Method of Analysing Foodstuff Samples Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy A method of analysing a foodstuff sample using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, comprising: ashing the foodstuff sample to generate an ash residue (Step 2); and forming the ash residue into a pellet (Step 3) by: loading into a die at least a portion of the ash residue (Step 3a) and a support material as a layer covering a second surface of the ash residue opposite a first surface (Step 3c); and compressing the ash residue and the support material in the die to form a layered pellet (Step 3d).
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
G01N 1/44 - Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
G01N 31/12 - Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroups; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods using combustion
B30B 11/02 - Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses or tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space
2.
SYSTEM FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETECTION OF MULTIPLE ANALYTES
A device for determining one or more of multiple analytes in a sample liquid includes a detection surface having thereon a microarray of elements, comprising: a plurality of binding elements immobilized by insoluble binding at discrete locations on the detection surface and a plurality of dissolvable elements immobilized by soluble binding at other discrete locations on the detection surface. The elements being arranged in the microarray such that at least a portion of the dissolvable elements is located closer to the center of the microarray and/or at least a portion of the dissolvable elements is located closer to the periphery of the microarray than each of the binding elements. Alternatively, the dissolvable and immovable elements may be provided similarly or mirrored in areas which may be duplicated.
A sample container system (2) for use in a method for determining dietary fiber comprises a sample container (4) having a floor (8) and a rigid side-wall (10) upstanding therefrom to together delimit a sample containing space 6; a porous filter (14) forms at least a portion of the floor (8); and an integral magnetic mixer (16) having a concentrically arranged rotor (18) - stator (20) spaced apart to define an annular shear gap (22) therebetween and the rotor (18) being provided with a magnetic coupling (32).
A mixer for small volumes (2) comprising a mixing chamber (4); and a motor (6) mechanically connected to the mixing chamber (4); wherein the mixing chamber (4) comprises a suspended elongate rigid tube section (8) having a top end (10) and an open bottom end (12), and a flexible tube section (16) extending downwards from the open bottom end (12); and wherein the motor (6) comprises a vibration motor mechanically coupled to the rigid tube section (8) towards the top end (10).
B01F 31/20 - Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
B01F 31/30 - Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms comprising a receptacle to only a part of which the shaking, oscillating, or vibrating movement is imparted
5.
METHOD OF AND ANALYSER FOR THE OPTICAL ANALYSIS OF A LIQUID CONTAINING A DISSOLVED GAS
A method of performing an optical analysis of a liquid containing dissolved gas comprising the steps of A: transferring an amount of the liquid from a reservoir into a piston pump; B: holding the transferred amount at or close to ambient to permit partial degassing; C: transferring a liquid sample from the pump and into a measurement cell under a pressure greater than ambient; and D: performing an optical analysis of the pressurised, partially degassed liquid sample.
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
A sample container (2) for use in a method for determining dietary fiber comprises a chamber (4) having a first end (6); an opposing second end (8); a rigid, non-porous side-wall (10) connecting the first end (6) to the second end (8); and a porous filter (12) located at the second end (8) through which liquid from the chamber (4) may be passed. An integral stirrer (14) is located within the chamber (4).
B01D 29/00 - Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups ; Filtering elements therefor
B01D 43/00 - Separating particles from liquids, or liquids from solids, otherwise than by sedimentation or filtration
A23L 5/00 - Preparation or treatment of foods or foodstuffs, in general; Food or foodstuffs obtained thereby; Materials therefor
B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
B01F 7/00 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
B01F 7/16 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a vertical axis
B01F 11/00 - Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
7.
PREPARING A PELLET FOR LASER INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY
A press (2) for preparing a pellet of granulated material for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy comprises a tubular die (8) and a piston (4) arrangement, the tubular die (8) being formed with an inner surface (14) along which the piston (4) can slidably move and which is delimited by an open first end (10) of the tubular die (8;30;48a-d) and an opposing open second end (12) of the tubular die (8). The press (2) further comprises a removable end cap (18) having at least one flat face (24) for sealing the second end (12) of the tubular die (8).
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
B30B 11/02 - Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses or tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space
8.
A METHOD OF PREPARING AN ORGANIC MATERIAL SAMPLE FOR LIBS ANALYSIS AND A SEARING DEVICE FOR USE IN THE SAME
A Method of Preparing an Organic Material Sample for LIBS Analysis and a Searing Device for Use in the Same An organic material sample is prepared for LIBS analysis by loading a sample pellet (508) comprising a compressed granular organic matrix into a holder (506) of a searing device (500) with an exposed surface (510) of the sample pellet (508) accessible to optical and to thermal radiation; searing the sample pellet (508) by directing thermal radiation from a heating unit (504) to the exposed surface (510); directing optical radiation from a reflectance unit (514) to the exposed surface (510) and measuring searing induced changes in the reflectance of the exposed surface (510); and controlling the heating unit (504) to direct thermal radiation to the exposed surface (510) for a time calculated by a data processor (516) in dependence of the measured searing induced changes in the reflectance.
G01N 1/44 - Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
9.
SAMPLE TEST CASSETTE AND ANALYTE TEST SYSTEM UTILIZING THE SAME
A sample test cassette (2) comprising an inlet (4) for introducing a sample liquid into the sample test cassette (2); and one or more elongate channels (8), each for receiving an elongate lateral flow test strip (10) and each configured with a first end (16) in liquid communication with the inlet (4); wherein the sample test cassette (2) further comprises an integral mechanical transport system (12) operable to generate a flow of liquid from outside of the inlet (4) and towards the first end (16) of each of the one or more elongate channels (8).
