Abstract: A system includes a detector and a main processing unit having an event processing module. The detector includes pixels to detect an event corresponding to photon absorption. The event processing module is configured to read event information for each event detected by each pixel of the detector in order of receipt from the detector and to compare an energy level value in the event information for each event to a predetermined range of energy level values. An event is counted when the energy level value is within the predetermined range of energy level values. For each event having an energy level below the predetermined range, the energy level value for a next consecutive event in the received event information is read and a combined energy level value of the event and the next consecutive event is determined as well as the pixel locations of the event and the next consecutive event.

Abstract: To easily obtain a quantity of received light with computation by only measuring pulses of an electric signal related to a flame sensor, a flame detecting system is disclosed comprising: a flame sensor to detect light and a calculating device, in which the calculating device includes an applied voltage generating portion configured to generate a pulse to drive the flame sensor, a voltage detecting portion configured to measure an electric signal flowing in the flame sensor, a storing portion configured to store sensitivity parameters of the flame sensor in advance, and a central processing unit configured to obtain a quantity of received light of a flame using parameters of a known quantity of received light, a pulse width, and a discharge probability of the sensitivity parameters, and a discharge probability obtained from an actual pulse width and the measured number of discharge times.

Abstract: A light sensor is described with correlated double sampling. In one example a first storage element is coupled to a photodetector to collect free electrons as an accumulated charge. A transfer switch is coupled to the first storage element. A second storage element is coupled to the first storage element through the transfer switch to collect the accumulated charge from the first storage element when the transfer switch is open. A sense circuit measures the charge on the second storage element before the accumulated charge is collected from the first storage element as a reference charge and measures the charge on the second storage element after the accumulated charge is collected from the first storage element as a read charge. The sensed charge is determined by comparing the reference charge to the read charge.

Abstract: An optical meter includes a force member to receive a force and a reflector disposed on the force member to receive radiation and to communicate a pressure of the radiation to the force member. The reflector includes a reflective surface, and the force member is configured to be displaced in response to receiving the force comprising the pressure. The optical meter is configured to measure a power of the radiation, an energy of the radiation, or a combination thereof based on the pressure. A process for measuring a property of radiation includes receiving radiation by the reflector, reflecting radiation from the reflective surface, communicating a pressure from the reflector to the force member, and displacing the force member.

Abstract: A spectrometer comprises a package having a stem and a cap, an optical unit arranged on the stem, and a lead pin penetrating through the stem. The optical unit has a dispersive part for dispersing and reflecting light entering from a light entrance part of the cap, a light detection element for detecting the light dispersed and reflected by the dispersive part, a support for supporting the light detection element such as to form a space between the dispersive part and the light detection element, a projection projecting from the support, and a wiring electrically connected to the light detection element. The projection is arranged at such a position as to be in contact with the stem. The lead pin is electrically connected to a second terminal part of the wiring arranged in the projection.

Abstract: The present application discloses an optical sensing module, an optical mechanism of a spectrometer, and a spectrometer. An optical sensing module according to one embodiment comprises an optical sensing component and an optical fiber. The optical sensing component includes at least a row of optical sensing units. The optical fiber is made of a transparent material and has a cylindrical curved surface. A side of the cylindrical curved surface faces the optical sensing units to converge at least a portion of an incident light received by the optical sensing units. With techniques of the present application, the amount of light collected at the optical sensing component can be increased for it to be suitable for applications such as miniaturized apparatuses and systems, thus improving the overall efficiency of optical reception and utilization therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spectrophotometer instrument that includes an arm that can swing between a closed position and an open position which is upward and backward of the lower position and wherein the display is moveable between a position behind the arm to a position to a side of the arm. Thus, the features herein provides the instrument user with positioning features to allow for a superior human factors user experience.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer arrangement comprising successively in the light propagation direction: —a converging optical unit (3), designed for focusing and orienting the incident light onto an entrance slit (4), and —an imaging system disposed downstream of the entrance slit (4) and having at least one dispersive element, designed for imaging a dispersion spectrum of the incident light beam (2) onto a spatially resolving detection device. According to the invention, in a spectrometer arrangement of this type —the entrance slit (4) is embodied in a reflective fashion, and —at least the converging optical unit (3), the entrance slit (4) and an imaging grating (5, 13) are combined in a module (1), wherein they are integrated as components in a monolithic main body (6), or are embodied as optically active forms or structures on a monolithic main body (6).

