Abstract: A device for the measurement of electrical properties on a surface. Sensor consists of several conductive elements arranged at vertices of a three-dimensional geometry. As such, the device achieves a favorable sensing configuration regardless of initial orientation. The device includes circuitry for interfacing with the conductive elements. This circuitry determines the electrical properties of the surface. The measurement has many uses, one of which is to discriminate between dry and wet surfaces. This patent presents various analysis methods to determine the electrical property.

Abstract: An exemplary method for determining rattle noise of a vehicle steering system includes providing an intermediate shaft assembly including a first shaft member coupled to a second shaft member by a first joining member, a third shaft member coupled to the second shaft member by a second joining member, the first shaft member coupled to a first motor and the third shaft coupled to a second motor, providing a first sensor coupled to the first joining member and a second sensor coupled to the second joining member, sensors configured to measure an acceleration of the first joining member and the second joining member, applying a first torque and a second torque to the intermediate shaft assembly, receiving first acceleration data from the first sensor and second acceleration data from the second sensor, and analyzing the first and second acceleration data to determine a rattle noise of the intermediate shaft assembly.

Abstract: An inspection unit (10) for photochromic lenses (84) has a housing (12) defining an interior (14). At least one ultraviolet light source (32a, 32b) provides ultraviolet radiation into the housing interior (14). An inspection platform (54) is movable into and out of the housing interior (14) via at least one slide assembly (56). The inspection platform (54) includes a light table (58) having a translucent viewing area (62) and at least one inspection light source (64) located under the translucent viewing area (62).

Abstract: A marking system for knowing precisely at which location on an electrical device a used brush and associated brush holder assembly were positioned to evaluate whether abnormal brush wear, abnormal operation or other anomaly is occurring and performing maintenance and/or replacement of components as needed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to modeling and visualization of vibration mechanics in residual space, and includes systems and methods for vibrational analysis. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, by at least one sensor, vibrational data and an operational mode of rotating equipment. The method may then proceed with determining, by an equipment controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, at least one vibrational vector based on the vibrational data. The method may determine, by the equipment controller and based on a model, an expected vibrational vector for the operational mode. The method may calculate, by the equipment controller, a residual vector as a difference between the vibrational vector and the expected vector. The method may also determine, by the equipment controller, at least one abnormality associated with the rotating equipment based on the residual vector.

Abstract: Provided is a target driving object for carrying out a crash test with a colliding object for a crash prevention system test, and more particularly, a target driving object in which a sloped skirt is provided on the outside of a main body including a drive module and a communication module, thereby blocking a substantial impact and preventing occurrence of a breakdown.

Abstract: A tire air filling mechanism in a tire testing device includes an air supply source which supplies air into a tire to be mounted between a pair of rims attached to ends of tire shafts. An injection direction of the air supplied into the tire from the air supply source is set at a direction inclined with respect to a radial direction of the tire, so that the air supplied from the air supply source can be turned inside the tire.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a bi-directional, valve-less sampling port for use with gas sampling bags, wherein the valve-less sampling port has few parts and no moving parts, the sampling port is coupled to a gas sampling bag using a base component that has a portion inside and outside of the gas sampling bag, a cap that is disposed over the base to make an interference fit, an O-ring between the base and the cap that applies a sealing force to hold the gas sampling bag against the base, and a dome seal inside the base and held in place by the cap, wherein the dome seal functions as a one-way check valve to prevent flow out of the gas sampling bag until a sampling adapter is inserted through the cap and the dome seal to provide access to the gas sampling bag for extraction of gas.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern histochemical process compositions comprising at least one nanoparticle in an amount effective to reduce or substantially eliminate the average number of spots per slide that result from a sample staining protocol. The nanoparticle can be any of various nanoparticles, or combinations thereof, including metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, ceramics, functionalized metals or metalloids, and other miscellaneous nanoparticles, such as carbon nanoparticles and diamond nanoparticles. Typically, the nanoparticle concentration is from greater than zero to at least about 25 parts per million, more typically from about 2 parts per million to about 20 parts per million. Embodiments of a method for using process nanosolutions also are disclosed. One embodiment concerns applying a histochemical process composition to a sample, followed by performing a staining protocol on the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to counterstains for staining a biological sample on a single slide in preparation for microscopic examination. The counterstains are used to analyze the sample on the single slide using both brightfield and fluorescent illumination. The counterstains can identify both morphological details and molecular structures within the cells contained in the sample. The counterstains can be used in conjunction with other molecular stains.

