Abstract: A method for in situ monitoring of a membrane of a membrane separation system comprises measuring a complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide an indication of the electrical conduction and electrical polarization properties of the membrane. The membrane based separation system for removing or reducing the concentration of materials carried in a fluid including a separation membrane has a first pair of electrodes separated by the membrane and arranged for measurement of the complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide the indication of the membrane properties. There may also be a second pair of electrodes separated by the membrane for injecting the stimulus current such that the injecting and monitoring functions are separated.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for detecting the motion characteristics of particles in a flow channel. The apparatus includes first and second electrode groups, each having a pair of electrodes, which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a flow channel. The pair of electrodes function as both a drive electrode and a sensing electrode for directly applying voltage and measuring impedance between the electrodes. An operation control unit measures variation in electrical pulses generated in the first and second electrode groups, thus detecting motion characteristics of the particles. The present invention is advantageous in that it does not require complicated optical measuring instruments or analyzing instruments, and in that it can be used to easily detect the motion characteristics of particles in a flow channel merely by analyzing variation in electrical pulses without requiring preliminary information.

Abstract: A microorganism number-measuring apparatus includes: a container holder for holding container having an opening in the upper surface of the container, with the opening being positioned upward; and a rotary driver for rotating a liquid accommodated in container held by the holder, about the rotary axis in the up-and-down direction. Moreover, the apparatus includes: an electrode inserting part for inserting measurement chip to a position from above container held by the holder, via the opening, with the position being closer to the container's inner surface than to the container's center axis and being away from the container's inner surface with a predetermined distance; and a measurement unit for measuring microorganisms using measurement electrode of measurement chip inserted into container by the electrode inserting part. The electrode inserting part holds measurement chip, in a state of measurement electrode facing the container's inner-surface.

Abstract: A flow cytometer is provided which includes an interrogation flow cell and a plurality of assay fluidic lines extending into the interrogation flow cell. A method of operating such a flow cytometer includes priming the interrogation flow cell with a sheath fluid and injecting different assay fluids into a flow of the sheath fluid through the plurality of fluidic lines. A fluidic line assembly is provided which includes a plurality of capillary tubes coupled to a base section configured for coupling to an interrogation flow cell assembly of a flow cytometer. The capillary tubes are dimensionally configured such that when the fluidic line assembly is arranged within the flow cytometer and fluid is dispensed from one or more of the capillary tubes at a given pressure differential with respect to an encompassing sheath fluid within the interrogation flow cell the fluid is substantially centrally aligned within the interrogation flow cell.

Abstract: Mixtures containing homogeneously-sized particles with a minimum concentration of agglomerates or larger particles are desired in various manufacturing processes such as, for example, in the manufacture and use of chemical mechanical polishing slurries, food emulsions, pharmaceutical products, paints, and print toner. The method disclosed herein provides these industries with an accurate and efficient method of screening such mixtures for such agglomerates and large particles. The method generally includes preparing a suspension of the mixture in an electrolyte, wherein the suspension includes a specified concentration of small particles per unit of electrolyte. The method further includes passing the prepared suspension, and a plurality of the particles therein, through an aperture of a device capable of characterizing particles according to the Coulter principle to obtain data on the particles.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device including a first electrode having one surface covered with a dielectric material; a second electrode which is disposed on the side of the one surface of the first electrode via a space where a gas including particulate matter flows and which performs one or both of the formation of a discharge and an electric field by a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; a pair of measurement electrodes disposed on the surface of the dielectric material so as to face each other; and a protective film disposed on the surfaces of the pair of measurement electrodes and having a volume resistivity of 10 ?cm to 1012 ?cm, where the variate of the electric properties between the pair of measurement electrodes is measured, and the amount of the collected particulate matter can be obtained.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device including a detection device main body which has one end provided with a through hole a pair of electrodes embedded in a wall through which the through hole is formed, and covered with a dielectric material; wires extending from the electrodes to the other end of the main body; and a ground electrode provided at a position sandwiched between the wires. The device can electrically adsorb, on the wall surface of the through hole, a charged particle in a fluid flowing into the through hole, or a particle charged by electric discharge caused in the through hole by applying a voltage across the pair of electrodes. The device can measure the changes of the electric properties of the wall through which the through hole is formed, thereby detecting particles adsorbed on the wall surface of the through hole.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting, measuring or controlling particles and/or electromagnetic radiation, comprising providing a deformable material containing a deformable aperture defining a path for particles or radiation, adjusting the deformable aperture to a prescribed geometry and/or size by deforming the deformable material to change at least one of the parameters of the path defined by the deformable aperture, and causing the particle or radiation to be detected, measured or controlled to enter the deformable aperture. The method includes the step of monitoring the geometry and/or size of the deformable aperture and controlling the adjustment of the size of the deformable aperture in response to such monitoring. The required apparatus is easily fabricated from inexpensive materials.

