Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the compounding of pharmaceutical parenteral admixtures is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a computer that contains a memory for storing instructions for operating the apparatus and for controlling compounders that prepare a prescription admixture, with the memory including data relating to a plurality of the pharmaceutical components that may be transferred to prepare the prescription admixture, and data concerning the operating characteristics of the compounders that the apparatus is adapted to control. The apparatus determines the order of admixing by general rules of admixing and by categorized compatibility groups of components, so that the number of rinses that must be done are minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system are provided. In one embodiment, apparatus for metering catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system includes a low pressure storage vessel coupled to a pressure vessel that defines a high pressure side of the apparatus, where the determination of the amount of catalyst transferred is made on the low pressure side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A continuous static polymerization reactor unit for the production of liquid polymers, in particular high viscosity organopolysiloxanes, in a predetermined viscosity range comprises a reactor (1) a supply means (10,25) for supplying monomers and/or oligomers to an inlet means (2), and an outlet means (5). The inlet means (2) is adapted for the introduction of a reaction mixture into a reaction chamber (3), and a means for introducing at least one viscosity controlling agent into the supply means is provided to form a reaction mixture with monomers and/or oligomers (11,13,15,12,14,16). The unit is adapted to maintain the values of temperature and flow rate of the resulting reaction mixture/polymer in the reaction chamber (3) substantially constant.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating system regulates its rate of hydrogen generation by monitoring one or more parameters of the hydrogen generation process and then providing relative movement between the fuel tank and the catalyst chamber so as to increase or decrease the rate of hydrogen generation. In the disclosed embodiments, the catalyst chamber is disposed in a tank containing the fuel. The relative movement provided moves the catalyst chamber toward the fuel solution so as to increase the rate of hydrogen generation and moves the catalyst chamber away from the fuel solution to decrease such generation. Advantageously, such self-regulation can be provided without an external power source and can be varied to meet the requirements of different commercial applications. The overall system can be readily fabricated using commercially available parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat fluid streams, and in particular emissions from lean-burn engines such as diesel engines, are disclosed, which use multiple catalysts chosen to remove hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and oxides of nitrogen. The apparatus and method also provide for heat exchange between the inlet and outlet exhaust streams to sustain the catalyzed reactions, by placing the catalysts in the temperature zones where their operation is enhanced, and they also allow for regeneration of a filter used to trap particulate matter in the streams.

Abstract: An NOx storage-and-reduction type catalyst is used which exhibits a saturated NOx storage amount of 5 g or more as NO2 with respect to 1 liter of a catalyst volume at 500° C., and rich spiking is controlled so that an actual NOx storage amount of the NOx storage-and-reduction type catalyst becomes 50% or less of the saturated NOx storage amount. Since the saturated NOx storage amount is large, the NOx storage amount is large even when it is 50% or less, it is possible to prolong intervals of the rich spiking. Then, since NOx storage component stores NOx preferentially into the sites which are likely to store and release NOx, a reduction efficiency is high. Therefore, while prolonging the intervals of the rich spiking and sustaining an effect of mileage improvement, it is possible to improve the reduction efficiency of NOx.

Abstract: Recovery of air bag inflator metal cases. An inflator processing apparatus configured to process a gas-generating chemical-containing inflator for automobile air bags, by heating the inflator to a temperature not lower than an operating temperature of the chemical to facilitate recovery of the metal inflator case. In the apparatus, a protective metal partition wall is provided between an inner surface of a wall of an inflator-processing furnace and the chemical-containing inflator. This prevents damage to the refractory furnace wall, and also prevents melting of the metal inflator case, which could otherwise be occasioned by the chemical during thermal processing of the inflator containing the gas-generating chemical.

Abstract: A sterilization system (14) includes a sensor (10) for detection of a component, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, in a multi-component vapor, such as a mixture of vapor hydrogen peroxide and water supplied to a chamber (12) of the system. The sensor preferably uses a wavelength range in which hydrogen peroxide strongly absorbs but other components of the vapor, such as water, do not. A suitable wavelength for detection of hydrogen peroxide is from about 7500 to about 8400 nm, since there is little absorption by water in this range. This avoids the need to use complex subtraction procedures normally used to remove the contribution of water from detected absorbance measurements. A control system (16, 30) controls operating conditions of the sterilization system, such as a heater (82), pressure release valves (74), vaporization rate of hydrogen peroxide by a vaporizer (22), and the like to maintain optimum sterilization conditions within the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a stream of liquid and air segments wherein the liquid and air segments are selectively aspirated into a first fluid conduit in a plurality of cycles, each cycle beginning with the aspiration of a first air segment and ending with the aspiration of a final air segment. The liquid and air segments are then transferred from the first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. The volume of the final air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the final air segment has moved into the second fluid conduit. Next, the liquid segments and the air segments of each cycle are transferred from the second fluid conduit to a third fluid conduit. The volume of the first air segment of each cycle is then adjusted after the first air segment has moved into the third fluid conduit.

