Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for live-cell imaging, compositions for performing the live cell imaging, and methods for making the composition. The method may comprise contacting a cell with an effective amount of a catenane, irradiating the cell, and detecting exciplex emission from the catenane within the cell. The catenane may comprise two mechanically interlocked macrocycles, each of the two macrocycles comprise an aromatic fluorophore subunit, and the aromatic fluorophores are arranged in a face-to-face [? . . . ?] stack allowing for the exciplex emission.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods to enhance control of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processing assembly associated with a refining operation, may include supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to one or more first processing units associated with the refining operation. The assemblies and methods also may include conditioning a hydrocarbon feedstock and unit material samples, and analyzing the samples via one or more spectroscopic analyzers. The assemblies and methods further may include prescriptively controlling, via one or more FCC process controllers based at least in part on the hydrocarbon feedstock properties and the unit material properties, the FCC processing assembly, so that the prescriptively controlling results in enhancing accuracy of target content of materials produced by the FCC processing assembly, thereby to more responsively control the FCC processing assembly to achieve material outputs that more accurately and responsively converge on target properties.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods to enhance hydrotreating and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes associated with a refining operation, during the processes, may include supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to a cat feed hydrotreater (CFH) processing unit to produce CFH unit materials. The assemblies and methods also may include conditioning material samples, and analyzing the samples via one or more spectroscopic analyzers. The assemblies and methods further may include prescriptively controlling, via one or more FCC process controllers, based at least in part on the material properties, a FCC processing assembly, so that the prescriptively controlling results in causing the processes to produce CFH materials, intermediate materials, the unit materials, and/or the downstream materials having properties within selected ranges of target properties, thereby to cause the processes to achieve material outputs that more accurately and responsively converge on one or more of the target properties.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting the presence of natural hydrocarbon compounds in drilling cuttings. The method includes introducing a chemical standard to an oil-based drilling fluid, producing a tagged drilling fluid. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) is used to determine a concentration of hydrocarbon compounds in the tagged drilling fluid, which corresponds to a first hydrocarbon signal. The tagged drilling fluid is circulated in a borehole during drilling, and the drilling cuttings mixed with the tagged drilling fluid are recovered. Hydrocarbon compounds are then extracted from the drilling cuttings. GC-MS is used to determine a concentration of hydrocarbon compounds present in the drilling cuttings that were mixed with the tagged drilling fluid, which corresponds to a second hydrocarbon signal.

Abstract: A permeative amine/acid introduction device (PAID) is placed after a conventional KOH eluent suppressed conductometric anion chromatography (SCAC) system. The PAID converts the suppressed eluites from the acid form to the corresponding salt. For example, when the analytes are acids, they are converted to the corresponding ammonium salt (NR2H+HX?NR2H2++X?) and allows very weak acids HX (pKa?7.0) that cannot normally be detected by SCAC to be measured by a second conductivity detector following the PAID. Permeative reagent introduction is dilutionless, can be operated without pumps and provides good mixing with low band dispersion (as small as 30 ?L). An exemplary amine is diethylamine (DEA), which was chosen as the amine source due to its low pKb value (pKb 3.0), high vapor pressure, and low toxicity and low odor.

Abstract: An impact ionisation spray or electrospray ionisation ion source comprising a nebuliser (30) having a first conduit (11) for providing a liquid sample and a second conduit (10) for providing a nebulisation gas in order to nebulise the liquid sample is disclosed. The first conduit (11) and second conduit (10) are of unitary construction with each other and may be made from glass. The ion source can provide a consistent and/or predictable spray profile for the nebulised sample.

Abstract: In an embodiment a sensor device includes a substrate with a first membrane and a first cover layer, the first membrane and the first cover layer being monolithically integrated into the substrate and a first pellistor element including a heater element and a temperature sensor element, the heater element and/or the temperature sensor element being arranged in or on the first membrane, wherein the first cover layer is arranged over or under the first membrane, and wherein the first membrane, the first cover layer and a part of the substrate surround a first cavity.