Abstract: The present invention reports a novel microfluidic analyzer for the high-throughput, label-free measurement of particles suspended in a fluid. The present invention employs the resistive pulse technique (RPT) which affords very high electrical bandwidth for the device, which surpasses that of currently available systems and devices. Further, devices in accordance with the present invention are fabricated with very simple microfabrication technologies, making the present invention more cost efficient and easier to manufacture than currently available devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the vaporization of a liquid, said device comprising: a reservoir capable of containing a liquid to be vaporized, a heating element capable of heating the liquid in order to vaporize the liquid, a capillary pump capable of pumping the liquid contained in said reservoir to said heating element by capillary pumping, and a capillary barrier arranged along a capillary pumping direction of the liquid to be vaporized downstream from the capillary pump, said capillary barrier being capable of preventing the non-vaporized liquid from escaping from the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for extracting molten liquid from an electrolysis cell. In one embodiment, a system includes a container and an electrical characteristic detector. The container comprises a body adapted to contain molten liquid and a spout. The spout includes a base portion, a tip portion and a passageway connecting the base portion to the tip portion. The electrical characteristic detector is coupled to the container and is configured to determine an electrical characteristic associated with the molten liquid as the molten liquid passes into the body of the container via the passageway. A process parameter associated with the removal of the molten liquid from the container may be changed when it is determined that an electrical characteristic associated with the molten liquid has achieved a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems substantially eliminate data representative of coincident events from particle analyzer data. A fluid sample containing particles for analysis is prepared. Using an electrical or optical measurement device, signals are sensed. Each signal corresponds to events detected in a sub-sample of the fluid sample flowing through a measurement region in the particle analyzer. The existence of coincidence in the events is determined based on measuring a peak and first and second points of each of the signals. The first and second points have a signal value corresponding to a predetermined portion of the peak. Results data based upon the coincident events and non-coincident events is generated. The results data is then analyzed. In various examples, the method is applicable to a variety of particle types, and may be implemented on different types of particle analyzers including hematology analyzer and flow cytometers.

Abstract: A method for counting and validating discrete articles to be introduced into containers, and an apparatus for actuating the method, which method includes distancing the articles from one another in a thinning-out section, and making the articles cross a detection zone such as to induce a consequent reactance variation in at least a variable reactance sensor. According to a reactance variation, an output signal of the variable reactance sensor takes on a specific waveform, the output signal being sent to an input of a processing unit. The processing unit provides in output data relating to a number of the articles which have passed through the at least a detection zone, a wholeness thereof as well as a passage of objects of a different nature from the articles into the detection zone.