Abstract: A divided-aperture infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system that is structured to provide identification of target chemical content in a single imaging shot based on spectrally-multiplexed operation. The system is devoid of spectral scanning acquisition of infrared (IR) spectral signatures of target content with an IR detector and does not require content.

Abstract: A chip for plasma generation, a plasma generator, and a plasma spectrometry method are described, having high reproducibility of plasma light emission without a requirement of a discharge unit for removing air bubbles, wherein the chip includes a channel comprising a first region, a narrow portion, and a second region, where the narrow portion is in communication with the first region and the second region and has a cross-sectional area smaller than the first region and the second region.

Abstract: Systems and techniques relating to automatically-locked homodyne detection are described. A described system includes a first nonlinear element, a filter, and second nonlinear elements. The first nonlinear element can produce, based on an input signal and a first continuous wave (CW) signal, a first output signal that includes the input signal and a phase conjugate copy of the input signal. The filter can produce a filtered signal based on the first output signal and can be programmable to adjust an induced delay between the input signal and the phase conjugate signal. The second nonlinear elements can produce second output signals based on a second CW signal and differently weighted combinations of signal components within the filtered signal. The second output signals can include an in-phase output signal based on an in-phase version of the filtered signal and a quadrature output signal based on a quadrature version of the filtered signal.

Abstract: A system simultaneously tracks multiple objects. All or a subset of the objects includes a wireless receiver and a transmitter for providing an output. The system includes one or more wireless transmitters that send commands to the wireless receivers of the multiple objects instructing different subsets of the multiple objects to output (via their respective transmitter) at different times. The system also includes object sensors that receive output from the transmitters of the multiple objects and a computer system in communication with the object sensors. The computer system calculates locations of the multiple objects based on the sensed output from the multiple objects.

Abstract: Provided is an antenna module that comprises an antenna comprising a radiation patch for transmitting or receiving the terahertz wave, and a first ground disposed away from the radiation patch, the first ground having a hole, an integrated circuit board having a signal processing unit configured to generate the terahertz wave or to process the terahertz wave received through the antenna, the integrated circuit board being disposed under the antenna and a via configured to connect the radiation patch with the signal processing unit, the via passing through the hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the relative temporal position of electromagnetic pulses. Said method having the steps generating a sequence of first electromagnetic pulses, generating a sequence of second electromagnetic pulses, overlaying at least a part of the first and the second pulses in a saturable absorber, detecting the second pulses that have passed through the saturable absorber by means of a detector in such a manner that the second pulses, but not the first pulses that have passed through the saturable absorber, are detected, and determining the temporal position of the first pulses relative to the temporal position of the second pulses with the aid of a signal from the detector which is generated when the second pulses that have passed through the saturable absorber are received.

Abstract: A thermal-tag device including a temperature sensor capable of continuously measuring the temperature in a closed space and of generating corresponding real time temperature data and a low-power communication module capable of wireless communication with a plurality of remote smartphone type devices, a plurality of remote smartphone type devices wirelessly coupled to the thermal tag implementing a temperature monitoring application, the temperature monitoring application continuously processing the received real-time temperature data and displaying real-time temperature information while the smartphone device is wirelessly coupled to the thermal-tag, and the temperature monitoring application continuously deriving and displaying estimated temperature data while the smartphone device is not wirelessly coupled to the thermal-tag device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a computer-implemented method for identifying an operating temperature of an integrated circuit (IC), the method including using a computing device for: applying a test voltage to a test circuit embedded within the IC, the test circuit including a phase shift memory (PSM) element therein, wherein the PSM element crystallizes at a crystallization temperature from an amorphous phase having a first electrical resistance into a crystalline phase having a second electrical resistance, the second electrical resistance being less than the first electrical resistance; and identifying the IC as having operated above the crystallization temperature in response to a resistance of the test circuit at the test voltage being outside of the target operating range.

Abstract: The metal nitride material for a thermistor consists of a metal nitride represented by the general formula: (M1-vAv)xAly(N1-wOw)z (where “M” represents at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co, “A” represents at least one of Sc, Zr, Mo, Nb, and W, 0.0<v<1.0, 0.70?y/(x+y)?0.98, 0.45?z?0.55, 0<w?0.35, and x+y+z=1), wherein the crystal structure thereof is a hexagonal wurtzite-type single phase.