Abstract: A sample processing assembly for treatment of a sample on a substrate includes a mounting surface for the substrate and a closure body configured to releasably retain a cover member. The closure body is movable between an open position and a substantially closed position. When a substrate is placed in the assembly and the closure body is in the substantially closed position while retaining a cover member, a reaction chamber is formed for processing a sample. A cover member for use with the sample processing assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.

Abstract: A method for estimating a stiffness of a deformable part of a system including a four-photodiode detector for analyzing at least one characteristic of a sample. The method includes receiving the signals recorded by the four photodiodes, calculating the resultant signals from the recorded signals, calculating a cross-correlation of the resultant signals calculated for obtaining an intercorrelated signal, estimating the stiffness of the deformable part depending on the intercorrelated signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bendable and/or foldable articles and uses thereof and to a method of providing bendable and/or foldable articles. The articles are of translucent and brittle material, such as glass, glass ceramic, ceramic or crystals. The articles may be used as a display cover such as a protecting cover in displays in, for example, smartphones, tablet computers, or TV devices. The articles may also be used as a substrate for electronic components, such as OLEDs or LEDs.

Abstract: A Fatigue Performance Test induces a traffic analogous, 60 cycle, stress-strain environment into a road pavement cross section through a rolling cyclic fatigue platform. Data from the encounter dynamic reveals where strain build-up is occurring well before external, visually detectable evidence of fatigue failure is present in the pavement sample from cracks or permanent deformation. Responsive tuning of the embedded, sensor firmware establishes a baseline status for the sample whereupon incoming data gathered during the stress-strain encounter dynamic reveals details of fatigue build-up.

Abstract: A wear testing device includes a plurality of holding portions that hold rubber samples. The rubber samples held by each of the plurality of holding portions are independently and simultaneously pressed against a circumferential surface of a rotation body in rotation by a pressing mechanism so that abrasion debris of each of the rubber samples produced via this contact falls downward.

Abstract: A method for determining a wettability of a subterranean formation (or formation core) includes either deploying a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging tool in a subterranean wellbore or deploying a formation core sample in a laboratory based NMR tool. NMR measurements of the formation (or formation core) are obtained and used to compute the wettability. The NMR measurements are processed to generate a two dimensional diffusion relaxation map (a D/T2 map) which is in turn processed to compute the wettability.

Abstract: A contact angle measurement system includes a housing that can hold a volume of a first fluid having a first density, an adjustable rock sample holder positioned within the housing, a fluid dropper attached to the housing, an image capturing a device, and a computer system. The holder can support a rock sample. An orientation of the holder relative to the housing is adjustable such that an outer surface of the rock sample is at a non-zero angle relative to a lower wall of the housing. When the orientation of the holder relative to the housing is such that the outer surface of the rock sample is at the non-zero angle relative to the lower wall, the fluid droplet traverses the outer surface of the rock sample. The image capturing device can capture images of the fluid droplet as the fluid droplet traverses the outer surface of the rock sample.

Abstract: An airborne or liquid particle sensor with a number of advanced features is disclosed. The sensor includes an output channel generating an electrical signal for a particle passing through the sensor, where the electrical signal includes information related to the pulse. The information is processed by the sensor to determine a value that indicates a more accurate particle mass for a sample period than the average mass.

Abstract: A rubber adhesion test method in accordance with the present embodiment has step(s) in which rubber test member is pressed against prescribed road surface for a prescribed contact time and is thereafter pulled away therefrom, the pulling force acting thereon when this is pulled away therefrom being measured, this being performed a plurality of times, with the contact time being varied each time, and step(s) in which a relational expression relating adhesive force and contact time in correspondence to pulling force is derived based on the results of the plurality of measurements.

