows in the restraint position, and the first portion of the float can be positioned at an exterior location longitudinally displaced from the deformable bellows in the sealed position.

Abstract: A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float having a first portion and a second portion, a ballast circumferentially disposed about a section of the float, and a deformable bellows defining an open passageway extending between a first end and a second end. The ballast is longitudinally moveable with respect to the float and engaged with the deformable bellows between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the float is transitionable from a restraint position to a sealed position through the first end of the bellows. The first portion of the float can be positioned within the interior of the deformable bellows in the restraint position, and the first portion of the float can be positioned at an exterior location longitudinally displaced from the deformable bellows in the sealed position.

Abstract: A power-compensated fusion furnace includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of: variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.

Abstract: A system for ageing of product artificially, including methods and devices is provided that allow for the control of product being artificially aged and also allow for the determination of artificial age and effective artificial age of product being subjected to an artificial ageing environment.

Abstract: An in-situ testing equipment for testing micromechanical properties of a material in a multi-load and multi-physical field coupled condition is disclosed. The equipment comprises a frame supporting module, a tension/compression-low cycle fatigue module, a torsioning module (21), a three-point bending module (6), an impressing module (33), a thermal field and magnetic field application module (34), an in-situ observation module (32) and a clamp body module (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hoists such as cranes which instead of steel wire ropes use high-strength fibre ropes. The invention relates in particular to an arrangement for detecting the discard state of a high-strength fibre rope when used on such hoists, with a means for detecting at least one rope parameter and an evaluation unit for evaluating the rope parameter, and providing a discard signal depending upon the evaluation of the rope parameter. According to the invention, the detection means comprises bending stiffness determination means for determining the bending stiffness of the rope, whereby the evaluation unit provides the discard signal depending on the determined bending stiffness of the rope.

Abstract: A method and computer product program for determining Young's modulus. The method includes placing a probe in contact with a surface of a material on a substrate and, with an initial force of 800 nano newtons or less; determining the location of the surface relative to an initial indentation depth for the initial force; increasing the force on the probe from the initial force to a maximum force greater than the initial force to generate a load curve; decreasing the force on the probe from the maximum force to the initial force to generate an unload curve, the maximum force selected such that the unload curve is independent of the presence of the substrate; and using the unload curve, determining a relationship between (i) the reduced modulus of the sample material and (ii) the ratio of probe penetration depth and the thickness of the layer.

Abstract: A consumable part, for use inside a chamber where plasma is used to process a semiconductor substrate, includes a body and a trigger feature. The body has a surface configured to be exposed to the plasma during processing in the chamber, and the trigger feature is integrated within the body. The trigger feature includes a void disposed under the surface of the body, where the void is configured to become visible when the surface is eroded from exposure to the plasma over time. The void becoming visible is an identifiable feature on the surface of the body that indicates a wear level for the consumable part, the wear level being associated with an amount of processing time remaining for the consumable part.

Abstract: A full-automatic dynamic tobacco moisture analysis climate chamber comprises an enclosed constant-temperature constant-humidity cabin, which is communicated with an air temperature and humidity processor to form an air circulation loop; a weighing platform is disposed inside the constant-temperature constant-humidity cabin, a sample delivery hanger is hung inside the constant-temperature constant-humidity cabin, at least one placement carrier is disposed below the sample delivery hanger, a sample vessel is placed on the placement carrier, the sample delivery hanger is further connected to a drive mechanism outside the constant-temperature constant-humidity cabin and the drive mechanism drives the sample delivery hanger to perform operations, to place the sample vessel on the weighing platform for weighing.

Abstract: System, methods, and apparatuses for determining properties of a production fluid downhole are presented. In one instance, a system includes a sample-filled sensing device for vibrating a first suspended tube containing a sample of production fluid and producing a first response signal. The system also includes a reference-fluid sensing device with a second suspended tube containing a viscosity -tunable fluid therein. The system vibrates the second suspended tube to create a second response signal. The viscosity of the viscosity -tunable fluid is varied until it is deemed to match that of the sample production fluid. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rheological properties of a multi-phase fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a static chamber configured to contain a multi-phase fluid having at least a first phase and a second phase. The apparatus also includes a rotor member submersed in the multi-phase fluid in the static chamber. The rotor member is rotatable about a horizontal rotational axis within the static chamber and the static chamber and the rotor member are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining surface wetting of metallic materials at downhole wellbore condition with fixed or changing well fluids are disclosed. In general, the methods according to the disclosure include carrying out an electrical impedance spectroscopy (“EIS”) for a system simulating downhole conditions for the wetting of a surface by simultaneously dynamically moving electrodes exposed to the well fluid while measuring the changes in electrical characteristics between the electrodes.

