Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting an object by optical triangulation, where the signal of interest in a captured image corresponds to an interaction between a light beam and an environment surrounding the object rather than between a light beam and the object itself. The surrounding environment may be configured to interact in a manner that is detectable by filling it with a flowable scattering medium, e.g. a gas, mist or vapour comprising a suspension of fine particles in air. Light that is scattered by the flowable scattering medium is visible in a captured image. Where the flowable scattering medium is not present, e.g. because the object blocks it, the scattered signal is less. A boundary of a scattered signal region may thus provide information about the location of an object.

Abstract: A particle matter analysis device, an analysis method and a manufacturing method are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A system for inspecting flexible pipelines comprises a data analyzer, a data collector and an ultrasonic transducer. Further, the ultrasonic transducer is adapted to propagate shear wave into the annulus of the flexible pipeline. The data collector further comprises a data store and a communicator. Further, the system is capable of differentiating flooding and non-flooding condition of the annulus of the flexible pipeline which is subjected to high pressure. Using the system, an indicator of a flooded or non-flooded condition within the flexible pipeline may be calculated using transmitted and detected reflective waves or the lack of detected reflective waves.

Abstract: A powder sieving system that is configured as part of a powder reclamation system is provided. The powder sieving system includes a support structure; and a filter housing movable relative to the support structure, the filter housing defining an inlet and an outlet and comprising a broad frequency filter disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the broad frequency filter including: a first filter fixed relative to the filter housing, the first filter being substantially rigid; and a second filter coupled within the filter housing adjacent to the first filter, the second filter being substantially flexible such that the second filter is movable relative to the first filter within the filter housing when the filter housing moves relative to the support structure, the first filter and the second filter configured to restrict a first portion of a powder larger than a predetermined threshold from reaching the outlet.

Abstract: In an example, a thermal extraction apparatus includes: a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet to receive a gas flow through the housing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, and a side opening to receive a sample collector, having a sample collector adsorbent containing a vapor sample, into a sample collector location; a pump to generate the gas flow; a heater to heat the sample collector adsorbent of the sample collector to a temperature sufficient to release the vapor sample; a thermal desorption (TD) tube connected with the gas outlet of the housing to receive the gas flow downstream of the sample collector and collect the vapor sample released from the sample collector adsorbent of the sample collector; and a cooling member in heat exchange with the TD tube to cool the TD tube.

Abstract: The apparati, methods, and computer program products disclosed herein can be used to nondestructively detect undissolved particles, such as glass flakes and/or protein aggregates, in a fluid in a vessel, such as, but not limited to, a fluid that contains a drug.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of determining a pore throat size distribution of reservoir rock, comprising injecting a set of different-sized probe particles through a portion of reservoir rock and measuring retention volumes or times of each of the different-sized probe particles eluting from the portion of reservoir rock. This disclosure also provides a testing apparatus comprising a probe tube for receiving a set of different-sized probe particles in an elution fluid returning from a portion of reservoir rock and an analytical module connected to receive the elution fluid from the probe tube.

Abstract: This accelerator play measurement device measures the play opening of an accelerator pedal of a vehicle, and includes: an accelerator actuator for operating the accelerator pedal; a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle; a first measurement unit for calculating a provisional play opening on the basis of a change in vehicle speed detection value from the vehicle speed sensor when the accelerator actuator has been driven and the accelerator pedal opening degree has been increased at a first speed from a fully-closed opening degree; and a second measurement unit for detecting the play opening on the basis of a change in vehicle speed detection value when the accelerator actuator has been driven and the accelerator pedal opening degree has been increased at a second speed higher than the first speed from the fully-closed opening degree to close to the provisional play opening.