A method for determining an optical pathlength (L) of a cuvette of a spectrophotometric apparatus comprising: obtaining (720) a single beam spectrum (SBZ) of a liquid zero-material at least in a first energy region in which the liquid zero-material absorbs; obtaining (740) a single beam spectrum (SB2) of a second liquid at least in the first energy region, the second liquid having a composition excluding the liquid zero-material and having no absorption in the first energy region; determining (760) a dual beam spectrum (DBZ) of the liquid zero-material relative to the second liquid at least in the first energy region from the two obtained single beam spectra (SBZ; SB2); and calculating (780) an optical pathlength (L) through the cuvette dependant on spectral information obtained from the first energy region of the determined dual beam spectrum (DBZ).
G01N 21/27 - Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using photo-electric detection
A hydrodynamic focusing device, preferably realized as a microfluidic device, comprises a first flow channel (4); a smaller second flow channel (8); an envelopment region (12) connected in-line between the first (4) and the second (8) flow channels; and a chimney (14) comprising a body (16) and a sample fluid inlet (18), which extends from a, preferably sloped, wall (20) delimiting the envelopment region (12) and into the envelopment region (12). The body (16) and the sample fluid inlet (18) are each formed with an elongate, preferably teardrop-shaped, profile having a leading edge (28) facing the first flow channel (4) and opposing long edges (30a, 30b) relatively tapered towards a trailing edge (32).
Liquid Analyser A liquid analyzer (2) comprises a cross flow filter (22); a measurement cuvette (14) coupled to receive permeate from the cross flow filter (22); and first (34) and second (36) positive displacement pumps coupled to either side of the cross flow filter (22) and operable to create a reciprocal movement of a sample liquid (6) through the filter (22).
G01N 27/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
G01N 21/25 - Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
A method of correcting for an amplitude change in a spectrometric instrument (300) output due to changes in an optical path length through the sample holder (600), the method comprising: exposing a sample in a sample holder (600) to electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of wavenumbers; detecting electromagnetic absorption intensities in the sample at the plurality of wavenumbers; providing to a computer device (510) the detected absorption intensities indexed against wavenumber as spectral data; and applying in the computer device (510) a mathematical transform (lcorr) to the spectral data to correct for an amplitude change in the spectrometric instrument's (300) output and calculated by determining a difference (Δ(SBz)') between absorbance values at two different wavenumber ranges in a first derivative of spectral data (SBz1) from a zero material sample; and calculating the mathematical transform (lcorr) as a function inversely dependent on the determined difference (Δ(SBz)')
G01N 21/27 - Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using photo-electric detection
G01N 21/3577 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
15.
DETERMINING PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF A SAMPLE
A method for analyzing a sample, the method comprising the steps of providing a spectral data representation (1) of the sample, where the spectral data representation is in the form an image representation of spectral data obtained from the sample, providing a data processing device (2) and a learning data architecture (3), making (200) the spectral data representation (1) available to the data processing device (2), and analyzing (300, 500, 800), by means of the learning data architecture (3) and the data processing device (2), the spectral data representation (1) made available to the data processing device (2) to determine one or more physicochemical properties of the sample.
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
G01N 23/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
G01N 21/359 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light using near infrared light
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
A LIBS analyzer (2) comprises a focusing lens arrangement (6); a laser (8) for propagating a laser beam (L) through the focusing lens arrangement (6) to be focused at its focal plane (F); a detector (10) for generating optical intensity data; a translation mechanism (22) for varying a location of the focal plane (F); and a controller (14) for automatically controlling the translation mechanism (22) to achieve an optimum position where the focal plane (F) and an upper surface (18) of a sample (20) are coincident, as calculated by the controller (14) from an application of a mathematical transform, correlating optical intensity with optimum position, to optical intensity data from plasma created by the laser beam (L).
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
17.
SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF FORMING A BATCH OF A MEAT PRODUCT
Provided is a system for and a method of forming a batch (4) of a meat product. Portions of meat product from a plurality of sources (6a,b,c) having different fat contents are measured in a fat analyser (12) and by a weighing device (14) and the results of the measurements presented to a computing device (16) which is configured to construct a 'virtual' sub-batch having a target weight less than the predetermined weight and a target fat content. The computing device (16) is arranged to determine a current sub-batch fat content and to generate and output control information dependent on the determination use in regulating the supply of meat product onto the conveyor (8) upstream of the fat analyser (12) so as to achieve the target fat content.
A milk analyser (400) comprising a milk analysis unit (402) having an analysis modality wherein the milk analysis unit (402) further comprises a milk classification system (404) having an imaging device (4042, 4044) configured to image milk for generation of digital image data; a processor (3044) of a computing device (304) which is adapted to execute a program code to implement a deep learning neural network classifier trained using labelled milk images from milk within the classes into which the imaged milk may be classified and operable to generate a classification of the imaged milk; and a controller (3066) configured to output a control signal in dependence of the generated classification to control a sample intake (4022) to regulate the supply of milk to the analysis unit (402).
A sampling device comprises a receptacle (22) having an inner material receiving space (40) defined by a side wall portion (36) and a bottom wall portion (38) and having a receptacle opening (42); and a sample container (10') being adapted to close the receptacle opening (42) when collocated with the receptacle (22), and includes: a sample receiving portion (14) which, when collocated with the receptacle (22) is located in liquid communication with the inner material receiving space (40); a sample well (18) positioned radially outside of the sample receiving portion (14) in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A), the sample well having a well opening; a liquid passageway (16) for directing liquid from the sample receiving portion (14) towards the well opening; a container (20) having a container opening; and a liquid impermeable barrier (8'; 44) for preventing liquid entering the container opening from the sample receiving portion (14).