Abstract: A method predicts the asphaltene precipitation envelope of a fluid consisting of stock tank oil and dissolved gas. The method comprises comparing a solubility parameter of the fluid, ?fluid, and an onset solubility parameter of the fluid, ?onset(fluid), across a range of pressures, to predict pressures at which asphaltene precipitation will be observed, ?fluid and ?onset(fluid) are calculating using a correction factor, Fcorrection. Fcorrection is determined according to formula (1): Fcorrection=?STO(physical)/?STO(solvent power)??(1) where: ?STO(physical) is an estimate of the solubility parameter of the stock tank oil based on a physical property of the stock tank oil, and ??STO(solvent power) is an estimate of the solubility parameter of the stock tank oil based on the solvent power of the stock tank oil.

Abstract: Cell culturing and tracking systems using an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to illuminate cells and/or other particles in a cell chamber are described. Compared to conventional light sources, the OLED array consumes very little energy and emits a small amount of waste heat, so it may be disposed near or on the cell chamber. For instance, it can be printed on one side of the cell chamber itself. In addition, the OLED array may be patterned into pixels or sub-pixels (individual OLEDs), each of which is as small as or smaller than an individual cell or particle. Because the pixels are so small, OLED illumination can be used to acquire images with a spatial resolution equal to or better than the cell or particle cell. As a result, the OLED array can be used to track, monitor, identify, and manipulate individual cells within the cell culture.

Abstract: A system and a method of measuring a particle's size in a select aerosol using the optical diameter of the particle to perform a mobility and/or aerodynamic diameter conversion without any knowledge about the particle's shape and its optical properties in the aerosol being characterized. In one example embodiment of the invention, the method includes generating a set of calibration data and finding the optimal refractive index and shape that best fits the calibration data. In addition, the method includes creating a new calibration curve that provides a mobility-equivalent or aerodynamic-equivalent diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents and more particularly to a method and a device for determining the distribution and orientation of platelet-shaped pigment particles over an extended region of an optical effect layer (OEL). The method described herein comprises the steps of a) taking at least one image, under illumination of said extended region of the optical effect layer with collimated light incident from at least one first direction, of reflected light of said extended region of the optical effect layer from at least one second direction, using a telecentric lens-and-camera assembly having the optical axis of the telecentric lens oriented along said second direction, and b) processing the at least one image of said extended region to extract quantitative particle distribution and orientation information.

Abstract: An in-line holographic microscope can be used to analyze on a frame-by-frame basis a video stream to track individual colloidal particles' three-dimensional motions. The system and method can provide real time nanometer resolution, and simultaneously measure particle sizes and refractive indexes. Through a combination of applying a combination of Lorenz-Mie analysis with selected hardware and software methods, this analysis can be carried out in near real time. An efficient particle identification methodology automates initial position estimation with sufficient accuracy to enable unattended holographic tracking and characterization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting deposits or chemical inhibitor close to or on the surface of electrodes or pins facing a fluid flow where any combination of the components oil, water, gas and a chemical inhibitor fluid could be present, and where the electrodes or pins are coupled to measuring means for monitoring the electrical characteristics of the flow, the electrical characteristics including the complex impedance or complex permittivity. The system comprises detecting means transmitting a signal indicating presence of deposit or chemical inhibitor if the real part of the complex impedance, in case of hydrocarbon continuous flow, or the imaginary part of the complex impedance, in case of water continuous flow deviates from predetermined limits related to the electrical characteristics of the said flow.

Abstract: Metrology methods, systems and targets are provided, which implement a side by side paradigm. Adjacent cells with periodic structures are used to extract the overlay error, e.g., by introducing controllable phase shifts or image shifts which enable algorithmic computation of the overlay. The periodic structures are designed to exhibit a rotational symmetry to support the computation and reduce errors.

