Abstract: A compressive imaging system includes an illumination system arranged to illuminate an object of interest with illumination light, and a detection system configured to detect at least a portion of the illumination light after being at least one of reflected from, scattered from, or transmitted through the object of interest or to detect fluorescent light from the object of interest and to provide an imaging signal. The compressive imaging system further includes an image processing system configured to communicate with the detection system to receive the imaging signal. The illumination light from the illumination system comprises a plurality of light pulses such that each light pulse has a preselected spectrum that is distinguishable from spectra of all other pulses. The image processing system is configured to form an image of the object of interest using information concerning the preselected spectra of the plurality of light pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that protect intellectual property rights in connection with 3-dimensional printing processes. In certain embodiments, an object a user would like to render with a 3-dimensional printing device may be compared with one or more managed objects having certain associated intellectual property rights. If the object is found to be similar to a managed object (e.g., similar in shape, function, composition, etc.), policy associated with the managed object may be enforced in connection with rendering the object. In this manner, intellectual property rights associated with the managed objects may be enforced.

Abstract: An optical sensing system for detecting objects passing through a volume of interest, wherein the sensing system has an emitter and a detector. The detector detects motion of object shadows generated as the object passes through the volume of interest between the emitter and detector. Motion detection algorithms, using computed motion vectors of the detected object, logically determine whether an object has traveled completely through the detection space, and can be used to discriminate a specific outcomes and/or impediments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring dissolved residue concentrations and particulate residue particle concentrations and size distribution in liquids, particularly colloidal suspensions. The method involves separating dissolved and particulate residues in liquids for subsequent analysis of the residue species. The method includes the steps of forming an aerosol from the liquid sample to be analyzed, evaporating the droplets in the aerosol to dryness, detecting and sizing the particles, and determining the liquid volumetric inspection rate. An apparatus for separating dissolved and particulate residues in liquids for determination of the concentrations of the two residue species as well as the size distribution of the particulate species is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a droplet former, a dryer communicatively connected to the droplet former, and a detector communicatively connected to the evaporator for detecting and sizing particles.

Abstract: A surrogate challenge set including a plurality of containers containing a fluid, wherein at least one of the containers contains particulate matter; and reference probability-of-detection (POD) data for the at least one container containing the particulate matter is described. The fluid may be water containing at least about 0.5 wt % of a preservative, such as benzyl alcohol. The containers may be pharmaceutically acceptable containers such as vials, bottles, syringes, ampules and intravenous bags. The particulate matter may consist of a single particle having a particle size of at least about 50 ?m. A method of making the challenge set may include: disposing particulate matter in at least one of a plurality of containers comprising a fluid; generating probability-of-detection (POD) data for the plurality of containers; and including the probability-of-detection (POD) data in the challenge set. Methods of using the surrogate challenges sets are also provided.

Abstract: A wavefront sensing technique using Polarization Rotation INTerferometry (PRINT) provides a self-referencing, high-resolution, direct measurement of the spatially dependent phase profile of a given optical beam. A self-referencing technique is used to create a reference beam in the orthogonal polarization and a polarization measurement to measure the spatial-dependent polarization parameters to directly determine the absolute phase profile of the beam under test. A high-resolution direct measurement of the spatially-resolved phase profile of one or more optical beams is realized.

Abstract: An optical sensing system for detecting objects passing through a volume of interest, wherein the sensing system has an emitter and a detector. The detector detects motion of object shadows generated as the object passes through the volume of interest between the emitter and detector. Motion detection algorithms, using computed motion vectors of the detected object, logically determine whether an object has traveled completely through the detection space, and can be used to discriminate a specific outcomes and/or impediments.

Abstract: Devices for detecting particle sizes and distributions using focused light scattering techniques, by passing a sample through a focused beam of light, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the devices include one or more lasers, whose light is focused into a narrow beam and into a flow cell, and dispersions are passed through the flow cell using hydrodynamic sample injection. In another embodiment, a plurality of lasers is used, optionally with hydrodynamic sample injection. Particles pass through and scatter the light. The scattered light is then detected using scatter and extinction detectors, and, optionally, fluorescence detectors, and the number and size of the particles is determined. Particles in the size range of 0.1 to 10 ?m can be measured. Using the device, significantly smaller particles can be detected than if techniques such as EQELS, flow cytometry, and other conventional devices for measuring biological particles.