Abstract: Provided herein is a particle analyzer that is operably connected to a probe unit that is capable of both dislodging particles from a surface and sampling the particles after they have been dislodged. The devices and methods described herein may be lightweight and/or handheld, for example, so that they may be used within a cleanroom environment to clean and sample permanent surfaces and tools. The devices may include optical particle counters that use scattered, obscured or emitted light to detect particles, including condensation particle counting systems or split detection optical particle counters to increase the sensitivity of the device and thereby facilitate detection of smaller particles, while avoiding the increased complexity typically required for the detection of nanoscale particles, such as particles less than 100 nm in effective diameter.

Abstract: The gating control features described include creating a first gate in a scaled data space. The scaling properties may be stored or associated with the gate. As the scaling parameters are changed for the gate—either manually or through automated detection—the scaled properties are continually updated to reflect the most recent changes. When gate properties are changed on a gate that applies to multiple data sets, the correct scaled properties are continuously stored with the gate for each data set, as the properties are being change interactively. The features also allow for backwards compatibility by associating current scaling parameters with a predefined gate.

Abstract: An emissions measurement system capable of providing an accurate, real-time estimate of particle number (PN)/particulate matter (PM) within exhaust is disclosed. The system is capable of accurately differentiating the size and composition of PM/PN by synchronizing dissimilarly configured sensors. The exhaust may be generated by an internal combustion engine, in which case the system may be sequentially connected to the exhaust from the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An isolation device for supplying a workspace with clean air resulting from dust filtration by an air cleaning means accurately manages the number of fine particles in a workspace and prevents fine particles from mixing with an experimental material. The isolation device includes a measurement probe; a particle counter for measuring the fine-particle counts for a plurality of particle sizes in the workspace air and outputting the measurements; a storage unit for storing, for each of the plurality of particle sizes and for work times and non-work times, management fine-particle counts at which the number of fine particles per unit volume is determined to be large; a cleanliness determination unit that compares the fine particle counts and the management fine-particle counts; and an output unit for outputting an alarm when the work-time/non-work time fine particle count for a particle size in the workspace exceeds the corresponding management fine-particle count.

Abstract: A downhole local solid particles counting probe (1) for counting solid particles (101) in a fluid (100) present in a hydrocarbon well in production comprising: an elongated and flexible protective tube (2) defining an internal cavity (5) terminating by a membrane wall (3) defining a tip (4), the protective tube (2) and the membrane wall (3) isolating the internal cavity (5) from the fluid (100) of the hydrocarbon well, the protective tube (2) and membrane wall (3) are made of metal or metal alloy and have a thickness (ei) such as to resist to the downhole hydrocarbon well pressure; a passive acoustic sensor (6) mounted inside the internal cavity (5), the passive acoustic sensor (6) having a front side (7) mechanically coupled on the membrane wall (3) of the tip (4); a characteristic dimension of the passive acoustic sensor (6) is similar to solid particles (101) average characteristic dimension, ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.

Abstract: In the particle analyzing apparatus of the present invention, first, an inner space with a negative pressure having a predetermined volume is formed in the cylinder of a syringe device for sucking a sample liquid in the measuring chamber, then, the negative pressure is applied to the measuring chamber, the sample liquid is sucked, and measurement of particle is performed in the measuring flow path. The control device calculates a particle analysis value from the measurement signal obtained by the measurement. The particle analysis value is obtained by the sucking force of the negative pressure and the control device further corrects the particle analysis value based on a standard pressure predetermined for the inner space.

Abstract: An imaging device for determining particle size distribution including a sample receptacle containing a sample and an imager capable of capturing a plurality of images of the sample in a region of observation. The imaging device further includes a radiation source provided linearly opposite to the imager and a base platform that supports the imager and the radiation source.

