Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to water in fuel sensing systems that can be mounted on-vehicle. In an embodiment, a water in fuel sensing system is included having a light source, a light detector, and a sensor controller, wherein the sensor controller is in signal communication with the light detector and the sensor controller is configured to evaluate signals received from the light detector, identify water droplets based on the signals received from the light detector, record information regarding the classified water droplets, and generate an estimate of an amount of water in a fuel. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of assessing the presence of microbes in a liquid sample that include assessing an initial integrated scattering intensity of objects (IC0) in the sample and an integrated scattering intensity of the objects at a time t (ICt) from modified images of the liquid sample, and identifying the sample as comprising microbes for (ICt)/(IC0) above a predefined infection threshold TI. Related systems and other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for counting particles in a fluid flow. In an aspect, coordinates of particles are obtained from video data of particles in a fluid, the video data made up of a sequence of image frames. The particle positions are linked in each pair of consecutive image frames of the video data. The linked particle positions are used to calculate particle trajectories through sequential image frames of the video data, and the particles are counted based on the particle trajectory. In another aspect, the particle positons within each image frame are transformed to estimated positions within a common coordinate frame. The estimated particle positions of a particle are grouped into a cluster center, and the particle count is calculated based on the cluster centers.

Abstract: A system comprises a particle sensor unit in communication with a processor. The sensor unit comprises a source that transmits light into an interrogation region; receive optics that collect scattered light from particles in the interrogation region; and an optical detector that receives the collected light from the receive optics. The detector comprises a sample area including one or more sampling pixels, and an edge region including one or more edge pixels. The processor analyzes intensity data from the detector by a method comprising: combining all intensity data from the sampling pixels; adding the combined intensity data to a data set; determining whether to accept overlap intensity data that corresponds to an overlap between the sampling pixels and the edge pixels; adding the overlap intensity data to the data set if accepted; discarding the overlap intensity data if not accepted; and discarding all non-overlapping intensity data from the edge pixels.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for measuring the concentration of multiple nucleic acid sequences in a sample. The nucleic acid sequences in the sample are simultaneously amplified, for example, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the presence of an array of nucleic acid probes. The amount of amplicon corresponding to the multiple nucleic acid sequences can be measured in real-time during or after each cycle using a real-time microarray. The measured amount of amplicon produced can be used to determine the original amount of the nucleic acid sequences in the sample. Also provided herein are biosensor arrays, systems and methods for affinity based assays that are able to simultaneously obtain high quality measurements of the binding characteristics of multiple analytes, and that are able to determine the amounts of those analytes in solution. The invention also provides a fully integrated bioarray for detecting real-time characteristics of affinity based assays.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus and method for detecting particles in a fluid. A system for imaging a particle includes an imaging device. The imaging device has a lens and a detector. A laser source is configured to emit a laser beam. The detector is configured to accumulate an intensity of an accumulated light that passes through the lens. The accumulated light is scattered by the particle. The particle passes through the laser beam over a given period.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a particulate observation device using light scattering, which includes a means for determining the three-dimensional position of a particle, and can measure an accurate particle size or impart various properties of same. The present invention is characterized by including a position determination means which captures, with an optical microscope, an image of light scattered from particles in a dispersion medium to which laser light is emitted, and determines a three-dimensional position of each particle from the obtained two dimensional image, wherein the position determination obtains two-dimensional coordinates along the two-dimensional image from luminescent point positions of the particles, and determines the depth position along a coordinate axis vertical to the two-dimensional image from the diameters of diffraction fringes of the luminescent points.

Abstract: A method and system for classification of cells and particles in a biological sample using an automated image-based feature extraction and classification architecture. A method operates by applying a mask or series of masks to an image, extracting features from the unmasked portions of the image based on the content and location of colored pixels, selecting a subset of the extracted features, and mapping the subset of the extracted features into a classifier architecture. In a majority of cases, the first level model architecture provides an accurate identification of the cell or particle. In a minority of cases, the classification of the cell or particle requires a second level step requiring the use of numerical or categorical values from the first level in combination with a second level model.

Abstract: A fine ratio measuring device that measures the fine ratio of fines adhering to the surface of the material in the form of lumps includes: an illumination unit that illuminates the material in the form of lumps; an imaging unit that captures an image of the material in the form of lumps and produces image data; and an arithmetic unit including a computation unit that computes a characteristic quantity of the image data produced by the imaging unit and a conversion unit that converts the characteristic quantity computed by the computation unit to the fine ratio.