Abstract: An optical measurement cell including first and second translucent members, which sandwich an internal space storing test liquid, are configured so that light incident on the first translucent member passes through the internal space and is emitted from the second translucent member. The cell includes a first holding member that holds down the circumference of a light transmission area on an outward surface of the first translucent member; a second holding member that holds down the circumference of a light transmission area on an outward surface of the second translucent member; and seal members that are respectively interposed between the first translucent and holding members and between the second translucent and holding members. In addition, areas excluding parts of surfaces of the respective translucent members are coated with coated films, and the end parts of the coated films are positioned on light transmission area sides of the seal members.

Abstract: Systems and methods of laser dispersion spectroscopy for in situ, quantitative and non-intrusive measurements of combustion parameters, such as temperature and gas concentrations are provided. The system includes a laser source configured to sweep across the spectral features of molecules, an RF generator configured to modulate a laser to generate a three-tone laser beam, a photodetector configured to detect the transmitted three-tone laser beam to generate a heterodyne beat note signal, and a lock-in amplifier configured to further process the beat note signal in order to measure a phase of the heterodyne beat note signal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal photoelectric apparatus includes a first and a second quartz glass substrates, an upper alignment layer disposed between the first and the second quartz glass substrates, a lower alignment layer disposed between the upper alignment layer and the second quartz glass substrate, a liquid crystal material disposed between the upper and the lower alignment layers, a first transparent conductive layer disposed between the upper alignment layer and the first quartz glass substrate and including at least one first main portion and first finger portions extending from the corresponding first main portion and a second transparent conductive layer second transparent conductive layer disposed between the lower alignment layer and the second quartz glass substrate and including a second main portion and second finger portions extending from the second main portion in an extension direction perpendicular to that of the first finger portions. An optical imaging processing system is provided.

Abstract: An object is to provide a technique that can evaluate biological tissues such as cartilage tissue and regenerated tissues such as regenerated cartilage. A method for observing a dynamic physical property of a biological tissue according to the present invention is that a biological tissue is irradiated with a pulsed light having a wavelength of a far-infrared wavelength region modulated into circular polarized lights by applying bias voltages to a radiation means (3) having an antenna electrode films of orthogonal (2)-axis structure with phases shifted using high-voltage high-speed modulation means (13), and dynamic physical property of the biological tissue is observed on the basis of a spectrum obtained by vibration optical activity spectroscopy.

Abstract: A device for measuring radiation backscattered by a sample including: at least one light source that is configured to emit a light beam, along an axis of incidence, towards a surface of the sample so as to form, on said surface, an elementary illumination zone; an image sensor for forming an image of the radiation backscattered by the sample when the latter is illuminated by the light source, the image sensor lying in a detection plane; a bundle of optical fibres, extending, along an extension axis, between a proximal surface and a distal surface, the proximal surface being applied against the image sensor, the distal surface being configured to be applied against the surface of the sample; wherein the light source is arranged around the bundle of optical fibres, and wherein the distance between the light source and the bundle of optical fibres is less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A water analysis device having a light source and a light detector for detecting an optical parameter of a water sample in a transparent measuring cell is disclosed. A ventilation circuit for ventilating a cell chamber is provided, wherein there is a differential pressure of at least 2.0 mbar between the cell chamber and the atmosphere when a ventilation pump is operated. The device housing forms the cell chamber which is fluidically sealed by a cover assembly. The cover assembly and the device housing have a mechanism that mimics the sealing action of a turn-lock fastener, such that the cover assembly can be secured to and/or released from the device housing by means of a rotational movement. The cover assembly and the device housing form an annular ring seal which is coaxial with the rotational movement and which is formed by an elastic sealing body having a circular sealing lip and a correspondingly circular shoulder seat on which the sealing lip is pressed due to the atmospheric differential pressure.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus, system, and use method for selective detection of a target molecule in a gaseous medium with a limit of detection of less than 50 ppm are provided. The sensing apparatus comprises an optical fiber having a core with a tilted grating, and a coating assembly that is both active to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and reversibly reactive to the target molecule to allow for repeated detection. Upon a compatible light propagating in the optical fiber, surface plasmon waves at an interface between the coating assembly and the medium can be generated to thereby derive information of the target molecule. Signals from core mode optical waves can additionally be used as inherent reference to remove influences of fluctuations from environmental factors and input power level. There is at least one range of concentrations for the target molecule allowing for linear measurement. Multiplexing of a plurality of sensing apparatuses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a fluorescent species that is reversibly photoswitchable at high frequency, and more precisely to a method for detecting at least one reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent species, including a step consisting in illuminating a sample containing a reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent species with a first illuminating light beam, of wavelength ?1, and periodically modulated at an angular frequency ?, and with a second illuminating light beam of wavelength ?2 different from ?1, which is periodically modulated at the angular frequency ?, the second illuminating light beam being modulated in antiphase with respect to the first illuminating light beam.

