Provided is an analysis device and an analysis method which, while solving the problem of column plugging, carries out continuous analysis of nitrogen in a sample without use of cadmium that causes environmental pollution. The problem is solved by an analysis method including: a sample introduction step of introducing a sample into a tube; a reduction step of reducing, to ammonium ions, nitrate ions and nitrite ions in the sample being transferred in the tube; and an analysis step of analyzing the ammonium ions in the sample which have been generated in the reduction step. In the reduction step, the nitrate ions and the nitrite ions in the sample are reduced by transferring the sample in a hollow tube in which at least an inner wall surface is made of zinc.

Provided is an analysis device and an analysis method which, while solving the problem of column plugging, carries out continuous analysis of nitrogen in a sample without use of cadmium that causes environmental pollution. The problem is solved by an analysis method including: a sample introduction step of introducing a sample into a tube; a reduction step of reducing, to ammonium ions, nitrate ions and nitrite ions in the sample being transferred in the tube; and an analysis step of analyzing the ammonium ions in the sample which have been generated in the reduction step. In the reduction step, the nitrate ions and the nitrite ions in the sample are reduced by transferring the sample in a hollow tube in which at least an inner wall surface is made of zinc.

An apparatus for detecting chemical reactions may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a chemical detection device. The chemical detection device may include a chemical sensor, which may be mounted on the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a valve block. The valve block may fluidly couple a plurality of reagent containers to the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchanger and a controller. The controller may control a fluid connection between the valve block and the chemical detection device. The controller may be also configured to adjust a temperature of a selected reagent from the plurality of reagent containers via the heat exchanger. The temperature of the selected reagent may be adjusted prior to the reagent entering the chemical detection device.

Devices and methods for using changes in the orientation of micrometer sized dispersed liquid crystal domains to detect or quantify analytes in a test sample, including amphiphilic analytes, are disclosed. The dispersed liquid crystal domains are defined by an interface, and one or more nanoparticles or nanoparticle-containing complexes are adsorbed to the interface. As a result of the adsorption of the nanoparticles or nanoparticle-containing complexes at the interface, the microdomains are stabilized, and resist coalescing for extended periods of time, unlike previously known devices using liquid crystal emulsions for analyte detection. When the dispersed liquid crystal microdomains are exposed to the test sample, any changes in the orientation of the liquid crystal microdomains (such as from the bipolar to radial) are detected. Such changes in orientation signal the presence of analyte in the test sample, and the proportion of liquid crystal microdomains exhibiting the change in orientation is correlated with the quantity of analyte in the test sample. The nanoparticle used, the amphiphile used in the nanoparticle-containing complex, or both may be selected to optimize the sensitivity and/or selectivity of the device for a given analyte.

Devices and methods for using changes in the orientation of micrometer sized dispersed liquid crystal domains to detect or quantify analytes in a test sample, including amphiphilic analytes, are disclosed. The dispersed liquid crystal domains are defined by an interface, and one or more nanoparticles or nanoparticle-containing complexes are adsorbed to the interface. As a result of the adsorption of the nanoparticles or nanoparticle-containing complexes at the interface, the microdomains are stabilized, and resist coalescing for extended periods of time, unlike previously known devices using liquid crystal emulsions for analyte detection. When the dispersed liquid crystal microdomains are exposed to the test sample, any changes in the orientation of the liquid crystal microdomains (such as from the bipolar to radial) are detected. Such changes in orientation signal the presence of analyte in the test sample, and the proportion of liquid crystal microdomains exhibiting the change in orientation is correlated with the quantity of analyte in the test sample. The nanoparticle used, the amphiphile used in the nanoparticle-containing complex, or both may be selected to optimize the sensitivity and/or selectivity of the device for a given analyte.