Abstract: A flow cell includes a body and a flow channel. The body is formed out of blocks made of an uniaxial crystal material and joined to one another. The flow channel is formed inside the body, so that the flow cell is configured to be used to measure particles passing through the flow channel based on reception of scattered light generated from the particles. A crystallographic c-axis in a predetermined part of the body is configured to being substantially perpendicular to both a receiving direction and a polarization direction of the scattered light.

Abstract: A method of aligning a plurality of targets is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of targets. A third phase includes the plurality of targets. The method further includes combining a first phase, a second phase, and the third phase in a volume. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are substantially immiscible, and the third phase is in fluid communication with the first phase and the second phase, and the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are operable to be in a configuration of the third phase between the first phase and the second phase in the volume.

Abstract: A system for measuring with the aid of light absorption spectrometry the concentration of one or more analytes in porewater in soil, the system comprising: one or more monitoring unit(s), each monitoring unit comprising a porewater sampler (1), an optical flow cell (2) with a tube connecting the liquid inlet port of said optical flow cell to said porewater sampler; and vacuum arrangement to enable extraction of porewater; at least one light source (5) for generating a light beam to be transmitted through said optical flow cell (2); and at least one detector (8) for obtaining spectral information from the beam exiting said optical flow cell. A method of measurement is also provided.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is such that a surface exchange of metal fine particles by Cu ions, or the like is inhibited in order to prevent formation of Artificial CuS or the like, in extraction and analysis of the metal fine particles (inclusions and precipitates) in a metal material by electrolytic corrosion in a solvent-based electrolytic solution, without significantly changing conventional extraction and analysis methods, and such that the metal deposited on the cathode is actively attached to the cathode so that the deposited metal does not become a contamination source.

Abstract: A biosensor for detecting the presence of a target compound in a test solution is disclosed. The biosensor includes upper and lower carrier plates, a spacer film with a micro-channel, an inlet port upstream of the micro-channel, an outlet port downstream of the micro-channel, a micro-machined transceiver, and a first molecularly imprinted polymer layer for recognizing and binding the target compound. The micro-machined transceiver includes a micro-machined transmitter for generating an acoustic wave, and micro-machined receiver for generating an acoustic wave-induced voltage. An amplitude of the acoustic wave-induced voltage is varied in response to the concentration of the target compound.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring a velocity of a droplet passing through a microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing particles in an air stream includes an inlet, a particle concentrator and a particle discriminator having an air channel with a cross-sectional geometry that changes within at least one of the inlet, particle concentrator and particle discriminator. The system may have a sheath air stage including a port for providing sample air, at least one sheath air inlet port for providing sheath air, and a sheath air combining region. The system may include an airflow compression stage having a varying air channel that narrows as the air stream traverses the airflow compression stage to pre-concentrate particles within an interior region of the air stream. The system may include an airflow expansion stage having an air channel that widens to slow the airstream and particle velocities. A portion of the air channel height may be narrowed to allow a larger thermophoretic force to be generated.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light generation system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a pulse laser apparatus configured to output a pulse laser beam, the pulse laser beam being supplied to a predetermined region in a chamber in which plasma containing extreme ultraviolet light is to be generated; a sensor configured to detect a beam size of the pulse laser beam; an actuator configured to change the beam size; and a controller. The controller performs, based on a first algorithm, first control that controls the actuator by a first control amount in a beam size minifying direction when the beam size has exceeded a first upper limit threshold in one burst duration, and then performs, based on a second algorithm, second control that controls the actuator by a second control amount smaller than the first control amount so that the beam size becomes closer to a target value.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating blood cells comprising the steps of: (a) lysing red blood cells of a blood sample and diluting said sample; (b) providing a microfluidic device comprising a spiral-shaped flow channel having at least a first end and a second end, wherein said flow channel has two inlet ports at or near said first end and at least two outlet ports at or near said second end, wherein one of the two inlet ports is located at the inner wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and the other inlet port is located at the outer wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and at least one of the outlet ports is connected to a container allowing the storage of blood cells; (c) introducing the sample of step (a) into the inlet port located at the outer wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and introducing a sheath fluid into the inlet port located at the inner wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel; (d) driving said sample and the sheath fluid through the spiral-shaped flow channel; and (e) re

Abstract: Provided are methods of assessing the cleanliness of a flow cell of a flow cytometric system. The provided methods include computing a ratio of post-flow cell and pre-flow cell light beam intensities and using such a ratio to assess the cleanliness of the flow cell. Flow cytometric systems capable of monitoring the cleanliness of a flow cell contained within the system are also provided.