Abstract: In a standard process for determining an unknown sample, fluorescent substances are determined from respective fluorescence characteristics and model coefficients are calculated from spectrum ranges of the fluorescence characteristics of the determined fluorescent substances. An unknown sample is measured after reading of the model coefficients, whereby a target value of the unknown sample is obtained.

Abstract: The present application discloses a portable ultraviolet excited fluorescence intensity detector for carrying out quantitative fluorescence detection for a disposable hygiene product's raw materials and a method of using the same, comprising a housing, an ultraviolet emitting light path, a first receiving light path and a second receiving light path

Abstract: A disclosed microscopy method includes: setting a first capturing condition for previous capturing to generate a previous image for generating a primary image based on a subject, the previous capturing being sweep capturing that is capturing while changing a focal plane position with respect to the subject, such that brightness saturation does not occur in the previous image; causing an imaging apparatus to capture the previous image in accordance with the first capturing condition for the previous capturing set at the setting; setting a second capturing condition for primary capturing to generate the primary image on the basis of the previous image captured through the previous capturing by the imaging apparatus, the primary capturing being the sweep capturing; and causing the imaging apparatus to capture the primary image in accordance with the second capturing condition that has been set in the setting the second capturing condition.

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: An inspection system to inspect the consistency and thermal seal quality of blister packages, the system comprising an illumination module and a color imaging device suitably integrated with an optical module. The blister packages that are thermally sealed are sequentially presented to the color imaging device within its Field of View whereupon the inspection captures multiple images of the illuminated top side of the sealed blister package using the said image pickup devise. The images then undergo analysis to determine the gray scale values of the sealing area. By comparing the gray level values with predetermined gray level values that are programmed at setup, a decision is made to reject the inspected item if the analyzed gray level values is not substantially the same as the predetermined gray level values, or to accept the inspected item if the analyzed gray level values is substantially the same as the predetermined gray level values or rejecting the blister if determined otherwise.

Abstract: A single-shot metrology for direct inspection of an entirety of the interior of an EUV vessel is provided. An EUV vessel including an inspection tool integrated with the EUV vessel is provided. During an inspection process, the inspection tool is moved into a primary focus region of the EUV vessel. While the inspection tool is disposed at the primary focus region and while providing a substantially uniform and constant light level to an interior of the EUV vessel by way of an illuminator, a panoramic image of an interior of the EUV vessel is captured by way of a single-shot of the inspection tool. Thereafter, a level of tin contamination on a plurality of components of the EUV vessel is quantified based on the panoramic image of the interior of the EUV vessel. The quantified level of contamination is compared to a KPI, and an OCAP may be implemented.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods for detecting particles in a wafer processing tool. In an embodiment, a particle monitoring device having a wafer form factor includes several micro sensors capable of operating in all pressure regimes, e.g., under vacuum conditions. The particle monitoring device may include a clock to output a time value when a parameter of a micro sensor changes in response to receiving a particle within a chamber of the wafer processing tool. A location of the micro sensor or the time value may be used to determine a source of the particle. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a semiconductor wafer, which has a polished surface, by using a laser surface-inspection device including light-incident and light-receiving systems, includes evaluating the semiconductor wafer by detecting, as a light point defect, an abnormality of a process-induced defect and a surface-adhered foreign matter present on the polished surface of the semiconductor wafer, on the basis of measurement result obtained by directing incident light to the polished surface of the semiconductor wafer from one light-incident system and receiving, with a first light-receiving system, radiation light which has been radiated by the incident light being reflected or scattered by the polished surface, measurement result obtained by receiving the radiation light with a second light-receiving system, and measurement result obtained by receiving the radiation light with a third light-receiving system, and at least one of a light-receiving angle and polarization selectivity differs among the first, second