Abstract: A flow cytometer is provided which includes an interrogation flow cell and a plurality of assay fluidic lines extending into the interrogation flow cell. A method of operating such a flow cytometer includes priming the interrogation flow cell with a sheath fluid and injecting different assay fluids into a flow of the sheath fluid through the plurality of fluidic lines. A fluidic line assembly is provided which includes a plurality of capillary tubes coupled to a base section configured for coupling to an interrogation flow cell assembly of a flow cytometer. The capillary tubes are dimensionally configured such that when the fluidic line assembly is arranged within the flow cytometer and fluid is dispensed from one or more of the capillary tubes at a given pressure differential with respect to an encompassing sheath fluid within the interrogation flow cell the fluid is substantially centrally aligned within the interrogation flow cell.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling the soot deposition on sensors. A sensor element is provided, which includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Different measuring voltages U1 and U2 can be applied to the sensor element. During a first time period t1, the sensor element is operated at a higher voltage U1 until a triggering threshold AP of the sensor element is exceeded, while it is operated at a voltage U2, which is different from higher voltage U1, U2 being lower than voltage U1, during a second time period t2.

Abstract: High resolution particle differentiation process and separation system that provides enhanced resolution of particles based upon selected particle characteristics. In particular, the system may include an enhanced resolution flow cytometer. In an embodiment, the invention can include at least one fluid source conduit (24) that introduces 0 fluid source stream (24) into an enhanced resolution nozzle (25) at an angle that enhances particle resolution by the cell sensing system (13).

Abstract: A sample analyzer includes a loading section in which a measuring unit is removably set, the measuring unit being adapted to receive a sample; and a control section which analyzes a signal acquired from the sample received in the measuring unit set in the loading section to provide a result of analysis of the sample; wherein the control section judges whether or not the measuring unit is properly set in the loading section.

Abstract: A method of improving the clean, rinse and dry processes during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices to conserve solution and energy while completing the process within a specified time. An electro-chemical residue sensor (ECRS) provides in-situ and real-time measurement of residual contamination on a surface or inside void micro features within the sensor representative of conditions on production wafers. The measured impedance can be used to determine what process variables and specifically how process conditions affect the rate of change of the measured impedance. The in-situ measurements are used to design and optimize a production process and/or to monitor the production run in real-time to control the process conditions and transfer of a patterned wafer through the processes.

Abstract: A method of calibration of a particle characterization apparatus, and a particle characterization apparatus, in which particles suspended in a liquid are passed through an orifice one by one for characterization of the particles, for instance by Coulter counting. The calibration does not require utilization of special calibration particles or liquids. A priori knowledge of the shape of a typical size distribution of a blood sample is utilized to adjust the apparatus based on an initial relatively short counting period of the sample in question. The initially determined size distribution is compared to the corresponding known typical size distribution and the apparatus is subsequently adjusted to counteract possible differences. Upon adjustment of the apparatus, the remaining part of the sample is passed through the orifice for determination of the actual particle size distribution of the remaining sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for counting particles in a fluid comprising a substrate having a first surface; a lid having a second surface facing the first; at least one spacer element interposed between the substrate and the lid so as to maintain the first and second surface spaced from one another; a partition with a plurality of through-openings having nanometric size, the partition being interposed between the spacer element and the lid so as to define at least one first chamber between the partition and the lid and at least one second chamber between the partition and the substrate, the chambers being fluidically connected with one another through at least one of the openings. According to the invention, the substrate has at least one first electrode on the first surface and the lid has a second electrode, each first electrode being configured so as to detect an electric signal associated to the passage of one of said particles through one of the through-openings of the partition.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a quality inspection method for obtaining a specifying factor which can more reliably indicate powder characteristics of a core material for an electrophotographic ferrite carrier. The method includes measuring an impedance of the core material for the electrophotographic ferrite carrier to obtain a Cole-Cole plot in which a real number impedance is arranged in an X-axis and an imaginary number impedance is arranged in a Y-axis, and evaluating characteristics of particles of the core material for the electrophotographic ferrite carrier using the Cole-Cole plot.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the concentration of particles in gases, in particular of soot particles, has at least one substrate element, and a measuring area between at least one first and one second measuring electrode, the two measuring electrodes being configured so that by applying a voltage between the measuring electrodes, an asymmetric electric field is formed on the measuring area. The sides of the first and second measuring electrodes, facing one another, may not be parallel to one another, for example. Furthermore, at least one measuring electrode may have a structure along the side facing the other measuring electrode or along the finger electrodes.

