Abstract: A Multiple-Field-Of-View (MFOV) lidar is used to characterize the size and concentration of low concentration of bioaerosol particles. The concept relies on the measurement of the forward scattered light by using the background aerosols at various distances at the back of the sub-visible cloud. It also relies on the subtraction of the background aerosol forward scattering contribution and on the partial attenuation of the first order backscattering. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the MFOV lidar can measure with a good precision the effective diameter of low concentration bioaerosol clouds.

Abstract: A microparticle measuring apparatus which includes a flow channel through which a solution containing microparticles flows, an optical detecting unit configured to direct a laser beam to microparticles passing through the flow channel and detecting light for measurement emanating from the microparticles and converting the thus detected light into electrical signals, a solution feeding unit configured to feed the flow channel with either a sample solution containing microparticles of interest or a calibration solution containing reference microparticles that exhibit uniform optical characteristics, and an optical axis correcting unit configured to optimize the relative position of the flow channel with respect to the laser beam in response to the intensity of electrical signals from the reference microparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing reflected light is provided, which is used for a measuring device that emits a sheet-like beam of light onto suspended particles and measures light scattered from the suspended particles. The apparatus includes a light introduction unit, a light reflective unit, a light sealing unit and a light absorption member. The light introduction unit has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a passage through which the light travels from the first aperture to the second aperture. The light reflective unit disposed opposite to the second aperture allows the light having traveled through the second aperture to reflect toward a predetermined direction so as to prevent the light from returning into the second aperture. The light sealing unit in which the light reflective unit is disposed has an inner wall to confine the light reflected from the light reflective unit.

Abstract: A scraper for an optical surface of a device is disclosed. The scraper includes a blade having an edge that is rigid and non-deforming to withstand high shear stresses. The blade is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the optical surface and also configured to move in a line with respect to a second axis perpendicular to the optical surface. This allows the rigid, non-deforming blade to maintain contact with the optical surface. Furthermore, the edge is configured to move across the optical surface to remove any materials adhered to the surface. The scraper can be used to clean the optical surface of an instrument, for example.

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: A mass sensor is provided for determining the mass of small objects. The mass sensor has a plurality of nanostructures attached to a substrate. The nanostructures and the substrate are irradiated with an electromagnetic wave to determine a first mechanical-electromagnetic resonant frequency of the mass sensor. After a particle is attached to the nanostructures, the substrate and the nanostructures to which the particle is attached are irradiated with an electromagnetic wave to determine a second mechanical-electromagnetic resonant frequency of the mass sensor. A mass of the particle is determined based on a difference between the first and second mechanical-electromagnetic resonant frequencies.

Abstract: The present technology provides a nanoparticle detector that includes a nanoparticle collector that is configured to collect a volume of air that includes nanoparticles and a light source that is configured to transmit light through the volume of air. The nanoparticle detector further includes a first light-receiving element that is configured to receive at least a portion of the transmitted light and to detect characteristics of the nanoparticles within the volume of air based on scattering properties of the transmitted light.

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

Abstract: A method according to the present invention has: isolating, by extraction, particles contained in a metal material to be analyzed in a solution using a particle isolator; dispersing the particles isolated by extraction into a solvent to prepare a dispersion, and fractionating the dispersion into a plurality of particle dispersions based on particle sizes, using a field flow fractionator; and irradiating laser light on each of the particle dispersions separated based on predetermined particle sizes, to thereby measure absolute values of the particle size based on angular dependence of reflection intensity, and also to thereby measure the number density based on magnitude of reflection intensity.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method of real time determination of particle size and optionally chemical composition or both. An aerosol beam generator focuses a beam containing sample particles that passes through a sizing laser beam of approximately constant width to produce light scattering that is detected by a light detection means, allowing generation of electrical pulses that may be used to compute particle velocity. In being formed into a beam, the particles are accelerated to terminal velocities that are functions of their sizes. The duration of time elapsed while a particle passes through the width of the sizing laser beam is a function of its velocity which, in turn, is a function of its size. Chemical composition of the particle is determined by suitable analytical means included in the apparatus, such as mass spectrometry.

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: The present invention provides a method for detecting the widths of a plurality of laminar layers formed in a channel includes performing at least the steps of: detecting optical information generated from a reference substance contained in a laminar flow; and calculating the width of the laminar flow, based on the optical information detected in the optical information detecting step.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the particle content of a particle stream using a source of light and two receivers arranged offset from one another in the flow direction of the particle stream. The receivers provide an electrical signal to an evaluation unit as a function of the radiation intensity which they receive, and this signal makes possible a determination of the flow velocity and particle size. Coincident passage of two particles is indicated by a pulse occurring in the signal due to a “roof collapse” in the pulse caused by a weakening of the radiation intensity as the particles pass a receiver.