Abstract: A novel methodology for detecting cloud particles is disclosed herein. This methodology exploits the optical glory phenomenon. According to one embodiment, a method for detecting clouds includes receiving data from a sensor which is configured to measure polarization of scattered light in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of incident light, and identifying, from the received sensor data, a cloud based on the polarization of the scattered light.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems, devices and methods for analyzing and processing samples or analytes. In one example configuration, a method of analyzing an analyte includes shaving a first layer of a plurality of layers of an analyte to expose a first surface of an analyte. The method includes positioning the first surface of the analyte over a window of a hyperspectral analyzation subassembly. The method further includes scanning the first surface of the analyte by the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly to obtain information regarding the analyte proximate the first surface. Other systems, devices and methods are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing the operation of a photometric particle analyzer. The method may determine when the operation is degraded from normal operating conditions, automatically, and the result displayed locally as well as being transmitted to a remote observer. The present invention may be used by optical photometric particle analyzers, or by analyzers that measure other properties of particles collected on filters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting terahertz radiation, a camera device, and a method for detecting terahertz radiation.

Abstract: A terahertz image matrix sensor including a matrix of pixels and comprising, for each pixel, an antenna for receiving a terahertz radiation modulated by a signal at a modulation frequency and a synchronous filter with N pathways, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 4, each pathway including a capacitive element and at least one first breaker controlled by a first signal at said modulation frequency.

Abstract: A sensor unit (100) provided with a substrate (101), a plurality of light-receiving units (102) that are provided on the substrate (101) and detect light, and a diffraction grating layer (103) that is provided on the substrate (101) and the light-receiving units (102) and has at least two diffraction means for diffracting light of corresponding wavelengths and condensing the light onto the light-receiving units, wherein at least two of the diffraction means are composed from holograms formed on a first diffraction grating layer and at least a portion of the plurality of holograms formed on the first diffraction grating layer overlap at least partially with another adjacent hologram.

Abstract: An instrument determines a concentration of bacteria in a plurality of fluid samples, and comprises a housing, a rotatable platform, a plurality of fluid containers, a light source, a sensor, and a motor. The rotatable platform is within the housing. The fluid containers are located on the rotatable platform. Each fluid container holds a corresponding one of the plurality of fluid samples, and has an input window and an output window. The light source provides an input beam for transmission into the input windows of the fluid containers and through the corresponding fluid samples. The input beam creates a forward-scatter signal associated with the concentration of bacteria. The motor rotates the rotatable platform so that the input beam sequentially passes through each fluid sample. A sensor within the housing detects the forward-scatter signal exiting from the output window associated with the fluid sample receiving the input beam.

Abstract: A reflection-based tubular waveguide particle plasmon resonance sensing system and a sensing device thereof are provided. The sensing device includes a hollow tubular waveguide element having wall, a reflection layer disposed on one end of the wall (distal end), and a noble metal nanoparticle layer distributed on the surface of the wall. An incident light enters the wall through another end of the tubular waveguide element (proximal end) and being total internal reflected many times along the wall, then is reflected by the reflection layer and being total internal reflected many times along the wall again, and finally, the incident light exits the proximal end. Wherein, when the sample contacts the noble metal nanoparticle layer of the tubular waveguide element, the particle plasmon resonance condition is altered and hence the signal intensity of the light exiting the tubular waveguide element changes.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing a backlight density of a panel module is disclosed. The panel module includes a panel, a back plate and a holding frame. The back plate has an opening formed thereon and is for installing the panel onto the holding frame. The sensing device includes a sensor module and a base. The sensor module is for sensing a light projected via the opening and generated by the panel. The base is disposed between the back plate and the holding frame. The base includes a main body and a resilient structure. The main body is for containing the sensor module. The resilient structure extends from the main body and resiliently abuts against the holding frame. The resilient structure presses the main body onto the holding frame when resilient abutting against the holding frame, such that the back plate and the main body cooperatively covers the sensor module.