Abstract: A purifying system includes a purifying device for purifying a combustion-exhaust gas emitted from a fuel reforming device, a flow control valve for introducing anode-off gas discharged from a fuel cell into the purifying device through an anode-off-gas supply pipe, and a control device for controlling the opening angle of the flow control valve on the basis of the temperature of the purifying device detected by a temperature sensor, so that an oxidizing reaction of hydrogen through a catalyst incorporated in the purifying device is promoted by the introduced anode-off gas containing pre-reaction hydrogen and pre-reformed fuel. The temperature of the catalyst in the purifying device is raised by heat of the oxidizing reaction of hydrogen, to a level at which the catalyst is sufficiently activated, so that the combustion-exhaust gas is purified by the purifying device.

Abstract: The apparatus for the disinfection of aqueous media in a tank wherein the media is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from a tubular watertight UV source, an electronic control unit is attached to the tank for the control of the UV source, the container is provided with a cover that can be tilted open and has a handle and the source is arranged substantially along a middle axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for chlorine dioxide generation. The chlorine dioxide apparatus may comprise a plurality of metering pumps for delivering a plurality of reactant chemicals. The reactant chemicals are preferably delivered to a reaction column through inlet ports where the reactants are mixed to form the desired reactants. A synchronizer may control the metering pump action to provide synchronized delivery of the plurality of reactant chemicals to the reaction column.

Abstract: A sterilization system and method applies low frequency power to a plasma within a vacuum chamber to remove gas or vapor species from an article. The sterilization system includes a switching module adapted to pulsate the low frequency power applied to the plasma and a low frequency power feedback control system for controllably adjusting the low frequency power applied to the plasma. A power monitor is adapted to produce a first signal indicative of the low frequency power applied to the plasma within the vacuum chamber. A power control module is adapted to produce a second signal in response to the first signal from the power monitor, and a power controller is adapted to adjust, in response to the second signal, the low frequency power applied to the plasma to maintain a substantially stable average low frequency power applied to the plasma while the article is being processed.

Abstract: A sterilization system applies power to a plasma within a chamber to remove gas or vapor species from an article. The sterilization system includes a power feedback control system for controlling the power applied to the plasma. The power feedback control system includes a current monitor adapted to produce a first signal indicative of a current applied to the plasma within the chamber. The power feedback control system further includes a voltage monitor adapted to produce a second signal indicative of a voltage applied to the plasma within the chamber. The power feedback control system further includes a power control module comprising a programmable digital signal processor. The digital signal processor is adapted to receive and process the first signal and the second signal by multiplying the current and the voltage and producing a third signal indicative of the product of the current and the voltage.

Abstract: In a reforming reactor (31), a partial oxidation reaction is performed between a hydrocarbon fuel and air, and in a mixer (32), water is injected into hot gas heated by the partial oxidation reaction to vaporize the water, and the vaporized water is mixed with the hot gas. In a shift reactor (33), the vaporized water is made to undergo a shift reaction with the hot gas. In this way, a device for promoting vaporization of the water or a complex fuel injection device is not required.

Abstract: A heat sterilization process for small, washed, and bagged articles such as vial stoppers includes a conditioning or air removal phase prior to sterilization. During the air removal phase, a substantial majority of the liquid moisture is removed from the bagged articles by introducing brief periods of dry, warm air to the autoclave chamber. The air is introduced in short bursts at the point of greatest vacuum while pressure pulsing the chamber during the air removal phase. The air is heated and injected into the chamber through a supply valve which is rapidly opened and closed while the chamber is maintained within a preselected vacuum range between the pressure pulses. The result is a greatly reduced time for a complete sterilization and drying process.