A device for performing a lateral flow assay (2) comprises: - a receptacle (4) having a bottom wall portion (14) closing a first end of the receptacle (4) to delimit an inner material receiving space (16) and having a receptacle opening (18) at a second end opposite the first end; - a compartment (8) for holding a lateral flow assay test strip (56), the compartment (8) having a lower portion (38) located closer to the first end of the receptacle (4) than to the second end; - a liquid passageway (10) in fluid communication with the inner material receiving space (16) and the lower portion (38); and - a lid (6) adapted to overlay the receptacle opening (18) and comprising a body portion (20) having an outer periphery (22);wherein - a sample receiving portion (24) is located in said body portion (20) and is arranged in liquid communication with the inner material receiving space (16); and wherein - the liquid passageway (10) is delimited by a first opening (40) into the lower portion (38) of the compartment (8) and a second opening (26) in the lid (6).
An analysis instrument (2) comprises a sample receiving section (4) for receiving a number of samples provided by each of a number of users; an analysis section (6) having an analysis modality operable to receive an aliquot of each of the number of received samples, to perform an analysis of each of the received aliquots and to generate an output dependent on the performed analysis; a presentation section (8) adapted to receive the output from the analysis section (6) and to present the output in a human discernable format; and an identification section (10) adapted to autonomously generate an identifier unique to each one of the number of users and each one of the number of samples provided thereby consisting of one or more of (i) one or more graphic symbols; (ii) one or more colours and (iii) one or more numbers and to supply the identifier for presentation by the presentation section (8) in a human discernable format together with a portion of the output generated by the analysis section (6) corresponding with the samples provided by a user to which the identifier is unique.
G16H 10/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
G06Q 50/00 - Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
22.
CONTAINER POSITIONING DEVICE AND FLUID EXTRACTION SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE SAME
A container positioning device (2) has an upper surface (6) on which to receive a container to be positioned. At least three pushers (12a-c) are provided by which to position the container, each pusher (12a-c) being reciprocally moveable across the upper surface (6) simultaneously towards or away from one another along a different associated path (34a-c). An actuator (18,20a-c) is disposed beneath the upper surface (6), which upper surface (6) acts as a physical barrier between the pushers (12a-c) and the actuator (18,20a-c). Each pusher (12a-c) comprises a magnetic or a magnetisable material (30a-c) magnetically couplable to the actuator (18,20a-c) for movement in response to actuation thereof.
G01N 35/04 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups ; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations - Details of the conveyor system
An optical analyzer (2) comprising an enclosure (4) formed with a peripheral wall (4a,b,c,d) arranged to delimit an internal space (6); a spectrometer (8) located in the internal space (6); and a dehumidifier (30); wherein the dehumidifier (30) comprises a Peltier effect device (32,38) having a cooling surface (44) and a warming surface (40), the Peltier effect device (32,38) being mounted with the cooling surface (44) located in thermal communication with a gas in the internal space (6); the dehumidifier (30) further comprising a wicking element (42) extending between internal and external of the internal space (6) and having a first portion (42a) contacted with the cooling surface (44).
G01N 21/3504 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND, VERTRETEN DURCH DIE BUNDESMINISTERIN FÜR WIRTSCHAFT UND ENERGIE, DIESE VERTRETEN DURCH DEN PRÄSIDENTEN DER BUNDESANSTALT FÜR MATERIALFORSCHUNG UND - PRÜFUNG (BAM) (Germany)
FOSS ANALYTICAL A/S (Denmark)
Inventor
Rurack, Knut
Climent, Estela
Gil, Tamir
Holm, Claus
Abstract
An indicator reservoir, comprising a porous support material and an indicator substance which is enclosed in pores of the porous support material by a releasable pore-closing material, the pore closing material being bound to the porous support material by a compound that is anchored to the porous support material, the indicator substance being released from the pores when the pore-closing material binds an analyte being present in a liquid that wets the indicator reservoir.
A system (2) for accepting or rejecting a container (4) containing a meat batch comprises a reader (8) and a controller (12) cooperating to effect the acceptance or the rejection of the meat batch. The reader (8) is configured to interrogate a machine readable tag attached to the container (4) to retrieve information stored thereon into the controller (12) which is configured to respond to the information retrieved by the reader (8) to access batch information comprising at least information indicative of a fat content of the meat batch, to compare the batch information with a criterion of a recipe related to a target fat content to determine a suitability of the meat batch for inclusion in a mix meeting the recipe, and to generate a control signal dependent the determination usable to effect acceptance or rejection of the meat batch as appropriate to the determination.
A filtration device (2) comprises a sample chamber (10) housed in a body (4), which body (4) has an open top (6) in communication with the sample chamber (10); a well (24) for liquid filtrate; and a cap (12) for closing the open top (6). The cap (12) has a liquid passageway (22) covered at one end by a filter medium (20) and providing a liquid communication for liquid filtrate from the sample chamber (10). The cap (12) is configured to carry the well (24) at a position closer to an outer periphery (11 ) of the cap (12) than the liquid passageway (22) in a plane parallel to the open top (6) when closed by the cap (12).
A method (2) for preparing a sample of organic material for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) comprising the steps of obtaining granular organic material (4); forming at least a portion of the granular organic material into a sample pellet (6); and of searing the organic material (8, 8'), preferably only at a surface on which LIBS analysis is to be performed (8). Optionally the method (2) includes a step (10) of pressing the seared sample pellet to consolidate the material comprising the seared upper surface.
G01N 1/44 - Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
G01N 33/483 - Physical analysis of biological material
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
28.
SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF PERFORMING LASER INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY
A Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrocopy (LIBS) system (2) for the analysis of a sample pellet (12) of a consolidated granular material retained in a tubular container (20), the system (2) comprising a laser source (4) configured to emit a pulsed laser beam (6) towards an exposed surface of the sample pellet (12); and a sample station (18) configured to hold the tubular container (20) with the sample pellet (12) orientated to present the exposed surface towards the pulsed laser beam and comprising an actuator configured to slide the sample pellet (12) along a movement axis out of the tubular container (20) and thereby present a portion of an outer surface (10) of the sample pellet (12) previously constrained by an inner surface of the tubular container (20) as the exposed surface.
