A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

A probe assembly for determining a saturation pressure of a liquid includes a manifold having at internal passage and an elongated bulb defining a chamber and having a distal tip portion and a proximal portion. The bulb is secured to the manifold at the proximal end portion with the chamber in fluid communication with the internal passage. A charging port is selectively in fluid communication with the internal passage of the manifold. A pressure transmitter is configured to detect a pressure within the chamber of the elongated bulb.

An asphalt density estimation system includes a measurement device configured to output a measurement signal; a time synchronization unit configured to sample the measurement signal to obtain a sampled measurement signal and identify periodic sampling points of the sampled measurement signal across a plurality of periods. The system also includes a time synchronous averaging unit configured to construct a modified measurement signal in the time domain by: for at least one sampling point within the period, averaging a plurality of the periodic sampling points across periods to obtain an average periodic data point for the at least one sampling point, and constructing the modified measurement signal using the average periodic data point for the at least one sampling point. The system further includes a density calculation unit configured to determine asphalt density values based on the modified measurement signal; and a display unit configured to display the determined asphalt density values.

Techniques and apparatus for analytical instrument management and information assessment processes are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to perform a test plan on at least one rubber material analytical instrument via accessing a test plan comprising at least one step, generating test plan results responsive to performing the test plan on the at least one rubber material analytical instrument, analyzing the test plan results, and presenting the test plan results on a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) objects. Other embodiments are described.

A densitometer in the present disclosure comprises a measurement module that is calibrated to estimate sample fluid density with high accuracy and minimized sensitivity to temperature of tube and clamp components in the densitometer. The densitometer measures sample fluid density by vibrating the sample fluid and measuring the resonant frequency of the sample fluid, then estimating the sample fluid density based on this resonant frequency. The measurement module is calibrated specific to dissimilar tube and clamp materials. The tube and the clamp of the densitometer have materials are chosen to be cost-effective based on the specifications of the densitometer system and to have coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) which reduce temperature dependence of the resonant frequency of the sample fluid inside of the densitometer.

In an example implementation, a method of operating a sintering furnace includes receiving information about a green object load to be sintered in a sintering furnace, determining a sintering profile based on the information, and performing a sintering process according to the sintering profile. During the sintering process, a sensor reading that indicates a degree of densification of a green object in the load is accessed from a densification sensor. The method includes initiating a cool down phase of the sintering process if the sensor reading has reached a target sensor reading.

In an example implementation, a method of operating a sintering furnace includes receiving information about a green object load to be sintered in a sintering furnace, determining a sintering profile based on the information, and performing a sintering process according to the sintering profile. During the sintering process, a sensor reading that indicates a degree of densification of a green object in the load is accessed from a densification sensor. The method includes initiating a cool down phase of the sintering process if the sensor reading has reached a target sensor reading.

A method of determining a dry proppant concentration in a fracturing fluid includes combining a wet proppant with a carrier fluid in a mixer to form the fracturing fluid. The dry proppant concentration of the fracturing fluid leaving the mixer is determined using a moisture content of the wet proppant entering the mixer, wherein use of the moisture content prevents overestimation of the dry proppant concentration. The method can be preformed using a system for injecting fracturing fluid into a borehole, the fracturing fluid including a carrier fluid mixed with a wet proppant including a dry proppant dampened with a dampening liquid. The system includes a mixer operable to receive and mix the carrier fluid and the wet proppant to form the fracturing fluid, a frac pump operable to inject the fracturing fluid into the borehole, and a control system comprising a processor operable to receive a moisture content of the wet proppant before being mixed with the carrier fluid and programmed to determine a dry proppant concentration of the fracturing fluid formed in the mixer using a moisture content of the wet proppant, wherein use of the moisture content prevents overestimation of the dry proppant concentration.

A method of determining a dry proppant concentration in a fracturing fluid includes combining a wet proppant with a carrier fluid in a mixer to form the fracturing fluid. The dry proppant concentration of the fracturing fluid leaving the mixer is determined using a moisture content of the wet proppant entering the mixer, wherein use of the moisture content prevents overestimation of the dry proppant concentration. The method can be preformed using a system for injecting fracturing fluid into a borehole, the fracturing fluid including a carrier fluid mixed with a wet proppant including a dry proppant dampened with a dampening liquid. The system includes a mixer operable to receive and mix the carrier fluid and the wet proppant to form the fracturing fluid, a frac pump operable to inject the fracturing fluid into the borehole, and a control system comprising a processor operable to receive a moisture content of the wet proppant before being mixed with the carrier fluid and programmed to determine a dry proppant concentration of the fracturing fluid formed in the mixer using a moisture content of the wet proppant, wherein use of the moisture content prevents overestimation of the dry proppant concentration.