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for testing quality of powder spreading, including: illuminating, after a powder spreading apparatus completes spreading of a single layer of powder, a forming area successively and separately by light sources, and performing photographing twice to obtain two images of powder spreading; synthesizing the two images of powder spreading; determining an overall gray scale of the synthesized image, and if the overall gray scale is consistent, the powder spreading being successful, and if not, processing the synthesized image by using a method of gray scale threshold segmentation, and marking an area contained in a contour boundary inside the synthesized image as a suspected defect area; and determining whether the powder spreading is successful according to a gray scale value. Also disclosed is a device for testing the quality of powder spreading. The present application realizes a function of testing the quality of powder spreading.

Abstract: Provided is a method of inspecting the back surface of an epitaxial wafer, capable of detecting pin mark defects in the back surface of the epitaxial wafer and quantitatively evaluating the defect size of individual point defects of the pin mark defects. The method of inspecting the back surface of an epitaxial wafer includes an imaging step of consecutively taking partial images of the back surface while moving the optical system using the scanning unit; an acquisition step of acquiring a full image of the back surface from the partial images; a detection step of detecting, in the full image, pin mark defects constituted by a set of a plurality of point defects present in the back surface of the silicon wafer 1; and a digitalization step of digitalizing the individual point defects to calculate the defect area of the individual point defects of the detected pin mark defects.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to resonance inspections and in-service parts are disclosed. One protocol (150) includes conducting a resonance inspection of an in-service part (152). The frequency response of the in-service part may be compared with a resonance standard (154) for purposes of determining whether or not the in-service part is changing abnormally (156). An in-service part that is identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “rejected” (160). An in-service part that is no identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “accepted” (158).

Abstract: A method of qualifying physical components using computed tomography (CT) includes obtaining qualified CT data from a CT scanner for at least one qualified physical component. Qualification data is generated based on the qualified CT data, where the qualification data defines a qualification envelope. Candidate CT data is obtained from the CT scanner for a candidate physical component. Comparison data is then generated based on the candidate CT data and the qualification data, where the comparison data indicates whether the candidate CT data is within the qualification envelope defined by the qualification data. An acceptance signal is generated if the comparison data meets acceptance criteria.

Abstract: To correctly acquire image data of an inspected article by preventing a difference in shade between images caused by a difference in position or sensitivity between sensor elements. An X-ray generation source irradiates an inspection region where an inspected article passes with an X-ray. X-ray detection means receives the X-ray passing through the inspection region using a plurality of sensor elements. Image data generation means generates image data of the inspected article from an output of the X-ray detection means. Incidence condition changing means changes two or more kinds of X-ray incidence conditions common for all of the plurality of sensor elements of the X-ray detection means in a state of absence of the inspected article in the inspection region. Correction data generation means acquires correction data that is needed for making a shade of an image uniform for each incidence condition.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for determining the concentration of an element of a heteroepitaxial layer includes generating a reciprocal space map in Qz and Qx directions in a portion of reciprocal space describing positions of diffracted X-ray peaks of a heteroepitaxial layer and of a substrate on which the heteroepitaxial layer is positioned, determining the position of a diffracted X-ray peak of the substrate in the reciprocal space map in the Qx direction, determining the expected position of the diffracted X-ray peak of the heteroepitaxial layer in the Qx direction based on the determined position of the diffracted X-ray peak of the substrate in the Qx direction, generating a scan of the heteroepitaxial layer in a Qz direction at the expected position in the Qx direction, and determining the concentration of a constituent element of the heteroepitaxial layer based on the scan.

