Abstract: Methods for using focused light scattering techniques for the optical sensing of biological particles suspended in a liquid medium are disclosed. The optical sensing enables one to characterize particles size and/or distribution in a given sample. This, in turn, allows one to identify the biological particles, determine their relative particle density, detect particle shedding, and identify particle aggregation. The methods are also useful in screening and optimizing drug candidates, evaluating the efficacy and dosage levels of such drugs, and in personalized medicine applications.

Abstract: A portable ambient air quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an ambient environment and an airflow intake for controllably allowing ambient air to enter the monitor. A photodiode is disposed at a location downstream from a fan. The airflow from the fan is laminarized by a mesh or baffle to allow a thin stream of air to flow over the photodiode. A sensing region is defined by an intersection of an airflow sampling path and an optical path. The sensing region is also disposed above the photodiode. The airflow sampling path is configured to receive laminar airflow from the airflow intake and for directing the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A light beam is generated from a laser to reflect the light beam for reducing the required area of the sensing region to detect and measure the particles floating in the ambient air.

Abstract: A portable environment quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an environment and for attaching to a user's clothing or jewelry. The enclosure includes a controlled airflow intake for receiving air from the environment in which the monitor is worn for forming an airflow sampling path and for laminarizing the airflow in the sampling path. A sensor, having a sensing region that directs the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A processor is connected to a light scattering aerosol spectrometer (LSAS) that is configured to receive, process and translate photodiode current peaks into particle counts and sizes detected in the air. The processor is also coupled to a memory for storing data corresponding to the particle counts and sizes detected in the environment. The processor further includes an interface to communicate with a host for allowing a user to monitor and track environment conditions.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a leakage current through a particulate matter sample in a humidity chamber, the leakage current is measured as a relative humidity in the humidity chamber is incrementally increased, and plotting a logarithm of the measured leakage current as a function of the relative humidity. The plot of the logarithm of the measured leakage current as a function of the relative humidity has an inversion region, a low relative humidity region, and a high relative humidity region.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a leakage current through a particulate matter sample in a humidity chamber, the leakage current is measured as a relative humidity in the humidity chamber is incrementally increased, and plotting a logarithm of the measured leakage current as a function of the relative humidity. The plot of the logarithm of the measured leakage current as a function of the relative humidity has an inversion region, a low relative humidity region, and a high relative humidity region.

Abstract: A soot sensor includes a soot sensor including a first element on a first surface of the soot sensor. A soot sensing system may include a soot sensor and circuitry electrically coupled to the first element of the soot sensor. The circuitry is configured to determine an amount of soot accumulated on the first element and to control heating of the first element in response to the soot accumulation.

Abstract: A method for measuring permeability of a formation using a probe permeameter includes confining a sample of the formation in a container. The sample is covered with a screen having at least one perforation therein. The probe permeameter is applied to the at least one perforation in the screen. Permeability of the formation is measured at the at least one perforation.

Abstract: A target-analyte permeation testing instrument (10) characterized by a block manifold (100) retaining the testing cells (70n) of the instrument (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining optical properties of an object (50) includes a light source (10) and an optical system for illuminating at least one point of the object with light from the light source, and collecting light reflected from the object. A biaxial birefringent crystal (30) intercepts a beam of light reflected from the object and propagates the beam along an optical axis of the crystal and transforms the beam of reflected light to a ring of light having a periphery, each point of which has a different polarization plane. A detector array (40) detects respective points along the periphery of the ring and a processing unit (45) is coupled to the detector and is responsive to signals thereby for determining optical properties of the object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a paper based diagnostic device including a portable biomedical diagnostic device comprising, paper, wax, and reagents. The biomedical diagnostic device can analyze biochemical assays in test fluids such as blood, urine, and saliva. Diagnostic devices can include one or more of tracking information, personal identification information, security information, color calibration information, and environmental indicators. The security information can further include keys or codes identifying one or more unique characteristics. One aspect of the security information ensures that only predeterminable vendors are able to determine the results of a test from the diagnostic devices.

Abstract: A metamaterial optical member 100 includes a light collecting optical member 1 having a light-entering surface IN1 and a light-exiting surface OUT1 and having a light collecting function and an antireflection film 2 disposed in the light-exiting surface OUT1 of the light collecting optical member 1. The antireflection film 2 has a first metamaterial structure in which a refractive index is gradually reduced in the light travelling direction. The metamaterial optical member 100 includes the antireflection film 2 having the metamaterial structure, thereby externally extracting light.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector determines the presence of smoke particles outside its housing based on measurements of light detected at different wavelengths and corrected based on an ambient light level.