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
B23K 26/02 - Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
B23K 26/08 - Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
A system for manufacturing a concentrate from a liquid source material (30) containing constituents in solution or suspension, the system comprising an evaporator (2) configured to output a liquid concentrate (10) having a concentration of at least one of the constituents higher than a desired concentration; a detector (24) configured to measure on the liquid concentrate in a flow conduit (8) and to generate a signal indicative of the concentration of the at least one of the constituents; and a metering device (16) in fluid communication with a source of metering liquid (22) and with the liquid concentrate (10). The metering device (16) is configured to meter a quantity of the metering liquid into the liquid concentrate (10) in dependence of the signal to achieve a liquid concentrate having the desired concentration.
A system (2) for the optical spectrophotometric assay of components in of a liquid sample (40) comprises an optical spectrophotometer (4) having an inspection zone (18) for receiving a sample for assay (40a); a radiation source (10) configured to generate optical radiation for supply into the inspection zone (18) to impinge on and thereby interact with a received sample for assay (40a); and a nebulizer (24) configured to discharge an aerosol (44) of the liquid sample (40) towards a one of one or more collection surfaces (32) located spaced apart from the nebulizer (24) and disposed to receive discharged aerosol (44) to form the sample for assay (40a).
G01N 21/3577 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
G01N 30/84 - Preparation of the fraction to be distributed
31.
METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN INDICATION OF WHOLESOMENESS
A non-intrusive method for determining an indication of wholesomeness of an unopened item of packaged aliment comprising the steps of illuminating an unopened item of packaged aliment with electromagnetic energy at a plurality of different wavelengths through a suitably transparent region of the packaging so as to interact with the packaged aliment; obtaining spectral information regarding the interaction of the plurality of different wavelengths with the packaged aliment as subsequent spectral information; interrogating the packaging to access original spectral information regarding a previous interaction of the plurality of wavelengths with the same unopened item of packaged aliment and associated with the packaging; comparing some or all of the subsequent spectral information with some or all of the original spectral information to obtain a measure of their spectral deviation; and determining an indication of wholesomeness of the unopened item of packaged aliment in dependence of the obtained measure of spectral deviation.
G01N 21/359 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light using near infrared light
32.
A SPECTROMETER SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR COMPENSATING FOR TIME PERIODIC PERTURBATIONS OF AN INTERFEROGRAM GENERATED BY THE SPECTROMETER SYSTEM
A Spectrometer System and a Method for Compensating for Time Periodic Perturbations of an Interferogram generated by the Spectrometer System A spectrometer system (2) comprises a scanning interferometer (4); a drive system (6) mechanically coupled to a movable reflector element (14) of the scanning interferometer (4) and operable to effect reciprocation of the movable reflector element (14)at a plurality, preferably more than two, for example three, different scan speeds; a detector arrangement (8) configured to sample at equidistant time intervals an interferogram formed by the scanning interferometer (2) to generate a sampled interferogram; and a data processor (10) is adapted to acquire a sampled interferogram at each of the plurality of different scan speeds and to perform a relative comparison of the content of the so acquired plurality of sampled interferograms.
A filtration system for a liquid comprising a container (2) having an internal container volume (11), a particulate filter portion (10) for allowing passage of the liquid into the internal container volume (11) to form a liquid sample aliquot and a first opening (14) providing access to the internal container volume (11); the filtration system further comprising a non-porous housing (4) configured to provide an internal space (28) for receiving the container (2), the internal space (28) being dimensioned to provide a volume such that the amount left unoccupied by the received container (2) is less than the internal container volume (11).
Determination of Analytes in a Sample Matrix by Solvent Extraction A method for the assay of one or more analytes in a sample matrix comprising the steps of: performing analyte extraction on the sample matrix, said analyte extraction comprising combining the sample matrix with a solvent for an extraction period which is less than that required for reaching equilibrium; and separating the analyte containing solvent from the sample matrix; next measuring a level of analyte present in the separated solvent; and then applying in a computer a calibration by which is established a mathematical relationship between levels of analyte extracted from each of a plurality of reference samples by means of the process employed above in the extraction for the sample matrix and a reference value of the levels of analyte for each reference sample to thereby derive a measure of the level of analyte in the sample matrix. Specifically a method to determine the amount of mycotoxins in cereal grain, especially OTA (ochratoxin A) and DON (deoxynivalenol) by mixing with a solvent comprising water alcohol mixture, with 20-40% ethanol by volume.
A liquid analyzer (2) comprises a liquid sample intake (4) for immersion in a liquid sample (6); at least one measurement zone (16;16'); and a first pump module (P1) operable to effect liquid flow from sample intake (4) towards the at least one measurement zone (16;16'). A first pressure monitor (36) is provided to measure pressure between the sample intake (4) and the at least one measurement zone (16'16') and the operation of the first pump module (P1) to regulate the liquid flow in the liquid conduits (22) is regulated in dependence thereon.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
36.
METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR HYDRODYNAMIC FLOW FOCUSING
In a method for hydrodynamic focusing of a laminar and planar sample fluid flow, a system is provided for analysis and/or sorting of microscopic objects in the sample fluid comprising an optical objective for optical inspection of the microscopic objects. Microscopic objects are conveyed in the laminar flow of the sample fluid, and two laminar and planar flow of sheath fluids are provided. The flow of the sample fluid is hydrodynamically focussed at an optical inspection zone of the system by the sheath fluids. Focussing of the flow of the sample fluid is controlled such that all of the microscopic objects in the sample fluid are caused to be conveyed in a common flow direction in one single plane at the inspection zone of the system, and the microscopic objects in the fluid are optically inspected through the optical objective.