Abstract: A method and video sensor for precipitation microphysical features measurement based on particle image velocimetry. The CCD camera is placed facing towards the light source, which forms a three-dimensional sampling space. As the precipitation particles fall through the sampling space, double-exposure images of precipitation particles illuminated by pulse light source are recorded by CCD camera. Combined with the telecentric imaging system, the time between the two exposures are adaptive and can be adjusted according to the velocity of precipitation particles. The size and shape can be obtained by the images of particles; the fall velocity can be calculated by particle displacement in the double-exposure image and interval time; the drop size distribution and velocity distribution, precipitation intensity, and accumulated precipitation amount can be calculated by time integration.

Abstract: A microparticle sorting apparatus includes a detection unit which detects microparticles flowing through a flow path; an imaging device which images a droplet containing the microparticles which is discharged from an orifice provided on an edge portion of the flow path; a charge unit which applies a charge to the droplets; and a control unit which determines a delay time as from a time that the microparticles are detected by the detection unit to the time at which a number of bright spots in a standard region, which is set beforehand, of image information imaged by the imaging device reaches the maximum, making it possible for the charge unit to apply a charge to the microparticles once the delay time has lapsed after the microparticles are detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: The particle size distribution measuring device 1 is so configured to calculate the particle size distribution with repeating several times a process to give the particle size distribution calculated by means of one iterative solver to the other iterative solver as an imaginary solution and to update the calculated particle size distribution as a new particle size distribution.

Abstract: A flow cytometer assembly includes a fluid controller configured to form a hydrodynamically focused flow stream including an outer sheath fluid and an inner core fluid. A coherent light source is configured to illuminate a particle in the inner core fluid. A detector is configured to detect a spatially coherent distribution of elastically scattered light from the particle excited by the coherent light source. An analyzing module configured to extract a three-dimensional morphology parameter of the particle from a spatially coherent distribution of the elastically scattered light.

Abstract: A particle detection system is provided. The particle detection system includes at least one tapered optical fiber, a light source configured to transmit light through the at least one tapered optical fiber, a photodetector configured to measure a characteristic of the light being transmitted through the at least one optical fiber, and a computing device coupled to the photodetector and configured to determine whether a nanoparticle is present within an evanescent field of the at least one tapered optical fiber based on the measured light characteristic.

Abstract: A method includes determining particle size distribution (PSD) in a fluid flow line based on a range of sizes for at least one particle in the fluid flow line and duration of reflection of a laser beam from the at least one particle. The laser beam is focused from a laser beam instrument in direct contact with the fluid low line.

Abstract: A spray sizer is provided that can measure the average droplet size in a spray. The spray sizer first separates a section of the spray for measurement. This section of the spray is passed through an optical droplet counter and the number of the droplets is measured while the droplets are collected after counting. The volume of the collected droplets is determined and it is divided by the total number of the droplets. This provides and average droplet diameter for the spray.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining suspended particle information includes an optical array to divide light to a first path and a second path, a platform to orient a first and second container with either the first or second path, and a first and second photodetector to receive at least a direct illuminating component of the light of the first and second path after said light penetrates through the first and second container. A detector interface receives transmission signals from the first and second photodetectors of the direct illuminating component of the light after penetrating through the first and second container and a calculation engine computes the particle information based on a ratio of the received transmission signals.

Abstract: A particle image velocimetry system is provided which supplies tracer particles to a flow field around an object (12) from tracer particle supply means, takes an image of reflected light by imaging means (32A, 32B) by irradiating the tracer particles twice with laser light at different times, and determines a velocity vector of the flow field based on the two images obtained of the tracer particles. The two images are each divided into a plurality of test regions, and when first peak value (fp)/second peak value (sp)?1.2 is satisfied by comparison between a first peak value fp and a second peak value sp of a cross-correlation value of a luminance pattern of tracer particles in each test region of the two images, it is determined that the reliability of the velocity vector is high. Thus, it is possible to enhance the precision of measurement of the state of flow by reliably determining erroneous vectors.