Abstract: A infrared optical biosensing apparatus is provided which includes: a probe including an infrared light emitting element which emits infrared light, an output variation detection element which detects output variation of the infrared light emitting element, and a light receiving element which detects the infrared light scattered in a living organism; and an operation unit which calculates information on the living organism based on output data of the light receiving element. The operation unit corrects the information on the living organism in accordance with a detection result of the output variation detection element.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one property of a sheet dielectric sample using terahertz radiation includes at least one terahertz transmitter configured to output a pulse of terahertz radiation, a terahertz receiver configured to receive at least a portion of the pulse of terahertz radiation, wherein the terahertz receiver is configured to output a measured waveform based on the tera-hertz radiation received by the terahertz receiver, and a control unit in communication with the terahertz receiver. Wherein the control unit is configured to choose at least one region of interest of the measured waveform, compare the at least one region of interest of the measured waveform to a model waveform, vary at least one parameter of a model waveform to minimize the difference between the model waveform and the measured waveform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the start of an assay in a fluidic chamber, wherein said start of the assay is based on the dissolving of a reagent in a region of interest in said fluidic chamber. The method may be based on the detection of an optical effect in the region of interest caused by the dissolving of the reagent, comprising the steps: obtaining an optical signal from one or more sub-sections of said region of interest; processing said optical signal to a Boolean signal; and defining the start of the assay based on said Boolean signal. The present invention also relates to a method for evaluating the start of an assay comprising an electrical detection of a change in the conductivity or permittivity of fluid due to the dissolving of reagent as mentioned above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring 3D refractive-index tomograms using a wavefront shaper in ultra-high speed and high precision is provided. The method includes the steps of modifying at least one of an illumination angle and a wavefront pattern of an incident ray through the wavefront shaper and leading the modified incident ray to a sample, measuring a 2D optical field, which passes through the sample, through an interferometry along at least one or more of the incident rays, and obtaining 3D refractive-index tomograms through measured information of the 2D optical field.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a new apparatus performing a new data acquisition for quantitative refractive index tomography. It is based on a linear scanning of the specimen, opposed to the classical approaches based on rotations of either the sample or the illumination beam, which are based on the illumination with plane waves, which orientation is successively modified in order to acquire angular information. On the contrary, the inventive apparatus and method rely on a specially shaped illumination, which provides straightforwardly an angular distribution in the illumination of the specimen. The specimen can thus be linearly scanned in the object plane in order to acquire the data set enabling tomographic reconstruction, where the different positions directly possess the information on various angles for the incoming wave vectors.

Abstract: A method for segmenting the data of a 3D sensor produced in the presence of aerosol clouds and for increasing the situation awareness and the location detection of obstacles involves transforming the sensor data are transformed into a 3D measurement point cloud, determining related subsets as measurement point clusters from the 3D measurement point cloud of an single measurement cycle of the 3D sensor based on the local measurement point density, determining at least one of the characteristic parameters of the individual measurement point clusters, the characteristic parameters including position, orientation in space, and shape, and determining a time variation of the characteristic parameters using the recorded parameters calculated from subsequent measurement cycles, from which the association of a measurement point cluster with a real obstacle or with the aerosol cloud results.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a solid component of a reactor feed stream in a polymer production system, comprising (a) measuring a turbidity of the reactor feed stream, wherein the reactor feed stream comprises a solid component of a polymerization catalyst system, and (b) translating the turbidity of the reactor feed stream into a concentration of the solid component in the reactor feed stream. A method of monitoring a solid component of a reactor feed stream in a polymer production system, comprising (a) measuring a turbidity of a precontactor feed stream, wherein the precontactor feed stream comprises a solid component of a polymerization catalyst system, and (b) translating the turbidity of the precontactor feed stream into a concentration of the solid component in a precontactor effluent stream, wherein the precontactor effluent stream comprises the reactor feed stream.

Abstract: A single element thin-film device, a method for producing a thin-film device, a single element for detecting hydrogen absorption, a hydrogen sensor, and an apparatus for detecting hydrogen and to an electro-magnetic transformer comprising such sensor. A thin-film device comprises a substrate, an active sensing layer whose optical properties change depending on hydrogen content, and a protective layer on the active sensing layer.

