Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.

Abstract: A spectral radiation gas detector has at least one lenslet with a circular blazed grating for diffraction of radiation to a focal plane. A detector is located at the focal plane receiving radiation passing through the at least one lenslet for detection at a predetermined diffraction order. A plurality of order filters are associated with the at least one lenslet to pass radiation at wavelengths corresponding to the predetermined diffraction order, each filter blocking a selected set of higher orders. A controller is adapted to compare intensity at pixels in the detector associated with each of the plurality of order filters and further adapted to determine a change in intensity exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A gas detector and method are presented. The gas detector includes a launcher unit for coupling and merging light beams in mid-infrared and infrared wavelength ranges into a single light beam and directing the merged single light beam towards a gas flow path; a receiver unit for generating at least one photo detector current signal based on the light beam transmitted through the gas flow path; and a control unit for processing at least one photo detector current signal to measure concentration of the at least two gases present in the gas flow path.

Abstract: A novel non-invasive anisotropic image scanning technology assessing tissue structural changes is disclosed for use as a non-invasive and rapid meat quality prediction tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) comprising a support (14) having a wave guide (42) allowing the propagation of light of at least one wavelength, generating evanescent waves outwards. According to the invention, the device comprises means for receiving a liquid sample, designed to receive the liquid sample upon contact of the wave guide (42) in such a way as to impregnate the wave guide with a portion of the liquid sample, and actuatable means for breaking the contact between the liquid sample and the wave guide (42).

Abstract: A laser system containing an etalon to reduce the spectral bandwidth and for tuning, with cavity dumping to generate the short pulses is described. The resulting system is stable and not overly complicated. The combination of cavity dumping with an intracavity etalon enables the invention to produce a string of short pulses, each of which has a very narrow spectral bandwidth. Tuning the wavelength over a spectral range that is very small, but much larger than the laser's spectral bandwidth, enables the invention to use dual-wavelength lidar, DIAL, differential spectroscopy, or a combination of these methods to measure the concentration of the desired chemicals with excellent accuracy.

Abstract: A test object is placed inside a medium, and wavefronts of light transmitted through the test object are measured at a plurality of wavelengths. From the transmitted wavefronts of the test object measured at the plurality of wavelengths and transmitted wavefronts at a plurality of wavelengths when a reference object having a specific group refractive index distribution is placed in the medium, a changing rate of a wavefront aberration with respect to wavelength corresponding to a difference between the transmitted wavefront of the test object and the transmitted wavefront of the reference object is calculated. A refractive index distribution of the test object is calculated on the basis of the changing rate of the wavefront aberration with respect to wavelength.

Abstract: An optical measuring device for measuring a measurement region, the optical device comprising a photonic chip with an interferometer defined on said chip, said interferometer comprising first and second waveguides on said photonic chip and an interference region, wherein the first and second waveguides carry signals from the interference region to the sample region and back to the interference region, the device further comprising a phase adjusting unit configured to vary a phase difference between the signals in the first and second waveguides reflected by the measurement region.

Abstract: A high backscattering fiber comprising a perturbed segment in which the perturbed segment reflects a relative power that is more than three (3) decibels (dB) above Rayleigh scattering. The high backscattering fiber also exhibits a coupling loss of less than 0.5 dB.

Abstract: An objective lens system having a high numerical aperture, a large working distance, and low optical aberrations over a wide spectral band of wavelengths is disclosed. The objective lens system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The first lens group includes first and second positive meniscus lenses that are positioned at a distance from each other along an optical axis of the objective lens system. The distance may be dependent on a focal length of the objective lens system. The second lens group includes first and second meniscus lenses and a bi-convex lens. The third lens group includes a bi-concave lens and a doublet lens.