Abstract: An electrochemical microarray chip to detect specific sequences of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) target molecules in solution using a microarray of microspots of probe molecules immobilized on an electrode. The chip pertains to both regulating the immunospecific binding to the array of probes on the electrode and their subsequent detection on the microarray spots on the monolith electrode by electrochemical methods. The device can quantitatively measure the concentration of target molecules of specific sequence at high specificity and high sensitivity.

Abstract: A particle counter and classification system and method wherein a first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem for the fluid is tuned to detect and determine the size of ferrous and/or conducting particles in the fluid above a predetermined size. A pump is configured to drive a volume of the fluid through the first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem. A processing subsystem is responsive to the first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem and is configured to count the number of ferrous and/or conducting particles above the predetermined size based on the output of the first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem and to determine and report the concentration of the ferrous and/or conducting particles above the predetermined size as a function of the size of the particles, their number, and the volume of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for determining a particle contamination and a method for determining a particle contamination in a measurement environment is provided in which individual particles in the measurement environment are detected (S1), wherein a) an estimate of the number of particles per volume in the measurement environment is ascertained (S2), b) an estimate of the number of particles per volume and characterization information describing the particle source in the measurement information are taken as a basis for ascertaining an output value for the particle contamination in the measurement environment (S3), and c) context-related data are made available and the characterization information is estimated on the basis of the available context-related data (S4).

Abstract: A device for determining the water content in the atmosphere comprising: a laser transmitter suitable for transmitting a laser beam for illuminating particles of water and/or ice present in the atmosphere, a first out-of-focus imager having a first collection angle suitable for capturing at least one first representative image of the particles, and processing unit in communication connection with the first image. The device further comprises a second out-of-focus imager having a second collection angle suitable for capturing at least one second image. The processing unit is in communication connection with the second imager, the processing unit being suitable for processing the first and second images in order to determine the water content in the atmosphere.

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: 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: Described are systems and methods for optical characterization of inclusions, such as solids and liquids, in liquid samples. An inclusion characterization system may include a radiation source, a radiation detector, a sample optical cell, and a sample delivery mechanism. The radiation detector may be configured to perform time resolved measurements. The sample may be delivered to the sample optical cell by the sample delivery mechanism at a flow rate set for preserving the sample integrity (i.e., the transport rate). The inclusion characterization in the sample may be performed at flow rates set for sample analysis (i.e., the analysis rate). The analysis rate may differ from the transport rate. The rate difference may be achieved by diverting only a portion of the overall sample into the sample optical cell. Also provided are examples of disengagement of sample transport and analysis flow rates.

Abstract: There is provided a urine analysis device for bed side monitoring of a patient, comprising: an inlet sized and shaped for fluid communication with a urine collecting tube that receives urine from a patient; a drip chamber through which the urine flows towards an outlet; at least one sensor that analyzes each drop of urine and estimates a respective volume of each drop; a timing element that measures a reference time for each drop; a program store storing code; and at least one processing unit coupled to the program store for implementing the stored code, the code comprising: code to calculate a urine output flow rate of the urine output flowing through the chamber according to the estimated volume of each drop of the urine and the reference time for each drop; and code to output the urine output flow rate.

Abstract: A technology of measuring an electrical characteristic of a blood sample is provided that allows easy introduction, into an existing blood test system, a technique of obtaining information on a blood sample from an electrical characteristic of the blood sample. The technology provides a device for measuring an electrical characteristic of a blood sample, the device including: a mixing unit configured to mix a blood cell component and a plasma component on the basis of the composition ratio between the blood cell component and the plasma component in a blood sample; and a blood sample measurement unit configured to measure an electrical characteristic of a blood sample obtained by mixing by the mixing unit.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a magnetic-field image sensor and method of use. In accordance with implementations of the magnetic-field image sensor, a sample can be placed on top of the magnetic field image sensor. An image of the magnetic nanoparticles or superparamagnetic nanoparticles can be created immediately afterwards based upon detection of a change in magnetic field caused by the magnetic nanoparticles or superparamagnetic nanoparticles. From this image, computer imaging algorithms can determine attributes (e.g., size, shape, type, quantity, distribution, etc.) of the target entity.

Abstract: For test/calibration of an electro-optic range-finding device, one or more fiber bundles each are selected to have a length corresponding to predetermined time-of-flight for light pulses. An input end is positioned proximate to the laser aperture of the range-finding device to receive a portion of light emitted through the laser aperture, and the output end is positioned to emit light from the respective fiber bundle through the detector aperture of the range-finding device. A fiber attenuator is connected along each fiber of the one or more fiber bundles to attenuate an amplitude of light propagating through the respective fiber by an amount corresponding to a target of known reflectance and distance. The one or more fiber bundles are each coiled to reduce a linear distance over which the one or more fiber bundles extend. The one or more fiber bundles may each comprise a plurality of fibers.

