Abstract: Particle detection and characterizing apparatus has an insulating tube along which the particles flow. Five electrodes spaced along the outside of the tube are connected via amplifiers to a processor arranged to measure the charge on the particles. The apparatus also includes a laser and photomultiplier tube arranged to measure the size of the particles so that the nature of the particles can be characterized from their electrical charge and size.

Abstract: Improvements to the electrical sensing zone instrument are described that allow the good accuracy of this type of instrument to be applied to the measurement of the size of particles of carbon black. The improvements include a concentrated aqueous electrolyte containing KI or NaI, a surfactant soluble in the electrolyte capable of dispersing particles of carbon black, and an anode electrode that is made of silver at the surface touching the electrolyte. The silver anode electrode prevents the degradation of the electrolyte by light and electrolysis.

Abstract: A quantitative microchip Coulter counter is provided for use in detecting and measuring particles or macromolecules. The device comprises a conduit, a fluid handling system, and a measurement system. Preferably, the conduit is at least in part formed from an elastomeric material.

Abstract: Microscopic particle decentralized solution having microscopic particles with different diameters are decentralized, wherein: the microscopic particle decentralized solution has two peaks in a granularity distribution, at a large diameter and a small diameter; and microscopic particle mixtures satisfying the following relationships are decentralized in the solution; R>r and n>3.84×(R/r)3×N, where R is a large particle diameter, r is a small particle diameter, N is the number of large particles, and n is the number of small particle.

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: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for quantitatively detecting embedded particles of a disk spacer ring comprising. The method includes dissolving a layer of a disk spacer ring into a liquid solution, the disk spacer ring layer comprising embedded particles. The method further includes filtering the solution to capture the embedded particles. The method further includes counting the particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring instrument (1) comprising a channel (60) for moving a sample liquid (BL) containing a solid component (B1) and providing a liquid reaction field and first and second electrodes (31, 32) which are used to apply voltage to the liquid reaction field. The first electrode (31) has an electron transfer interface (31a) for transferring electrons between it and the liquid reaction field when voltage is applied to the liquid reaction field via the first and second electrodes (31, 32). The measuring instrument (1) comprises concentrating means (51) for increasing the concentration of solid components at portions thereof which contact the electron transfer interface (31a) in the liquid reaction field. The concentrating means (51) preferably comprises a water-absorbing layer containing an absorbent polymer material.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting mechanical perturbations represented by a change in an electrical signal includes a structure such as a cantilever, membrane, etc. and a field effect transistor such as a MOSFET embedded in the structure. The drain current of the embedded transistor changes with mechanical perturbations in the structure caused, for example, by a bio-chemical interaction being sensed. A scanning probe microscope utilizes the embedded MOSFET with a BiMOS actuator.

Abstract: A particle counter counts particles in aerosol having a particle size of from 2 nm to 50 nm in an operating pressure range from an atmospheric pressure through a reduced pressure to a low vacuum and calculate a particle size distribution. The particle counter charges particles in the aerosol and applies an electrostatic field thereto, and mixes the aerosol with a non-charged sheath gas flow shaped like a laminar flow whereby the respective particles separate into traces depending on their particle size where they can be counted. Further, by using an electron multiplier for exciting cluster ions to detect the charged particles and operating it as a high-pass filter, even if the number density of the particles is small, it is possible to effectively count the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (30) for determining the size distribution of aerosol particles from a flow (11), the device (30) comprising an electric mobility analyzer (10) and an impactor (20), connected to each other in such a way that the nozzle part (22a) of the first stage of the impactor (20) is simultaneously the bottom plate of said mobility analyzer (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting dust in a variety of environments which can include radioactive and other hostile environments both in a vacuum and in a pressurized system. The apparatus consists of a grid coupled to a selected bias voltage. The signal generated when dust impacts and shorts out the grid is electrically filtered, and then analyzed by a signal analyzer which is then sent to a counter. For fine grids a correlation can be developed to relate the number of counts observed to the amount of dust which impacts the grid.