Abstract: This invention relates to optical particle counters and methods capable of effectively distinguishing signals generated from particle light scattering from sources of noise. Embodiments of the invention, for example, use multisensory detector configurations for identifying and distinguishing signals corresponding to fluctuations in laser intensity from signals corresponding to particle light scattering for the detection and characterization of submicron particles. In an embodiment, for example, methods and systems of the invention compare signals from different detector elements of a detector array to identify and characterize noise events, such as noise generated from laser intensity instability, thereby allow for the detection and characterization of smaller particles. The system and methods of the present invention, thus, provide an effective means of reducing false positives caused by noise or interference while allowing for very sensitive particle detection.

Abstract: A system for measuring an evanescent wave phenomenon at total internal reflection, the system comprising: a) a sensing surface comprising a plurality of areas of interest; b) an illumination sub-system comprising a light source, which illuminates each area of interest on the sensing surface over a range of angles of incidence; c) a detector which responds differently to an intensity of light received by it at different locations; and d) projection optics comprising primary optics and a plurality of secondary elements, the primary optics projecting an image of the illuminated sensing surface onto the secondary elements, which project their received light onto the detector in such a way that it is possible to determine, from the response of the detector, how much light is reflected from each area of interest, as a function of angle of incidence over the range of angles for that area.

Abstract: A device installable into a tap to detect the presence of one or more types of contaminants in the tap water. When the tap is operated, a sample chamber fills with the tap water, such that one or more electronic receivers are capable of detecting the presence of contaminants. Preferably, at least one of the one or more electronic receivers is a photometric sensor for detecting absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light in the 250 nm to 300 nm range. A UV254 LED can be activated when water fills the sample chamber, and a measurement circuit calculates Total Organic Carbon (TOC) by correlation with UV254 absorbance. The device can transmit contamination data, including, but not limited to TOC levels, to a remote apparatus for remote monitoring of the tap water.

Abstract: A detector apparatus is provided and includes a collector having access to a sample of a gaseous fluid and a tester coupled to and disposed remotely from the collector. The tester includes a test chamber into which a sample is directed from the collector, an excitation element to excite the sample in the test chamber and a spectrum analyzing device coupled to the test chamber to analyze the excited sample for evidence of a concentration of particles of interest in the gaseous fluid exceeding a threshold concentration. The threshold concentration is defined in accordance with a type of the particles of interest and a residence time of the sample.

Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. The biosensor also includes a shield layer having apertures that are positioned relative to the input regions of corresponding light guides such that the light emissions propagate through the apertures into the corresponding input regions. The shield layer extends between adjacent apertures and is configured to block the excitation light and the light emissions incident on the shield layer between the adjacent apertures.

Abstract: Method for detection of at least one reversibly photo-convertible fluorescent species (P), comprising the following steps: a) illumination of a sample comprising said or at least one of said reversibly photo-convertible fluorescent species by a periodically modulated illuminating light (FEX); and b) detection of fluorescent emission (FLU) emitted by the sample thus illuminated; characterized in that the method further comprises the following step: c) extraction of the amplitude (IFOUt) of the intensity component of said fluorescent emission exhibiting the same periodicity as said periodically modulated illuminating light and a phase quadrature with respect to the same; and in that the mean intensity of said illuminating light and the modulation frequency of the same are chosen in such a way as to maximise said amplitude of the intensity component of said fluorescent emission.

Abstract: A surface plasmon fluorescence analysis device that has a chip holder, a light source, an angle adjustment unit, a light sensor, a filter holder, an excitation light cut filter, a scattered light transmission unit, a transmission adjustment unit, and a control unit. As seen in plan view, the area occupied by the scattered light transmission unit is arranged on the excitation light cut filter or on the filter holder and is smaller than the area of a fluorescence transmission region as seen in plan view.

Abstract: A pixel circuit that includes: a substrate body having a channel influenced by an electric field; an aperture in communication with the channel for receiving a fluorescent light input and moving electrons through the substrate body; and a plurality of sampling devices adapted to be switched on simultaneously to sample the moving electrons.