Abstract: In a fuel reforming apparatus having a reformer for reforming a raw fuel containing a hydrocarbon-containing compound so as to produce a hydrogen-rich fuel gas for use in a fuel cell, a carbon removal process for removing carbon deposited on a reforming catalyst contained in the reformer is executed by controlling the amount of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer and the amount of the oxygen supplied to the reformer so that a ratio of the number of oxygen atoms O supplied to the reformer to the number of carbon atoms supplied to the reformer becomes larger than an appropriate range of the O/C ratio that is to be established during a normal operation of the reformer.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a purified aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The apparatus includes at least one purifier tower packed with an ion exchange resin, a chelate resin or an adsorption resin for receiving a charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing impurities so as to effect contact thereof with the ion exchange resin, chelate resin or adsorption resin, thereby purifying the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, which apparatus further comprises a feed pump of given output capable of causing the charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to flow to the purifier tower, a flow sensor capable of sensing a flow rate of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower by means of the feed pump, and a flow control unit capable of controlling the output of the feed pump on the basis of a detection result of the flow sensor so as to maintain the flow of charged aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution being fed to the purifier tower at a constant rate.

Abstract: A system for injecting liquid hydrogen peroxide using a closed-loop flow control for controlling the injection rate of the liquid hydrogen peroxide. An injection rate is determined from measuring the rotational speed of a pump motor. If the determined injection rate varies from the desired injection rate, the speed of the pump motor is modified. Pulse width modulation (PWM) is used to control the pump motor speed.

Abstract: When microbial contamination is introduced into a room (20*) of an enclosure, such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork (16) and a return ductwork (34) is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. A decontamination controller (46) operates controllable baffles (22) at outlet registers (20), temporary controllable baffles (44) at inlet registers (30), and a blower system (10) to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogen peroxide vapor generators (42) through the ductwork in both forward and reverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closed to create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides in the ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for online and on-site tracer generation for tagging natural gas stored in underground storage fields wherein feedstock is drawn from a feedstock source. The feedstock undergoes initial analysis to determine hydrocarbons levels. The feedstock then undergoes reaction to produce tracers such as ethylene, propylene, acetylene hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The feedstock is then analyzed to determine post reaction tracer concentration. The feedstock including generated tracers is then introduced back into the feedstock stream. Tracer levels in the pre-reaction or initial analysis of feedstock are compared with tracer levels in the post-reaction feedstock and the rate of flow of feedstock through the system is adjusted to achieve a predetermined level of tracer concentration. The level of tracer concentration will then be used to identify the particular natural gas charge in a storage field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying solutions in one or more arrays of vessels includes a manifold that receives gas and a base plate that receives the one or more arrays of vessels. The manifold includes one or more hollow tubes that direct the gas into the vessels, where the gas evaporates the solutions. A variety of types of hollow tubes are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas is filtered, pressurized and/or heated. In an exemplary embodiment, the solutions are heated. The base plate is hingeably coupled to the manifold so that the base plate has an open position and a closed position. The open position permits users to place and remove the vessels that contain solutions to be dried. In the closed position, the base plate and the manifold are in sealing engagement with one another, wherein the one or more of the hollow tubes extend into the vessels.

Abstract: A reaction state at an upstream portion of the catalyst unit in which a partial oxidation reaction occurs is detected by a first reaction state detector, and a reforming reaction state in the whole of the catalyst unit composed of a catalyst for promoting a steam reforming reaction and a catalyst for promoting a partial oxidation reaction is detected by a second reaction state detector. Based on a reaction state detected by the second reaction state detector, a first corrector corrects feed amounts of raw fuel gas and oxidation gas, which are supplied to the catalyst unit, and a second corrector corrects a feed amount of the oxidation gas supplied to the catalyst unit and/or a feed timing thereof, based on the reaction state detected by the first reaction state detector.

Abstract: A waste is dry-distilled in a gasification furnace and generated combustible gas is combusted in a combustion furnace. A temperature in the combustion furnace is set to be substantially constant at a first preset temperature or more. When the temperature in the combustion furnace is greater than the first preset temperature by combustion of other fuels, the combustible gas is introduced. When the temperature in the combustion furnace reaches a second preset temperature or more by the combustion of only the combustible gas, the combustion of the other fuels is finished. When the temperature in the combustion furnace falls below a third preset temperature the combustion of the other fuels is resumed. When the temperature in the gasification furnace falls below a fourth preset temperature, the combustion of the other fuels is finished.