Abstract: The claimed method and system develops accelerated aging test protocols for a component of a process control device, such as a polymeric component of a valve assembly, where the accelerated aging test protocol is specifically developed in response to expected operating conditions to be used during operation of the process control device in a process plant installation. Test data from the developed accelerated aging tests is analyzed to determine a projected lifetime profile of the component that profiles the component through failure under those expected operating conditions. Particular profiling for polymeric features includes oxidation failure profiling and other fatigue conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for determining an impedance measurement of a sample of fluid on a test strip having a base layer, at least two drive electrodes disposed on the base layer and in electrical communication with a current-source (Iac) for flowing an AC current provided by the current-source (Iac) through a fluid sample between the at least two drive electrodes, and at least two sense electrodes disposed on the base layer and positioned between the at least two drive electrodes, each of the at least two sense electrodes configured for measuring a difference in an AC potential therebetween to determine an impedance measurement of the fluid sample between the at least two sense electrodes.

Abstract: An electrical detection device carried by a rail vehicle traveling on a railway track to detect faults in at least one rail, including a contact support suitable for being mechanically linked to the rail vehicle, at least one reference contact and corresponding measuring contact applied to a rail, and carried by the support, a processing circuit to which each reference contact and measuring contact are connected, suitable for measuring the impedance between the corresponding reference and measuring contacts, means for positioning the contact support facing the surface of the rail in a measurement direction corresponding to the axis of the rail, such that each first reference contact and each corresponding measuring contact relate to the same rail, and at least two measuring contacts transversely offset relative to the measurement direction, wherein the processing circuit includes means for measuring the impedance between at least one reference contact and each measuring contact.

Abstract: A change in an imaginary part of a complex dielectric constant of an inspection object containing moisture is detected as a change in an oscillation frequency. A sensor device includes an oscillation unit that is formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit and an oscillation frequency detection unit that detects an oscillation frequency of the oscillation unit. The oscillation unit has capacitors that are connected to an inspection object in series and changes the oscillation frequency in accordance with a complex dielectric constant of the inspection object.

Abstract: A cell for electrochemical measurement is a cell for electrochemical measurement used for measurement by an electron beam that passes through an observation window, a MEMS chip for observation which includes a laminate including an electron-transmissive thin film and a substrate and in which a working electrode and a counter electrode are provided on a thin film and an MEMS chip for sealing which is a laminate including an electron-transmissive thin film and a substrate are disposed apart from each other, and there are areas in both laminates in which the substrates are not present, and an observation window including the thin film is formed in the areas, and the working electrode overlaps the observation window in both laminates and has a plurality of through-holes on an observation window in a direction in which an electron beam passes.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensing of biomolecules eliminates the need for bulky optical instruments required in traditional fluorescence-based sensing assays. Integration of the sensor interface electrodes and active electrochemical detection circuitry on CMOS substrates miniaturizes the sensing platform, enhancing portability for point-of-care applications, while enabling high-throughput, highly-parallel analysis. One embodiment includes a four-by-four active sensor array for multiplexed electrochemical biomolecular detection in a standard 0.25-?m CMOS process. Integrated potentiostats, including control amplifiers and dual-slope ADCs, stimulate the electrochemical cell and detect the current flowing through on-chip gold electrodes at each sensor site resulting from biomolecular reactions occurring on the chip surface. Post-processing techniques for fabricating biologically-compatible surface-electrode arrays in CMOS that can withstand operation in harsh electrochemical environments are described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions.

Abstract: A method of determining an enhancement in rust-prevention of treated water by applying an electric current between a first cathode electrode and an anode electrode, and between a second cathode electrode and the anode electrode, wherein the first cathode electrode, the second cathode electrode, and the anode electrode are immersed in treated water; applying a comparative electric current between a first comparative cathode electrode and a comparative anode electrode, and between a second comparative cathode electrode and the comparative anode electrode, wherein the first comparative cathode electrode, the second comparative cathode electrode, and the at least one comparative anode electrode are immersed in untreated water; and determining an antirust effect of the treated water based on a first potential difference across the first cathode electrode and the second cathode electrode, and a second potential difference across the first comparative cathode electrode and the second comparative cathode electrode.