Abstract: New organometallic complexes having bis- or tris-heteroleptic ligands and large aspect ratio in one direction and their use in OLEDs to enhance the efficiency is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for gas fingerprinting. The system includes multiple holders having a distinct gas-permeable membrane disposed of therewithin such that a confined space is created behind the membranes. The test gas is pressurized in a single gas reservoir and is allowed to permeate through the membranes into respective confined spaces. The accumulated pressure values behind the utilized membranes (in the confined spaces) at a given time, are simultaneously recorded using pressure sensors. The recorded gas accumulation data is processed by a computing device to determine a characteristic property for each test gas. The system ability to fingerprint gases is demonstrated by ten test gases including helium, neon, argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, and ethylene, and is also able to discriminate between closely related gases.

Abstract: A method includes providing an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, a piston movably disposed in the combustion chamber, and a prechamber connected to the combustion chamber via a flow port. The method further includes forcing a gas mixture from the combustion chamber through a zeolite material to the prechamber using a compression stroke of the piston, where the zeolite material filters the gas mixture to provide an oxygen rich gas into the prechamber.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for diagnosing a condition of an aircraft engine. The method comprises obtaining a sample of lubricating fluid from the engine, filtering the sample to obtain a plurality of particles from the lubricating fluid, directing an excitation beam towards the particles, detecting an energy level emitted from the particles in response to the excitation beam, determining a level of coking in the lubricating fluid based on a difference between the energy level as detected and an expected energy level, and diagnosing a condition of the engine based on the level of coking in the lubricating fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the isotope ratio of one or more gaseous oxides produced during combustion of drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines aiming to detect counterfeit drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines based on comparison of the isotopic composition of the tested drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines with the isotopic composition of the authentic products.

Abstract: A method for calculating the research octane number and the motor octane number for a liquid blended fuel. Data related to the aromatic, olefin, normal paraffin, iso-paraffin, and naphthalene properties of each of a plurality of liquid fuel blending components are acquired and transformed to obtain a transformed component property for each of the components. A reverse property transformation is performed for each of the plurality of liquid blending components. The research octane number and the motor octane number are calculated based on the performed reverse property transformation and determined percentages of each of the plurality of liquid blending components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the isotope ratio of one or more gaseous oxides produced during combustion of drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines aiming to detect counterfeit drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines based on comparison of the isotopic composition of the tested drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines with the isotopic composition of the authentic products.

Abstract: A method for fast detecting pavement asphalt and early warning based on infrared spectrum data. Infrared spectrum data of standard sample asphalt is collected by adopting an infrared spectrometer, to establish an infrared spectrum database of standard sample asphalt. The infrared spectrum database of the standard sample asphalt and basic asphalt information is introduced into a cloud server through a spectrum input module. A database-matching calculation method and a threshold value is set through a spectrum-matching analysis module. The infrared spectrum data and engineering information of the tested asphalt is collected and uploaded to a cloud platform for storage. A matching calculation between the uploaded data and the spectrograms in the infrared spectrum database of the standard sample asphalt through the cloud server is conducted. An asphalt matching result is outputted to a display terminal. An early-warning message is pushed by the cloud server if a test result is not-match.

Abstract: A method of determining if unstable asphaltenes are present in a crude oil sample includes obtaining a crude oil sample and performing a fractional analysis of the crude oil sample. In one embodiment, the method further includes measuring, via a cylindrical capacitor, a dielectric constant of the crude oil sample. Responsive to the measured dielectric constant, presence of unstable asphaltenes within the crude oil sample is determined. Responsive to the determined presence of unstable asphaltenes in an amount above a predetermined value, asphaltene precipitation is mitigated by addition of a chemical additive to the well.