Abstract: There is provided a microparticle measurement apparatus including a first light source configured to irradiate excitation light on a droplet containing a microparticle, the droplet being discharged from an orifice, a second light source configured to irradiate illumination light on the droplet for acquiring an image of the droplet, a light receiving element configured to detect fluorescence generated from the microparticle due to the irradiation of the excitation light, and to acquire an image of the droplet, and a filter member configured to be arranged between the droplet and the light receiving element. The filter member includes a first area through which the fluorescence and the illumination light pass, and a second area that is provided around the first area and that has a wavelength selectivity which lets the fluorescence pass through but blocks the illumination light.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting cells characterized by comprising distinguishing and sorting a specific cell mass or a part of the cells in the cell mass with the use of transmitted light data reflecting the morphological characteristics of the cells such as size and shape optionally together with side-scattering light data reflecting the characteristics of the internal structure of the cells. The part of the cells in the specific cell mass as described above are at the G1 stage or at a part of the M stage in the cell cycle. A part of the cells at the G1 stage are referred to as the left bottom line in an analytical dispersion diagram of the cells wherein the abscissa indicates the transmitted light data, while a part of the cells at the M stage are referred to as the right bottom line in the analytical dispersion diagram of the cells wherein the abscissa indicates the transmitted light data.

Abstract: An aerosol generation system has a light source arrangement which provides signals at first and second wavelengths, and the detected light signals are recorded. The detected signals are processed to derive at least a measure of the aerosol particle size. This can be used in combination with the other parameters which are conventionally measured, namely the aerosol density and flow velocity. Thus, optical measurement (possibly in combination with an air flow measurement) can be used to estimate the aerosol output rate as well as the particle size.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing optical analysis downhole with an interferogram (a light beam having frequency components with a time variation that identifies those frequency components. The interferogram is produced by introducing an interferometer into the light path, with the two arms of the interferometer having a propagation time difference that varies as a function of time. Before or after the interferometer, the light encounters a material to be analyzed, such as a fluid sample from the formation, a borehole fluid sample, a core sample, or a portion of the borehole wall. The spectral characteristics of the material are imprinted on the light beam and can be readily analyzed by processing electronics that perform a Fourier Transform to obtain the spectrum or that enable a comparison with one or more templates. An interferometer designed to perform well in the hostile environments downhole is expected to enable laboratory-quality measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of locating leaks in a substrate (30) having a first and a second surface wherein the substrate (30) is adapted for preventing the flow of a fluid, or components contained in the fluid, through the substrate (30) from the first surface to the second surface, and a system (10) useful in the method, wherein the method comprises: a) isolating the first surface from the second surface; b) creating a pressure differential between the first surface and the second surface wherein the pressure on the first surface is higher than the pressure on the second surface; c) contacting the second surface or the exit (32) of the device (11) containing the substrate (30) with a baffle (23), wherein the baffle (23) has a plurality of interconnected parts which form a pattern and the baffle (23) is of a sufficient size to cover the second surface of the substrate (30) or the fluid exit point (32) of the device the substrate (30) is disposed in and the parts of the baffle (23) create

Abstract: A method for measuring particle size distributions of bulk materials such as cereals, cereal milling products, cereal products and the like, which is intended to enable the measurement of particle size distributions which vary by orders of magnitude. A sample of isolated particles is optically detected in an arrangement by at least two measurement methods. Preferably, detection of the contours of the particles and laser diffraction take place at the same time.

Abstract: An airborne, gas, or liquid particle sensor with a pulse discriminator. The pulse discriminator provides greater qualification of signals associated with detected particulate signals.

Abstract: A chromatographic optical detection system includes an optical detector disposed to receive light scattered from a stream of particles and configured to convert the received light to an electrical signal; a signal-processing unit in signal communication with the optical detector to receive the electrical signal, and configured to convert the electrical signal to digital pulses and count the digital pulses to output a first signal corresponding to a number of particles detected in a time interval, and configured to integrate and digitize the electrical signal to output a second signal corresponding to the number of particles detected in the time interval; and a data station in signal communication with the signal-processing unit, and configured to select the first signal, if the number of particles detected in the time interval is less than a threshold criterion, and to select the second signal if the number of particles detected in the time interval exceeds the threshold criterion.

Abstract: A method and system for controlled fractionation of particles. A sample having a plurality of particles of different size distributions. A uniform array for the preparing of optical traps having a selected array lattice constant. The plurality of particles for inputting the plurality of particles to the uniform array of optical traps at a driving direction angle ? and the plurality of particles separating along different directions ?v based on variable particle attributes.

Abstract: A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for characterizing the response of a particle to a parameter that characterizes an environment of the particle. A change is induced in the parameter characterizing the environment of the particle, where the change is rapid on a timescale characterizing kinetic response of the particle. The response of the particle is then imaged at a plurality of instants over the course of a period of time shorter than the timescale characterizing the kinetic response of the particle. The response may be detected by measuring a temperature jump or by measuring correlation and anticorrelation between probe parameters across pixels. More particularly, the particle may be a molecule, such as a biomolecule, and the environment, more particularly, may be a biological cell. The parameter characterizing the environment of the particle may be a temperature, and change may be induced in the temperature by heating a volume that includes the particle, either conductively or radiatively.

