Abstract: Event inputs, each belonging to one of predefined event categories, are received from event status reporting units. A time period, a time duration within which the event inputs were received, is segregated into an ordered sequence of time slots. Inputs are categorized according to the time slots and the event categories. Ranks, based on weights of unique event inputs, are assigned to each of the predefined event categories within each of the time slots. A count of symbols for each time slot is defined. Each symbol represents a unique predefined event category. The time slots and the defined count of symbols ordered according to the ranks of the respective predefined event categories represented by the symbols for each of the time slots are displayed. Each symbol includes an indication of the weight of unique event inputs categorized for the selected predefined event category and for the selected time slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are matrices for isolating a biological macromolecule from a biological sample, the matrix comprising: a biopolymer capable of binding to the biological macromolecule, wherein the biopolymer is about 0% to about 10% dissolvable in water at a pH of about 6 to about 8 and at ambient temperature but is about 10% to 100% dissolvable in a chaotropic solvent or an organic solvent, and wherein the biopolymer is not squid ring teeth protein; and a surfactant, excipient, or combination thereof. Also provided are methods of using, and kits comprising, the matrices. The disclosed matrices aid in collecting and releasing near quantitative amounts of a biological macromolecule from a biological and/or test sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid sampler for the automated sampling of liquids at dedicated pre-determined intervals. The liquid sampler includes a liquid inlet connectable to a liquid circuit containing a liquid to be sampled, a sampling reservoir for collecting a liquid sample, and a sampling pump connected to the liquid inlet, operable to extract a discrete amount of liquid from the liquid inlet and to discharge the discrete amount of liquid into the sampling reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collection device (10) that comprises a plurality of collection containers (12A, 12B, 12C) suitable for receiving rainwater, each collection container (12A. 12B, 12C) comprising a circumferential wall (14) and a lower wall (16). The collection containers (12A, 12B, 12C) are stacked so as to form a stack along a vertical axis (Z). Each container (12A, 12B) arranged above another, adjacent container (12B, 12C) comprises a water flow opening (18) that is provided in the lower wall (16) thereof and leads into said other, adjacent container (12B, 12C). Each container (12B, 12C) that is arranged below another, adjacent container (12A, 12B) houses a buoyant closure element (20) that is movable along the vertical axis (Z) between a lower position and an upper position depending on the amount of water in said container (12B, 12C) and closes the flow opening (18) in the upper position.

Abstract: A sampling system and relief valve are disclosed. The system can include a bypass loop for receiving a fluid. The system can also include sample receivers. The system further includes a sample extractor configured to obtain a sample of the fluid in the bypass loop to deposit to the one or more sample receivers. The system also includes a relief valve coupled between a fluid outlet of the sample extractor and at least one of the sample receivers. The relief valve includes a valve body having a fluid passage therethrough. The relief valve can also include a stem and a seat disposed in the valve body. The seat is configured to abut against the stem when the stem is biased into a closed position against the seat. At least a portion of the stem of the relief valve is formed of a diamond sintered material.

Abstract: An air sampling device samples air in a controlled environment. The device includes a housing body having a top and a side. An opening is located at the top of the housing body. A retaining assembly retains a sampling device and atrium. The retaining assembly is located at the top of the housing body about the opening. A plenum has a top end and a bottom end, with the top end coupled to the top of the housing body about the opening so that the plenum is in flow communication with the opening. A mass flow meter has an input and an output, with the input coupled to the bottom end of the plenum and in flow communication with the bottom end of the plenum. A blower is located inside the plenum and is configured to draw air past the sampling device, through the opening, through the plenum, and through the mass flow meter. The mass flow meter detects a flow rate of air through the mass flow meter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lateral flow capillary device and uses thereof comprising a unipath capillary flow matrix and a plurality of reservoirs each in fluid communication with the capillary flow matrix. The device includes one or more pressure delivery systems configured to urge capillary flow matrix toward a portion of the housing in which it resides, such that a substantially uniform pressure is applied over a portion of the capillary flow matrix.