Abstract: A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method that includes performing a first GC-MS run on a sample using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Performing the first GC-MS nm includes i) passing a first flow of a carrier gas carrying a first portion of the sample through a gas chromatograph to provide a first effluent; ii) generating first ions under protonation conditions by passing the first effluent through an atmospheric pressure ionization source; iii) passing the first ions through a mass spectrometer; and iv) recording first GC-MS data for the first ions. The method also include performing a second GC-MS run on the sample using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a deuterium-substituted marker for fuel is synthesized through substitution with deuterium so as to have structurally and chemically similar properties to those of a molecule configuring fuel oil. A molecule of the deuterium-substituted marker is significantly similar to the conventional molecule configuring the fuel oil, which may prevent illegal removal of the marker by the fake oil manufacturers. According to the present invention, it is able to pursue public safety and environmental protection from fake oil products, and to prevent national tax evasion, by preventing the illegal mixing of fuel oil to secure a legal distribution of the oil market according to the present invention.

Abstract: A downhole densitometer is used to determine one or more characteristics of a flowing fluid. The densitometer has one or more downhole x-ray sources and one or more downhole x-ray detectors. A fluid is allowed to flow past the x-ray sources. X-rays emitted by the x-ray sources and that have travelled through the flowing fluid are detected by the x-ray detectors. Characteristics of the flowing fluid are determined based on the detected x-rays. The densitometer may also have reference detectors used to measure a reference signal. The measured reference signal is used to normalize source emissions. The densitometer may be used as a permanent monitor and it may be used in conjunction with other sensors such as a flow-rate sensor or a capacitance sensor. The x-ray source may be, for example, a pyroelectric source, a radioisotopic source, or a traditional x-ray tube source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the collection, transportation, and analysis of gas samples which may be required in various scientific, environmental, and natural resource contexts is provided. An isolating container for removing a component from a fluid sample includes a body defining a sampling chamber having a first end and a second end; a first valve assembly coupled to the first end; a reactant material positioned within the sampling chamber for reacting with the component; and a second valve assembly coupled to the second end, wherein the fluid sample enters the sampling chamber through the first valve assembly and exits through the second valve assembly.

Abstract: A gas chromatographic method for detecting a first marker and a second marker in a fuel in two channels: (i) a first capillary column coated with polysiloxane and a second capillary column coated with polyethylene glycol; and (ii) a third capillary column coated with polymethylphenylsiloxane and a fourth deactivated capillary column. The steps are: (a) introducing a first sample into the first column to produce a first effluent; (b) introducing only a portion of the first effluent into the second column to produce a second effluent; (c) allowing the second effluent to pass through a mass spectrometer; (d) introducing a second sample into the third column to produce a third effluent; (e) introducing only a portion of the third effluent into the fourth column to produce a fourth effluent; (f) allowing the fourth effluent to pass through a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Method of marking a hydrocarbon liquid includes adding to the liquid, a tracer compound of Formula I or II: wherein at least one of R1-R6 in Formula I and at least one of R7-R14 in Formula II is selected from: i. a bromine or fluorine atom; ii. a partially or fully halogenated alkyl group; iii. a branched or cyclic C4-C20 alkyl group; iv. an aliphatic substituent linking two positions selected from R1-R6 in Formula I to one another or two positions selected from R7-R14 in Formula II to one another; or v. a phenyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aliphatic group or halogenated aliphatic group ?and none of R1-R6 and none of R7-R14 being a sulphonate group or COOR15, where R15 represents H, C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C3-C15 cycloalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating, for a petroleum feedstock, values representative of the sulfur and carbon distributions in atmospheric and vacuum distillation residues, and a value representative of the sulfur content in coke. According to the method, the following stages are carried out: from a feedstock sample, measuring at least the Rock-Eval parameters S2b, SulfS2b, RC, Sulfoxy using a Rock-Eval device comprising a sulfur measurement module, deducing from the measurements of these Rock-Eval parameters the values of the sulfur and carbon distributions (SPHF, SCOKE, CPHF, CCOKE) in the distillation residues, and a sulfur content in relation to the carbon content in the coke.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of estimating a property of a hydrocarbon comprising the steps of: preparing a liquid sample of a hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon having asphaltene fractions therein; precipitating at least some of the asphaltenes of a hydrocarbon from the liquid sample with one or more precipitants in a chromatographic column; dissolving at least two of the different asphaltene fractions from the precipitated asphaltenes during a successive dissolution protocol; eluting the at least two different dissolved asphaltene fractions from the chromatographic column; monitoring the amount of the fractions eluted from the chromatographic column; using detected signals to calculate a percentage of a peak area for a first of the asphaltene fractions and a peak area for a second of the asphaltene fractions relative to the total peak areas, to determine a parameter that relates to the property of the hydrocarbon; and estimating the property of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel by adding to the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel at least one compound having formula (I), wherein R represents C1-C18 alkyl, C3-C18 alkenyl or C3-C18 alkynyl.