Abstract: The use of at least one colorant is provided in order to improve the detection of a signal corresponding to the presence of an analyte in a dot analysis method, in particular when the detection of the signal takes place in the presence of a liquid phase. Also provided is a dot analysis method that can be used to improve the detection of a signal corresponding to the presence of an analyte, in the presence of a liquid phase containing at least one colorant.

Abstract: An optical relay system includes four or more reflective optical elements oriented in a tilted configuration. Each of the four or more reflective optical elements is tilted about one of four or more tilt axes. Further, the four or more tilt axes are oriented to correct for aberrations induced by the tilted configuration.

Abstract: A movement detection device, including a multi-element photodiode, the multi-element photodiode comprising a plurality of pixels, referred to as megapixels, and, for at least one megapixel of the multi-element photodiode, a mask partially obscuring a sensitive zone of said megapixel, the mask consisting of a plurality of zones including at least one opaque zone and at least one transparent zone, an opaque zone being able to prevent a light beam from fully reaching portions of the sensitive zone of the megapixel corresponding to the opaque zone, a transparent zone being able to allow a light beam to reach a portion of the sensitive surface of the megapixel corresponding to the transparent zone, each opaque zone having at least one adjacent transparent zone so as to obtain an alternation of opaque zones and transparent zones in the mask.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for measuring a distance comprises a light transmitter (20) for transmitting a sequence of individual light pulses (22) and a light receiver (26) for receiving the individual light pulses (24). An individual time of flight measuring unit (28) determines a sequence of individual times of flight of the individual light pulses (22, 24) as the duration between a transmission point in time and its reception point in time. An evaluation unit (30, 32) accumulates individual times of flight and determines a common measurement value for the distance from the accumulated individual times of flight. The evaluation unit (30) comprises a filter (36) for accumulating an individual time of flight only if it coincides, within a time window, with a preceding individual time of flight.

Abstract: A flow cell for particle processing such as particle sorting, may be operatively engaged to a particle processing apparatus. The fluid contact surfaces of the flow cell may be fully enclosed. Further, the flow cell may encapsulate all fluid contact surfaces in the particle processing apparatus. The enclosing or encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The flow cell may employ any suitable technique for processing particles. The flow cell may be disposable and suitable for use in droplet sorting. The flow cell may include an operatively sealed sort chamber having a particle stream focusing region, an orifice, an interrogation zone and a sorting region.

Abstract: A dynamic light scattering apparatus includes a source configured for irradiating a sample with primary electromagnetic radiation, a detector configured for detecting secondary electromagnetic radiation generated by scattering the primary electromagnetic radiation at the sample, a refraction index determination unit including a movable optical element and configured to determine information indicative of a refraction index of the sample based on measurements of the secondary electromagnetic radiation for a plurality of different positions of the movable optical element, and a particle size determining unit configured to determine information indicative of particle size of particles in the sample by analyzing the detected secondary electromagnetic radiation and taking into account the refraction index determined by the refraction index determining unit.

Abstract: An airborne, gas, or liquid particle sensor with multiple particle sensor blocks in a single particle counter. Each sensor would sample a portion of the incoming airstream, or possibly a separate airstream. The various counters could be used separately or in concert.

Abstract: A chamberless indoor air quality monitor system includes a detector body. A resistive heater is operatively connected to the detector body. An active temperature sensor operatively connected to the resistive heater and operatively connected to an outer surface of the detector body configured to take an active temperature measurement. A method for measuring temperature in a chamberless indoor air quality monitor system includes generating an active temperature measurement with an active temperature sensor operatively connected to an outer surface of the detector body. The method includes heating the active temperature sensor with a resistive heater operatively connected to the detector body. The method includes comparing the active temperature measurements to one another to generate a corrected active temperature measurement based on a temperature difference over time between one or more of the active temperature measurements.

Abstract: A kneader includes a kneader main body including a casing including a kneading chamber and a kneading portion that is disposed in the casing and kneads a material in the kneading chamber. The material supplied to the kneading chamber includes a resin material, an inorganic additive added to the resin material, and a coupling agent for enhancing affinity of the inorganic additive for the resin material. The kneader further includes a kneading monitoring portion that monitors a kneading state of the material by detecting a reaction product that is generated by a reaction between the coupling agent and the inorganic additive.