Abstract: Scanner, method of scanning and system for scanning that allows detecting decay time characteristics of light emitted by a luminescent marking on an item which is transported, even at high speed, on a distribution/production line. The detection zone of the scanner's light sensor has a shape elongated along a path of the moving item, and the responsivity of the light sensor, within the wavelength range of the emitted luminescence light, is uniform over the detection zone. The drive current, or drive voltage, powering the excitation light source is adapted to deliver the intensity of the excitation light to the marking so that its light sensor can reliably measure the corresponding luminescence light response, and thus accurately determine a corresponding decay time value.

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to multi-well systems, devices, and methods of Fourier ptychographic and fluorescence imaging.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting a specific tissue or cell in a sample tissue section and accurately specifying both the position(s) and amount of a biological substance of interest that is expressed on the specific tissue or cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and hardware for real-time amplification and detection of nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A method of using a paint sensor to observe stress distributions of a stressed substrate includes the steps of applying a composition including a paintable medium and a mechanoluminescence material to a substrate, allowing the composition to form a solid film on the substrate, allowing the substrate to be stressed following the formation of the solid film, and measuring the stress the substrate has undergone by determining the mechanoluminescence of the solid film. A composition for visualizing stress or crack distributions includes a paintable medium and a mechanoluminescence material dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample to be tested to determine the presence of or to quantify an analyte in the sample, employing a reaction which produces a reaction medium derived from the sample and which possesses fluorescence properties, the reaction medium being located within a well, the reaction medium and the well forming an analysis assembly which possesses fluorescent properties in response to illumination by a light source producing a light signal, the light source being movable along a surface S1 of the well.

Abstract: A flow analyzer includes a flow body having a single-piece construction. The flow body includes a flow path extending through the flow body along a flow direction between opposing inlet and outlet ports and an enclosed wiring conduit extending substantially transverse to the flow direction between a first side of the flow body and a second side of the flow body. The enclosed wiring conduit is isolated from the flow path. An illumination unit is disposed on the first side of the flow body and configured to illuminate fluid within the flow path. An observation unit is disposed on the second side of the flow body and configured to visually observe the fluid within the flow path.

Abstract: A panel inspection apparatus is provided. The panel inspection apparatus has a support platform, a delivery platform and a panel inspection assembly. The delivery platform is disposed on the support platform, and the delivery platform has a push module for delivering the panel. The panel inspection assembly includes a plurality of light source modules and a plurality of image-taking modules corresponding to the light source modules. The light source modules include a front light source, a first horizontal light source, and a back light source. The image-taking modules include a front light image-taking module, a first horizontal light image-taking module, and a back light image-taking module. The push module delivers the panel across the support platform so that a plurality of light beams emitted from the light source modules can scan the panel to finish the panel inspection process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate inspecting apparatus which is capable of reducing an inspection time of a substrate having a plurality of inspection regions and improving convenience of a user. The substrate inspecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inspection unit inspecting inspection regions of a substrate according to an inspection sequence to obtain image data of the inspection regions, a control unit comprising a plurality of data processing parts processing the image data of the inspection regions, which is transmitted by the inspection unit, and an optimization module optimizing the inspection sequence of the inspection regions and a data processing sequence of the data processing parts, and a user interface displaying an optimization-oriented information relating the inspection sequence and the data processing sequence optimized by the optimization module.

Abstract: To increase horizontal resolution while preventing the depth of focus, a magnetic disk inspection device is configured: a table part which has a spindle shaft and a stage; a lighting system which irradiates a magnetic disk; a specularly reflected light detection optical system; a scattered light detection optical system; and a signal processing unit which processes outputs from the specularly reflected light detection optical system and the scattered light detection optical system and detects a defect, in which the scattered light detection optical system is provided with a lens system and a photoelectric converter having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in an array, and using the lens system, forms an image of the scattered light on the photoelectric converter, which is long in one direction and thinner than the width of the photoelectric conversion element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the arrangement in an array.