Abstract: A method for identifying an improved particle size distribution profile of a dispersion, the method including: (a) providing a dispersion comprising a liquid and particles dispersed in the liquid; (b) measuring a particle size distribution of the dispersion, resulting in a first particle size distribution profile; (c) adjusting at least one parameter associated with the dispersion; (d) measuring a dispersion characteristic, after adjustment of the at least one parameter; and (e) measuring the particle size distribution of the dispersion after adjustment of the at least one parameter, resulting in a second particle size distribution profile; wherein each of the first and second particle size distribution profiles comprises a plurality of data points of particle concentration values as a function of particle size.

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: 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 for cleaning a fluidic system of a flow cytometer having a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid towards an interrogation zone and a waste pump to pump the sheath fluid and a sample fluid as waste fluid from the interrogation zone, wherein the sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid into the flow cytometer through a drawtube towards the interrogation zone. The method includes controlling the sheath pump and the waste pump to cooperatively flush a fluid out through the drawtube, thereby cleaning the fluidic system of the flow cytometer.

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: A dielectric sheet 3 is arranged between a pair of electrodes 2a and 2b for forming an electric field in a cell 1 that stores therein a sample having particles dispersed movably in a medium, the dielectric sheet 3 being formed to include multiple mutually parallel slits 3a to form a diffraction grating, and a parallel light flux is applied to the diffraction grating to generate diffracted light. A gradient electric field in the vicinity of the slits 3a generated by applying a voltage between the electrodes 2a and 2b causes the particles P to migrate in such a manner as to cover the slits 3a or away from the slits 3a and thereby the contrast of the diffraction grating to vary, and whereby the diffusion coefficient and/or size of the particles P can be calculated from the temporal change of the diffracted light when the particles diffuse freely after stopping the application of the voltage.

Abstract: A particle detection system uses a camera to produce a picture based on the scattered light generated by a particle in a liquid medium, when a laser beam is incident on the particle. These pictures are then automatically analyzed through the use of a processing system (e.g., a computer). The processing system is configured to record the forward scattering intensity (e.g., amplitude) and the picture of the scattered light rays to generate a classification of the particle causing the scattering. Count rate and trends of the classified particles are monitored to detect a change that is representative of the overall health safety of the water or by knowing the levels of bacteria in process water, such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) feed water, reject brine, and product water, the operator may better monitor the life and condition of the RO membrane.

Abstract: Particles flowed through a micro-channel are imaged by imaging means. Particle speed measuring means determines the particle speed from the image data. Particle counting means counts the particles flowed for a predetermined time. Particle size measuring means measures the size of the particles. The measurements of the particles flowed at a predetermined timing are managed by data associating means. With this, the speed, number and size of particles flowed through a micro-channel can be determined at a time, and associated data can be obtained.

Abstract: A particle monitor system that can detect fine particles in a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus has a chamber in which a substrate is housed and subjected to processing, a dry pump that exhausts gas out of the chamber, and a bypass line that communicates the chamber and the dry pump together. The particle monitor system has a laser light oscillator that irradiates laser light toward a space in which the particles may be present, and a laser power measurement device that is disposed on an optical path of the laser light having passed through the space and measures the energy of the laser light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microparticles measuring apparatus including: an optical detecting section configured to direct a laser beam toward microparticles passing through a flow channel, detect light emanating from the microparticles, and convert the detected light into electrical signals; and a controlling unit configured to calculate the speed of the microparticles passing through the flow channel according to the electrical signals and suspend the supply of solution containing the microparticles when the calculated speed exceeds a prescribed limit.

Abstract: A spiral microchannel particle separator includes an inlet for receiving a solution containing particles, at least two outlets, and a microchannel arranged in a plurality of loops. Particles within a solution flowing through the spiral microchannel experience a lift force FL and a Dean drag force FD. The spiral radius of curvature R and the hydraulic diameter Dh of the spiral microchannel are such that for a flow rate U of the solution, the lift force FL and a Dean drag force FD are approximately equal and act in opposite directions for particles of a first size. The particles of the first size are focused in a single stream located at an equilibrium position near an inner wall of the microchannel. In another embodiment, a straight microchannel particle separator separates particles by modulating shear rates via high aspect ratios that focuses particles of a first size along two first walls.