Abstract: A probe to measure particulates suspended in molten metal includes an inner tube forming a receiving chamber. The tube includes an orifice permitting molten metal to flow into the chamber. A gas passageway extends out of the tube for connection to a vacuum source. A first electrode including a first member extends into the chamber. A second electrode surrounds a portion of the tube. The first and second electrodes connect to a measurement device for measuring changes in the electrical potential produced by particulates passing through the orifice. A liquidus depressing material within the chamber lowers the liquidus temperature of the molten metal and permits a longer period for measuring particulates therein. A second member is connected to the gas passageway at a first end of the second member. A chill block spaced from the liquidus depressing material is attached to a second end of the second member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for analyzing the maintenance status of liquid-filled electric equipment. An accurate indication of the maintenance state of an electric device and its insulating liquid is obtained using an analysis method comprising a particle analysis of suspended particles and sediment contained in the liquid. The analysis method can further comprise a chemical analysis of the insulating liquid. This analysis results in profiles of the liquid that give an accurate indication of the maintenance state of the electric device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively measuring samples whose amount or other characteristic quality is to be determined. The samples are arranged in a predefined pattern and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one substantially flat sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration.

Abstract: A resonator device for testing a material quantity in the tobacco-processing industry for existence of at least one foreign substance and/or for detecting at least one of weight, density and humidity level of the material includes a resonator housing having a through opening for the material to pass through and a testing region located inside the resonator housing to which the material can be moved at least in part. The device has at least one element that increases energy density of electromagnetic waves for increasing the energy density in at least a portion of the testing region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring doses of electron beams that are absorbed by an object subjected to e-beam irradiation. The absorbed dose can be continuously measured during an irradiation process, and adjustment can be made to system parameters in accordance with the measured absorbed dose.

Abstract: A particle detector includes first and second cells, the first cell supplying a liquid containing particles to the second cell; electrodes respectively provided in the first cell and the second cell; a plurality of shafts; and clamp members engaged with the respective shafts; the first cell and the second cell being arranged in alignment with each other; the shafts extending through the first cell and the second cell along the alignment of the first cell and the second cell; the clamp members clamping the first cell and the second cell along the alignment.

Abstract: A droplet forming flow cytometer system allows high speed processing without the need for high oscillator drive powers through the inclusion of an oscillator or piezoelectric crystal within the nozzle volume and directly coupled to the sheath fluid. The nozzle contain converges so as to amplify unidirectional oscillations which are transmitted as pressure waves through the nozzle volume to the nozzle exit so as to form droplets from the fluid jet. The oscillator is directionally isolated so as to avoid moving the entire nozzle container so as to create only pressure waves within the sheath fluid. A variation in substance concentration is achieved through a movable substance introduction port which is positioned within a convergence zone to vary the relative concentration of substance to sheath fluid while still maintaining optimal laminar flow conditions. This variation may be automatically controlled through a sensor and controller configuration.

Abstract: A device (10) for detecting the presence of an airborne, electrically conductive particle, the device including spaced conductors (24,26) and a circuit (12) for detecting when the electrically conductive particle forms a conducting path between the spaced conductors (24,26). The conductors (24,26) are provided in a grid (14) of alternate elongate conductors, and the circuit (12) applies a voltage to one set (24) of conductors sufficient to detect and destroy the particle when it creates a conductive path to the alternate set (26) of conductors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which allows more accurate counting of particles where the sample has significant size variability between particles. The method uses flight time and wait time to obtain a corrected count of particles.

Abstract: Assessment of the number of somatic cells in a liquid milk or milk product analyte material comprises arranging a volume of a liquid sample representing the analyte material in a sample compartment and allowing electromagnetic signals from the sample in the compartment to pass through and be exposed to the exterior. There is exposed onto an array of active detection elements, an at least one-dimensional spatial representation of electromagnetic signals from the sample. The representation is detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements. Representations of electromagnetic signs from the somatic cells are identified. The size of the volume of the liquid sample is sufficiently large to permit the assessment of the number of somatic cells to fulfill a predetermined requirement to the statistically quality of the assessment based on substantially one exposure.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for analyzing particles using an impedance sensor. A flow-through impedance sensor may use two in-line electrodes driven in counter phase. A common sensor electrode may be used to, for example, detect impedance and determine trajectories through the sensor area. The sensor may be used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to use with microfluidic devices for determining particle characteristics such as position, velocity, size, and concentration as well as detection of bacterial spores and other biological agents of potential use in warfare and bio-terrorism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for analyzing the maintenance status of liquid-filled electric equipment. An accurate indication of the maintenance state of an electric device and its insulating liquid is obtained using an analysis method comprising a particle analysis of suspended particles and sediment contained in the liquid. The analysis method can further comprise a chemical analysis of the insulating liquid. This analysis results in profiles of the liquid that give an accurate indication of the maintenance state of the electric device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems of methods of detecting and measuring inclusions in liquid metals. More particularly, non-metallic inclusions having a conductivity level different from the liquid metal melt are forced to migrate and are collected on a measurement surface using electromagnetic Lorentz forces. The inclusions and their concentrations are detected at the measurement surface using either an electrostatic detection system or an optical detection system.