Abstract: High resolution particle differentiation process and separation system that provides enhanced resolution of particles based upon selected particle characteristics. In particular, the system may include an enhanced resolution flow cytometer. In an embodiment, the invention can include at least one fluid source conduit (24) that introduces 0 fluid source stream (24) into an enhanced resolution nozzle (25) at an angle that enhances particle resolution by the cell sensing system (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for counting elementary particles emitted by a fluid, the device comprising a line for transferring the fluid and, outside the line, detection means (6a) for detecting the particles that are attenuated by a wall of the line and/or by this fluid. A counting device according to the invention includes at least one counting portion (4a) of oblong cross section which joins together two adjacent portions of the line having a larger flow section and which has an [internal height (h)/internal width (l)] ratio of 20% or less, in which the internal height and the internal width represent the smallest and largest transverse dimensions respectively of the portion, these being measured along two approximately perpendicular directions, said detection means extending transversely to this portion, facing its entire internal width and on either side thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for rapidly counting micron and/or submicron particles by passing such particles through any of a plurality of microfluidic channels simultaneously with an ion current and measuring the signal generated thereby. The present invention also generally relates to a device for practicing the method of the present invention. Some embodiments can include methods and/or devices for distinguishing between and counting particles in mixtures. Still other embodiments can include methods and/or devices for identifying and/or counting bioparticles and/or bioactive particles such as pollen.

Abstract: There are disclosed an instrument for measuring the concentration of particulates in a fluid, which is capable of determining the concentration of the particulates in the fluid with high accuracy. The instrument for measuring the concentration of the particulates in the fluid includes particulate collecting means, temperature measuring means, flow rate measuring means, impedance measuring means, time measuring means, constant determining means for determining an impedance change per unit time-particulate concentration constant from temperature and flow rate, impedance change per unit time computing means for computing the change of an impedance per unit time, and particulate concentration determining means for determining the concentration of the particulates from the change of the impedance per unit time computed by the impedance change per unit time computing means.

Abstract: The application provides a particle analyzer based on sheath flow impedance method comprising a flow cell and a counting circuit, wherein the flow cell includes a front chamber and a back chamber, the front chamber includes a particle suspension liquid inlet and a front sheath liquid inlet, the back chamber includes a back sheath liquid inlet and a waste liquid outlet, an aperture being provided between the front and back chambers and each of the front and back chambers being connected to the counting circuit via an electrode respectively. The particle analyzer further comprise a back sheath liquid isolating chamber, the back sheath liquid stored on the bottom of the back sheath liquid isolating chamber flowing into the back chamber automatically and continuously due to the liquid level difference between the liquid in the back sheath liquid isolating chamber and the liquid in the back chamber, or due to a combination of said liquid level difference and the interior negative pressure of the back chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus includes semiconductor processing equipment. A particle detecting integrated circuit is positioned in a vacuum environment, the particle detecting integrated circuit containing a device having a pair of conductive lines exposed to the vacuum environment. The pair of conductive lines is spaced at a critical pitch corresponding to diameters of particles of interest. A computer system is linked to the particle detecting integrated circuit to detect a change in an electrical property of the conductive lines when a particle becomes lodged between or on the lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid sample containing electrolyte including a sample chamber to hold the liquid sample and a collection chamber to hold an electrolyte solution. A wall separates the chambers and includes an aperture to allow passage of particles between the chambers; and a pair of electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the aperture to induce a current through the aperture. A pressure source forces the sample to pass from the sample chamber into the collection chamber; and a processor measures a signal representative of electric resistance variation between the electrodes to enable determination of the size of the particle within the liquid passing through the aperture, wherein the processor is adapted to monitor two or more parameters characterizing the flow of particles through the aperture, and to detect a potential blockage of the aperture by detecting a change in any one of the parameters.

