Various embodiments set forth techniques for characterizing films on optically clear substrates using ellipsometry. In some embodiments, a spectroscopic ellipsometer is configured to generate a light beam that has a relatively small spot size and is substantially absorbed by an optically clear substrate, thereby reducing or eliminating reflections from an interface between the substrate and air. Optical simulations can be performed to determine values for various parameters associated with the ellipsometer that minimize the reflections from the interface between the substrate and air and maximize reflections from an interface between a film and the substrate. In addition, graded films that include multiple layers can be analyzed using models of multiple layers.

A system is provided comprising an FTIR spectrometer configured to obtain a Fourier Transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrum of a Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) sample of the subject; a data processor operable with the FTIR spectrometer, and configured to analyze the infrared (IR) spectrum of the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) sample of the subject by assessing a characteristic of the sample of the subject at at least one wavenumber; and an output unit, configured to generate an output indicative of the presence of a solid tumor, based on the infrared (IR) spectrum. Other embodiments are also provided.

A method for measuring a position of a fluorophore includes configuring a set of compact light distributions, the set having at least one member, each light distribution characterized by a center, so that there is substantially zero intensity at the center of the set of compact light distributions. The method additionally includes moving the set of compact light distributions in relation to a set of hypothesized positions of the fluorophore, detecting, in a plurality of locations corresponding to the hypothesized set of positions, a set of images; and estimating the position of the fluorophore, by determining from the set of images a set of parameters describing the position of the fluorophore using an inverse problem method.

An electrochemiluminescence method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample and a corresponding analysis system. An analyte in a liquid sample is detected by first providing a receptacle containing a fluid comprising protein coated magnetic microparticles to a stirring unit. Stirring of the fluid is necessary since the density of the microparticles is usually higher than the density of the buffer fluid. Thus the microparticles tend to deposit on the bottom of the receptacle leading to an aggregation of the microparticles because of weak interactions. To obtain representative measurements a homogeneous distribution of the microparticles in the buffer fluid is necessary to ensure a constant concentration of microparticles for each analysis cycle. It is further necessary to provide disaggregation of the microparticles, which is also realized by stirring the fluid. Stirring is conducted with a rotational frequency that is adapted to the amount of fluid to be stirred.

A method for assessing a cancer status of biological tissue includes the steps of: obtaining a Raman spectrum indicating a Raman spectroscopy response of the biological tissue, the Raman spectrum captured using a fiber-optic probe of a fiber-optic Raman spectroscopy system; inputting the Raman spectrum into a boosted tree classification algorithm of a computer program, and using the boosted tree classification algorithm for comparing, in real-time, the captured Raman spectrum to reference data and assessing the cancer status of the biological tissue based on said comparison, the reference data being previously determined based on a set of reference Raman spectra indicating Raman spectroscopy responses of reference biological tissues wherein each of the reference biological tissues is associated with a known cancer status; and generating a real-time output indicating the assessed cancer status of the biological tissue,

Provided herein is an apparatus for assessing a fluorescence characteristic of a gemstone. The apparatus comprises an optically opaque platform for supporting a gemstone to be assessed, one or more light source to provide uniform UV and non-UV illumination, an image capturing component, and a telecentric lens positioned to provide fluorescent images of the illuminated gemstone to the image capturing component. Also provided are methods of fluorescence analysis based on images collected using such an apparatus.

A method including identifying a subject as possibly having a benign tumor in ovarian tissue and obtaining an infrared spectrum of a PBMC sample of the subject and assessing a characteristic of the sample at at least one wavenumber selected from the group consisting of: 754.0±4 cm-1, 1103.6±4 cm-1, 1121.4±4 cm-1, 1346.1±4 cm-1, 1376.9±4 cm-1, 753.50±4 cm-1, 850.5±4 cm-1, 918.9±4 cm-1, 1058.7±4 cm-1, 1187.9±4 cm-1 and 1651.7±4 cm-1. Using a processor comparing, at the at least one wavenumber, the infrared spectrum to an infrared spectrum obtained from a PBMC sample from a person without a benign tumor, to detect a difference between the infrared spectrum of the PBMC sample of the subject and the infrared spectrum obtained from the PBMC sample from the person without a benign tumor. Other applications are also described.

The present invention comprises methods and apparatus utilizing multiple detectors to measure properties related to light scattered by particles. Characteristics of particles are determined from the measured properties.

An actuator is provided that includes a housing, a linear actuating shaft disposed within the housing, a piston coupled with the shaft, and a fluid barrier disposed on an end of the shaft and encircled by the piston. The piston is movable longitudinally between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration upon rotation of the shaft. The fluid barrier engages an inner surface of the piston preventing fluid communication across the fluid barrier. The fluid barrier has a shaft engaging side which receives the shaft and a fluid facing side. A cavity is formed between the piston and the fluid facing side and expands when the piston moves to the extended configuration and contracts when the piston moves to the retracted configuration. A port is disposed in the piston and extends from the cavity to external the piston thereby permitting fluid communication between the cavity and external the piston.

An array system of passive solar aquaponic and mushroom production structures, each having a glazing on a sun facing side to maximize winter sunlight; a plant growing area; a mushroom growing area; a water wall thermal mass integrated and disposed between the plant and mushroom growing areas; a fish tank; a saltwater basin under the plant growing holding saltwater; a natural air ventilation system providing misted air to the mushroom growing area and receiving O2 from the plant growing provided to the mushroom growing area, and CO2 generated by the mushroom growing area provided to the plant growing area; and saltwater channels delivering saltwater to the saltwater basins from a saltwater source, and which is evaporated by solar heat generated by the plant growing areas in order to generate freshwater.