Abstract: A highly sensitive charged particle measuring device capable of measuring low-level alpha rays comprises in a measurement chamber 7 provided with a sealable door 15, a test sample 2 and a semiconductor detector 1, a radiation measuring circuit 30 including a preamplifier 30c connected to the semiconductor detector 1, a linear amplifier 30d, and a pulse height analyzer 30e, a charged particle emission amount arithmetic unit 40 for performing the quantitative analysis of charged particles from its measurement, a display unit for displaying its analysis result, and further has an evacuation pipe line and a pure gas supply pipe line for performing supply and replacement of the pure gas in the measuring chamber 7.

Abstract: A particle counter volume sensor for sensing by the electrical resistance puplse method the volume of particles in a fluid suspension passing through an orifice assembly which includes an orifice member made of electrically insulating material and electrically resistive material disposed before, within, and after the orifice. The orifice is cylindrical with well rounded entry and exit corners. The resistive material has a conduit for the passage of particles through it generally centered with the orifice. The resistive material has an electrical resistivity matching that of the particle suspending fluid. Thus the electric field within the orifice is substantially the same with or without the resistive material. The conduit restricts particles to trajectories through the orifice where the maximum electric field intensity is substantially uniform thus accurately sizing the particles.

Abstract: An accelerator (10) generates an electron beam (22) of selected energy that is swept (16) up and down. A conveyor (32) moves items (30) through the electron beam for irradiation treatment. An array (40a) of inductive electron beam strength detectors is disposed on a down stream side of the item to detect the energy of the electron beam exiting the item at the plurality of altitudes. The electron beam strength entering and leaving the item are communicated to a processor (54) which determines the absorbed dose of radiation absorbed by the item. The dose information is archived (56) or compared by a parameter adjustment processor (58) with target doses and deviations are used to control one or more of MeV or beam current of the electron beam, the sweep rate, and the conveying speed of the items. Each of the detectors includes a vacuum chamber in which two current transformers (60, 62) disposed on either side of a metal foil layer (64).

Abstract: An improved nozzle system for a flow cytometer and accompanying methods have been invented for a high efficiency orientation and sorting process of a flat sample and dedicates items such as equine or bovine sperm cells. This improved nozzle system comprises a nozzle with a novel interior surface geometry that can both gently accelerate the cells and can include an elliptical-like, single torsional interior surface element within the nozzle, i.e., a single torsional orientation nozzle. The elliptical-like, single torsional interior surface element may have a laminar flow surface and may produce the simplest flow path for applying minimal forces which act in either an accelerative nature or orienting hydrodynamic forces, namely, the single torsional orientation forces, to orient a flat sample such as animal sperm cells into a proper direction for an analyzing and efficiently sorting process in clinical use, for research and for the animal insemination industry.

Abstract: A probe for measuring particulates in molten metal includes an inner metal receiving chamber, with an orifice to permit metal to flow into the chamber. A first electrode extends into the chamber and a second electrode surrounds at least a portion of the chamber. The electrodes are connected to a measurement device for measuring changes in the electrical potential produced by the passage of particulates entrained in the molten metal passing through the orifice. An outer sheath of heat resistant material surrounds the second electrode and a gas passageway extends out of the inner tube for creating a pressure differential within the chamber for facilitating the flow of molten metal through the orifice. A liquidus depressing material is in the chamber to lower the liquidus temperature of the molten metal and permit a longer time period for detecting and measuring particulates in the molten metal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively determining amounts and identities of substances whithin patterns of magnetic particles, such as within lateral flow membranes, microfludic systems, and the like. Magnetic particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring a particulate characteristic of a particulate-containing fluid, in particular for monitoring the particulate content of lubricating or hydraulic fluids in a mechanical system in order to diagnose component failure.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining the nuclear packing efficiency (NPE) of a cell nucleus and other biological particles. An NPE can be determined by correlating at least one biochemical component, such as DNA content, to nuclear volume using a variety of mathematical techniques. Flow cytometry is particularly useful for measuring nuclear volume in terms of the electronic nuclear volume (ENV). The NPE can then be used to characterize individual cells and cell populations in terms of species and tissue source, sexing, stage of the cell division cycle, differentiation and apoptosis, as well as differentiating among benign, malignant and metastatic states to diagnose cancer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for analyzing particles using an impedance sensor. A flow-through impedance sensor may use two in-line electrodes driven in counter phase. A common sensor electrode may be used to, for example, detect impedance and determine trajectories through the sensor area. The sensor may be used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to use with microfluidic devices for determining particle characteristics such as position, velocity, size, and concentration as well as detection of bacterial spores and other biological agents of potential use in warfare and bio-terrorism.