Abstract: The sheath flow forming device includes: a container for storing sample fluid and having a supply port for supplying the sample fluid; a second container for storing sheath fluid and having a supply port for supplying the sheath fluid; a flow cell having a sample fluid inlet for receiving sample fluid supplied from the supply port of the first container, a sheath fluid inlet for receiving the sheath fluid from the supply port of the second container, and an outlet for discharging the mixture of the sheath fluid and the sample fluid; a first pump for supplying a sheath fluid to the sheath fluid inlet; a second pump for suctioning fluid within the flow cell through the outlet of the flow cell; and a first drive source for driving the first pump and second pump.

Abstract: A Coulter-style, microfluidic sensor formed by stacking a plurality of substantially non-electrically conductive layers, typically formed from thin polymer films. Certain layers carry patterned electrodes that are arranged to permit their connection to an electrical interrogation circuit. Electrodes may be disposed in a 3-dimensional array in the sensor. A fluid path through the sensor includes an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of particles. The orifice may be defined by a tunnel passing through at least one layer. Particles entrained in an electrolytic carrier fluid may be detected, or otherwise characterized, by interrogation circuitry connected to the sensor. Certain sensors may include portions of a fluid path disposed parallel to the layers. In certain preferred embodiments, the sensor is carried by a cartridge, which is adapted to couple with an interrogation platform.

Abstract: A particle detector includes an input port for receiving gas and particulate matter. A charging source generating positively and negatively charged species that charges at least some particulate matter in charging region, thereby generating a plurality of charged particles. A trapping region is formed having a potential energy minimum that attracts and confines the plurality of charged particles. A detector detects charged particles in the trapping region.

Abstract: An apparatus includes semiconductor processing equipment. A particle detecting integrated circuit is positioned in a vacuum environment, the particle detecting integrated circuit containing a device having a pair of conductive lines exposed to the vacuum environment. The pair of conductive lines is spaced at a critical pitch corresponding to diameters of particles of interest. A computer system is linked to the particle detecting integrated circuit to detect a change in an electrical property of the conductive lines when a particle becomes lodged between or on the lines.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to detect a particle present on a bevel of a wafer. The apparatus includes a substrate support and a sensor housing adapted to receive an edge of the wafer. The sensor housing includes one or more probe electrodes and one or more position sensors. The apparatus also includes a translatable stage coupled to the sensor housing. The translatable stage is adapted to control the distance between the bevel of the wafer and the one or more position sensors. The apparatus further includes electrical circuitry electrically coupled to the substrate support and the one or more probe electrodes and adapted to generate an electric field between the bevel of the wafer and the one or more probe electrodes, detection circuitry electrically coupled to the electrical circuitry, and a processor adapted to process electrical signals and thereby detect the particle present on the bevel of the wafer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for rapidly counting micron and/or submicron particles by passing such particles through any of a plurality of microfluidic channels simultaneously with an ion current and measuring the signal generated thereby. The present invention also generally relates to a device for practicing the method of the present invention. Some embodiments can include methods and/or devices for distinguishing between and counting particles in mixtures. Still other embodiments can include methods and/or devices for identifying and/or counting bioparticles and/or bioactive particles such as pollen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing electromagnetic noise pick up in a Liquid Metal Cleanliness Analyzer (LiMCA), used to detect and measure particles in molten metal. An first electrode inserted in the molten metal is electrically insulated from second and third electrodes, also inserted in the molten metal. Molten metal and particles pass between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes through a passage in the electrical insulation. The second and third electrodes have a configuration with respect to the first electrode sufficient to establish symmetrical current loops between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes when a current is supplied to the second and third electrodes. The current is supplied from an ultra-capacitor. Electromagnetic noise in the symmetrical current loops is detected and is added in opposition to reduce the amplitude of the electromagnetic noise.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and method for rapidly and easily measuring the numbers and size distribution of low concentration particles which exist in a clean space such as a clean room. The apparatus and method according to the present invention measures the numbers of particles by charging particles to a monopolarity, collecting the particles by applying a voltage to an electrode and attaching the charged particles of a certain size or less thereto, separating the charged particles of the certain size or more according to size by the particle separating ducts. The apparatus for measuring the number of particles according to the present invention makes it possible to obtain a size distribution of particles in the air by a single measurement and to rapidly and easily measure it even though the number of the particles in the air is small.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for counting elementary particles emitted by a fluid, the device comprising a line for transferring the fluid and, outside the line, detection means (6a) for detecting the particles that are attenuated by a wall of the line and/or by this fluid. A counting device according to the invention includes at least one counting portion (4a) of oblong cross section which joins together two adjacent portions of the line having a larger flow section and which has an [internal height (h)/internal width (l)] ratio of 20% or less, in which the internal height and the internal width represent the smallest and largest transverse dimensions respectively of the portion, these being measured along two approximately perpendicular directions, said detection means extending transversely to this portion, facing its entire internal width and on either side thereof.