A method of adapting the number of sub-samples analysed by a spectrophotometer comprises acquiring spectral data from an initial plurality of sub-samples (4); processing the acquired spectral data to obtain a value for a sample parameter for each of the sub-samples of the initial plurality (6); determining a variation, particularly a standard deviation, in the obtained values for each of the initial plurality of sub-samples (8) as a Quality Index; and optionally obtaining spectral data from one or more new sub-samples depending on whether or not the Quality Index fulfils a predetermined condition.
G01N 21/3563 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
A method of determining a constituent related sample property of a multi-constituent sample comprising: subjecting the sample to a perturbation selected to induce a time dependent change in measurement data associated with a constituent related to the sample property to be determined; recording a time-series of measurement data following subjecting the sample to the perturbation; and determining the sample property from the application to the recorded time-series of measurement data of a calibration correlating the sample property with time-series of measurement data, said calibration being empirically derived from chemometric time-series modelling of time-series measurement data recorded for each of a plurality of reference samples following subjecting each reference sample to the perturbation, each reference sample having a different known values of the sample property.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A method and an instrument for determining a nutritional state of a plant with respect to one or more nutrients is provided. The method comprises the steps of recording a time series of a fluorescence induction signal of a tissue sample of the plant using a fluorometer device to obtain signal data, wherein the time series at least comprises signal data within the rising portion of the fluorescence induction signal, and determining the nutritional state from an empirical model applied to the signal data, wherein the empirical model is based on pre-recorded reference data and relates nutritional states to shape-related features in the progression of the fluorescence induction signal.
A meat processing device comprises a meat processing unit (2) and an external X-ray meat analyzer (6) provided with a housing (8) formed with an inlet (16) connectable with an outlet (4) of the processing unit (2). The housing (8) provides complete shielding of personnel from X-rays except towards the inlet (16) and is movable relative to the processing unit (2) to a first position for analysis at which the unit outlet (4) is collocated with the inlet (16) and at which the processing unit (2) completes the shielding of personnel from X-rays towards the inlet (16).
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
G01N 23/083 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the radiation being X-rays
41.
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING FOR INTENSITY DEVIATIONS IN A SPECTROMETER
A method of determining a pathlength deviation of a sample (610), the method comprising: exposing the sample (610) to electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of wavenumbers, determining electromagnetic absorption in the sample (610) at the plurality of wavenumbers, determining a first wavenumber associated with a first absorption level of an absorption band and a second wavenumber associated with a second absorption level of the absorption band, wherein the second wavenumber is different from the first wavenumber, determining a difference between the first wavenumber and the second wavenumber, and determining the pathlength deviation based on the difference.
G01N 21/27 - Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using photo-electric detection
A system (102) for determining properties of a sample (114) comprises a LIBS detector (104,106) and an infra-red absorption detector (108,110) for interrogating a sample (114) to generate LIBS spectral data and infra-red absorption spectral data respectively; and a data processor (112) adapted to apply at least one chemometric prediction model, each constructed to link, preferably quantitatively link, features of both LIBS and absorption spectral data to a different specific property of the sample, to a combined dataset derived from at least portions of both the LIBS and the absorption data to generate therefrom a determination, preferably a quantitative determination, of the specific property linked by that model.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
G01N 21/71 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
A method of determining an indication of enzymatic kinetics of a monitored enzymatic reaction comprises: originating temporal evolution data, particularly FTIR spectral fingerprint evolution data, of one or both of a substrate and a product of an enzymatic reaction for different known enzymatic activities; establishing in a data processor a calibration correlating enzymatic kinetics with temporal evolution data by applying a chemometric multi-way model to data representative of the originated temporal evolution data; originating corresponding temporal evolution data for a monitored enzymatic reaction of unknown kinetics; providing to the data processor data representing the provided temporal evolution data; and applying to that data the calibration to determine thereby in the data processor a quantitative and/or qualitative indication of enzymatic kinetics of the monitored enzymatic reaction.
C12Q 1/00 - Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
G06F 19/12 - for modelling or simulation in systems biology, e.g. probabilistic or dynamic models, gene-regulatory networks, protein interaction networks or metabolic networks
An optical spectrometer (102) comprises an adjustable sampling space (104) having two generally opposing, relatively movable, side-walls (106,108) which are here substantially formed of optically translucent material and between which in use a sample for analysis is charged and an actuator (116) mechanically coupled, here via a worm drive (118), to one or both of the opposing side-walls (108) and operable in response to a command signal applied thereto to effect their relative movement. The spectrometer (102) further comprises an optical position sensor (110,112,114) adapted to detect interference fringes generated by optical energy traversing the distance between the side-walls (106,108) a plurality of times and to generate the command signal in dependence thereof and preferably also adapted to generate an output indexing intensity against an indication of wavelength usable in the spectrometric analysis of a sample material within the sampling space (104).
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
A microfluidic impedance flow cytometer ('MIC') device (2) comprises a substrate (4) in which is formed at least one flow channel (6) for leading through a particle (22) containing fluidic sample. The flow channel (6) is formed with a focusing zone (12) and a measurement zone (14) located downstream of the focusing zone (12) in the direction of through flow and provided with an electrode arrangement (18) for characterising particles (22) in the flowing fluidic sample by means of electrical impedance wherein an acoustophoretic particle focusing arrangement (20) is provided in acoustic coupling to the flow channel (6) in the focusing zone (12) to induce acoustic forces in fluid in the flow channel (6) so as to effect a lateral and/or vertical focusing of particles before flowing to the measurement zone (14).
