An optical inspection system in accordance with the disclosure can be configured to simultaneously capture illumination reflected in multiple directions from the surface of a substrate, thereby overcoming inaccurate or incomplete characterization of substrate surface aspects as a result of reflected intensity variations that can arise when illumination is captured only from a single direction. Such a system includes a set of illuminators and an image capture device configured to simultaneously capture at least two beams of illumination that are reflected off the surface. The at least two beams of illumination that are simultaneously captured by the image capture device have different angular separations between their reflected paths of travel. The set of illuminators can include a set of thin line illuminators positioned and configured to supply one or more beams of thin line illumination incident to the surface. For instance, two beams of thin line illumination can be directed to the surface at different angles of incidence to a normal axis of the surface.

Methods, systems, devices and apparatus for use in screening and/or selecting a library of nucleic acid molecules and/or nucleic acid tagged or encoded molecules for binding to or interaction with a target molecule or substance (e.g., for use in new compound or drug discovery) are described. In some embodiments the device comprises: (a) a spatially addressable array, said array comprising a plurality of separate and discrete locations thereon; (b) a plurality of different oligomers operably connected to said spatially addressable array at different ones of said separate and discrete locations; (c) a tag sequence which is complementary to, and is hybridized to, each of said oligomers; and (d) a candidate chemical operably connected to each of said tag sequences, wherein each of said discrete locations is a unique identifier for its corresponding oligomer; and wherein said tag sequence is a unique identifier for its connected candidate chemical.

The embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for detecting whether unwanted metallic deposits are present on a bottom of a substrate holder used in an electroplating apparatus. The presence of such unwanted deposits is harmful to electroplating processes because the deposits scavenge current that is intended to cause electroplating on a substrate. When such current scavenging occurs, the electroplating results on the substrates are poor. For instance, features positioned near the edge of a substrate are likely to plate to an insufficient thickness. Further, where such current scavenging is great, the overall thickness of the material plated on the substrate may be too thin. As such, there is a need to detect when such unwanted deposits are present, such that plating under these poor conditions may be avoided. This detection will help preserve costly wafers.

A method and apparatus for inspection of liquids are disclosed. The method includes inspecting a liquid with a technique selected according to whether the package of the liquid is transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. If the package is transparent or semi-transparent, a Raman spectra technique is used; if the package is opaque, a technique using an electronic scale and a barcode reader is used. In some embodiments, the Raman spectra technique and the technique using barcode reader and electronic scale can be used independently for inspection of the liquid. The inspection apparatus according to the present disclosure has advantages, such as capability of material identification, rapid examination speed, small volume, light weight, portability, low cost, freedom from radiation, and simple maintenance. The method and apparatus according to the present disclosure are suitable for safety inspection in public places having a large number, and fast flow, of people.

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

A computer-implemented system is provided and includes a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, with the system being configured to measure light performance properties of a gemstone and generate an objective grade for the gemstone.

A storage and sterilizing case shaped and dimensioned for storing a tattoo machine therein. The case has a cover and a base. The cover is connected to the base via a hinge securing the cover to the base along adjacent edges thereof. The base includes a tray for supporting the tattoo machine within the case. The interior of the case is provided with an electronic circuit board and at least one ultraviolet light.

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for waste object detection. For example, a waste alert component is configured to emit ultraviolet light towards a waste detection zone, such as a bathroom floor or countertop. If a waste object, such as a paper towel or other object with a fluoresce property, exists within the waste detection zone, then the waste alert component may detect an increase in light due to the waste object fluorescing visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. If the increase in light intensity exceeds a detection threshold, then the waste alert component may provide a waste detection alert that the waste object exists within the waste detection zone (e.g., a message may be sent to a housekeeper that paper towel waste in on the bathroom countertop).

A method for preparing a ninhydrin reagent for use in the analysis of nitrogen-containing compounds is provided, the method comprising irradiating a ninhydrin-containing composition with UV light. An apparatus for preparing a ninhydrin reagent for use in the analysis of nitrogen-containing compounds is also provided, the apparatus comprising a conduit having an inlet for receiving a ninhydrin-containing composition and an outlet for discharging a ninhydrin reagent; and a light source for irradiating the ninhydrin-containing composition within the conduit with UV light. A method for analysing one or more nitrogen-containing compounds comprises irradiating a ninhydrin-containing composition with UV light in an activation zone to produce a ninhydrin reagent; and contacting the ninhydrin reagent with the nitrogen-containing compounds in a reaction zone.

A detector arrangement for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO.sub.2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.