Abstract: An emissions measurement system capable of providing an accurate, real-time estimate of particle number (PN)/particulate matter (PM) within exhaust is disclosed. The system is capable of accurately differentiating the size and composition of PM/PN by synchronizing dissimilarly configured sensors. The exhaust may be generated by an internal combustion engine, in which case the system may be sequentially connected to the exhaust from the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for analyzing a liquid sample containing solid matter. The method comprises fractionating the sample according to particle sizes and/or masses of the solid matter so as to produce sample fractions, and measuring at least one physical or chemical property of at least one of said sample fractions. According to the invention the sample is conducted to a disintegration channel having one or more depressions, and a liquid flow having a non-constant temporal velocity profile is applied through the disintegration channel, in order to gradually take solid matter of the sample with the liquid flow from said one or more depressions for providing said sample fractions. The invention allows for efficient fractionation of samples, which cannot be fractionated using conventional field flow fractionation, for example.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for accurate sensing of particle concentrations in fluids by employing a particle impactor system that allows for collection, growth and analysis of biological particles. The disclosed systems and methods make use of a pressure based flow sensor which permits the particle impactor system systems to accurately and reliably provide measurements of biological particle concentrations in the ambient environment. By incorporation of pressure sensors and pressure measurements into the flow measurement techniques, embodiments provide for the ability to use a particle impactor system to accurately measure environmental biological particle concentrations at a variety of atmospheric pressure conditions, such as at high altitude or with minimal perturbation from atmospheric weather conditions, without requiring recalibration or other adjustment of the sensors and control systems.

Abstract: Determining cleanliness of a sample by providing a continuous flow of clean air into a chamber through a HEPA filter, taking a reference reading of particle counts while the chamber is empty, introducing the sample into the chamber and taking a first reading of a particle count received from all sides of the sample in the chamber to determine loose particles in a particle size range of 0.1 microns up to 5 microns associated with the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining cleanliness of a sample is provided. The method includes taking a first reading of particles count of a sample placed into a chamber. The method further includes directing a stream of air over the sample, and taking a second reading of particles count of the sample. The method further includes calculating a difference between the first reading and the second reading, and determining a cleanliness of the sample based upon the difference. The method further includes option of taking an additional reading while a stream of ionized air is directed towards the sample. The method further includes trapping the impurities particles released from the sample by applying a vacuum through the filter, and analyzing the trapped particles to determine nature and chemical composition of the impurities particles.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow rate sensor includes a droplet within a channel and a droplet movement detector that generates a signal based on the position and/or movement of the droplet within the channel. A processor determines the flow rate of a fluid through the channel based on the signal received from the droplet movement detector. In one example, the droplet movement detector is an optical detector, such as a combination of a lens and an image capturing device. In other examples, the droplet is electrically conductive, and at least a portion of the channel is conductive or includes electrical contacts. The position of the droplet within the channel is determined by observing the electrical characteristics of the channel.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user to design a photo book includes displaying layouts of a first page and a second page of the photo book at the user interface, storing a first snapshot image and a first dynamic render object in association with the first page and a second snapshot image and a second dynamic render object in association with the second page, allowing a user to select the first page for editing by at the user interface, in response to user selection of the first page, representing the first page by the first dynamic render object at the user interface, representing the second page by the second snapshot image at the user interface, and allowing the user to vary the first dynamic render object in the first page at the user interface.

Abstract: A particle sensor arranged in an exhaust duct such that particles from the exhaust-gas flow accumulate on and/or between at least two sensor electrodes when a voltage greater than a limit voltage is applied between the two sensor electrodes and substantially no particles accumulate if the voltage is lower than the limit voltage. During a first time period, a first voltage greater than the limit voltage is applied between the sensor electrodes. During a second time period, a second voltage, lower than the limit voltage, is applied between the sensor electrodes, and/or the particle sensor is heated to a predefined temperature, such that substantially no particles accumulate on and/or between the at least two sensor electrodes. Following the second time period, a third voltage greater than the limit voltage is applied between the sensor electrodes.