Abstract: An image reading method realizing more rapid detection time and reduced volume of detection data during reading of fluorescence intensity from a fluorescence image that reads a fluorescence image from a sample in which a plurality of fluorescent regions are present, and includes: (a) setting a first image capture condition, (b) capturing a fluorescence image in the first image capture condition, (c) calculating a fluorescence intensity of each of plural regions in the captured fluorescence image, (d) determining whether to end image capture based on the calculated fluorescence intensities of the regions, (e) setting a next image capture condition based on the fluorescence intensities of the regions calculated in (c) when a decision is made in (d) not to end image capture, (f) capturing a fluorescent image in the next image capture condition, and (g) repeating (c) through (f) until a determination is made in (d) to end image capture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and sensors configured to characterize a radiation beam. At least one embodiment relates to an optical system. The optical system includes an optical radiation guiding system. The optical radiation guiding system includes a collimator configured to collimate the radiation beam into a collimated radiation beam. The optical radiation guiding system also includes a beam shaper configured to distribute power of the collimated radiation beam over a discrete number of line shaped fields. A spectrum of the collimated radiation beam entering the beam shaper is delivered to each of the discrete number of line shaped fields. The optical system further includes a spectrometer chip. The spectrometer chip is configured to process the spectrum of the collimated radiation beam in each of the discrete number of line shaped fields coming from the beam shaper.

Abstract: A bacterial detection platform integrating the sensitive SERS technique and the advanced mapping technique. Bacterial cells on the SERS substrate are detected using the mapping technique. The identification is based on the fingerprint of the bacterial SERS spectra. The quantification of the cells is based on the mapping technique. For different applications, silver or gold nanoparticles can be integrated onto a filter membrane for concentration and detection of bacterial cells in water or silver dendrites can be used as the SERS substrate. The SERS substrates are also modified with capturers and fixed in a vessel to concentrate cells from complex liquid matrices.

Abstract: Assay modules, preferably assay cartridges, are described as are reader apparatuses which may be used to control aspects of module operation. The modules preferably comprise a detection chamber with integrated electrodes that may be used for carrying out electrode induced luminescence measurements. Methods are described for immobilizing assay reagents in a controlled fashion on these electrodes and other surfaces. Assay modules and cartridges are also described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, these modules are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn toward luminogens and chemical compositions comprising a target recognition motif, a hydrophilic moiety, a linking moiety, and at least one luminogen. Additionally presented are methods of: assessing the conversion of a prodrug into its active form, assessing the therapeutic efficacy of a prodrug, detecting glutathione in a biological sample, detecting alkaline phosphatase in a sample, and conducting fluorescence imaging or magnetic resonance imaging with the use of luminogen-containing compositions.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for characterizing point flaws (including pinholes and point defects) of an optical filter. A passband test is performed, including: illuminating the optical filter with passband illumination whose spectral range at least overlaps a passband of the optical filter; acquiring a passband map of the optical filter using a two-dimensional array of photodetectors while illuminating the optical filter with the passband illumination; and identifying point defects of the optical filter as low intensity locations of the passband map. A stopband test is performed, including: illuminating the optical filter with stopband illumination whose spectral range lies entirely outside of the passband of the optical filter; acquiring a stopband map of the optical filter using the two-dimensional array of photodetectors while illuminating the optical filter with the stopband illumination; and identifying pinholes of the optical filter as high intensity locations of the stopband map.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) (and associated method) for inspecting a steering column assembly (10) including at least one motorized roller support assembly (118) that is adapted to rotatably support the steering column assembly at least partially along its length, and at least one optical scanning device (158) adapted to optically scan a feature of Interest of the steering column assembly while the shaft of the steering column assembly is rotated for gathering data for identifying one or more deviations from one or more predetermined values for the feature of interest.