A method of controlling a production process including a process step for the morphological modification of a bio-material matrix comprises obtaining digital input data acquired during each of a plurality of production runs of the process, which input data includes information from radiation within a portion of the electromagnetic or acoustic spectrum having interacted with the matrix at one or more locations within the process together with a process control parameter and production event data for the associated production run; generating in a computer a prediction model from a multivariate analysis of the digital input data, which model links the information directly with one or more of process control parameters, production run events and process control settings; and applying in the computer the prediction model to interacted information obtained from a new production run to generate as an output one or more of a process control parameter a process control event and a predicted production run event for the new production run for use in controlling the production process.
G05B 13/04 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators
47.
METHOD OF COMPENSATING FREQUENCY DRIFT IN AN INTERFEROMETER
A method of compensating for frequency drift of a reference energy source in an FT interferometer based spectrometer instrument having an arithmetic unit into which has been obtained data representing a reference interferogram (40) collected in response to a trigger signal having been generated in dependence on the emission frequency of the reference energy source and data representing a target interferogram (42) recorded by the FT interferometer in response to a trigger signal also having been generated in dependence on the emission frequency of the reference energy source in the same manner. The method further comprises the comparing in the arithmetic unit the data representing the reference interferogram (40) and the data representing the target interferogram (42) to determining a phase shift (d) between the interferograms in a window W in at least one region (36) away from center-burst (44) and generating in the arithmetic unit a mathematical transform dependent on the determined shift or shifts (d) to be subsequently applied to control the operation of the spectrometer instrument in order to generate data representing a frequency stabilized interferogram of an unknown sample recorded by the FT interferometer.
A method of compensating for amplitude drift in a spectrometer comprising: making successive performances of a standardisation process to generate, at each performance, a mathematical transform to compensate for amplitude drift for application by an arithmetic unit to a spectrum obtained by the spectrometer in an interval between the performances; modifying the mathematical transform with a function dependent on spectral data from a zero material measured in association with the standardisation process and the single beam zero spectrum measured in an interval between performances; and applying the modified mathematical transform to a spectrum from an unknown sample.
A spectrometric instrument (38) comprising: a scanning interferometer (40,42,44) having a beamsplitter (40) for dividing incident optical radiation into a reflected beam, following a reflected beam path and a transmitted beam following a transmitted beam path; a monochromatic optical radiation source (52) for launching a reference beam into the interferometer (40,42,44) along a first propagation path (62) to be initially incident on a first face (40') of the beamsplitter (40); an observation optical radiation source (46) for launching a divergent observation beam (64) into the interferometer (4,6,8) along a second propagation path (66) to be initially incident on the first face (40') of beamsplitter (40) and overlap the reference beam at the first face (40'); wherein the radiation sources (52;46) cooperate to generate a first angle (θ) between the directions of propagation of the two beams along respective first (62) and second (66) propagation paths when initially and simultaneously incident at the first face (40') which is larger than a divergence half-angle (α) of the observation beam 64.
A method of determining components of a flowing heterogeneous sample comprising obtaining a sample of material; measuring mid-infrared attenuation values of the sample and calculating in a data processing unit an indication of the component of interest in the sample from the measured mid-infrared attenuation values characterised in that the method further comprises flowing the sample; concurrently interacting mid-infrared radiation with the flowing sample in a measurement region and subsequently measuring the mid-infrared attenuation values for one or more wavebands of the interacted radiation.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
G01N 21/85 - Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
A system for the measurement of free and bound SO2 in a liquid beverage product sample comprising a sample container (10) having a volume sufficient to provide a headspace (14) above the sample (12) into which a gas can pass; a gas flow system (6) adapted to extract gas from the headspace (14) and recirculating it back into the liquid volume (12); a measurement system (4) configured to monitor a time dependent evolution of SO2 in gas from the gas flow system (6); and a dosing apparatus (8) fluidly connected to the container (10) to supply an hydrolysis reagent thereto. A heater unit (3) is provided for supplying thermal radiation into the container (10) to elevate the temperature of sample therein sufficient to facilitate the hydrolysis reaction and a signal processor (30) operates to deconvolute the monitored evolution to generate an indication of the concentration of each of the free SO2 and the total SO2 content of the sample.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
A method for determining a degree of infection comprising the steps of i) preparing an un-isolated sample by adding a differentiating marker, suitably a meta-chromatic stain such as, for example, acridine orange to mammalian milk in an amount sufficient to provide a differentiation between cell types; ii) measuring a differential somatic cell count on the sample by means of a cytometer having a detection system sensitive to differences in the differentiating marker resulting from the marker becoming differently associated with different cell types in the sample; and iii) determining an indication of a degree of infection dependent on the measured differential cell count.
A spectrometric instrument (2) comprises a radiation source (4) for generating radiation from within the ultraviolet to infra-red spectral region with which to illuminate a sample (8) and a complementary detector arrangement (6) for detecting intensity variations in the radiation from the source (4) after its interaction with the sample (8). The instrument (2) also includes a measurement system (10) for receiving radiation and generating sample dependent wavelength resolvable intensities at the detector arrangement (6) and an internally disposed fiber Bragg grating (20) which is constructed to provide a known spectral signature detectable by the detector arrangement (6) and usable by a cooperating computer (18; 18') to correct sample spectral data for wavelength drift.
A probe is provided having a probe head (2) in which is formed an opening (10) for receiving a sample to be analysed. The head (2) comprises a pair of optical interfaces (16; 18), each disposed at a respective opposing inner surface (20; 22) of the opening (10) to delimit a path (26) for optical radiation through the opening (10). At least one of the pair of optical interfaces (18) comprises an element (32) transparent to the optical radiation in the wavelength region(s) of interest and is disposed to permit the optical radiation to travel between internal (28) the probe head and the opening (10). The probe further comprises a movable diaphragm (24) in which a one (18) of the pair of optical interfaces (16; 18) is located for movement therewith and an actuator (46) is located within the probe head (2) and in operable connection to the diaphragm (24) to control its movement so as to vary the path length of the path (26) for optical radiation.
