Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed for measuring the conductivity distribution in liquids or multiple phase media flowing in any direction. A grid sensor has electrodes shaped as parallel electroconductive grid bars or wires located in two or three planes and electrically insulated from each other and from their mounting. The electrodes in the individual planes are mutually offset by preferably 90°. One of the planes, the middle plane when three planes are used, forms an exciter plane connected with a pulse generator, whereas the other planes(s) form receiver plane(s) coupled to processing electronics. in the disclosed signal generation process, the electrodes of the exciter plane are successively driven with a symmetrical bipolar rectangular pulse, and all non-driven electrodes are connected with low impedance to the zero potential.

Abstract: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods and systems are disclosed that combine sequential, serial injection of a plurality of samples into mobile-phases supplied in parallel to two or more chromatographic columns, such that staggered, parallel separation of the plurality of samples is effected. Because injection of samples is relatively fast as compared to separation, substantial efficiencies are gained with respect to overall sample throughput.

Abstract: An analysis system and method for a cleanroom environment is disclosed wherein on-line testing of water-soluble contaminants is performed by condensing water vapor from an air sample taken from the clean room. The condenser is connected to a analyzing unit that is used to measure and analyze the water-soluble contaminants in the condensed water received from the condensing unit.

Abstract: A fraction collecting device for a liquid chromatograph has a splitter disposed downstream to a chromatographic column and serving to split the flow from the column into two flow routes individually connected to a mass analyzer serving as a detector and a fraction collector. A plurality of pipes each having a different flow resistance and being connected in parallel with respect to one other are inserted in either of these two flow routes. A control unit serves to select one of these pipes according to inputted parameters indicating the conditions of liquid chromatography to be carried out and controls valves so as to connect this selected one of the pipes to the column through the splitter.

Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. In preferred high-temperature embodiments, the polymer sample is maintained at a temperature of not less than about 75° C. during sample preparation, loading into a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, injection into a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, and/or elution from chromatographic column. The described methods, systems, and device have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

Abstract: Integrated analysis process and device for characterization of hydrocarbons in a petroleum product, in distillation fractions, by simulated distillation. The hydrocarbons of a petroleum sample are characterized without fractional distillation by coupling gas chromatography (GC) with liquid chromatography (LC) techniques. GC simulated distillation (SD) is carried out. The separation column is preceded by a precolumn of the same nature but shorter. At the outlet of the main column, retention means (CT, AC) allow to collect and to store one or more light fractions that are sent each to a GC analytical column (6) allowing detailed analysis of the hydrocarbons, and one or more middle fractions. The remaining heavy fraction is collected at the precolumn outlet. The middle and heavy fractions are characterized by a combined LC-GC chromatography unit. Several interfaces allowing GC-GC-LC-GC coupling are described.

Abstract: A method for detecting an analyte of interest present in a mixture at an ultralow concentration includes selecting a radioactive derivatizing agent comprising a multiphoton-emitting radioisotope moiety and a moiety reactive with the analyte of interest, the radioisotope moeity being bound to the derivatizing agent by a bond that is stable under the conditions employed in the other steps of the method, derivatizing the analyte of interest with the derivatizing agent, separating the analyte of interest from other components of the mixture by chromatography, and detecting the analyte of interest using multiphoton detection. The derivatizing step may be performed before or after fractionation. A radiophore for multiphoton emission enhanced chromatography has a first moeity bound to a multiphoton-emitting radioisotope, and a second moiety that is reactive with a functional group of an analyte of interest.

Abstract: Single pass methods and systems for measuring the total masses of individual compounds present in fluid samples in real time, and particularly for fluid samples prepared in microtiter plate format are provided. Individual compounds are isolated by fluid separation column (14). Portions of the individual compounds isolated by column (14) are analyzed by mass spectrometer (16), which determines their concentration on the basis of their molecular weights, and an evaporative light scattering detector (24), (which determines the total masses of each of the isolated compounds passing therethrough). Total collected masses of the individual compounds are calculated by determining the amount and portion of the isolated compounds diverted into evaporative light scattering detector (24) during a period of fraction collection.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing disorders in a subject organism, in which fluid samples from normal and abnormal organisms are analyzed to generate electrical signal patterns representative of molecular constituents of the samples. A data base of electrical signal patterns representative of frequency distribution of sample constituents from the abnormal organisms having known categories of disorders and control samples from normal organisms are created, and a fluid sample taken from the subject organism is analyzed by comparing it to the data base for conformity to the electrical signal patterns representative of the frequency distribution. The invention has particular applicability to assisting in the diagnosis of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Progressive Supernuclear Palsy.

Abstract: A silicon-based carrier matrix having a high ratio of surface area to volume is intended for use in integrated microanalysis systems. The carrier matrix comprises at least one layer of microporous silicon on a body of monocrystalline silicon. A method for producing the carrier matrix comprises electrochemical etching of a body of monocrystalline silicon, thereby to form at least one layer of microporous silicon on this body. The use of the carrier matrix for chemical sensors in integrated microanalysis systems, as well as in various sorts of chromatography, is also disclosed.