Abstract: In an evaluation method for a particle counter, a detector generates a signal in response to the presence of particles in a measuring area in which a liquid flow is conveyed. The sensor signal is treated by a signal processing device and is converted into a display value, taking into account at least one calibration factor. The sensor signal is treated in such a way that the individual residence times of the particles in the measuring zone are determined within a given lapse of time and a summated signal is formed by summating the residence times. The signal is used to represent the display value, taking into account the at least one calibration factor. A device for carrying out this includes a signal processing unit with a comparator circuit, a clock-pulse generator and a summation device in the form of a pulse counter, for example, in order to form the summated signal.

Abstract: Molten metal inclusion sensor probes have a sensing passage through which the molten metal passes, while direct current passes through the passage between two electrodes. The passage of an inclusion through the passage changes the resistance in the path, resulting in a pulse indicating its size, and enabling the number of particles in a sample to be counted. Previously the passage has been cylindrical, with or without a conical entrance, or of randomly smoothed profile produced by melting the probe material. High levels of background noise make pulse detection difficult, and operation is improved by the passage decreasing smoothly in cross-section in the flow direction, preferably with a parabolic or elliptical profile, and preferably with the exit of the same profile. The wall surface is formed to a smoothness of better than 1.016 micrometers (40 microinches), preferably 0.254 micrometers (10 microinches), permitting pre-determination of the optimum testing and conditioning currents required.

Abstract: Assessment of the number of somatic cells in a liquid milk or milk product analyte material comprises arranging a volume of a liquid sample representing the analyte material in a sample compartment and allowing electromagnetic signals from the sample in the compartment to pass through and be exposed to the exterior. There is exposed onto an array of active detection elements, an at least one-dimensional spatial representation of electromagnetic signals from the sample. The representation is detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements. Representations of electromagnetic signs from the somatic cells are identified. The size of the volume of the liquid sample is sufficiently large to permit the assessment of the number of somatic cells to fulfill a predetermined requirement to the statistically quality of the assessment based on substantially one exposure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing multiple ratio analysis of aggregate particles, wherein the method includes the steps of measuring a first maximum dimension of a particle, measuring a second maximum dimension of a particle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first maximum dimension, and inputting the first maximum dimension and second maximum dimension into a computer having a processor. Using the computer, a particle ratio of the first maximum dimension to the second maximum dimension for the measured particle is computed and the particle ratio is classified into one of a predetermined plurality of different ratio ranges, each of these plurality of different ratios representative of a different range of particle shapes.

Abstract: A spectroscopy instrument that uses spectra produced from random binary sequence modulated data. Statistical estimation techniques are used to achieve resolution enhancement, while properly accounting for the Poisson noise distribution and other artifacts introduced by a modulator or “chopper” or other system components. Indeed, a resolution similar to that of modem spectrometers can be achieved with a dramatic performance advantage over conventional, serial detection analyzers. Both static and dynamic behaviors are theoretically or measured experimentally accounted for in the model as determined. In one embodiment, the finite penetration of the field beyond the plane of the chopper leads to non-ideal chopper response, which is characterized in terms of an “energy corruption” effect and a lead or lag in the time at which the beam responds to the chopper potential.