Abstract: A method of particle separation, wherein a collimated light source operable to generate a collimated light source beam is provided. The collimated light source beam includes a beam cross-section. A body is provided, wherein the body defines a wall and a first channel in a first plane. The first channel includes a first channel cross-section, the first channel being oriented to receive the collimated light source beam such that the beam cross-section completely overlaps the channel cross-section. The collimated light source beam is transmitted through the channel. A fluid sample is transmitted through the channel, fluid sample including a plurality of particles of a same type. All of the particles of the plurality of particles are separated axially along the collimated light source beam. All of the particles of the plurality of particles are retained against the wall in the collimated light source beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive method for surveilling mixing and separation of a suspension in an analytical system using solid phase particles for separation of an analyte by measuring particle distribution with a camera attached to a pipetting device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting biological material in an airstream, in which method the airstream is fed with the aid of sampling devices, a light beam is emitted towards the airstream, a fluorescence signal depicting the fluorescence of the particle is created, a scattering signal depicting the scattering of the light of the particle is created, the fluorescence signal and the scattering signal are converted into discrete values, and an alarm value is defined. The discrete values are recorded cumulatively as hit points in an at least 2-dimensional measurement space equipped with selected dimensions, at least one index area is preselected from the measurement space, a cumulative index is calculated at an index frequency from the hit points accumulated on the each preselected index area, and an alarm value, showing the presence of a selected biological material, is defined from the indices by using a preselected criterion.

Abstract: Detection of individual objects using a light source and a whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator. Light from the whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator is analyzed. The presence of an object is determined based on mode splitting associated with the light received by the photodetector. For example, the presence of the object may be determined based on the distance between two whispering gallery modes and/or the linewidths of the two modes in a transmission spectrum. Alternatively, the presence of the object may be determined based on a beat frequency that is determined based on a heterodyne beat signal produced by combining split laser modes in the received light from a WGM microcavity laser.

Abstract: A method and a particle analyzer are provided for determining a particle size distribution of a liquid sample including particles of a lower size range, particles of an intermediate size range, and particles of an upper size range. A dark-field image frame is captured in which the particles of the lower size range and the particles of the intermediate size range are resolved, and a bright-field image frame is captured in which the particles of the intermediate size range and the particles of the upper size range are resolved. Absolute sizes of the particles of the intermediate size range and the particles of the upper size range are determined from the bright-field image frame. Calibrated sizes of the particles of the lower size range are determined from the dark-field image frame by using the particles of the intermediate size range as internal calibration standards.

Abstract: A method for quantifying the soil dispersion capacity of a cleaning product or component thereof where the method comprises the following steps: a) making a solution comprising the cleaning product or component thereof; b) adding the soil to the cleaning product or component thereof solution to form a mixture; and c) measuring the light blocked by the mixture.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring a diffusion characteristic value (for example, a diffusion constant) of a light-emitting particle using the scanning molecule counting method using the optical measurement with a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope. The inventive method of measuring a diffusion characteristic value of a light-emitting particle is characterized to measure light intensity from the light detection region with moving the position of the light detection region in the sample solution by changing an optical path of the optical system to generate light intensity data and to compute a diffusion characteristic value of the light-emitting particle based on a deviation time from a moving cycle time of the light detection region in an interval of generation times of two or more signals corresponding to a same light-emitting particle on the light intensity data.

Abstract: A device and process for determining sizes of particles of a particle stream. A first optical measuring system with a first dot matrix sensor and a lighting device, which transilluminates the measuring volume are provided. The first dot matrix sensor and the lighting device form a transmitted-light arrangement. The computing device determines projection areas of particles within the transilluminated measuring volume from the image data of the first dot matrix sensor. The optical measuring arrangement includes a second optical measuring system with a second dot matrix sensor for detecting the diffraction pattern of the particles. The computing device determines a size distribution of the particles in the measuring volume based on the projection areas and the diffraction pattern. The computing device forms the size distribution from particle sizes determined on the basis of the projection areas and from particle sizes determined on the basis of the diffraction pattern.