Abstract: A method to simulate distillation of a petroleum stream by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography including the step of separating said petroleum stream with a two-dimensional gas chromatograph to determine polarity as a function of temperature, and integrating vertically the two-dimensional gas chromatograph at a given temperature to determine signal intensity as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A known amount of marker may be added to a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid, or combined with an additive to form a mixture, and the mixture may be added to a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid. An amount of the marker in the hydrocarbon fluid may be determined. An amount of the additive in the hydrocarbon fluid may be determined based on the amount of the marker in the pressurized hydrocarbon fluid. An inline system may be used for detection of a marker in a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid. The system is fixed in a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid supply line such that pressurized hydrocarbon fluid flowing from a first location to a second location in the supply line passes through the detection system. The hydrocarbon fluid may be a liquid or a gas. The markers may include a variety of optical markers, such as fluorescent markers. Detection of the markers may include, for example, fluorescence detection.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the liquefied petroleum gas includes the following steps. Provide a sample of the liquefied petroleum gas, and one main component group of the liquefied petroleum gas includes at least one sub component group. Analyze the sample of the liquefied petroleum gas so as to obtain a first measured THC corresponding to the main component group and a second measured THC corresponding to the sub component group. Obtain a regressed THC according to the second measured THC and a predetermined relationship of THC. Obtain a result of THC according to the first measured THC, the regressed THC, and a predetermined range of THC. The predetermined range of THC corresponds to the main component group. The device for analyzing the liquefied petroleum gas includes an inlet, a multiposition valve, a first column, a second column, an analyzing apparatus, and a computing unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying photoautotrophic organisms as hosts, such that the organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into n-alkanes, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of n-alkanes and related molecules.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing contaminants such as hydrocarbons in soil and ground water utilizes a reaction device comprising a catalyst encapsulated in a permeable material and processes that device in contact with a contaminant in an analytical device in order to generate a spectrogram indicative of the contaminants in the soil and ground water.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of hydrocarbons in a composition including hydrocarbons and water is provided. The method includes adding a chemical agent to the composition in order to form an emulsion of water and hydrocarbons, taking a sample of the emulsion and dissolving this sample in a common solvent for water and hydrocarbons in order to form a solution, and measuring the amount of hydrocarbons in the solution. An installation suitable for implementing this method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining a mass spectrum of a sample and determining a concentration of a component of the sample by utilizing a model of chemical and electron ionization and the obtained mass spectrum.

Abstract: Two quantitative separation approaches to fractionate de-asphalted oils (DAOs) into seven classes of compounds (saturates, 1-4+ ring-aromatics, sulfides, and polars). In the first step (named as “SGS”) of present invention, the DAO of a petroleum vacuum resid is separated in to four classes of compounds, namely saturates, aromatics, and sulfides. In this first step of separation, about 3 grams of a DAO can be separated. Whereas in the second step (named as “ARC” separation) of invention, only less than 300 mg of the aromatic fraction obtained in “SGS” (described above) can be further fractionated at very low temperature (about ?40 degrees centigrade) into 4 fractions, namely 1-ring, 2-ring, 3-ring, and 4+-ring aromatics. The present invention protocol is suitable for a wide range of compositionally different DAOs of petroleum vacuum resids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel sensor for detecting the early stages of catalyst coking in fuel reforming systems and methods for making and using the same. The sensor may be manufactured by inkjet printing a colloidal suspension of ceramic powders to create thin (about 20 ?m) catalytic and conductive elements of the sensor. The sensor may be used to determine the presence of coking conditions during processes at a level below the detection limit available using thermogravimetric analyzers (TGA) (<10 ?g), thereby reducing catalyst coking in systems.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sensing device and method detecting the presence of a chemical analyte, comprising: a surface; a continuous or discontinuous terbium(III)-triphenylphosphine oxide coordination polymer layer deposited on the surface, wherein the polymer layer is porous; and a luminescence detector, wherein one or more analytes that interact with the polymer layer luminesce at distinct wavelengths unique to each analyte.