Abstract: A particle signal processing apparatus which processes a particle signal representative of characteristics of particles includes an amplifier having input and output terminals for amplifying a particle signal including serial pulses to output an output signal including the amplified serial pulses, a filter section for extracting a low frequency component from the output signal of the amplifier so that the extracted component is fed back into the input terminal as a negative feedback signal, and a feedback signal control section for allowing the filter section to fix the negative feedback signal when each of the amplified pulses rises and to hold the fixed negative feedback signal while the amplified pulse is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for an electronic component, also acting as a support for sensors. Said electrode arrangement is mounted on a substrate (1) as a suitably dimensioned surface-structure of two electro-conductive electrodes which are not electrically connected to one another. The electrode arrangement reproduces the conductivities and/or the substance of a sensor-active layer on the conductance of a measuring head or a functional element when said conductivities of the electrode arrangement and/or substance of a sensor-active layer are reproduced in a highly flexible manner. Said electrode arrangement can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner. The invention provides for a plurality of conductive islands (3) which are not linked or not essentially linked to one another and which are mounted on a dielectric substrate (1) between two electrodes (2) in the form of a planar two-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection and measurement of agglutinations of magnetic particles employing Hall sensors. A low frequency AC signal is employed to excite or bias the Hall sensors which reside in a DC magnetic field. The particles are moved into operative relationship with the Hall sensors in order to generate a signal representing the number of particles on the substrate. The method for such detection and measurement is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A combined impedance and fluorescence particle detecting system comprising a divider separating a first and a second chamber, the divider having a small orifice enabling flow of liquid sample between the chambers, and technique for determining an impedance signal representative of variations in impedance at the orifice due to the flow therethrough of particles within the liquid sample; a light source for irradiating the particles within the orifice and a detector for receiving a fluorescence signal emitted by the particles within the orifice, such that the impedance signal and fluorescence signal are substantially synchronous and wherein the divider comprises a plate through which the orifice passes, the plate being disposed within the system such that the direction of measurement of impedance and the incident direction of light at the orifice are both substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which allows more accurate counting of particles where the sample has significant size variability between particles. The method uses flight time and wait time to obtain a corrected count of particles.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively measuring groups of magnetic particles. The particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a non-invasive bubble measuring instrument operable for detecting, distinguishing, and counting gaseous embolisms such as bubbles over a selectable range of bubble sizes of interest. A selected measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected is insonified by two distinct frequencies from a pump transducer and an image transducer, respectively. The image transducer frequency is much higher than the pump transducer frequency. The relatively low-frequency pump signal is used to excite bubbles to resonate at a frequency related to their diameter. The image transducer is operated in a pulse-echo mode at a controllable repetition rate that transmits bursts of high-frequency ultrasonic signal to the measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected and then receives the echo. From the echo or received signal, a beat signal related to the repetition rate may be extracted and used to indicate the presence or absence of a resonant bubble.

Abstract: A quantitative microchip Coulter counter is provided for use in detecting and measuring particles or macromolecules. The device comprises a conduit, a fluid handling system, and a measurement system. Preferably, the conduit is at least in part formed from an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A device for measuring concentration of a flowing suspension wherein a moveable detector body (3) is arranged for detecting the resistance against movement in the suspension, and including a flow modifying element (4) for bringing a portion of the suspension which is representative of the concentration of the suspension flow to the region of the detector element (3). The invention is distinguished by the flow modifying element being a fixed deflector (4), which is arranged to deflect a boundary layer (7) of the suspension flow closest to the conduit wall (1) such that it is brought away from the region of the detector body (3). The invention also concerns a method for measuring concentration and a deflector.

Abstract: A particle measurement apparatus includes: a particle signal detector for detecting a particle signal; a false signal generator for generating a false signal corresponding to the particle signal; a selector for selecting the particle signal or the false signal, a non-linear amplifier; a first calculator for receiving the signal selected by the selector through the non-linear amplifier to calculate a characteristic parameter; a second calculator for receiving the signal selected by the selector not through the non-linear amplifier to calculate the characteristic parameter; a comparator for including the characteristic parameters calculated by the first and second calculators respectively when the selector selects the false signal; a memory for storing a comparison result of the comparator; and a compensator for compensating the characteristic parameter calculated by the first calculator on the basis of the comparison result when the selector selects the particle signal.

Abstract: A junction field effect transistor (JFET) RF oscillator-detector circuit generates an RF signal for an apparatus for conducting electrical measurements of particles contained in a carrier fluid passing through an aperture in a cytometer flow cell. The JFET oscillator includes a plurality of parallel-coupled JFETs having respectively different VDS vs. IDS characteristics, that are biased to operate at square law detection regions of their respective VDS vs. IDS characteristics. One JFET operates in Class C mode, while the other operates in Class AB mode. An RF resonant circuit is electrically coupled to the JFETs and to the measurement cell, and is operative to establish the frequency of an RF field applied to the measurement cell. An RF load change detection circuit is coupled to the RF resonator circuit and is operative to detect an RF load change associated with a modification of the RF field as a result of a particle within the measurement cell aperture.

Abstract: A detector, for determining presence, number, length concentration, position and/or motion of at least one particle present in a fluid and having a dielectric coefficient other than a dielectric coefficient of the fluid, the detector comprising: (a) a capacitor, comprising a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate defining an inter-plate volume having a longitudinal axis; and (b) at least two electrical contacts, connecting each of the first and second conductive plates to a capacitance measuring device; the capacitor being characterized by at least one variable parameter so as to allow determination and/or monitoring of presence, number, length concentration, position and/or at least one motion characteristic of the at least one particle placed within the inter-plate volume of the capacitor.