Abstract: An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment. Optical sensors can be arranged on parallel flow conduits, with each sensor configured to image a different particle size range.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing bacteria is described that includes an analytic sample preparation section for preparing an analytic sample by treating a specimen so as to generate a morphological difference between Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria, a detector for detecting optical information from each particle contained in the analytic sample and an analyzing section for detecting Gram-positive bacteria contained on the basis of the detected optical information. A method for analyzing bacteria is also described.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for obtaining suspended particle information are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes emitting light from a light source, dividing the light source into a first path and a second path, and directing the first path to a first container comprising a plurality of particles in a suspension material. The example method also includes directing the second path to a second container containing a suspension material devoid of particles, retrieving a first transmission value of the first path through the first container, and retrieving a second transmission value of the second path through the second container.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring characteristics of a particle sample by counting and classifying particles into selected ranges of particle characteristics. The particle concentration is reduced to the level where the probability of measuring scattering from multiple particles of interest at one time is reduced to an acceptable level. A light beam is projected through a sample space, through which the particles flow. As each particle passes through the beam, it scatters, absorbs, and transmits different amounts of the light, depending upon the particle characteristics. So both the decrease in the beam intensity, due to light removal by the particle, and light scattered by the particle, may be used to determine the particle characteristics, to classify the particle and count it in a certain range of particle characteristics.

Abstract: Optical analysis systems may be useful in systems and methods for various properties of fluid cement compositions. For example, a method may include generating with an optical computing device a plurality of output signals corresponding to a plurality of time points and a characteristic of a fluid cement composition at a monitoring location within a flow path, the optical computing device having an electromagnetic radiation source configured to optically interact with the fluid cement composition and an integrated computational element, wherein the integrated computational element is configured to produce and convey optically interacted light to a detector which generates a plurality of output signals corresponding to the characteristic at a plurality of time points; receiving the plurality of output signals with a signal processor communicably coupled to the detector; and determining a difference between at least two of the output signals with the signal processor.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one characteristic of wood furnish from an upstream source. The system includes: an inclined panel comprising a transparent window having a top surface for the wood furnish to slide down; a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window; an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window; and a processing means in communication with the image capturing means for deriving from the captured images the at least one characteristic of the wood furnish.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for determining particle size information of particles contained in a sample, the method comprising illuminating the particles with at least three light sources placed on different locations, detecting light reflected from the particles using a detector capable of spatial resolution, and processing the output of the detector so as to determine the particle size information. According to the invention, the particles are illuminated simultaneously with the at least three light sources each operating at a different wavelength channel, and the wavelength channels are simultaneously detected at the detector. The invention reduces the need for sample preparation, among other benefits.

Abstract: A system and method for isolating and analyzing a water sample in a water processing facility are disclosed. The system uses a chamber for receiving and isolating the water sample from the main water treatment process. An optical detector views and characterizes the particles in a region of the chamber. An analyzer coupled to the optical detector compares the characterized suspended particles at a first time and at with the characterized suspended particles at a second time to produce a report showing suspended particle size as a function of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of classifying and flow measuring the refringence of at least two populations of particles present in a fluid. The method uses a light source that has small coherence time, with a coherence length Lc<100 ?m, that is used under extinction conditions at a center wavelength selected as a function of a range of volumes and of a range of refractive indices expected for the particles under consideration. The method uses a device that, together with the light source, forms a converging illuminating beam of aperture angle that is selected as a function of the range of volumes and the range of refractive indices expected for the particles under consideration at the selected center wavelength.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved device and methods for adapting to a laser diffraction apparatus used for measuring particle size distribution and density of the plume of a powder composition emitted from a dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment.

Abstract: A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested.

Abstract: A mobility spectrometer to measure a nanometer particle size distribution is disclosed. The mobility spectrometer includes a conduit and a detector. The conduit is configured to receive and provide fluid communication of a fluid stream having a charged nanometer particle mixture. The conduit includes a separator section configured to generate an electrical field of two dimensions transverse to a dimension associated with the flow of the charged nanometer particle mixture through the separator section to spatially separate charged nanometer particles of the charged nanometer particle mixture in said two dimensions. The detector is disposed downstream of the conduit to detect concentration and position of the spatially-separated nanometer particles.

Abstract: The solution provides a frequency distribution of a dimension of objects projected onto an image, the distribution being generated by measuring the dimension of the objects in a space in which the position of each object is at least partly free, the dimension of each object in the image depending on the position of the object. The frequency distribution of the projected objects is weighted by a weighting operation compensating for the impact of the projection in order to generate a real frequency distribution of the objects.