Abstract: A fuel reforming system comprises a reforming catalyst section (4) performing reformate reactions on supplied fuel gas, a membrane hydrogen separator (5) extracting hydrogen from the reformate gas, a supply device (14, 8-12) supplying combustion gas for heating the membrane reactor (2), a sensor (16) for detecting the temperature of the membrane hydrogen separator (5) and a controller. The supply device supplies combustion gas to the membrane reactor (2) before the reforming catalyst section starts reformate reactions during startup of the membrane reactor (2). Furthermore the supply device stops supply of combustion gas to the membrane reactor (2) when the temperature of the membrane hydrogen separator (5) is greater than or equal to a target temperature. Thereafter the fuel supply device supplies fuel to the fuel reforming catalyst section (4). In this manner, hydrogen embrittlement in the membrane hydrogen separator can be avoided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for monitoring and/or controlling treatment of aqueous systems including water cooling systems are provided. The present invention includes a self-contained treatment unit for controllably bleeding water from an aqueous system and delivering treatment agents, such as inhibitor agents and/or anti-biofouling agents, to treat conditions, such as scale, corrosion, biofouling or the like within the aqueous system.

Abstract: A reformer 34 includes three reforming reaction units 80, 82, and 84. These reforming reaction units 80, 82, and 84 respectively include catalyst layers 81, 83, and 85. A supply of crude fuel gas fed to the reformer 34 successively passes through the catalyst layers 81, 83, and 85 in this sequence to be subjected to reforming reactions and converted to a hydrogen-rich gaseous fuel. An air supply unit 90 feeds a supply of the air to each catalyst layer. Oxidation reactions proceed in addition to the reforming reactions in the catalyst layer which receives the supply of the air. Heat produced by the oxidation reactions is utilized for the reforming reactions. Temperature sensors 86, 87, and 88 respectively measure the internal temperatures of the catalyst layers 81, 83, and 85. The amount of the air fed to each catalyst layer is regulated, based on the results of the measurement.

Abstract: Polishing slurry is transported via piping to flow into the closed loop control system. First, the polishing slurry flows into the ultrasonic concentration detector. Original data of the polishing slurry that is determined by means of ultrasonic concentration detector is a fluid velocity at that time. This determined value can be converted into weight percent concentration at that time by memory data table. The converted data of weight percent concentration will be transmitted into program logic controller (PLC), and the data of liquid level volume in the distribution tank will be transmitted into program logic controller at present. The program logic controller will then analyze whether the quantity of oxidant is sufficient. If the quantity of oxidant does not reach the required criterion, the program logic controller will control the analog valve to transmit a supplementary quantity of oxidant into the distribution tank via the analog valve and piping.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system which includes a catalytic air purifier, a control system is provided for sensing the level of predetermined conditions in a space and for responsively modulating the air purification process in a manner which optimizes the process in terms of its effectiveness and its economical use. The conditions that are sensed include the levels of VOC's, CO2, and biological contaminants, as well as degree of occupancy, relative humidity and air flow. The air purification process is modulated by varying the power to a UV lamp, turning one or more UV lamps on or off, varying the effectiveness of the catalyst, varying the volume or speed of the air flowstream and/or varying the relative humidity in the space.

Abstract: Sensor arrays, methods, and systems for detecting the presence of gas phase materials by the formation of films based on the gas phase material are disclosed. The gas phase materials preferentially deposit conductive films on receptor materials that can be detected. The invention may also provide for increased sensitivity to the deposition of conductive materials through the use of closely spaced conductive electrodes interconnected by lines of receptor material. Examples of gas phase materials that may be detected include RuO4, IrO4 and RhO4.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting device of the invention has exhaust emission purifying catalyst on an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and air-fuel ratio sensors provided upstream and downstream of the exhaust emission purifying catalyst, respectively, and detects the deterioration of the exhaust emission purifying catalyst based on the outputs of the air-fuel ratio sensors. An index characteristic value of catalyst deterioration is calculated from the outputs of the air-fuel ratio sensors, a time-lapse changing ratio of the calculated index characteristic value of catalyst deterioration is calculated, and the deterioration of the exhaust emission purifying catalyst is determined based on the calculated time-lapse changing ratio.

Abstract: The present invention involves a sterilization system for running high amperage current through a dental or medical handpiece to be sterilized thereby heating the handpiece to a point of sterilization. The system includes a controller, a high amperage current source, and a handpiece receptacle. The handpiece receptacle includes clamps to hold the handpiece in place and a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the handpiece. The controller controls the amount of current supplied by the high amperage current source to the handpiece according to the temperature of the handpiece. After the handpiece has been at or above the sterilization temperature for the required period of time, the controller stops the flow of current to the handpiece.