Abstract: An electronic inspection apparatus includes a probe, a sensor, a memory unit, and a controller. The apparatus senses a condition, and stores data representative of the sensed condition at a high bit rate. The inspection apparatus transfers the sensed data to a computing device or database via a lower bit rate. In one embodiment, a data queue or memory unit of a temperature probe temporarily stores data before transmitting the data to a computing device (e.g., a mobile device). The method of the present invention provides two separate data logging parameters: (1) how fast to read and log data which determines a data logging period and (2) how fast to send the data to the mobile device which determines a data transmit period. Thus, the data transfer period is isolated or decoupled from the data logging period.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a pacifier having a base section, an upper mouth member extending from the base section, a sublingual member extending from the base section, and a transition section connecting the upper mouth member and sublingual member. The upper mouth member is configured to be positioned adjacent a roof of a mouth of a user when in use. The sublingual member is configured to be received in a sublingual pocket of the mouth of the user located below a tongue. The transition section has a profile that defines a pocket configured to receive a portion of the tongue of the user, thereby opening the sublingual pocket and positioning the sublingual member of the pacifier in the sublingual pocket of the mouth. A temperature sensor is fitted to the sublingual member so as to acquire a body temperature of the user from the sublingual pocket.

Abstract: An example system comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, a strain gauge, and a strain compensation circuit. The MEMS sensor is operable to generate a sensor output signal that corresponds to a sensed condition (e.g., acceleration, orientation, and/or pressure). The strain gauge is operable to generate a strain measurement signal indicative of a strain on the MEMS sensor. The strain compensation circuit is operable to modify the sensor output signal to compensate for the strain based on the strain measurement signal. The strain compensation circuit stores sensor-strain relationship data indicative of a relationship between the sensor output signal and the strain measurement signal. The strain compensation circuit is operable to use the sensor-strain relationship data for the modifying of the sensor output signal. The modification of the sensor output signal comprises one or both of: removal of an offset from the sensor signal, and application of a gain to the sensor signal.

Abstract: Various aspects as described herein are directed to electronic skin pressure sensors and methods of using the same. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes an electronic skin pressure sensor and sensor circuitry. The electronic skin device is configured and arranged for differentiating between different mechanical stimuli including lateral stress and at least one additional mechanical stimuli. The sensor circuitry is configured and arranged to respond to the electronic skin pressure sensor by sensing a change in impedance due to the lateral stress.

Abstract: A force detector and method for using the same includes a movable lens having a spherical surface; a cantilever below the movable lens; a laser above the movable lens configured to emit a beam of light through the movable lens, such that light reflects from the spherical surface and the cantilever; a camera configured to capture images of interference rings produced by the light reflected from the spherical surface and the light reflected from the cantilever; and a processor configured to determine a force between the movable lens and the cantilever based on a change in phase of the interference rings.

Abstract: In order to implement a structure capable of improving the resolution of torque measurement while preventing the plastic deformation of a torsion bar (15), an input-side stopper (61) having an uneven shape (gear shape) in the circumferential direction is provided in a portion of an input-side rotating body (55) that includes an input shaft (13) and an input gear (7), and an output-side stopper (63) having an uneven shape (gear shape) in the circumferential direction is provided in a portion of an output-side rotating body (56) that includes an output shaft (14) and an output gear (8). The input-side stopper (61) and the output-side stopper (63) are combined so as to be engaged to be able to transmit torque only when the torsional angle within the elastic range of the torsion bar (15) reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a pressure transducer encapsulated in an elastic material that defines a contact surface and provides a transmission path that transmits contact forces or pressure distributions applied to the contact surface to the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer can be enclosed in a protective housing that defines a chamber around the transducer. The housing can include one or more openings that expose the chamber to the exterior pressure. The tactile sensor can be made by applying the elastic material in liquid form and exposing the housing to a vacuum that removes air inside the chamber allowing the liquid elastic material to flow into the chamber. Once cured, the elastic material defines a contact surface of the tactile sensor and serves to transfer contact forces applied to the contact surface to the transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring elongation of a fastener by means of minimum peak side lobe (MPS) coded ultrasonic signals, and a power tool configured to performing the method. MPS coded signals with different base frequencies are transmitted into the fastener and a corresponding set of reflected signals are received from the fastener. Each reflected signal is cross-correlated with the corresponding transmitted signal, and a quality attribute of each transmitted signal is determined from the cross-correlated signals. Based on the quality attributes at least one parameter of an ultrasonic measurement signal is determined and the measurement is performed by transmitting the ultrasonic measurement signal into the fastener, and receiving a reflected ultrasonic measurement signal.