An analyser (2) comprises a sample chamber (6) for holding a liquid sample containing particles and an ultrasound source (16) acoustically couplable to the sample chamber (6) to supply resonant ultrasound energy for acoustically concentrating particles in the liquid sample in nodal planes established thereby. A probe (12,14) is also provided which is adapted to supply electromagnetic energy into the sample chamber (6) and to receive the supplied electromagnetic energy from the sample chamber (6) at least during a time at which particles are substantially concentrated in associated nodal planes. The analyser (2) is provided with an analysis unit (28) in operable connection to a detector (12) of the optical probe (12,14) and is adapted to determine one or both a quantitative and a qualitative property of the liquid sample from the received electromagnetic energy.
A scanning optical interferometer (40) having a beamsplitter (42); a first input path (56) for an observation beam (52) and a second input path (78) for a reference beam (76) wherein both paths (56; 78) are directed towards the same beamsplitter (42) characterised in that the interferometer is configured with the first input path (56) and the second input path (78) intersecting at a location (L) before the beamsplitter (42) and in that the interferometer further comprises a dichroic filter (80) located at the intersection (L) of the two paths (56; 78) and acting to collocate both paths (56;78) in a direction towards the beamsplitter (42).
The invention relates to a device for manipulation of particles (30) in a sample liquid (32) said device comprising a source of ultrasound (16) capable of emitting ultrasound with a given wavelength, an inlet for a sample liquid (2), one or more outlets (4, 5, 6) and a compartment (14), being dimensioned to support a standing ultrasonic wave (40) of said wavelength, characterised in that the device further comprises an inlet for sheath liquid (1, 3) configured to direct a sheath liquid (34) to extend substantially in parallel to an anti-node plane (46) of the ultrasonic standing wave (40) proximate to a sheathed compartment wall. Specifically the device may be used in combination with a particle enumeration device for enumeration of somatic cells in milk.
The invention covers a method of determining fat in a sample, a Soxhlet sample container and a means of filtration (120, 220, 320, 420) for use in a Soxhlet sample container characterised in that said means of filtration is configured to, support hydrolysis by allowing an unaided flow of acid, base and water while retaining fat and to support extraction of fat by allowing an unaided flow of solvent and fat solubilised in solvent.
A biotechnological process for conversion of a raw material (100, 200) to a desired product (130, 230) by means of one or more biological or biochemical agents (102, 104, 202) such as microorganisms and/or enzymes characterised in that the amount of one or more of said biological or biochemical agents (102, 104, 202) is controllable by a process control algorithm (124,224) dependent on one or more values of interest related to a process stream. A specific aspect of the invention is the use of a process control algorithm for controlling enzyme addition in biofuel production by fermentation of biomass to alcohols.
A method of formulating a feedstuff is provided which comprises the steps of: analysing the effect on one or both chemical and biological properties of the feedstuff of varying feedstuff ingredients and analysing the effect on the ingredient cost of the feedstuff of varying the feedstuff ingredients. The method further comprises a step of analysing the effect on a predicted production cost of the feedstuff of varying the feedstuff ingredients and a step of determining a desired formulation of a feedstuff for production on the basis of at least the analysed effects on the properties, on the ingredient cost and on the predicted production cost of varying the feedstuff ingredients.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
A method of formulating a feedstuff is provided which comprises the steps of: analysing the effect on one or both chemical and biological properties of the feedstuff of varying feedstuff ingredients and analysing the effect on the ingredient cost of the feedstuff of varying the feedstuff ingredients. The method further comprises a step of analysing the effect on a predicted production cost of the feedstuff of varying the feedstuff ingredients and a step of determining a desired formulation of a feedstuff for production on the basis of at least the analysed effects on the properties, on the ingredient cost and on the predicted production cost of varying the feedstuff ingredients.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
Communication between RFID tags and RFID reader conveyed by an inductive link comprising a first (114, 212, 324)and a second coil (118, 216, 328) interconnected by a pair of conductors (116, 326) characterised in that the first coil (114, 212, 324) is configured to interact electromagnetically with a communication unit (110, 210, 320) and the second coil (118, 216, 328) is configured to interact electromagnetically with a wireless memory unit (122, 316). The inductive link may be realised as conducting wires or as cut-outs of metal plate, and possibly employed for specifically accessing individual RFID tags by using a switching means, and employed in a system for identification and organisation of laboratory samples.
G06K 7/08 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes
B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
A device for determining one or more parameters of interest for bioalcohol liquors comprising a sample compartment (202), a source of infrared radiation (200), a means for detection (204) of one or more one or more spectral characteristics in the spectral region from 400 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1, and a means of data processing (206) characterised in that the sample presentation unit is arranged to provide an optical interface for absorption spectroscopy and the means of data processing (206) is specifically configured to predict said one or more parameters of interest from said one or more spectral characteristics.
C12P 7/04 - Preparation of oxygen-containing organic compounds containing a hydroxy group acyclic
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
A device for determining one or more parameters of interest for raw materials, intermediates and products of bioalcohol production, comprising a sample presentation unit, a source of radiation and a means of detection characterised in that the source of radiation and the means of detection are configured for recorded one or more spectral characteristics in the spectral region from 1000 cm-1 to 5000 cm-1.