Abstract: A system and a method of measuring a particle's size in a select aerosol using the optical diameter of the particle to perform a mobility and/or aerodynamic diameter conversion without any knowledge about the particle's shape and its optical properties in the aerosol being characterized. In one example embodiment of the invention, the method includes generating a set of calibration data and finding the optimal refractive index and shape that best fits the calibration data. In addition, the method includes creating a new calibration curve that provides a mobility-equivalent or aerodynamic-equivalent diameter.

Abstract: A process for characterizing micro, meso, and/or macro porous materials is provided. The process includes providing a volumetric and/or gravimetric adsorption system, the adsorption system having an adsorption chamber and a probe gas at a first temperature. In addition, a porous material to be characterized is provided and placed within the adsorption chamber. Thereafter, a porosimetry run is conducted on the porous material. The porosimetry run includes: (a) selecting an uptake target value; (b) selecting a target interval bounding the target uptake target value; (c) adjusting pressure within the adsorption chamber in order for the porous sample to reach the target uptake value; (d) adjusting pressure within the adsorption chamber until the pressure within the adsorption chamber is within the target interval for a predetermined amount of time; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the porosimetry run is complete.

Abstract: A process for charging a longitudinal section of a catalyst tube with a homogeneous fixed catalyst bed section whose active composition is at least one multielement oxide or comprises elemental silver on an oxidic support body and whose geometric shaped catalyst bodies and shaped inert bodies have a specific inhomogeneity of their longest dimensions.

Abstract: A particle size distribution measuring system 1 sets a reference voltage in a DMA 300 to a voltage value U, and executes the classifying of aerosol particles based on electrical mobility, in an electric field to which the voltage value U is supplied. When a predetermined condition is not satisfied, an analyzing device 600 causes a sum of the voltage value for the previous classifying (previous value) and the voltage value U to be re-set in the DMA 300 and causes the classifying of the aerosol particles to be executed again. A particle measuring device 400 defines a first measurement result as a measurement result M1, and defines a result of the re-measurement as a new measurement result Mx every time the measurement is thereafter repeated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method involving: gathering a set of files from one or more computers; analyzing the set of files to identify a plurality of files among the set of files that contain spatial information; storing information about the plurality of files, the stored information indicating that the identified files contain spatial information; and causing to be displayed to a user an indication that the identified files contain spatial information.

Abstract: An implantable medical device with lubricious material permits implantable medical devices to have a reduced friction between the device and at least a portion of the surrounding tissue. The implantable medical device may have a housing or it may have a housing and a member for providing a smooth interface between the device and the tissue. The lubricious material may be provided on or impregnated in the housing or the member. In some embodiments, the device is configured for implantation in the head of a human body. In other embodiments, the device is configured for implantation between the cranium and the scalp. In some embodiments, the device includes a single module while in other embodiments a plurality of modules are coupled together to provide a smaller profile.

Abstract: A powder-classification method includes a mixing step in which a powder and a liquid additive are mixed together, a drying step in which the powder mixed in the mixing step is dried, a loading step in which the powder dried in the drying step is loaded into a fluid classifier, a heating step in which a gas is heated, a supplying step in which the gas heated in the heating step is supplied to the fluid classifier, and a classifying step in which the powder is classified in the fluid classifier based on a grain size of the powder.

Abstract: Described herein are assays for determining total suspended solids (TSS) in liquids. Here TSS can be determined by flowing turbid liquid samples in a porous medium. Using such an assay, TSS can be determined with small volumes of liquid and in short times without the need for dedicated optics and instruments. The assays can be used to determine total suspended solids in any liquid medium, for example, the assay can be used in an immunoprecipitin assay to determine the amount of antigen or antibody present in blood or other fluid.

Abstract: An example aircraft debris monitoring sensor assembly includes an aircraft conduit defining a hollow core passage extending axially from an inlet opening to an outlet opening. A sensor arrangement detects debris carried by a fluid within the hollow core passage.