Abstract: An autothermal reformer according to the principles of the present invention comprises a first stage that selectively receives a fuel flow, a first oxidant flow, and a steam flow. The first stage has a first portion of a catalyst bed. The fluids within the first stage are routed through the first portion of the catalyst bed and react. There is a second stage downstream from and communicating with the first stage. The second stage receives the fluids from the first stage and also selectively receives a second oxidant flow. The second oxidant flow and the fluids received from the first stage flow through a second portion of a catalyst bed and further react.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method controls temperatures of front and back ends of a shift reactor. Front and back end temperature sensors sense temperatures of the front and back ends of the shift reactor and generate front and back end temperature signals. An actuator injects fluid into the front end of the shift reactor. A controller communicates with the front end temperature sensor, the back end temperature sensor and the actuator and controls the temperature of the front end and the back end. The controller includes primary and secondary control loops. The secondary control loop communicates with the back end temperature sensor. The primary control loop communicates with the front end temperature sensor. The secondary control loop generates a temperature setpoint for the primary control loop. The secondary control loop has a slower response time that the primary control loop.

Abstract: A method of operation of a steam stripped fractionation column by using a computer to process the relevant operating parameters of the column to determine the undesirable approach to a possible flooding condition.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a reformer and a method of controlling the reformer are provided. The reformer gasifies a reformate fuel by a reforming reaction, supplies the obtained reformate gas to an energy converter to convert the reformate gas into energy of another form, and heats the reformate fuel by burning emission containing unreacted flammable gas produced in the energy converter. The control apparatus comprises a reforming amount assessing device for assessing the amount of the reformate fuel to be gasified, and an emission amount assessing device for assessing the amount of emission to be supplied into the reformer on the basis of the assessed amount of reformate fuel. When using the unreacted hydrogen gas generated in a fuel cell for heating the reformate fuel, the unreacted hydrogen gas and combustion aid gas can be controlled so that the reformate fuel is heated properly.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide contained in reformate gas is removed by a preferential oxidation reaction in a catalyst, two preferential oxidation reactors (20A, 20B) being disposed in series. Valves (7, 8) supply air containing oxygen as an oxidizing agent individually to these preferential oxidation reactors (20A, 20B). Temperature sensors (9, 10) detect the catalyst temperatures of the preferential oxidation reactors (20A, 20B), and a controller (5), by adjusting the flow rate of the valves (7, 8) based on the detected temperatures, maximizes the carbon monoxide removal performance of the preferential oxidation reactors (20A, 20B), while preventing excessive catalyst temperature rise.

Abstract: A reaction vessel system includes a reaction vessel, a cooling unit functionally connected to the vessel to impart controlled cooling thereto; a heating unit functionally connected to the vessel to impart controlled heating thereto; and control means connected to the cooling unit and the heating unit for programmable automatic control of the cooling unit to control at least one of on/off flow and rate of flow, and to control at least one of on/off heating and rate of heating, including a programmable device. The cooling unit includes a cooling element in proximity to the vessel with at least one inlet port for injection of a phase change coolant, a heat absorbent area and at least one outlet port for removal of the phase change coolant. This is an injector for injecting the coolant in liquid form via the inlet port to the cooling element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating the atmosphere to lower the concentration of pollutants, such as ozone, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and the like, therein in which ambient air is passed into operative contact with a stationary substrate such as an automobile at rest, a billboard, an air conditioning unit, a transportation tunnel and the like, the stationary substrate having at least one ambient air contacting surface having a pollutant treating composition, such as manganese compounds, copper compounds, platinum group metals and compounds thereof, precious metals, and the like, thereon.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices having a computer for correcting for electrokinetic effects are provided. Methods of correcting for electrokinetic effects by establishing the velocity of reactants and products in a reaction in electrokinetic microfluidic devices are also provided. These microfluidic devices can have substrates with channels, depressions, and/or wells for moving, mixing and monitoring precise amounts of analyte fluids.