Abstract: A biomolecule detector and a method thereof are provided to detect the biomolecules in a liquid sample using a field effect transistor (FET) array. The FET array is characterized in that the transistor used has no gate electrode layer, a reference electrode is provided in the space between the transistors in the array instead of the gate electrode layer. Using the FET array, the existence of the biomolecules in the sample can be detected electrically and effectively under the circumstance where an external voltage is applied to flow the biomolecules. Using the FET array to detect the biomolecules, the deviation for each transistor is reduced and the multiplex processing is also possible to measure the plurality of analyzing samples at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing electromagnetic noise pick up in a Liquid Metal Cleanliness Analyzer (LiMCA), used to detect and measure particles in molten metal. An first electrode inserted in the molten metal is electrically insulated from second and third electrodes, also inserted in the molten metal. Molten metal and particles pass between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes through a passage in the electrical insulation. The second and third electrodes have a configuration with respect to the first electrode sufficient to establish symmetrical current loops between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes when a current is supplied to the second and third electrodes. The current is supplied from an ultra-capacitor. Electromagnetic noise in the symmetrical current loops is detected and is added in opposition to reduce the amplitude of the electromagnetic noise.

Abstract: A particle counter has a saturator inhaling air in an atmosphere and vaporizing a working liquid therein; and an electrical detection unit electrically shielding an internal space thereof to maintain a temperature of the space to be constant, the air and vaporized working liquid flowing into the electrical detection unit through a side thereof from the saturator, condensing the vaporized working liquid on surfaces of ultrafine particles contained in the air, and charging the particles to measure a current of the charged particles, thereby measuring the number of the particles included in the air. According to the invention, it is possible to measure the number concentration of the ultrafine particles included in the air, and it is easy to move the counter depending on the measurement locations.

Abstract: An improved electrical sensing zone apparatus and method for counting and measuring size of particles suspended in a diluted electrolytic solution. The apparatus includes an aperture that is optimized with the use of double or single tapered shapes that approximate a hyperboloid of one sheet. The flow rate is selectably controlled to maintain a sufficiently low Reynolds number to avoid boundary layer separation effects that cause noise and consequently low sensitivity. By measuring statistical moments within the aperture, an approximation of the distribution of particle sizes is achieved.