Abstract: The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone and a waste pump to pump waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system also includes a controller to adjust the flow rate of the sample fluid from the sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system is preferably incorporated into a flow cytometer with a flow cell that includes the interrogation zone.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling constituents in air including counting particles in the air to be sampled; collecting samples of accumulated particles; measuring UV response of a sample of accumulated particles only if the particle count exceeds a predetermined threshold; measuring IR response of that sample; and indicating a threat alarm if the IR response matches that of a target within a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for monitoring particle contamination in flowing hydraulic fluids includes a mechanism for particle counting and particle sizing. Further, a method for monitoring particle contamination in flowing hydraulic fluids: determines fluid flow velocity; counts particles in the hydraulic fluid passing the light barrier for a fixed period of time; and obtains particle size distribution by using a range of different trigger levels. The monitoring device is insertable into an A/C hydraulic system to enable an online-monitoring of degradation of fluid quality during normal flight operations or on the ground. The device and method help lower costs for A/C maintenance and increase A/C availability since necessary service actions can be scheduled strategically.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for ratiometric detection of analytes by surface plasmon coupled emission detection that includes disposing a target on the metal layer of a surface plasmon resonance detection system; coupling a first analyte to a first fluorescent dye and a second analyte to a second fluorescent dye; contacting the first and second analytes to the target on the surface plasmon resonance detection system; and measuring the intensity of a first and a second surface plasmon resonance enhanced fluorescence emission ring, wherein the first and second rings, respectively, quantitatively represents the amount of first and second analyte within 50 nanometers of the metal surface.

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: Methods and systems for particle characterization using a light fluctuation component of an optical sensor output signal. The use of the light fluctuation component enables particle characterization (e.g. provision of information on particle size, type and confidence) without requiring measurements at multiple wavelengths or multiple angles and using relatively lightweight calculations. The methods and systems allow integration of real-time airborne particle characterization into portable monitors. The methods and systems in some embodiments also use the output signal to further characterize particles through determination of particle density information.

Abstract: A method for detecting a presence of a particle in a fluid is disclosed. The method includes the steps of directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation into the transient fluid; providing a sensor to detect an intensity of the radiation after passing through at least a portion of the fluid; generating a data representing the intensity detected by the sensor; and analyzing the data based upon a statistical analysis to detect the presence of a particle in the fluid and determine whether the particle is water or a solid particle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring spray angle, spray uniformity, and spray velocity using laser sheet tomography includes measuring the extinction image formed by a spray in two laser sheets spaced apart by a know distance.

Abstract: A method for altering fluorescent emissions of particles includes setting the particles in motion and exposing the moving particles to light such that fluorescent intensities of the particles are lessened isotropically and substantially simultaneously. Another method includes measuring fluorescent emissions of particles, determining the measured fluorescent emissions do not collectively fit within a first predetermined range of fluorescent values, and exposing the particles to one or more incidents of light that are configured to cooperatively alter the fluorescent emissions of the particles to be within a second predetermined range of fluorescent values. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a vessel configured to contain a plurality of particles and a means for setting the particles in motion. The apparatus further includes an illumination subsystem configured to direct light toward the vessel and at a spectral window (i.e.

Abstract: An electric field spatially-regularly arranged is applied to particles movably dispersed in a medium to migrate particles. The resulting density distribution of the particles generates a diffraction grating. In the annihilation process of the diffraction grating through the stop or modulation of the application of the electric field, intensity of diffracted light from the diffraction grating is measured to obtain the size of particles. In the above measurement method, the square root or natural logarithm of the measured value of the diffracted light intensity is used for the analysis to evaluate with high convergence the dispersiveness of the particle size with using the least squares method even in the case of particles of dispersive diameter or the case where particles to be measured include particles of different sizes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle standard including particles having optical properties similar to those of a carrier in which the particles are dispersed, as well as a method of calibrating or validating a subject optical particle analyzer with respect to a reference optical particle analyzer by using the particle standard. In the method, the particle standard is analyzed with the reference optical particle analyzer to obtain a reference particle concentration and a reference particle-size distribution. Analogously, the particle standard is analyzed with the subject optical particle analyzer to obtain a subject particle concentration and a subject particle-size distribution. The subject particle concentration and the subject particle-size distribution are then compared to the reference particle concentration and the reference particle-size distribution, respectively, and the subject optical particle analyzer is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: The application relates to a method, system and device for performing biological assays. The method, system and device allow more accurate and specific detections of biomolecules in multiplex assays, such as immunoassays and DNA microarray assays. More specifically, the embodiments of the invention allow the detection of labels after their detachment or disassociation from a binding situation wherein interference from other labels or the background may reduce the accuracy of specificity of the detection. The embodiments of the invention further allow detection of individual labels.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the determination of particle sizes. The invention relates, in particular, to the determination of the sizes of particles in a particle stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical measuring device, including: a plurality of microfluidic channels extending in parallel to each other; and a scanning section configured to scan a plurality of measuring light beams in a scanning direction in which the microfluidic channels are juxtaposed to optically measure fine particles introduced into the microfluidic channels.