Abstract: A device includes a cylinder having a cavity adapted to hold a concrete test cylinder, an accelerometer adapted to detect motion data, and a second sensor adapted to obtain measurements of a characteristic of the concrete during a predetermined time period. For example, the second sensor may be a temperature sensor. The device also includes a processor adapted to receive motion data from the accelerometer, determine that the device has moved during the predetermined time period, based on the motion data, and determine that the measurements obtained by the second sensor are invalid, based on the determination that the concrete test cylinder has been moved during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of preparing a biological specimen for imaging analysis, comprising fixing and clearing the biological specimen and subsequently analyzing the cleared biological specimen using microscopy. Also included are methods of quantifying cells, for example, active populations of cells in response to a stimulant. The present disclosure also provides devices for practicing the described methods. A flow-assisted clearing device provides rapid clearing of hydrogel-embedded biological specimens without the need of specialized equipment such as electrophoresis or perfusion devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequential operation of staining, imaging and sectioning of tissue samples by a processing system. After each layer of the sample is removed by the sectioning system, the system automatically stains the exposed surface of a sample to a depth to enable imaging of the remaining tissue. The system then repeats the sectioning, staining and imaging steps in sequence to image the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for full-automatic, ultra-low pressure, fractionation-free and non-destructive extraction of water, including a control box, an extraction part, an ultra-low temperature cold trap and a transmission device, wherein the control box and the extraction part are located at the top of a cabinet, the ultra-low temperature cold trap is located inside the cabinet, a touch screen is arranged on the control box, a temperature control meter is arranged on a side face of the control box, the extraction part includes an upper layer plate, a middle layer plate, a bottom plate and a test tube, the bottom plate is fixedly installed on the cabinet, the test tube is accommodated in the ultra-low temperature cold trap, and the transmission device is fixedly installed on the bottom plate.

Abstract: A portable, self-cleaning aggregate mixture analysis device that accepts a sample of an aggregate mixture, separates the sample into particles, analyzes the compositions of the sample, displays results to a user and washes away sample residue, so as to prepare the device for analysis of a subsequent material sample.

Abstract: A spiral inertial filtration device is capable of high-throughput (1 mL/min), high-purity particle separation while concentrating recovered target particles by more than an order of magnitude. Large fractions of sample fluid are removed from a microchannel without disruption of concentrated particle streams by taking advantage of particle focusing in inertial spiral microfluidics, which is achieved by balancing inertial lift forces and Dean drag forces. To enable the calculation of channel geometries in the device for specific concentration factors, an equivalent circuit model was developed and experimentally validated. Large particle concentration factors were achieved by maintaining either average fluid velocity or Dean number throughout the entire length of the channel during the incremental removal of sample fluid. Also provided is the ability to simultaneously separate more than one particle from the same sample.

Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.

Abstract: A device for identification of a tagged liquid includes a liquid access port, a powder access port, a filter and an optical analyzer. The liquid access port is for receiving a liquid. The powder access port is for receiving a powder. The powder includes tags. The filter is for separating one or more tags from a solution of the liquid mixed with the powder. The optical analyzer is for evaluating the one or more tags to verify the solution.

Abstract: In a method and device for setting one or more measuring points on a specimen in a specimen holder for automated hardness testing in a hardness-testing device, the hardness-testing device has a table, a tool holder with a penetrator and at least one lens. The specimen holder with the specimen is positioned on the table in the x- and y-directions. The table and/or tool holder can be moved in the z-direction, relative to one another. A virtual three-dimensional model of the specimen holder and specimen is selected from data storage, and the model and/or an overview image of the specimen is depicted on a screen. Then, a point is marked in the image, and one or more measuring point is/are automatically defined based on the measuring method selected. To each measuring point, the z-coordinate is automatically assigned in the hardness-testing device based on its x- and y-coordinates and virtual model.

Abstract: A method for predicting an elastic modulus of a material includes providing a sample in a dynamic mechanical analysis device, performing a temperature sweep test to obtain a first data set, performing a frequency sweep test to obtain a second data set, using the second data set to generate a master curve in a frequency domain of the at least one of the storage modulus of the sample or the loss modulus of the sample using time-temperature superposition, converting the master curve in the frequency domain into a time domain relaxation function, and using the time domain relaxation function to predict the elastic modulus of the material.

Abstract: Methods are provided that facilitate the selection of a film structure for use in a package. In one aspect, a method of selecting a film structure for use in a package comprises determining a critical impact direction of a package by finite elemental method (FEM) analysis, wherein the package has a predetermined volume, a predetermined shape, and a predetermined fill material; determining one or more desired tensile properties of a film structure to use in the package based on the critical impact direction, wherein the one or more desired tensile properties comprise at least one of toughness in the machine direction, toughness in the cross direction, elongation at break in the machine direction, elongation at break in the cross direction, stress at break in the machine direction, and stress at break in the cross direction; and selecting a film structure based on the one or more desired tensile properties.