Abstract: A method for measuring particle size distribution in a fluid material, involving inserting a laser beam instrument directly in the fluid flow line, wherein the laser beam instrument focuses a laser beam on a window directly coupled with the fluid flow line, wherein the fluid flow line comprises a fluid having a plurality of particles of different sizes, measuring a diameter of at least one particle in the fluid flow line by reflectance of the at least one particle as the at least one particle passes through the focused laser beam, and determining a duration of reflection of the at least one particle, and obtaining a count of particles in each of a pre-set range group of particle sizes, wherein the count of particles is used to determine particle size distribution in the fluid flow line.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring a velocity of a droplet passing through a microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A system is described to facilitate the characterization of particles within a fluid contained in a vessel using an illumination system that directs source light through each vessel. One or more optical elements may be implemented to refract the source light and to illuminate the entire volume of the vessel. As the refracted source light passes through the vessel and interacts with particles suspended in the fluid, scattered light is produced and directed to an imager, while the refracted source light is diverted away from the imager to prevent the source light from drowning out the scattered light. The system can therefore advantageously utilize an imager with a large depth of field to accurately image the entire volume of fluid at the same time, facilitating the determination of the number and size of particles suspended in the fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising: a radiation source adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation; a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing energy generated by non-radiative decay into an electrical signal; a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer; a first reagent proximal to the transducer, the first reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding a labelled reagent proportionally to the concentration of the analyte in the sample, which labelled reagent being capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source to generate energy by non-radiative decay; a second reagent proximal to the transducer, the second reagent having a lower affinity for the labelled reagent under the conditions of the assay than the first reagent; and a third reagent proximal to the transducer, the third rea

Abstract: This invention relates to optical particle counters and methods capable of effectively distinguishing signals generated from particle light scattering from sources of noise. Embodiments of the invention, for example, use multisensory detector configurations for identifying and distinguishing signals corresponding to fluctuations in laser intensity from signals corresponding to particle light scattering for the detection and characterization of submicron particles. In an embodiment, for example, methods and systems of the invention compare signals from different detector elements of a detector array to identify and characterize noise events, such as noise generated from laser intensity instability, thereby allow for the detection and characterization of smaller particles. The system and methods of the present invention, thus, provide an effective means of reducing false positives caused by noise or interference while allowing for very sensitive particle detection.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor to determine a property in an environment with a temperature exceeding 150 degrees Celsius includes a light source to emit broadband light, an etendue of the light source being less than 1000 square micro meter-steradians (?m2 sr), and an optical fiber to carry incident light based on the broadband light and a reflection resulting from the incident light. A photodetector detects a resultant light based on the reflection and outputs an electrical signal, and a processor processes the electrical signal from the photodetector to determine the property.

Abstract: A particle detecting apparatus has a condensing and growing unit to condense and grow a condensing component over particles contained in a gas while the gas imported through an inflow port is transported from a low temperature portion to a high temperature portion, a particle detector to detect a concentration of the particles contained in the gas discharged from an outflow port of the condensing and growing unit, a particle feeder to feed, to the inflow port of the condensing and growing unit, a test gas containing test particles whose particle diameter and the number of particles per unit volume are known, and a first determinator to determine whether a concentration of the test particles contained in the test gas detected by the particle detector has a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for automated identification of a state of a sample such as, for example, for identifying whether or not the sample was centrifuged is presented. A device for analyzing samples and a laboratory automation system are also presented in which the method is applied.

Abstract: A method and system for separating multicomponent fluids into components having different buoyancies. A flow shaping member has a helical channel that imparts a helical motion to the fluid, and a separation chamber for separating the moving fluid into a helically moving heavier flow portion and a more buoyant portion along the central axis. A flow receiving member has a first collection horn with a mouth arranged to collect the higher buoyancy fluid and direct the fluid to an outlet. At least one other fluid passageway for carrying lower buoyancy fluid has an inlet surrounding of the collection horn, and directs the fluid to a separate outlet at an end of the separator. Additional collection horns can be arranged concentrically around the first collection horn to collect intermediate buoyancy flows. Cascaded fluid separators can concentrate the higher buoyancy fluid or the denser fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include swept-source interferometric imaging systems employing arbitrary sweep patterns in which a swept-source is swept over a continuous spectral range where the variation of wavelength over time is noncontinuous. Embodiments include sweep patterns that result in reduction of signals from moving scatterers and where the sweep is synchronized with the dead time of the camera.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: operating a motor to position sample fluid within a fluid channel of a cuvette; transmitting light through an optical chamber of the cuvette; measuring a value of received light that has been transmitted through the optical chamber; comparing the measured value of light to one or more thresholds; determining a position of the sample fluid within the fluid channel based on a comparison from the comparing step; and generating a response based upon the position of the sample fluid with the fluid channel. Other aspects are described and claimed.