Abstract: A pressure measuring cell includes at least one ceramic measuring membrane body; and at least one ceramic platform, wherein the measuring membrane body is connected with the platform along an annular, peripheral joint. The joint is formed as a welded connection between the measuring membrane body and the platform, wherein the measuring membrane body has a pressure-dependently deformable measuring membrane. A pressure sensor includes a pressure measuring cell and a housing, wherein the pressure measuring cell is held by the housing, and wherein the pressure measuring cell closes a housing opening, through which the pressure measuring cell communicates with an environment of the housing. A seal is clamped between a sealing surface surrounding the opening of the housing and a sealing surface of the pressure measuring cell.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (1) is specified, comprising a housing (2), a membrane (3), which forms with the housing (2) a chamber (4) closed off toward the outside, and a filling opening (6) for filling the chamber (4) with a fluid medium (5). The filling opening (6) is closed by means of a soldering or welding closure (7, 8). Furthermore, a method for producing a pressure sensor (1) is specified, wherein a housing (2), which together with a membrane (3) forms a chamber (4), is provided, the chamber (4) is filled with a fluid medium (5) through a filling opening (6), and the filling opening (6) is subsequently closed by means of soldering or welding.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer assembly having improved impact resistance, stability, and higher quality pulse reproductions. The transducer assembly is not hard wired, but contains a spring contacting a piezoelectric disk with a cup operating as the electrical ground mechanism.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a fluid includes a diaphragm flexure and a crystal retaining flexure. The diaphragm flexure is designed to exert imparted force on the crystal retaining flexure. The imparted force is proportional to fluid pressure exerted on the diaphragm flexure. The pressure sensor further includes a resonator having opposing curved end portions connected to each other by a bridge section. A portion of the crystal retaining flexure is positioned between the diaphragm flexure and the resonator. The crystal retaining flexure is designed to exert a load on the resonator. The load results from the imparted force exerted on the crystal retaining flexure by the diaphragm flexure.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a fluid includes a diaphragm flexure and a crystal retaining flexure. The diaphragm flexure is designed to exert imparted force on the crystal retaining flexure. The imparted force is proportional to fluid pressure exerted on the diaphragm flexure. The pressure sensor further includes a resonator having a round outer perimeter. A portion of the crystal retaining flexure is positioned between the diaphragm flexure and the resonator. The crystal retaining flexure is designed to exert a load on the resonator. The load results from the imparted force exerted on the crystal retaining flexure by the diaphragm flexure.

Abstract: A gas pressure testing device, which is for checking pressure of gas inside the gas compartment portion of a bag, including: a pressing member (31) disposed on one side of the bag, a receiving member (38) positioned on another side of the bag, and a movable support member (39) having thereon the pressing member and a distance sensor (32). The pressing member being kept urged toward the gas compartment portion by air cylinder (44) is moved toward the bag so that the gas compartment portion is sandwiched by the pressing member and the receiving member. The distance sensor measures the distance (D) at such time to the pressing member and sends a distance signal to a control unit (37). Based on the distance signal, the control unit determines whether or not the gas pressure in the gas compartment portion is within a preset range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular platform unit comprising a plurality of sensors for the combined sensing of pressure, temperature and humidity. In particular, the sensors are composed of a layer of metallic-capped nanoparticles (MCNP) casted on a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate. Integration of the platform unit for artificial or electronic skin applications is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus having a hermetic seal that seals a portion of the apparatus, for example and without limitation, a portion having a MEMS sensor.