Abstract: A bidirectional scoop assembly is shown that is mountable to a pipeline for taking samples from the pipeline. A wafer flange is mounted in said pipeline surrounding the fluid flow through the pipeline. A first tubular is extendable through a first side of the wafer flange to receive a sample from the pipeline. A second tubular is extendable through a second side of the wafer flange to receive a sample from the pipeline. The first tubular and second tubular are positioned adjacent each other whereby at least a portion of a first opening of the first tubular and at least a portion of a second opening of the second tubular are axially aligned or parallel to a flow axis of the pipeline.

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

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure particle suspension concentrations in the presence of potential interferents. Particle back-scatter readings are taken at light wavelengths that are absorbed by the medium before interacting with surrounding objects. Source-detector spacings are minimized compared to the mean absorbance path length of light, thereby maximizing the range of sensitivity to particle concentration. Discrimination against potentially interfering particles, such as bubbles, is provided by mapping the signal distribution against the central signal value and/or by the use of statistical measures with reduced dependence on outliers. The methods and devices allow accurate particle concentration readings over a wide range of concentration in environments crowded with potentially interfering objects and in the presence of variable concentrations and sizes of potentially interfering particles.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods of reducing false-particle counts in a water-based condensation particle counter (CPC). One embodiment of a method includes delivering water into one or more wicks, sensing an excess volume of water delivered to the wicks, collecting the excess volume of water into a collection reservoir, and draining the excess volume of water from the collection reservoir. Other methods and apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: Light from a light source is directed at a flow path of particles of a flow cytometer. The directed light results in a light pattern having a plurality of lobes. A first signal is detected exceeding a first threshold. A second signal exceeding a second threshold is detected, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold. Based on detecting the second trigger after detecting the first trigger, is determined that the first and second signals were created by a relatively large particle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a particle sorting apparatus, a particle sorting method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program that enable sorting object particles to be sorted with high precision, even when the sorting object particles are large. In the particle sorting apparatus, a charging unit that applies charges to at least a part of liquid droplets ejected from an orifice to generate a fluid stream and a charging control unit that adjusts a charge application end time in the charging unit according to sizes of particles included in the liquid droplets are provided.

Abstract: A vitreous silica crucible used to pull up silicon single crystal includes: a cylindrical straight body portion, a corner portion formed at a lower end of the straight body portion, and a bottom portion connected with the straight body portion via the corner portion, wherein the vitreous silica crucible further comprises: an opaque outer layer enclosing bubbles therein; and a transparent inner layer from which bubbles are removed, wherein the residual distortion's distribution obtained by measuring the silica glass's inner surface in a non-destructed state has an optical path difference which is 130 nm or less, which residual distortion's distribution is measured using a distortion-measuring apparatus which converts a linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light and then irradiates the crucible's wall.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical computing devices that employ birefringent optical elements configured for use in optical computing devices. One optical computing device includes a polarizer configured to generate at least x polarized light and y polarized light, a birefringent integrated computational element configured to optically interact with a substance and the polarizer, thereby generating optically interacted light, and at least one detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light and generate an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the substance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plate comprising an array of wells for chemical or biological reactions, wherein each of the wells comprises a reaction chamber with at least one opening on a surface of the plate. The array of wells consist of a plurality of adjacent blocks of wells, wherein each block of wells consists of a plurality of adjacent rows of wells, and wherein at least one void is provided in each block of wells in between the rows of wells. Here, the void is particularly part of the surface of the plate and lacks a well opening. Furthermore, a method for multiple imaging of such a plate by means of an imaging system is provided with the present disclosure.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a gas detection device and method for detecting gas concentration. The gas detection device includes a chamber module, a light emitting module, an optical sensing module, and a light splitting module. The chamber module includes a light guiding chamber, a first sampling chamber, and a second sampling chamber. The light emitting module is disposed in the light guiding chamber to generate a projection light beam. The optical sensing module includes a first optical sensing unit disposed in the first sampling chamber, and a second optical sensing unit disposed in the second sampling chamber. The light splitting module is disposed in the chamber module. The projection light beam is split by the light splitting module to generate a first split light beam and a second split light beam.

Abstract: A nephelometer for determining the turbidity of a body of fluid in which a light beam is directed as an angled beam through the body and two light detectors measure the intensity of light scatter at two points in the beam. The two measurements are divided and scaled, and then the result is logarithmically amplified and displayed as the turbidity.

