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 for fills and/or cleans the measurement cell of a measuring instrument, namely a viscometer and/or density measuring instrument, in particular of a rotational viscometer. A sample is introduced via a sample line into the measurement cell by a pump, and wherein a dynamic viscosity and/or density of the sample is determined in the measurement cell. A funnel-shaped, reversibly openable receiving container, in particular a filling funnel, for the sample, is arranged in the sample line, between the pump and the measurement cell. The receiving container is opened and the sample is introduced into the receiving container. The receiving container is connected to the pump via a pressure line in such a way that, when pressure is applied into the receiving container, a proportion of the sample is dispensed out of the receiving container and introduced into the measurement cell.

A digital densitometer for a fluid gauging system includes a frequency detection device configured to be disposed within a fluid tank, wherein a frequency detected by the frequency detection device is indicative of a density of a fluid within the fluid tank, frequency detection circuitry configured to obtain the frequency from the frequency detection device and output the frequency in a digital form, and an interface for digital communication with an electronic controller, the digital communication comprising transmission of the digital form of the frequency for the electronic controller.

A method is provided for measuring density of a fluid by means of at least one at least sectionally curved measuring tube. The measuring tube is adapted to be flowed through by the fluid and concurrently to be caused to vibrate over a wanted oscillatory length, namely a tube length measured from a first tube end to a second tube end, a length which is greater than a minimum separation of the second tube end from the first tube end. According to the invention, among other things, also a tilt measured value representing an inclination of the at least one measuring tube in the static resting position relative to a local acceleration of gravity is ascertained, in such a manner that such represents an angle of intersection between a direction vector of an imaginary first reference axis (y-axis) and a direction vector of an imaginary second reference axis (g-axis). The first reference axis is so selected that it is perpendicular to an imaginary third reference axis (z-axis) imaginarily connecting the first tube end and the second tube end and points in the direction of a peak of the at least one measuring tube farthest from the third reference axis in the static resting position, while the second reference axis is so selected that it extends through a shared intersection of the first and third reference axes and points in the vertical direction, namely in the direction of the local acceleration of gravity. The tilt measured value is used together with a parameter measured value representing an oscillation frequency of the at least one measuring tube for ascertaining at least one density measured value representing the density of the fluid.

A method for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium using a vibronic sensor includes: exciting a mechanically vibratable unit to vibrate in a first vibration mode via a drive/receiving unit using a first excitation signal; receiving and converting the vibrations of the first vibration mode into a first reception signal; generating the first excitation signal based on the first reception signal; determining the process variable from the first reception signal; exciting the vibratable unit to vibrate in a second vibration mode via the drive/receiving unit via a second excitation signal; receiving and converting the vibrations the second vibration mode into a second reception signal, where the second excitation signal is generated based on the second reception signal; and compensating for an influence of a temperature of the medium on the first reception signal using the second reception signal.

An electronic smoking device and a method for sensing an aerosol during a puff action to the electronic smoking device, the electronic smoking device has an aerosol sensing unit (100) containing a light intensity detector (11, 12) to detect light reflected by an aerosol moving though the aerosol sensing unit (100). A flow speed of the aerosol is derived based on the light intensity detected and a pressure condition within the aerosol sensing unit (100) detected by a pressure sensor.

An electronic smoking device and a method for sensing an aerosol during a puff action to the electronic smoking device, the electronic smoking device has an aerosol sensing unit (100) containing a light intensity detector (11, 12) to detect light reflected by an aerosol moving though the aerosol sensing unit (100). A flow speed of the aerosol is derived based on the light intensity detected and a pressure condition within the aerosol sensing unit (100) detected by a pressure sensor.

A Coriolis mass flow measuring device and/or density measuring device (100) includes two bent measuring tubes (110a, 110b), which extend mirror symmetrically to a first mirror plane between the measuring tubes, an actuator arrangement (140) and at least one sensor arrangement (142a, 142b); at the inlet end and at the outlet end, in each case, a collector (120a, 120a), with which the measuring tubes are joined, wherein the collectors (120a, 120b) each fulfill the functionality of a node plate; a support body (124), which connects the collectors (120a, 120b) rigidly with one another; and inlet end and outlet end, in each case, at least one plate-shaped coupler (132a, 132b, 134a, 134b), which connect the measuring tubes pairwise with one another, in order to form an oscillator, wherein the couplers have tube openings for measuring tubes, wherein the measuring tubes are connected at least sectionally with the couplers, wherein inlet end and outlet end, in each case, at least one coupler (132a, 132b, 134a, 134b) has, between the measuring tubes (110a, 110b), a tuning opening (146) for influencing the oscillation characteristics of the oscillator.

Safety systems and material testing systems including safety systems are disclosed. An example material testing system includes: at least one actuator configured to control one or more operator-accessible components of the material testing system; an actuator disabling circuit configured to disable the at least one actuator; and one or more processors configured to: control the at least one actuator based on a material testing process; monitor a plurality of inputs associated with operation of the material testing system; determine, based on the plurality of inputs and the material testing process, a state of the material testing system from a plurality of predetermined states, the predetermined states comprising one or more unrestricted states and one or more restricted states; and control the actuator disabling circuit based on the determined state.

Tools, methods, and systems for evaluating a demulsifier performance from an emulsion mixture are described. The systems include a measuring instrument including a body with an open end, a cover attachable to the body, a sample holder sized to hold the emulsion mixture and to be received inside the body, the body and the cover define a sealable chamber; a sensor system positioned inside the sealable chamber an environmental control system positioned to enclose the sealable chamber; a data acquisition and processing system is in electronic communication with the sealable chamber, the sensor system, and the environmental control system. The sensor system includes a handle attached to and extruding from the cover of the measuring instrument; and a sensor loaded onto the handle, sized to be submerged inside the emulsion mixture of the sample holder, and operable to measure performance of the demulsifier.