Abstract: A system for inspecting an object that is at least translucent extending along a vertical axis A, having at least one marking and being located in an inspection area including at least one inspection assembly that comprises a main illumination device positioned on one side of the inspection area, comprising a light source and emitting at least one light beam of illumination axis ?. An acquisition device is positioned opposite the illumination device relative to the inspection area and comprising acquisition optics of optical axis ?? and an image sensor optically aligned with the acquisition optics.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a surface includes loading an inspection object on a stage of a multibeam inspection device configured to generate a beam array, and scanning a plurality of inspection areas of the inspection object at a same time with the beam array, wherein one of the first inspection areas is smaller than an area formed by a quadrangle connecting respective centers of corresponding four adjacent beams of the beam array, and an adjacent area of the one first inspection area is not scanned with the beam array.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of a sample is programmed to execute instructions including: removing uncorrelated noise in said 3D reconstruction with COMET or other regularization techniques; and removing correlated noise in said 3D reconstruction by applying an Extended Field Iterative Reconstruction Technique (EFIRT) procedure.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing electron diffraction pattern analysis upon a sample in a vacuum chamber of a microscope. Firstly a sample is isolated from part of a specimen using a focused particle beam. A manipulator end effector is then attached to the sample so as to effect a predetermined orientation between the end effector and the sample. With the sample detached, the manipulator end effector is rotated about a rotation axis to bring the sample into a predetermined geometry with respect to an electron beam and diffraction pattern imaging apparatus so as to enable an electron diffraction pattern to be obtained from the sample while the sample is still fixed to the manipulator end effector. An electron beam is caused to impinge upon the sample attached to the manipulator end effector so as to obtain an electron diffraction pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray Talbot interferometer including a source grating including a plurality of X-ray transmitting portions, configured to allow some of X-rays from an X-ray source to pass therethrough; a beam splitter grating having a periodic structure, configured to diffract X-rays from the X-ray transmitting portions by using the periodic structure to form an interference pattern; and an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays from the beam splitter grating. The beam splitter grating diffracts an X-ray from each of the plurality of X-ray transmitting portions to form interference patterns each corresponding to one of the plurality of X-ray transmitting portions. The plurality of X-ray transmitting portions are arranged so that the interference patterns, each corresponding to one of the plurality of X-ray transmitting portions, are superimposed on one another to enhance a specific spatial frequency component in a sideband generated by modulation of the interference patterns.

Abstract: Thermal conductivity quartz transducer with waste-heat management system comprising: a first quartz resonator configured to provide a first temperature signal representing an ambient temperature of said thermal conductivity quartz transducer, a heat dissipation element a second quartz resonator configured for providing a second temperature signal representing a dissipation temperature of said heat dissipation element an electronics circuit, heat guiding means arranged for transferring a heat generated by said electronics circuit to said heat dissipation element, so that said dissipation temperature is higher than said ambient temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in part to pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles having certain glass transition temperatures. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles.

Abstract: In an exemplary method for evaluating building insulation, first thermal data for a first building location is received at a computing device from a thermal scanning device, the first thermal data including a first leak temperature reading of a first leak path feature at the first building location. Estimated inside and outside temperatures are stored in the computing device, and an environmental temperature deviation between the estimated inside temperature and the estimated outside temperature is determined. A first leak temperature deviation between the first leak temperature reading and the estimated inside temperature is determined. A first temperature deviation ratio of the first leak temperature deviation to the environmental temperature deviation is compared with a predetermined first maximum acceptable inefficiency ratio.

Abstract: A non-destructive system for characterizing welds that includes at least one weldment that further includes at least two components joined together a weld; at least one source of heat energy directed toward one side of the weldment, wherein the source of heat energy is operative to direct a predetermined amount of heat energy through the first component toward one side of the weld, through the weld and the area surrounding the weld, and through the second component to the opposite side of the weldment, and wherein the heat energy is sufficient to induce a temperature change in the weld and the area surrounding the weld; and a temperature measuring device directed toward the opposite side of the weldment for gathering temperature data from heat passing through the second component away from the weld and the area surrounding the weld, wherein the gathered temperature data is indicative of weld quality.