Abstract: The invention describes generating and use of a multi-layer plasmonic slide, wherein the plasmonic slide comprises at least 6 layers of metallic nanoparticles that can enhance the detection of fluorescent signals and wherein the plasmonic slide can be printed as a microarray of any size. The microarray containing the plasmonic slide can further be printed with a protein, a glycan, or an antibody. The multi-layer plasmonic slide is capable of detecting proteins, polynucleotides, and/or glycans at orders of magnitude lower concentration than non-plasmonic substrates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for characterizing the interaction of free radicals with various materials and the use of known interactions to isolate free radical generation from free radical interaction with a target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for three-dimensionally tracking micro particle motion wherein a dark-field condenser is configured to receive light field emitted from a light source and project the light field on a fluid sample having at least one particle thereby generating a scattered light field associated with the at least one particle, an objective lens is configured to receive the scattered light field, an image capturing unit coupled to the objective lens receives the scattered light field thereby generating at least one image of the fluid sample, and a controller is configured to couple to the image capturing unit for analyzing interference ring pattern corresponding to a specific particle in the at least one image and determining a tracking information associated with the specific particle along three-dimensional direction according to the size and center of the interference ring pattern.

Abstract: A method for suppressing a spurious pulse following a measurement pulse in a measurement signal using a circuit includes generating a square-wave signal from the measurement signal. A delayed square-wave signal is generated by delaying the square-wave signal by a time span ?1. The delayed square-wave signal is input into a control input of a switching arrangement. The measurement signal or a signal derived therefrom is input into an input of the switching arrangement. The signal at the input of the switching arrangement is switched to a first output of the switching arrangement based on the delayed first square-wave signal at the control input of the switching arrangement. The time span ?1 is matched to the measurement signal such that the switching arrangement is not switched to the first output during the spurious pulse. A signal at the first output is output as an output signal of the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to methods and kits for managing the variation in spectroscopic intensity measurements through the use of a reference component. The reference component may comprise a reference spectroscopic substance and may be contained together with a sample of interest in a sample to be tested, wherein the sample of interest may comprise a sample spectroscopic substance. Each sample to be tested may be uniquely identified and, hence, “barcoded” by combinations of different colors and concentrations of spectroscopic substances, contained therein.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides fluidic systems having a plurality of reaction sites surrounded by optical barriers to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between signals detected from various reaction sites. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing fluidic systems and methods of using the systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for measuring a multiphase flow. Fibre optic probes are arranged around a pipe (109) where a multiphase flow passes through for obtaining information about the flow. The data collected from the probes will be translated into useful information.

Abstract: A Raman spectrometer includes a laser, a lens, a dichroscope, a confocal microscope, an optical system, a Fabri-Perot tunable filter and a silicon detector. The light emitted by the laser impinges on the dichroscope after passing through the lens. The dichroscope reflects the light, and the reflected light impinges on a sample through the confocal microscope. The light generates a Rayleigh scattering and a Raman scattering upon reaching the sample, scattered light generating the Rayleigh scattering and the scattered light generating the Raman scattering impinge on the dichroscope again after passing through the confocal microscope. The Raman scattered light transmitted by the dichroscope passes through the optical system and the Fabri-Perot tunable filter successively, and the light passing through the Fabri-Perot tunable filter is detected by the silicon detector to obtain a light signal. The Raman spectrometer has the advantages of small volume and low cost.

Abstract: An appearance inspection apparatus radiates, with an illumination device, light from a light source as diffused light to an inspection surface included in the inner peripheral surface of an inner ring of a rolling bearing that is an object to be inspected, and photographs the inspection surface with a camera. The illumination device is arranged so that at least a part of the illumination device is present in a space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the rolling bearing. The camera is arranged at a position where an angle formed between a straight line connecting a position closest to the camera on the inspection surface to the camera and a line perpendicular to the inspection surface at that position is larger than an incident angle of the diffused light at the position closest to the camera.

Abstract: An inspection device and method for testing and inspecting integrity of a container (200) is disclosed. The inspection device has an angled member (102) and a viewing member (104) secured to the angled member. Together, the angled and viewing members are configured to hold a container to be analyzed. The inspection device also includes a cradle (106) secured to the angled member, the cradle including a cavity (108) configured to hold the angled member at an angle. The inspection device also includes a light source holder (110) secured to the viewing member, a leg member (112) extending from the light source holder, and at least one light source (114) extending through the light source holder. The light source has a first end extending outwardly from the light source holder and a second end extending within the light source holder from which light projects. The light from the light source is projected toward the viewing member. The viewing member includes at least one viewing window (105).