Abstract: A biosensor device including a metal layer, a transparent substrate layer, and a dielectric layer, wherein the metal layer includes a plurality of sub-wavelength apertures, and wherein the dielectric layer is located between the metal layer and the transparent substrate layer to form a spectrally isolated and well-defined optical transmission resonance through the extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) phenomenon.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for generating optical pulses in one or more waveguides using a spatially scanning light source. A detection system, methods of use thereof and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule are also provided. The system includes a scanning light source, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, a detector that is coupled to and in optical communication with the substrate, and means for spatially translating a light beam emitted from said scanning light source such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with the waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path. The use of a scanning light source allows the coupling of light into the waveguides of the substrate in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses are provided for the image analysis of measurement of biological samples.

Abstract: A wavelength scanning apparatus that detects at least four different florescent emission wavelengths simultaneously or nearly simultaneously is described. The wavelength scanning apparatus includes a heating block having at least four sample wells, each sample well configured for receiving a sample, at least four excitation activation apertures, and at least four fluorescence emission discharge apertures. The wavelength scanning apparatus also includes an analysis scanner having at least four light sources, where the at least four light sources excite at least four fluorophores, at least four excitation light filters that filter out light except that of the desired excitation wavelength/s, at least four fluorescence emission light filters that filter out light except that of the desired florescent emission wavelengths, and at least four photodetectors to detect light of the desired florescent emission wavelengths.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method that allows for the differentiation of isolates of commonly encountered bacteria that contain specific antibiotic-resistance genes from similar isolates that do not harbor the gene. More particularly, the invention relates to a method that utilizes an automated rapid platform system that employs intrinsic fluorescence, optical data analysis, and artificial intelligence methods to analyze multi-dimensional optical characteristics of bacterial strains.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas inspection method includes: converting first light having a first wavelength to second light having a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength by using a phosphor, the first light being emitted from a semiconductor light emitting device; irradiating a space to be inspected with the second light; and determining whether hydrogen gas is present in the space utilizing Raman scattered light generated by the hydrogen gas irradiated with the second light.

Abstract: A plural color broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscope includes: a first light source to produce a first light including a narrowband radiation; a second light source to produce a second light including a broadband radiation; a third light source to: receive the first light from the first light source; receive the second light from the second light source; and produce a third light comprising the narrowband radiation and the broadband radiation by combining the first light and the second light such that the first light and second light are spatially overlapped and temporally overlapped; and a primary objective to: receive the third light from the third light source; communicate the third light to a sample; and subject the sample to simultaneous interpulse CARS stimulation and intrapulse CARS stimulation by irradiation with the narrowband radiation and the broadband radiation in the third light.

Abstract: According to an example, methods for forming three-dimensional (3-D) nano-particle assemblies include depositing SES elements onto respective tips of nano-fingers, in which the nano-fingers are arranged in sufficiently close proximities to each other to enable the tips of groups of adjacent ones of the nano-fingers to come into sufficiently close proximities to each other to enable the SES elements on the tips to be bonded together when the nano-fingers are partially collapsed. The methods also include causing the nano-fingers to partially collapse toward adjacent ones of the nano-fingers to cause a plurality of SES elements on respective groups of the nano-fingers to be in relatively close proximities to each other and form respective clusters of SES elements, introducing additional particles that are to attach onto the clusters of SES elements, and causing the clusters of SES elements to detach from the nano-fingers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a laser induced breakdown system is described that comprises a portable device that includes: a laser configured to produce a beam comprising a plurality of repeating pulses; a processor configured to open a data acquisition window after a delay period, wherein the delay period begins upon production of one of the pulses; one or more optical elements configured to direct the beam at a sample and collect emitted light from a plasma continuum; and an optical detector configured to produce a plurality of signal values from the emitted light from the plasma continuum collected during the data acquisition window, wherein the processor is configured to identify an element from the signal values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing a blend of two or more hydrocarbon feed streams such as crude oils. These crude oils are blended in a facility such as a refinery. The method assesses the compatibility of a hydrocarbon feed in a blend to calculate the blend stability such that organic deposition is minimised. The method uses all of a plurality of hydrocarbon feeds to be blended for analysis. The method either selects a neat hydrocarbon feed, from a plurality of the hydrocarbon feeds included in a blend, as a titrant, wherein the or each other hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon feed are used to make a pseudo-blend and titrating the pseudo-blend with said selected neat hydrocarbon feed for a plurality of different blend ratios. Alternatively the method involves preparing a reference hydrocarbon and making a blend from the plurality of hydrocarbon feeds and titrating the blend with the reference hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus used to measure an object is disclosed. The measurement apparatus includes at least one sensing unit, a first optical module, a second optical module, a data processing unit and at least one prompting unit. The at least one sensing unit is disposed near the object to perform a contact or proximity sensing on the object. The first optical module is disposed near the object and adjacent to the at least one sensing unit. The first optical module includes at least one lens unit. The second optical module and the object are disposed at opposite sides of the first optical module. The second optical module includes a light source and at least one optical component. The data processing unit is coupled to at least one sensing unit. The at least one prompting unit is coupled to the data processing unit.