Abstract: A particle counter for measuring the number of floating particles contained in a sample to determine the particle concentration therein includes: a memory section for storing a relational expression between the direct current level output from a photoelectric converter when no particles exist and the frequency of occurrence of false counts; and a subtraction section for determining the frequency of occurrence of the false counts corresponding to the direct current level output from the photoelectric converter at the time of commencement of measurement with reference to the relational expression stored in the memory section and subtracting a value based on the frequency of occurrence of the false counts from a discrete value after commencement of measurement.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for rapidly counting micron and/or submicron particles by passing such particles through any of a plurality of orifices simultaneously with an ion current and measuring the signal generated thereby. The present invention also generally relates to a device for practicing the method of the present invention. Some embodiments can include methods and/or devices for distinguishing between and counting particles in mixtures. Still other embodiments can include methods and/or devices for identifying and/or counting bioparticles and/or bioactive particles such as pollen.

Abstract: An erythrocyte sedimentation rate log capable of quickly and easily measuring an erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the blood by measuring the number of erythrocytes in the blood passing through a branched channel from a small amount of blood in an electrical manner without an additional driving means is disclosed. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate log includes a main body formed of an upper plate and a lower plate, a blood introduction part formed in the main body to include an inlet and an outlet formed at one side of the upper plate of the main body, a channel disposed at one side of the blood introduction part to communicate with the blood introduction part such that erythrocytes in blood pass through the channel, and a current supply part installed in the channel to supply constant current to cause an electrical resistance in erythrocytes.

Abstract: The application provides a particle analyzer based on sheath flow impedance method comprising a flow cell and a counting circuit, wherein the flow cell includes a front chamber and a back chamber, the front chamber includes a particle suspension liquid inlet and a front sheath liquid inlet, the back chamber includes a back sheath liquid inlet and a waste liquid outlet, an aperture being provided between the front and back chambers and each of the front and back chambers being connected to the counting circuit via an electrode respectively. The particle analyzer further comprise a back sheath liquid isolating chamber, the back sheath liquid stored on the bottom of the back sheath liquid isolating chamber flowing into the back chamber automatically and continuously due to the liquid level difference between the liquid in the back sheath liquid isolating chamber and the liquid in the back chamber, or due to a combination of said liquid level difference and the interior negative pressure of the back chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro sensor for monitoring the cleaning and drying processes for very high aspect ratio micro channels in dielectric films oriented parallel to the fluid-solid interface during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices. The micro sensor can be used to monitor “vertical” micro features common in microelectronics fabrication or “horizontal” micro features found in MEMS or microfluidic fabrication. By forming the micro channels parallel to the interface, the channels can be made with much higher and well controlled aspect ratios. In addition, multiple sensors can sense the impedance at various points along the micro features. The addition of a guard reduces the effects of any parasitic capacitance, which extends the measurement bandwidth of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the concentration of particles in gases, in particular of soot particles, has at least one substrate element, and a measuring area between at least one first and one second measuring electrode, the two measuring electrodes being configured so that by applying a voltage between the measuring electrodes, an asymmetric electric field is formed on the measuring area. The sides of the first and second measuring electrodes, facing one another, may not be parallel to one another, for example. Furthermore, at least one measuring electrode may have a structure along the side facing the other measuring electrode or along the finger electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring aerosols, which measuring device comprises detection means (13), means (41) for conveying a signal from the detection means (13), a first insulation (43), a second insulation (44), and a supporting means (42). The first insulation (43) insulates the medium (41) from the supporting means (42), and the second insulation (44) insulates the detection means (13) from the supporting means (42). Also, the second insulation (44) is designed in such a way that it positions the detection means (13) in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A device for measuring aerosol size distribution within a sample containing aerosol particles. The device generally includes a spectrometer housing defining an interior chamber and a camera for recording aerosol size streams exiting the chamber. The housing includes an inlet for introducing a flow medium into the chamber in a flow direction, an aerosol injection port adjacent the inlet for introducing a charged aerosol sample into the chamber, a separation section for applying an electric field to the aerosol sample across the flow direction and an outlet opposite the inlet. In the separation section, the aerosol sample becomes entrained in the flow medium and the aerosol particles within the aerosol sample are separated by size into a plurality of aerosol flow streams under the influence of the electric field.