Abstract: To detect an infinitesimal defect, highly precisely measure the dimensions of the detect, a detect inspection device is configured to comprise: a irradiation unit which irradiate light in a linear region on a surface of a sample; a detection unit which detect light from the linear region; and a signal processing unit which processes a signal obtained by detecting light and detecting a defect. The detection unit includes: an optical assembly which diffuses the light from the sample in one direction and forms an image in a direction orthogonal to the one direction; and a detection assembly having an array sensor in which detection pixels are positioned two-dimensionally, which detects the light diffused in the one direction and imaged in the direction orthogonal to the one direction, adds output signals of each of the detection pixels aligned in the direction in which the light is diffused, and outputs same.

Abstract: A micro-CT sample holder for placing a sample under hydrostatic pressure during scanning, a micro-CT scanning system using the sample holder, and method of rock sample inspection under hydrostatic pressure. The sample holder includes a pressure vessel having a thinned-walled region and an interior chamber fixed reference stops inside the interior chamber. A position-locating anvil holds the sample and rests on the one or more fixed reference stops so the position of the sample is fixed under pressure. The thin-walled region surrounds the sample to minimize radiation interactions yet sufficient for maintaining a design pressure within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel includes threads near the top opening to receive a compression screw assembly for closing the top opening and applying a variable pressure on the pressure vessel with a piston acting on a fluid inside the interior chamber.

Abstract: A diffraction pattern is averaged with adjacent diffraction patterns to increase a signal to noise ratio thereof and improve indexing accuracy. The pixels of a diffraction pattern image are averaged with a correlated pixel from one or more adjacent diffraction patterns. Noise artifacts are reduced in intensity, while signals present in each of the patterns reinforce one another to produce an averaged diffraction pattern which is then indexed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a circuit arrangement for determining an insulation variable of a network, wherein the measuring system is temporarily connected to the network and a reference point. The method comprises the following steps: measuring a first voltage at the network when the measuring system is not connected to the network; connecting the measuring system to the network, measuring a second voltage at the network, disconnecting the measuring system from the network, measuring a third voltage at the network, and determining an insulation variable based on at least one element of the measuring system, the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage.

Abstract: Osmolarity-responsive hydrogel sensors, particularly biosensors, containing quaternary ammonium functionality, which are useful for, inter alia, continuous osmolarity monitoring with no pH interference, are disclosed. Methods of using the osmolarity-responsive hydrogels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a gas may include a transport layer for transporting ions, a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from one another by the transport layer, a heating device controlled by a voltage source, and a second voltage source applying a voltage difference across the electrodes. The transport layer may be conductive for the ions starting from a specific temperature. As a result of applying the voltage difference, ions stream from the first electrode through the transport layer to the second electrode if the first and second electrodes are in contact with the gas. The voltage source may provide a voltage potential of zero volts averaged over time or provide the voltage potential of the first electrode at the heating device.

Abstract: An exhaust sensor comprises a temperature cell and a calibration resistor. The temperature cell has a characteristic such that a temperature cell impedance varies as a function of the exhaust sensor temperature, with the temperature cell having a high impedance at ambient temperature and a relatively low impedance at the operating temperature of the exhaust sensor, the operating temperature being higher than ambient temperature. The calibration resistor is electrically connected in parallel with the temperature cell. A method of producing and a method of using such an exhaust sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and a method for characterizing a dielectric material are provided. The system and method generally include applying an excitation signal to electrodes on opposing sides of the dielectric material to evaluate a property of the dielectric material. The method can further include measuring the capacitive impedance across the dielectric material, and determining a variation in the capacitive impedance with respect to either or both of a time domain and a frequency domain. The measured property can include pore size and surface imperfections. The method can still further include modifying a processing parameter as the dielectric material is formed in response to the detected variations in the capacitive impedance, which can correspond to a non-uniformity in the dielectric material.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring outlier behavior in an array of n electrodes includes an electrical line, a switching circuit via which the electrodes are individually coupleable to the electrical line, a sensor; and processing circuitry, where, in each of m iterations: (i) a respective subset of electrodes is coupled by the switching circuit to the electrical line, (ii) the sensor senses an electrical parameter produced over the electrical line by the coupled subset of electrodes, and (iii) the processing circuitry obtains from the sensor a respective value of the electrical parameter, m being less than n, and the processing circuitry identifying those of the electrodes that exhibit outlier electrical behavior by finding electrical values to individually ascribe to individual ones of the electrodes of the array, which ascribed values can result in all of the respective values of all of the m iterations.