Abstract: Methods and configurations are disclosed for an efficient collection of fluorescence emitted by the nitrogen vacancies of a diamond of a DNV sensor. Some implementations may include a diamond having a nitrogen vacancy and a reflector positioned about the diamond to reflect a portion of light emitted from the diamond. In some implementations the reflector may be parabolic or ellipsoidal. In some implementations, DNV sensor may have a reflector and a concentrator. Other implementations may include a diamond with a nitrogen vacancy and a reflector positioned about the diamond to reflect a portion of light emitted from the diamond using a dielectric mirror film applied to the reflector. Still other implementations may have a diamond with a nitrogen vacancy and a dielectric mirror film coated on the diamond.

Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus 1 includes a light radiation unit 11 configured to radiate light to an article 50, a light detection unit 12 configured to detect transmitted light of the light radiated to the article 50, and a support unit 13 configured to support the light radiation unit 11 and the light detection unit 12 in a cantilever manner. An inspection region of the article 50 by the light is exposed to an ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A surface inspection method for a steel pipe detects a surface defect on a hot steel pipe, and includes: an imaging step of imaging a self-luminous image of the hot steel pipe; a correcting step of making more uniform luminance variation in a circumferential direction of the self-luminous image and correcting the self-luminous image; and a detecting step of detecting a surface defect based on the self-luminous image corrected at the correcting step.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for product control of a product (20, 21), during or after a production process, at a transport arrangement (10, 11) which is arranged to transport the product (20, 21) to be controlled. The arrangement comprises a first camera arrangement (31) which is arranged to take at least one image of at least a part of the product (20, 21) when the product is in or at the transport arrangement (10, 11). The arrangement also comprises a first illumination arrangement (30; 60) which is arranged to emit light for detection by the first camera arrangement (31). The arrangement also comprises a computation unit which is arranged to receive said at least one image from the first camera arrangement (31) and to determine at least one geometrical property of the product (20, 21) based on said at least one image. The invention also relates to a method, a computer program and a computer program product for controlling a product which is transported during or after the production process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and ranking the measurement efficacy of multiple sets of measurement system combinations and recipes for a particular metrology application are presented herein. Measurement efficacy is based on estimates of measurement precision, measurement accuracy, correlation to a reference measurement, measurement time, or any combination thereof. The automated the selection of measurement system combinations and recipes reduces time to measurement and improves measurement results. Measurement efficacy is quantified by a set of measurement performance metrics associated with each measurement system and recipe. In one example, the sets of measurement system combinations and recipes most capable of measuring the desired parameter of interest are presented to the user in rank order based on corresponding values of one or more measurement performance metrics. A user is able to select the appropriate measurement system combination in an objective, quantitative manner.

Abstract: Camera heads configured to provide digitally articulated images or video, at adjustable resolutions and/or offsets and orientations, to a camera control unit (CCU) or other electronic computing system for display, storage, and/or transmission to other systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus and methods for inspecting a body having a structure of walls defining a plurality of channels, such as a honeycomb structure. An inspection apparatus may include a translucent conveyor belt and a light source oriented to direct light onto the backlight surface. The light source and the belt are arranged to convey the body while directing diffuse light into the body, whereby inspection of the inner walls of the structure may be facilitated.

Abstract: An inspection method is provided herein. The inspection method is adapted for an inspection device. The inspection method includes: optically scanning an examining target for generating a scanned image; reconstructing the scanned image for a reconstructed volume; adjusting a slicing direction associated with the examining target for slicing the reconstructed volume into a sliced image; inspecting the sliced image for analyzing one or more features of the examining target; and outputting an inspection result of the examining target.

Abstract: A fixture and a method for using a fixture in a computerized tomography (“CT”) scan system of an electronic device are disclosed. The fixture is designed to reduce attenuation of radiation passing through the fixture to improve the CT imaging, particularly the imaging of one or more components in the electronic device. For example, the fixture may include a support column having a first support wall and a second support wall that define a space in the support column. Also, the support column may be offset with respect to a base portion of the fixture such that a component scanned in the CT scan system is positioned along a center of rotation of the fixture. Alternatively, or in combination, the fixture may be secured to a motorized device that actuates the fixture in two dimensions to align the component along the center of rotation.