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

Abstract: The determination of wax crystal particle size and population is used to monitor the performance of wax crystallizers used in lubricant oil processing using solvent dewaxing. The wax crystal particle size is monitored using online measurements. The information obtained from on-line monitoring is then used to control crystallization in the dewaxing equipment in order to optimize performance of the dewaxing units.

Abstract: The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone and a waste pump to pump waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system also includes a controller to adjust the flow rate of the sample fluid from the sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system is preferably incorporated into a flow cytometer with a flow cell that includes the interrogation zone.

Abstract: A particle sensor is disclosed capable of sensing airborne particles larger than about 10 nm in an airflow passing through a passage inside the sensor. The sensor comprises a high-voltage discharge electrode for generating airborne unipolar ions that charge the airborne particles in the airflow. The generated ions are furthermore used to set-up an ionic wind between the discharge electrode and a counter electrode inside the sensor. The ionic wind is the driving force for maintaining the airflow through the sensor and allows sensor operation to occur free of audible noise. The presence of charged particles in the airflow is measured by an electrical current meter in the particle sensing section which measures the particle-bound charge that precipitates per unit time on the surface of a precipitation electrode after all airborne ions have been removed from air by a separate screening electrode positioned upstream of the particle sensing section.

Abstract: A method of measuring parameters of a particle includes providing a particle, wherein the particle has a first portion and a second portion. The process includes providing a column of photo-detectors including a first photo-detector and a second photo-detector, wherein the first photo-detector and the second photo-detector are sensitive to the same range of light frequencies. Light is projected from the particle onto the column of photo-detectors wherein the column of photo-detectors is oriented so the light from the first portion is projected onto the first photo-detector and light from the second portion is projected onto the second photo-detector. Light measured by the first photo-detector differs from light measured by the second photo-detector. The process further includes using the different first and the second photo-detector measurements to determine at least one from the group consisting of particle temperature and particle diameter.

Abstract: Broadband light, for example, from a Fabry-Perot quantum cascade laser, is shone onto a sample, and spectral data concerning the broadband light reflected from the sample is collected. The spectral data is analyzed to determine information about one or more substances in the sample. For example, if the sample contains micro-organisms, such as bacteria or fungus, the biological classification(s) (e.g., species) of the micro-organisms can be determined from the spectral data. As another example, if the sample contains virus, the biological classification(s) (e.g., species) of the virus(es) can be determined from the spectral data. As yet another example, if the sample contains particles, size, location and velocity can be determined from the spectral data.

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: A spray-inspection machine for an assembly line for assembling a fluid spray device, the machine comprising: a support receiving at least one fluid spray device taken directly from the assembly line; an actuator system for actuating a fluid spray device of said support and for creating a fluid spray; determination means for determining real parameters of said spray created by said actuator system; and analyzer means for analyzing said real parameters, said analyzer means comparing said real parameters with pre-determined parameters, wherein said analyzer means determine parameters relating to spray shape and/or particle size and/or particle density and/or particle-size distribution and/or particle speed.

Abstract: Provided is a particle characterization device that can ensure measurement accuracy even though light detecting means has a single configuration, and enables the number of optical elements to be decreased as much as possible to suppress cost increase and reduce the number of adjustment places, and the particle characterization device has an incident side polarizer and an incident side ¼ wavelength plate as an illumination optical system mechanism and, as a light receiving optical system mechanism, an exit side ¼ wavelength plate and an exit side polarizer that can be rotated to a plurality of angle positions around a cell, wherein light attenuating means that prevents a polarization state from being changed is provided on a light path, and a light attenuation rate by the light attenuating means is controlled such that a detected light intensity at each measurement position falls within a measurement range of light detecting means.

Abstract: A device having an air sampler, an electrospray apparatus, and a fluorescence excitation and detection system. The air sampler is capable of moving air suspected of containing a biological or chemical aerosol particle into a chamber. The electrospray apparatus is capable of spraying a charged solution into the chamber to coat the aerosol particles with a coating. The solution has a fluorescent-labeled biological or chemical marker capable of specific binding to the aerosol particle. The fluorescence system is capable of detecting fluorescence of the fluorescent label in the coating. A method of detecting the aerosol particle by: moving air suspected of containing the aerosol particle into a chamber; spraying the charged solution into the chamber with an electrospray apparatus, such that a coating of the solution is formed around the particle; exciting the fluorescent label; and detecting fluorescence of the fluorescent label.