Abstract: Provided is a method for classifying a powder using a classifier, wherein the method comprises: a mixing step for mixing a powder and an auxiliary agent formed from an alcohol aqueous solution containing 10 to 50 mass % of an alcohol; an introduction step for introducing the powder mixed in the mixing step to the classifier; a heating step for heating a gas; a feed step for feeding the gas heated in the heating step to the classifier; and a classifying step for classifying the powder in the classifier on the basis of grain size.

Abstract: A method for classifying a powder using a fluid classifier, which comprises a mixing step of mixing a powder and an assistant agent composed of an alcohol, an input step of inputting the powder mixed in the mixing step into the fluid classifier, a heating step of heating a gas, a supply step of supplying the gas heated in the heating step into the fluid classifier, and a classification step of classifying the powder according to particle diameters in the fluid classifier.

Abstract: A new instrument for electrical-mobility based size segregation of particles at high resolution is described. The instrument called the high-flow dual-channel differential mobility analyzer (HD-DMA) comprises of five flows: a polydisperse aerosol flow, a clean sheath flow, two monodisperse sample flows and a residual excess flow. High resolution measurements are possible because of the large sheath flowrates that are permissible in this instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring a material flow by means of microwaves, a sensor arrangement for measuring a material flow by means of microwaves and a device having a sensor arrangement, and to the use of a monostatic continuous wave radar for measuring a moving material flow consisting of particles or fluid. This has the advantage that the material flow consisting of particles or fluid can be quantitatively detected and/or the particles can be counted.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for analyzing particles from about 0.001 to about 1 ?m in diameter by controlling a gaseous medium through which the particles travel so that properties of the particles, such as diameter, electrical mobility, and charge, are measured. One embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses includes a particle source generator, a nozzle, a chamber, an electronic gate, and a detector. Resolution of the measurements made by the disclosed apparatuses is improved by use of a mathematical deconvolution of a spread in arrival times generated by particles of different sizes and charge levels and non-ideal background flow velocity variations.

Abstract: Woven, unfinished textiles or yarns may be made softer and more brightly-colored by a method which comprises treating a yarn to weave fabric by sizing the yarn to weave fabric; desizing the sized fabric; bleaching the desized fabric; reducing the number of electrolytes on the bleached fabric; pre-softening the fabric having fewer electrolytes; fabric printing the pre-softened fabric; and finishing the fabric printed fabric. A fabric printed textile comprising a self cross-linked low glass transition temperature acrylic binder film on fibers of a fabric printed textile, where the fibers are impregnated with a polysiloxane polymer.

Abstract: A method for quality control and quality assurance of sized bridging materials rotates a control sample having a fluid portion and a solids portion of sized bridging materials in a tubular container for a predetermined period of time. The control sample is then analyzed in a laser particle size analyzer to determine a particle size distribution for the control sample. A wet grinding sample having a fluid portion and a solids portion of the sized bridging materials is then rotated in the tubular container with a loose cylinder rod for a predetermined time to simulate borehole conditions. The wet grinding sample is then analyzed in the laser particle size analyzer to determine a particle size distribution for the wet grinding sample. The two particle size distributions are used to define a shift factor that represents the relative strength of the sized bridging materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optimizing and controlling the particle size distribution and scale-up of production of nanoparticle in an aerosol flame reactor. The method provides nanoparticles with desired, optimized and controlled particle size and the specific surface area in aerosol reactors using a simulation tool with programmed instructions. The simulation tool couples flame dynamics model and particle population balance model.

Abstract: An acute medical particulate testing device for determining particle shed from a medical device during implantation. The device includes a closed loop system through which a solution is forcibly passed. An inlet port allows a catheter-mounted medical device to be incorporated into the flow loop. At least one tortuous passage is provided to replicate the vascular pathway and tortuosity which simulates the turns and bends and rubbing that affect particulate release from an implantable medical device as it is passed through the vasculature. A debubbler is provided to remove air bubbles from the solution before it is passed into a particle counting device that counts particle shed from the medical device during the simulated implantation. A filter having desired porosity removes particles from the solution. A final filter system removes all particles and air bubbles from the solution before it is re-circulated through the loop.