Abstract: In a method for recognizing knocking of an internal combustion engine, solid-borne sound signals are measured and solid-borne sound features are recovered from the measured sound signals. A peak pressure for a combustion event of the internal combustion engine is estimated from the solid-borne sound features, and the estimated peak pressure is compared with a knock recognition threshold, knocking of the internal combustion engine being recognized when the knock recognition threshold is exceeded by the estimated peak pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for generating, presenting, transferring, and tracking personal, product, organizational information or the like as a microsite that mimics the look and feel of a business card in a manner that is adaptive to the platform on which the microsite displays. A microsite may be associated with a product, person, organization or other entity, and may be grouped together with other microsites in various associations. Share activity of the microsites between users may be tracked to generated share analytics on the shared microsites.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for calibrating operation of a compressor unit in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A measuring device measures an operating parameter of the HVAC system at a position where the measuring device is mounted on a refrigerant line of the HVAC system. The measuring device switches states when the value of the measured operating parameter reaches a switching value. A controller estimates a value of the first operating parameter at the position where the first measuring device is mounted on the refrigerant line, and the controller determines whether the estimated first operating parameter is within a threshold percentage of the switching value.

Abstract: A method for checking the leak-tightness of hydraulic components in an exhaust gas aftertreament unit of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust gas aftertreament unit uses an electric motor to pump a liquid reductant from a reductant reservoir to a reductant injector that is kept closed. The reductant pump is switched on for a first predetermined period, and the electric current consumed by the electric motor is detected during this period. After a predetermined standstill time has passed, the reductant pump is switched on again for a second period identical to the first period, and the electric current consumed by the electric motor is again detected during this period. The electric currents detected during the two time periods are compared with each other, and the leak-tightness of the hydraulic components downstream of the reductant pump is evaluated based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: An adaptor for use to direct pressurized fluid into a glove to inflate the glove is disclosed. A kit for holding several test components for use to inflate a glove is also disclosed. The kit is provided for testing a glove for leakage. The components include an adaptor, a strap, and a portable pump, which can be either a DC-powered air compressor or a hand or foot pump. A method is also disclosed for inflating a glove to test the glove for leaks.

Abstract: This invention relates to the fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing to detect P and S waves in a solid medium. Distributed acoustic sensing can be achieved using an unmodified fiber optic by launching optical pulses into the fiber and detecting radiation which is Rayleigh backscattered there from. By analyzing the returns in analysis bins, acoustic disturbances can be detected in a plurality of discrete longitudinal sections of the fiber. The present invention extends such fiber distributed acoustic sensing to detection of S and P waves.

Abstract: The claimed method and system provide a process control device monitoring system and a process control valve assembly with a process control device monitoring system to measure one or more operating states of a process control device. The process control device monitoring system may also associate a time-stamp with the one or more measured operating states of the process control device in response to a trigger generated based on the one or more measured operating states. The process control device monitoring system may also transmit the time-stamp and an indication of the one or more operating states to a monitoring device.

Abstract: A refractive index distribution measuring method includes dividing light emitted from a light source into reference light and test light, causing the reference light to interfere with the test light, which test light has passed through a test object, measuring a phase difference between the reference light and the test light for each of first and second wavelengths, and measuring a wavefront aberration of the test light for each of the first and second wavelengths. The refractive index distribution measuring method further includes calculating a phase-difference difference amount, which is a difference between the phase differences for the first wavelength and the second wavelength, calculating a wavefront aberration difference amount, which is a difference between the wavefront aberrations for the first wavelength and the second wavelength, and calculating a refractive index distribution of the test object based on the phase-difference difference amount and the wavefront aberration difference amount.

Abstract: A wide-band optical frequency comb is provided to estimate an optical phase shift induced in a dispersive material. In contrast to the conventional techniques that rely on a single tunable laser for extracting the dispersion parameter at different frequencies, the wide-band optical frequency comb uses multiple comb lines for simultaneously evaluating the dispersion induced phase shifts in different frequencies. Since the frequency response of the dispersive material is a phase function, a phase associated with each comb line passed through the material represents a discrete measure of the material frequency response.