Abstract: The invention provides a nondestructive tester that includes a coil for positioning adjacent a surface of an object, a voltage source connected to the coil to apply a forward power to the coil, a measurement circuit connected to the coil to measure a reflected power from the coil due to the forward power, and an analyzer connected to the measurement circuit and determining a result of a function of the reflected power to the forward power and utilizing a result of the function to determine whether a feature presence at or below the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an inductive conductivity sensor for measuring the specific electrical conductivity of a medium with a transmitter coil energized by an input signal, a receiver coil coupled with the transmitter coil via the medium, which receiver coil supplies an output signal that is a measure for the conductivity of the medium, and a housing enclosing the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, which housing comprises at least one housing section designed to be immersed in the medium, the housing wall of said housing section surrounding the transmitter coil and the receiver coil. The housing is made of a magnetic plastic or resin for inductively decoupling the transmitter coil from the receiver coil. In certain embodiments, the housing may be made of a ferromagnetic material. Another aspect of the disclosure includes a method for manufacturing the conductivity sensor.

Abstract: A capacitively operating apparatus (100) has a container, a probe (3) movable into and/or out of the container, an input signal generator connectable to the probe (3) to provide an input signal (sin(t)) which produces at least one output signal (sout(t) in the probe (3), and a measuring apparatus (M) connectable to the probe (3) to tap the output signal (sout(t)) from the probe (3), and wherein the probe (3) is periodically chargeable and dischargeable, the output signal (sout(t)) corresponds to the time progression of a charging/discharging curve which is produced by the periodic charging and discharging of the probe (3). The apparatus (100) also includes a circuit module (10, 11) with two comparators for providing a first comparator output signal (PWM1) and a second comparator output signal (PWM2) from the output signal (sout(t)) and to correlate them with one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical sensor strips and methods of determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample or improving the performance of a concentration determination. The electrochemical sensor strips may include at most 8 ?g/mm2 of a mediator. The strips, the strip reagent layer, or the methods may provide for the determination of a concentration value having at least one of a stability bias of less than ±10% after storage at 50° C. for 4 weeks when compared to a comparison strip stored at ?20° C. for 4 weeks, a hematocrit bias of less than ±10% for whole blood samples including from 20 to 60% hematocrit, and an intercept to slope ratio of at most 20 mg/dL. A method of increasing the performance of a quantitative analyte determination also is provided.

Abstract: An electrical probe configured to measure an electrical response from a biological cell includes a microwire having a sharpened tip, a catalyst layer formed on the sharpened tip of the microwire, and an array of nanotube electrodes vertically aligned on the catalyst layer.

Abstract: Protected sensor field effect transistors (SFETs). The SFETs include a semiconductor substrate, a field effect transistor, and a sense electrode. The SFETs further include an analyte-receiving region that is supported by the semiconductor substrate, is in contact with the sense electrode, and is configured to receive an analyte fluid. The analyte-receiving region is at least partially enclosed. In some embodiments, the analyte-receiving region can be an enclosed analyte channel that extends between an analyte inlet and an analyte outlet. In these embodiments, the enclosed analyte channel extends such that the analyte inlet and the analyte outlet are spaced apart from the sense electrode. In some embodiments, the SFETs include a cover structure that at least partially encloses the analyte-receiving region and is formed from a cover material that is soluble within the analyte fluid. The methods include methods of manufacturing the SFETs.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube sensor device includes one or more carbon nanotubes and a functionalization layer. An outer surface of the one or more carbon nanotubes is coated with the functionalization layer and the functionalization layer includes a chemical compound that binds to one or more specific analytes. Binding of the one or more specific analytes to the functionalization layer alters an electrical property of the carbon nanotube sensor device and contributes to their detection. The functionalization layer includes a first layer stacked onto an outer surface of the carbon nanotubes, a second layer stacked onto the first layer and a third layer stacked onto the second layer. The first layer enables stacking of a polymer onto the carbon nanotubes. The second layer includes the polymer and the third layer includes the chemical compound that binds to the one or more a specific analytes.