Abstract: A counter assembly, sheath flow impedance count device, and flow cytometer analyzer are disclosed.

Abstract: Artificial or synthetic synovial fluids and methods for making such fluids are disclosed. The fluid includes selected proteins, phospholipids and hyaluronic acid and mimics the properties of human synovial fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining the average surface radius ro and/or the density r of the particles of a nanopowder in a sample levitating in an electropositive plasma with a volume V formed between a first electrode powered by a radiofrequency voltage and a second electrode with a fixed voltage, in particular a ground one, characterized in that: V is the amplitude at the measuring time t of the radiofrequency voltage RF powering the first electrode when the powder is present in the plasma, V is the amplitude of said radiofrequency voltage powering the first electrode in the absence of powder in the plasma, V is the self-polarization voltage of the first electrode at the time t when the powder is present in the plasma, V is the self-polarization voltage of the first electrode in the absence of powder in the plasma, ?AB is the surface variation of the second electrode in the presence of powder at the time t relative to a situation in which powder is absent, and the values of n and K are dete

Abstract: A particle detector (10) has a particle sensing surface (12) and a detecting layer (13). Provided on the particle sensing surface (12) is a random arrangement of projecting dactyls (15) which form boundaries to confinement cages (14). Only those particles having a size and shape that permits them to fit into the confinement cages between the dactyls are detected. The particle detector (10) advantageously is adapted to identify a large variety of different particles using the same detector.

Abstract: A device (1,2) for characterizing a size distribution of electrically-charged particles in an air flow (50), comprising: a particle charging unit (60), a parallel arrangement of a first measurement section (10) and a second measurement section (20), located downstream from the particle charging unit (60), and a data evaluation unit (40), wherein the first measurement section (10) comprises: a first particle sensing unit (11) arranged to precipitate substantially all entering electrically-charged particles, and to generate a first output signal (41), the second measurement section (20) comprises: a second particle sensing unit (21) arranged to precipitate at least part of all entering electrically-charged particles, and to generate a second output signal (42), and a first particle precipitation unit (22) arranged to partially reduce the concentration of electrically-charged particles having a size larger than a first particle size limit, the data evaluation unit (40) for calculating a particle number concentra

Abstract: The invention relates to a device that can reliably characterize a size distribution of electrically-charged airborne particles in an air flow under both stationary conditions and transient conditions. The device comprises a particle charging unit, a first particle precipitation unit located downstream of the particle charging unit, a second particle precipitation unit located downstream of the first particle precipitation unit, and a data evaluation unit. The first particle precipitation unit is arranged to partially reduce the concentration of electrically-charged airborne particles having a size larger than a first particle size limit, and to generate a first output signal corresponding to the precipitation of electrically-charged airborne particles inside the first particle precipitation unit.

Abstract: Methods, storage mediums, and systems for correlating pulses generated from multiple interrogation regions in a flow cytometer to particular particles flowing through the flow cytometer are provided. Embodiments of the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations for calibrating a flow cytometer using a calibration particle having a unique signature to determine a time-of-flight for particles flowing through the flow cytometer. Based on the calculated time-of-flight and relative positions of interrogation regions corresponding to collectors of the flow cytometer, the methods, storage mediums, and systems may further include configurations for associating other signal pulses to particles of one or more different particle sets.

Abstract: A device for sampling drill cuttings includes a frame, an inclined having a perforated planar member mounted on the frame, a sprayer for washing cuttings down over the perforations, and a. A removable open-topped cuttings collector mounted under the perforated planar member, the. The perforated member cooperating cooperates with the downstream end of a vibratory screen over which the cuttings pass before translating onto the perforated screen. The frame mounts to the vibratory screen so that vibrations of the vibratory screen also vibrate the perforated planar member and cuttings collector.