Abstract: Porous sol-gel material essentially consisting of units of one or more first polyalkoxysilanes chosen from the following compounds: (chloromethyl)triethoxysilane; 1,3-dimethyltetramethoxydisiloxane; ethyltrimethoxysilane; triethoxy(ethyl)silane; triethoxymethylsilane; triethoxy(vinyl)silane; trimethoxymethylsilane; trimethoxy(vinyl)silane; tetraethoxysilane or tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and of units of one or more second polyalkoxysilanes chosen from the following compounds: (N-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)ethylenediamine; 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, in a first polyalkoxysilane/second polyalkoxysilane molar ratio of 1/0.01 to 1/1, optionally comprising a probe molecule, method of preparation and applications in the trapping of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other pollutants or in their detection.

Abstract: Porous sol-gel material essentially consisting of units of one or more first polyalkoxysilanes chosen from the following compounds: (chloromethyl)triethoxysilane; 1,3-dimethyltetramethoxydisiloxane; ethyl trimethoxysilane; triethoxy(ethyl)silane; triethoxymethylsilane; triethoxy(vinyl)silane; trimethoxymethylsilane; trimethoxy(vinyl)silane; tetraethoxysilane or tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and of units of one or more second polyalkoxysilanes chosen from the following compounds: (N-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)ethylenediamine; 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, in a first polyalkoxysilane/second polyalkoxysilane molar ratio of 1/0.01 to 1/1, optionally comprising a probe molecule, method of preparation and applications in the trapping of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other pollutants or in their detection.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor using a hydrogen-absorbing alloy containing an Mg—Ni-based alloy and a Zr—Ti-based alloy includes a substrate (2), a hydrogen reaction layer (3) formed on the substrate (2) and containing the Mg—Ni-based alloy and the Zr—Ti-based alloy, and a first catalyst layer (4) formed on the hydrogen reaction layer (3) and capable of accelerating hydrogenation of the Mg—Ni-based alloy.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for gas filtration and detection devices. Example devices may include a graphene membrane and a sensing device. The graphene membrane may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores having a size-selective to enable one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A sensing device may be attached to a supporting permeable substrate and coupled with the graphene membrane. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules may be exposed to the graphene membrane. Molecules having a smaller diameter than the discrete pores may be directed through the graphene pores, and may be detected by the sensing device. Molecules having a larger size than the discrete pores may be prevented from crossing the graphene membrane. The sensing device may be configured to identify a presence of a selected molecule within the mixture without interference from contaminating factors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing fluid samples include a diffused air flotation (DAF) system and a jar. The jar includes a diffuser for injecting the diffused air into the jar and a tap for drawing a fluid out of the jar.