Abstract: There is provided an electrolyte solution for extending useful electrophoresis life of an electrophoresis gel containing Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), at least one zwitterion, and water. The electrolyte solution may be used in buffer systems for gel electrophoresis, such as SDS-PAGE.

Abstract: To realize an object of providing an eddy current inspection device which is able to control a sensitivity decrease, and is able to reliably detect a defect.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noninvasively monitoring steam quality and flow and in pipes or conduits bearing flowing steam, are described. By measuring the acoustic vibrations generated in steam-carrying conduits by the flowing steam either by direct contact with the pipe or remotely thereto, converting the measured acoustic vibrations into a frequency spectrum characteristic of the natural resonance vibrations of the pipe, and monitoring the amplitude and/or the frequency of one or more chosen resonance frequencies, changes in the steam quality in the pipe are determined. The steam flow rate and the steam quality are inversely related, and changes in the steam flow rate are calculated from changes in the steam quality once suitable calibration curves are obtained.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for assessing interface integrity between a medium and an implant. A first signal is translated from a motion of an impact body during impact with an abutment connected to the implant. In some embodiments, the first signal is filtered using a zero phase shift filter and then used for assessing the interface integrity. Since no phase shift is introduced, the interface integrity is accurately assessed. In another embodiment, the apparatus maintains a system model for impacting the impact body against the abutment. The apparatus analytically determines an interface property by applying a system property that has been determined to the system model. An accurate system model allows for an accurate assessment. According to another broad aspect, there is provided a method of conducting the impact test. According to the method, a person ensures that the impact body impacts against a consistent portion of the abutment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enhance three-dimensional photoacoustic imaging behind, through, or inside a scattering material. Embodiments of the invention can increase the optical fluence in an ultrasound transducer focus and/or enhance the optical intensity using wavefront shaping before the scatterer. The photoacoustic signal induced by an object placed behind the scattering medium can serve as feedback to optimize the wavefront, enabling one order of magnitude enhancement of the photoacoustic amplitude. Using the enhanced optical intensity, the object can be scanned in two dimensions and/or a spot can be scanned by re-optimizing the wavefront before post-processing of the data to reconstruct the image. The temporal photoacoustic signal provides information to reconstruct the third-dimensional information.

Abstract: An example system includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to generate at least one acoustic data signal indicative of an acoustic signal generated by a thermal spray system comprising a flowstream, a computing device, and an acoustic data signal processing module operable by the computing device to determine an ignition attribute of the thermal spray system by analyzing at least a pre-ignition window of the acoustic data signal received by the computing device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for quantifying individual amino acids in various bodily fluids obtained from a human patient. Also provided are reference ranges for normal amino acid levels in the various bodily fluids (e.g., blood plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva) and for various age groups (e.g., neonates, infants, children, and adults).

Abstract: Nanoreactors comprising a metal precursor in a carrier are provided as well as methods of initiating, methods of preparing, and methods of using nanoreactors. In some embodiments, upon exposure to heat, the metal precursor forms nanoparticles that can be detected, e.g., by detecting a color change in the nanoreactor and/or by detecting the number and/or size and/or size distribution and/or shape of the nanoparticles. The nanoreactors can be used, in some embodiments, as time-temperature indicators for perishable goods.

Abstract: An example method of characterizing a semiconductor sample includes measuring an initial value, Vin, of a surface potential at a region of a surface of the semiconductor sample, biasing the semiconductor sample to have a target surface potential value (V0) of 2V or less, and depositing a monitored amount of corona charge (?Q1) on the region of the surface after adjusting the surface potential to the target value. The method also includes measuring a first value, V1, of the surface potential at the region after depositing the corona charge, determining the first change of surface potential (?V1=V1?V0), and determining the first capacitance value C1=?Q1/?V1, and characterizing the semiconductor sample based on V0, V1, ?V1, ?Q1 and C1.