Abstract: There is provided a method for processing a radiographic image acquired with at least two energy levels. A first step (S1) involves providing energy-resolved image data representative of the radiographic image with at least two energy levels, e.g. from a detector or from an intermediate storage. A second step (S2) involves decomposing the provided image data into at least one basis image representation, based on a model where a combination of at least two basis functions is used to express a representation of at least one linear attenuation coefficient, and where at least one basis function models a physical material and at least one other basis function models the Non-Linear Partial Volume, NLPV, effect.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring parasitic movements in a sample (5) to be analysed in an X-ray tomography apparatus, the device comprising: a source (1) emitting an X-ray beam (6) to a detector (3), the sample, carried by a support (13), being traversed by the beam; and a sight (17) carrying at least three balls (21) that are opaque to X-rays, the sight being attached to said support such that, on the detector, images (25) of the balls are around an image (16) of the sample, the shape and the materials of the sight being chosen such that the positions of the balls relative to the support are insensitive to temperature variations.

Abstract: An improved dual energy CT imaging system for providing improved imaging and improved material identification.

Abstract: Electron beam manufacturing processes, and systems that perform the processes, are described that utilize real-time analysis and control of the electron beam manufacturing processes by detecting secondary x-rays that are generated as a result of the electron beam contacting a workpiece. The detected secondary x-rays are used to generate, in real-time, a three-dimensional cross-sectional image of the portion or region of the workpiece surrounding the location contacted by the electron beam. In addition, real-time analysis of the three-dimensional cross-sectional image can be used to detect defects and real-time re-work or correction of defects can be performed by directing an electron beam back to an area with a defect.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for an air slide analyzer for measuring the elemental content of aerated material traveling by air slide. The air slide analyzer has an analyzer having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and an interior tunnel adapted for aerated material conveyed by an air slide; a radiation detector proximal to the analyzer; a neutron source emitting neutrons into material within the analyzer; and a processor to analyze detected information from the radiation detector, wherein emissions from the material being irradiated with neutrons are detected by the radiation detector and analyzed by the processor to provide elemental information of the material in the analyzer.

Abstract: The present device relates to a sensor capable of detecting changes in the electromagnetic field it generates when in proximity to either conductive or nonconductive materials. This occurs by way of oscillating a transmit coil with an electro motive force at a resonant frequency thus creating an electromagnetic field. The magnetic field passes through a target of either conductive or nonconductive material and is then intercepted by a receive coil which likewise oscillates at a resonant frequency, which when in proximity to the transmit coil and transmit coils resonant frequency produces an enhanced signal by way of the interaction of the respective resonant frequencies and receive coil output.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the thermal expansion of a low thermal expansion material with very high accuracy of at most +/?3 ppb/K or less and/or with a reproducibility of at most +/?1 ppb/K or less. A measuring device is also provided that includes an advanced push rod dilatometer.

Abstract: A fuel gas composition sensing system may include a remotely controllable valve, with the valve including a gas inlet port, a gas outlet port, an internal chamber, and at least one actuating mechanism configured for successively opening the inlet port to allow gas to enter the internal chamber, closing the inlet port and the outlet port to retain the gas in the internal chamber for a period of time, and opening the outlet port to release the gas from the internal chamber. One or more micro-sensors may be mounted in the internal chamber of the valve, with each of the micro-sensors being configured to sense a characteristic of a gas introduced into the internal chamber of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for lightning stroke identification and location on optical fiber composite overhead ground wire. In the method, according to the property that the lightning stroke will cause a sudden temperature rise at the lightning stroke position on the optical fiber composite overhead ground wire, optical fiber resources in the optical fiber composite overhead ground wire and the high-sensitivity detection and high-precision event locating capability of a distributed optical fiber temperature sensor can be fully utilized.

Abstract: A thermographic non-destructive inspection method of a structure, comprising the steps of: generating a modulated thermal wave in the direction of the structure; generating a temperature signal identifying a phase shift between the modulated thermal wave and a return thermal wave emitted from the structure; processing the temperature signal to obtain a first sub-signal related to the phase of the first harmonic of the temperature signal; identifying a first dimension of said defect as a function of the phase of the first harmonic of the temperature signal; calculating a first and a second intermediate parameter, ??1 for the first harmonic and ??2 for the third harmonic of the temperature signal, by calculating the difference, in degrees, between the phase value inside the zone with a defect and the phase value, absolute or mean of a plurality of points, of the undamaged zone close to the defect; and identifying a second dimension of the defect as a function of the first dimension and of the intermediate param