Abstract: Compositions containing polyanthrylene and methods of making these compositions are disclosed herein. The polyanthrylene composition can, for example, be used for detection of iron in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving detection sensitivity of an ion mobility spectrometer, comprising: inserting a sample into a sample receiving device of the ion mobility spectrometer; triggering an operation of spectra acquisition through an optocoupler; when the number of the acquired spectra reaches the level required to contain enough information for accurate detection of explosives with relatively high vapor pressure, adding a dopant instantly to the ionization region by controlling the ON/OFF-state of an electromagnetic valve; when the number of the acquired spectra reaches the level required to contain enough information for accurate detection of explosives with relatively low vapor pressure, stopping the acquisition operation, and turning off the electromagnetic valve so as to stop adding the dopant to the ionization region; analyzing all of the acquired spectra to obtain the detection result.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining 8-isoprostane is provided that includes fluorescently labeling 8-isoprostane with a quinoxalinone derivative in an excess amount relative to 8-isoprostane, separating a fluorescently labeled 8-isoprostane from a unreacted quinoxalinone derivative by contacting a reaction mixture containing the fluorescently labeled 8-isoprostane and the unreacted quinoxalinone derivative with a cation exchange support having a sulfonic acid or a sulfonate immobilized thereon, and quantitatively determining the fluorescently labeled 8-isoprostane that has been separated from the unreacted quinoxalinone derivative.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing CO2, N2 and/or SO2 from a sample for a quantitative analysis of the sample, comprising a reactor structure and metals acting in an oxidizing manner or metal oxides in the reactor. According to the invention, the reactor structure has at least two zones through which the sample can flow, which is to say a first zone with reactor metal and reservoir metal, or only reactor metal, and following the first zone, a second zone with reactor metal and reservoir metal, or only reservoir metal, wherein both metals can form oxides, and wherein the ratio of the reactor metal to the reservoir metal in the first zone is greater than in the second zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes. Determined parameters and processabilities for a plurality of feedstocks can be used to generate a mathematical relationship between parameter and processability; this relationship can be used to estimate the processability for hydroprocessing for a feedstock of unknown processability.

Abstract: A process for a pre-concentration unit including: a sorbent material coated passage-way having an entrance for receiving a hydrocarbon-containing groundwater sample and for pre-concentrating the hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon-containing groundwater sample by successive sorption/desorption cycles, and having an exit for discharging the pre-concentrated hydrocarbons; a heating unit for heating the sorbent material coated passage-way; and; an array of shear horizontal-surface acoustic wave sensors with coatings adapted for detecting and quantifying the pre-concentrated hydrocarbons, disposed at the exit of the sorbent material coated passage-way; and a housing for enclosing the pre-concentration unit and the array of shear horizontal-surface acoustic wave sensors, adapted for continuous use at a body of hydrocarbon-containing groundwater, and coupled to mathematical methods for generating concentrations of specific analytes from both transient and steady-state signals.

Abstract: Equipment for analyzing a fluid selected from a hydrocarbon fluid, a refinery feedstock, a refinery intermediate, a product of a refinery process, or a component or reaction product thereof, having a portable apparatus containing at least two different analytical devices, each device being able to analyze the fluid. A sample plate is provided in association with the portable apparatus which has a receiver for a fluid to be analyzed, at least two fluidic channels, at least one sensor capable of responding to a physical or chemical property of the fluid, and/or at least one sample cell, and at least one additional fluidic channel for transferring a portion of the fluid or a component or reaction product thereof from the receiver to the at least one sensor and/or sample cell.

Abstract: Composite probes for super resolution optical techniques using super resolution via transiently activated quenchers (STAQ) include a donor moiety and an acceptor moiety joined by a linker, wherein the acceptor moiety, when excited by incident radiation, is excited to a state which, for example, absorbs in the donor emission region, such that the acceptor moiety in its excited state quenches at least a portion of the donor moiety emission. Other transiently activated quenching mechanisms and moieties could accomplish the same task by reducing donor population. Also disclosed are methods for irradiating a selected region of a target material including the composite probe, wherein the composite probe enables improved resolution by point spread function modification and/or nanoscale chemical reactions.

Abstract: Process for evaluating a plurality of refinery feedstocks, by providing an array of refinery feedstocks, the array having at least a plurality of different refinery feedstocks, and fractionating each of the refinery feedstocks in the array, either in parallel or in a rapid serial fashion, to produce a further array having a plurality of fractions with different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery. Each of the plurality of fractions is analyzed to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, the analyzes being performed at least partially in parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.