Abstract: A fuel processor control system for a fuel cell stack includes water and fuel metering devices that control water and fuel provided to the fuel processor. An air flow rate sensor generates an air flow rate signal based on air flowing from a compressor to the fuel processor. A valve is located between the fuel processor and the fuel cell stack. A controller controls the valve and the water and fuel metering devices based on the air flow rate sensor. Other feedback signals such as stack voltage, stack cell voltage variation, pressure differential across the valve, and mass flow rate between the valve and the fuel cell stack can augment or be substituted for the air flow rate feedback signal. The fuel processor can be a partial oxidation reformer a steam reforming reactor, an auto thermal reformer or any combination thereof. The system may also include a water as shift reactor and a preferential oxidation reactor for carbon monoxide reduction.

Abstract: A system for determining the efficacy of a sterilization process and communicating that determination to a remote device. The system includes a sterilization sensor and a reader adapted to receive that sterilization sensor. The sterilization sensor has an indicator that undergoes a predetermined optical change when exposed to a sterilization process. The reader has an illumination source for illuminating the sterilization sensor, a color sensor for evaluating the condition of the illuminated sterilization sensor, and an interpretation circuit for interpreting the output of the color sensor to determine whether the optical change has taken place. The reader also has a communication circuit for communicating data from the interpretation circuit to the remote device. In the preferred embodiments, the sterilization sensor is disposable and the reader is reusable.

Abstract: A method for controlling absorbent at a decarboxylation facility with an absorption tower having an amine recovery section and a regeneration tower, including controlling a temperature controller for controlling a temperature of circulating water forwarded to the amine recovery section of the absorption tower by a controller which controls a liquid level at the bottom of the absorption tower, whereby the concentration of amine in the absorbent is regulated.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus and method in which a sanitizing device detects pressure of steam rather than temperature. The pressure is related to a desired temperature, but detection of pressure means that temperature sensors do not need to be exposed to the steam. In addition, the steam can be fully saturated, and sterilization can be obtained without the need for a drying cycle. The liquid does not need to be reused in the apparatus, ensuring that biofilm contamination of articles can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid transfer device for an analysis apparatus with a liquid transfer cannula (5) and a capacitive liquid level detector to detect the immersion of the liquid transfer cannula (5) in an analysis liquid contained in a vessel. To reliably check if the liquid transfer cannula (5) is submerged in the analysis liquid or immersed for example in foam it is proposed additionally that resistance is measured by a measurement section (16) in the liquid transfer cannula (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for generating odor including a disk having a substrate with a dispersing material retaining at least one releasable aroma positioned with respect to the substrate. The dispersing material includes a structure, such as a plurality of openable pores, that is physically responsive to a stimulus such as heat or light. A device provides the stimulus to the dispersing material upon demand as a function of a signal, wherein the plurality of pores within the dispersing material are reversibly enlarged as a result of the stimulus.

Abstract: A system for determining the effectiveness of a catalytic coating on a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle. The system provides a driver or maintenance staff status of the catalytic function provided by the catalytic coating on the catalytic converter which is downstream from a heat exchanger connected to a cooling system in an engine in a motor vehicle. The catalytic converter is arranged to be heated by an air flow passing through the catalytic converter. The catalytic coating on the catalytic converter converts environmentally harmful substances in ambient air into substances which are not harmful to the environment. The motor vehicle also includes a control unit and a sensor. The sensor is connected to the control unit and is able to determine a degree of conversion of one or more environmentally harmful substances by the catalytic coating on the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying localized absorption and scattering coefficients at a tissue measurement site in a controlled and reproducible manner during optical sampling of a tissue volume by controlling the pressure applied to a tissue measurement site by a spectroscopic analyzer allows applied pressure to be maintained at a constant level, or the applied pressure may be varied in a controlled, reproducible manner as a function of time. A rest for receiving a body part holds the body part in a fixed position and at a fixed elevation. A mechanical system advances a fiber optic probe until it makes contact with the body part with a constant amount of pressure. The applied force is supplied by a counterweight on a single arm balance. A temperature control allows the temperature of the fiber optic probe to be equilibrated with the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the tissue measurement site.

Abstract: A modular materials characterization apparatus includes a sensor array disposed on a substrate, with a standardized array and contact pad format; electronic test and measurement apparatus for sending electrical signals to and receiving electrical signals from the sensor array; an apparatus for making electrical contact to the sensors in the standardized array format; an apparatus for routing signals between one or more selected sensors and the electronic test and measurement apparatus and a computer including a computer readable having a computer program recorded therein for controlling the operator of the apparatus. The sensor array is preferably arranged in a standardized format used in combinatorial chemistry applications for rapid deposition of sample materials on the sensor array.