C12P 7/04 - Preparation of oxygen-containing organic compounds containing a hydroxy group acyclic
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
The invention relates to an automated system (100; 200) and a method (300; 400) for performing analysis on a sample. The sample may e.g. be of grain, foodstuff or feed and the analysis may be for measuring the concentration of one or more specific constituents which might affect the quality of the grain, foodstuff or feed. Such constituents could e.g. be mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, ochratoxin, fumonisin, aflatoxin, and 1-2 toxin, and/or enzymes such as amylase in general, or alpha-amylase in specific. The system (100; 200) comprises containers (10; 12; 14; 16) for the sample and for liquids used during the measurements. The container (10) for the sample comprises grinding means (20) for grinding the sample and inlet means (11 ) for inletting solvent liquid from another container (12), preferably during the grinding so as to speed up the extraction of constituents from the first sample. The system (100, 200) moreover comprises a sensor (50) for measuring the concentration of the one or more specific constituents, which may be a biosensor or another type of biosensing system.
A device for analysis of a composite specimen (1) by a spectroscopic image (22) characterised in that a topographic profile (16) is recorded and characterised further in that an integration of the topographic profile (16) and the spectroscopic image (22) is carried out into one or more aggregated or segregated values of interest for the composite specimen (32).
The invention concerns a device for the spectrometric assay of a liquid vinefication product (1) comprising an optical spectrometer (5) adapted to generate spectral information from the contents of a spectroscopic a sample cell (4); a data processor (10) having access to a chemometric calibration (11) developed from a spectral database (12) linking optical spectral information to compounds of interest in the liquid vinefication product (1) and configured to process the same to generate an output result (13) indicative of the presence of one or more compounds of interest in the liquid vinefication product (1) characterized in that the device further comprises a freezer unit (3) adapted for freeze distillation of the liquid vinefication product (1) to generate a liquid distillate for analysis in the spectroscopic sample cell (4).
Apparatus for Determining Compositional Properties of a Material An apparatus, such as a flow cytometer, for determining compositional properties of a material (38), comprises sensing means (24) having an output responsive to components of interest within a sample, here liquid (38), at a measurement location (22). A flow regulator such as a pump (36) is provided in flow communication with the measurement location (22) and with the liquid sample (38). Control means (34) is adapted to analyse, such as by employment of an pulse height analyser (32), the output to determine a contribution thereto by noise and to control the operation of the flow regulator (36) to regulate presentation of the sample, here the flow rate, at the measurement location (22) in a manner dependent on the determined noise contribution.
An apparatus for the determination of sulphur content of marine fuel oil in a marine vessel propulsion system comprises a sampling station (8) adapted to present a sample of the marine fuel oil for analysis to an analyser having a complementary emitter (16,20) and detector (22,24,26) arrangement configured to respectively couple energy in one or both of the infra red and near infra red spectral regions into and to detect coupled energy after its interaction with, the marine fuel oil presented for analysis. The optical analyser further comprises a spectrometer (14) for generating a representation of an intensity variation of the detected coupled energy and computational means (28,32) adapted to analyse the representation to produce output signals (30) indicating a sulphur content of the marine fuel oil usabie in control of functional elements of the marine vessel propulsion system.
G01N 21/35 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
An apparatus for spectrophotometric analysis comprises a sample reception surface, which is arranged to receive a sample to be analysed, and a sample contacting surface, which is moveable in relation to the sample reception surface such that it may be brought to a first position, where the surfaces are sufficiently far apart to allow the sample to be placed on the sample reception surface, and a second position, where the sample contacting surface makes contact with the sample and compresses the sample. The apparatus further comprises a sample thickness controller, which is arranged to control the distance between the sample reception surface and the sample contacting surface in the second position of the sample contacting surface, such that a sample thickness between the surfaces may be shifted for obtaining at least two measurements of the sample at different optical path lengths through the sample.
The invention provides a method for standardising an infrared spectrometer based on spectral patterns of constituents of atmospheric air naturally occurring in the spectrometer. The invention also provides a spectrometer applying the method. The method selects a spectral pattern in a recorded spectrum and determines a wavelength dependent position value for a feature, such as the centre of the pattern. This value is compared to a reference value that may be obtained from a spectrum recorded by a master instrument, and a standardisation formula can be determined. The absorption peaks from CO2 (g)around 2350 cm-1 are preferred as the selected pattern. The method renders the use of reference samples unnecessary and allows for the standardisation to be performed simultaneously with the recording of a spectrum of a sample of interest.
A spectrophotometer (2)comprising a source of radiation (6), preferably optical radiation, disposed to emit radiation at a plurality of wavelengths towards a sample in a sample holder (4) and a detection arrangement 8 for detecting the radiation after its interaction with the sample. The sample holder (4) is adapted to present a plurality of different path lengths for the emitted radiation through the sample. An arithmetic unit (10;10b)is operably connected to receive an intensity dependent output from the detection arrangement (8) and is adapted to store an intensity value of the detected emitted radiation indexed to its wavelength at two or more path lengths of the plurality of different path lengths and to calculate a value dependent on the ratio of the indexed intensity values at each of two path lengths by which an indication of the presence of a substance of interest withiA spectrophotometer (2)comprise a source of radiation (6), preferably optical radiation, disposed to emit radiation at a plurality of wavelengths towards a sample in a sample holder (4) and a detection arrangement 8 for detecting the radiation after its interaction with the sample. The sample holder (4) is dapted to present a plurality of different path lengths for the emitted radiation through the sample. An arithmetic unit (10;10b)is operably connected to receive an intensity dependent output from the detection arrangement (8) and is adapted to store an intensity value of the detected emitted radiation indexed to its wavelength at two or more path lengths of the plurality of different path lengths and to calculate a value dependent on the ratio of the indexed intensity values at each of two path lengths by which an indication of the presence of a substance of interest within the retained sample can be obtained.
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
patents