Abstract: A model-based method of inspecting a specimen for presence of one or more interferent, such as Hemolysis, Icterus, and/or Lipemia (HI L) is provided. The method includes generating a pixelated image of the specimen in a first color space, determining color components (e.g., an a-value and a b-value) for pixels in the pixelated image, classifying of the pixels as being either liquid or non-liquid, defining one or more liquid regions based upon the pixels classified as liquid, and determining a presence of one or more interferent within the one or more liquid regions. The liquid classification is based upon a liquid classification model. Pixel classification may be based on a trained multiclass classifier. Interference level for the one or more interferent may be provided. Testing apparatus adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An inspection station for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the inspection station having (a) a conveyor for advancing manufactured product, and (b) an infrared detection apparatus, including (i) a high intensity infrared light source for directing at the manufactured product, and (ii) a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect an emitted signal from a taggant disposed in the oil or lubricant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a template substrate for use in adjusting a focus offset to detect a defect using an optical image obtained by irradiating a substrate with light emitted from a light source. The template substrate includes a first pattern constructed with a repetitive pattern that is not resolved by the wavelength of the light source, and at least one alignment mark that is arranged on the same plane as the first pattern. The alignment mark includes a second pattern constructed with a repetitive pattern that is not resolved by the wavelength of the light source, and a programmed defect that is provided in the second pattern and not resolved by the wavelength of the light source. The alignment mark includes the second pattern, and a region, where the second pattern is not arranged but a mark used in alignment is formed by contrast with a region where the second pattern is arranged.

Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus, including: an optical metrology tool configured to measure structures, the optical metrology tool including: an electromagnetic (EM) radiation source configured to direct a beam of EM radiation along an EM radiation path; and an adaptive optical system disposed in a portion of the EM radiation path and configured to adjust a shape of a wave front of the beam of EM radiation, the adaptive optical system including: a first aspherical optical element; a second aspherical optical element adjacent the first aspherical optical element; and an actuator configured to cause relative movement between the first optical element and the second optical element in a direction different from a beam axis of the portion of the EM radiation path.

Abstract: A microwave imaging device comprising a conductive enclosure defining an imaging region within it and an array of wideband resonators, each resonator located substantially in a plane defined by the conductive enclosure.

Abstract: A method for use in measuring a composition of a multiphase fluid which includes flowing a multiphase fluid through a fluid flow path defined by a wall of a fluid conduit is disclosed. The wall includes an electrically non-conductive material. The method includes establishing an electromagnetic field which extends through the electrically non-conductive material of the wall of the fluid conduit into the fluid and measuring a property of the electromagnetic field over a measurement time period. The method also includes transmitting additional energy through the fluid over the measurement time period independently of the electromagnetic field and measuring the additional energy transmitted through the fluid over the measurement time period. The method may be used to unambiguously determine a composition of a multiphase fluid which has different components.

Abstract: The X-ray inspection device includes a radiation source that irradiates X-rays toward a specimen that is rotated; a detector that detects transmitted X-rays irradiated by the radiation source, and passed through the specimen, and output a plurality of detection data for each angle of rotation; and a region extracting unit that extracts a region where the specimen is projected onto the detector, using the plurality of detection data.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure the pollution level of the surface of a photovoltaic module. A resistance change on the surface of a photovoltaic module is sensed to effectively measure the pollution level on the surface of the photovoltaic module and secure a proper cleaning cycle of the module during solar light power generation. The apparatus includes a glass substrate attachably mounted on the surface of a photovoltaic module. A reactive coating layer is coated on one side of the glass substrate, has a structure that pollutants are accumulated on one side surface, and causes a resistance change by contact with the pollutants. A signal processor connected to the reactive coating layer to receive a signal of the resistance change, operationally process the signal to measure a change in the resistance value caused by accumulation of the pollutants, and output a discrimination signal on pollution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring electrical characteristics of a fluid flowing through a section of a pipe, the system comprising a coaxial resonator, formed by an essentially coaxial insert in said pipe defining an annular volume between a chosen part of said insert and the pipe wall, said insert and pipe wall being made from an electrically conductive material, the system further comprising at least one antenna adapted to emit electromagnetic signals into and receive electromagnetic signals from said coaxial resonator, and means to measure the frequency response of said coaxial resonator within a frequency range including the waveguide mode TE11 of said coaxial resonator, The coaxial insert is mounted to the pipe wall through at least one support leg being positioned outside said annular volume, and one electrically conductive fin is positioned at least partially in the annular volume, said fin being positioned in a radial plane, said plane being different from the plane of said at le

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro sensor. Particularly, a first sensor electrode is provided on a first side of a substrate, a second sensor electrode is provided on a second side of the substrate, and the substrate is provided with an etching hole penetrating from the first side to the second side of the substrate. A sensing material provided between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode is inserted in the etching hole. When detecting gas, the micro sensor can minimize influence of moisture in air.