Abstract: A method of determining an air:fuel ratio based on information from an oxygen sensor exposed to exhaust gases of a combustion process, and related systems. A constant current is supplied to an oxygen sensor that has both an n-type sensing circuit and a p-type sensing circuit that share a common electrode. The currents in the respective sensing circuits is determined and a temperature value representative of a temperature of the oxygen sensor is determined. Then, an air:fuel ratio is determined based on the determined currents and the temperature value. The combustion process may then be controlled based on the air:fuel ratio. The air:fuel ratio may be determined, using the same oxygen sensor, across a range of air:fuel values in both the rich and lean regions; as such, the oxygen sensor may act as a wideband oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A raised and depressed plate has a base surface, a raised surface, and a depressed surface. A mask processing section is configured to use mask data in which a given region and the remaining region in each of the base surface, the raised surface and the depressed surface are defined as a valid region and an invalid region, respectively, to extract measurement data of the valid regions from measurement data obtained from the sidewall surface of the master disk. A master data generation section is configured to generate master data representing a surface shape of the master disk, by using the measurement data of the valid regions. A user can check measurement accuracy of a shape inspection device by comparing shape values of the raised and depressed plate with the master data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for detecting occurrence of an anomaly. The method can exclude arbitrariness and objectively judge whether a variation of a physical quantity to be detected is abnormal or not even when an external environment is fluctuating. The method includes acquiring multiple primary measurement values from a measurement target. Further, calculating and a reference value for each of the multiple primary measurement values by optimal learning. The method further includes calculating a relationship matrix which indicates mutual relationships between the multiple secondary measurement values. Further the method includes calculating an anomaly score for each of the secondary measurement value which indicates the degree of the measurement target being abnormal. The anomaly score is calculated by comparing the secondary measurement value with a predictive value which is calculated based on the relationship matrix and other secondary measurement values.

Abstract: A system for extracting material from a region of interest includes a fluid delivery base comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel formed within the fluid delivery base; a gasket affixed to the fluid delivery base, wherein the gasket comprises at least one opening exposing an open end of the inlet channel and an open end of the outlet channel; a support comprising a sample-supporting surface facing the gasket and an opposing surface; and an alignment member coupled to the opposing surface in a fixed position and such that the support is positioned between the fluid delivery base and the alignment member, wherein one or both of the alignment member or the fluid delivery base are biased towards one another by a force (e.g., a magnet or spring force) and wherein the fluid delivery base is separable from the support and configured to move along a plane of the sample-supporting surface to align with the alignment member.

Abstract: A fluid flow sampling device comprises a housing and a sleeve disposed in the housing having openings corresponding to an inlet and an outlet of the housing. The sleeve is movable relative to the housing to an open position and a closed position. The open position aligns the openings of the sleeve with the inlet and the outlet to allow fluid to flow into the inlet, through the sleeve, and out of the outlet. The closed position blocks the inlet and/or the outlet with a portion of the sleeve such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the sleeve. A coalescent filter is disposed in the sleeve between the inlet and the outlet to allow some fluid to pass through the filter for sampling and to allow another portion of fluid to flow past the filter and out of the outlet to carry away coalescent material on the filter. Additionally, a sample outlet port facilitates removal of fluid from the sampling device for sampling.

Abstract: The invention discloses a disposable cartridge for preparing a sample fluid containing cells for analysis. The cartridge comprises one or more parallel preparation units, each preparation unit comprises one or more chambers enclosed between seals and connected in series. Each chamber is configured for receiving an input fluid, performing a procedure affecting the fluid thereby generating an output fluid, and releasing the output fluid. A first chamber of the one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening, while a last chamber of the one or more chambers is coupled to a second opening. The input fluid of the first chamber is the sample fluid. The one or more preparation units are coupleable to a compartment for performing analysis of the respective output fluids convey able via the second openings.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring apparatus including a gas sampling apparatus and a sensor that detects a chemical substance included in gas obtained by the gas sampling apparatus. The gas sampling apparatus includes: an air supplying unit that forms an air curtain to form a space that covers a region to which an object to be monitored is included and which is separated from the outside environment; a sampling unit that extracts the gas inside the separated space; and a diffusion gas supplying unit that supplies, into the separated space, an amount of diffusion gas that is at least equal to the sampled amount of the sampling unit, wherein the sampling unit includes a plurality of sampling nozzles disposed at three-dimensionally different positions inside the separated space.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method for the preparation of samples for MALDI MS imaging. Certain embodiments relate to a method of matrix deposition for samples, wherein tissue sections are prepared via a synergistic combination of fixation with matrix. In certain embodiments, tissue is fixed with cold solvent, according to well-established histology protocols, and in the presence of matrix, allowing for high resolution spatial mapping of protein, lipid, sugar, and/or nucleic acid distribution. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to fixation with matrix of whole organisms. In certain embodiments, animals are perfused with fixation and matrix mixtures, which allows for direct mass spectrometry analysis.