A method and apparatus for particle counting and wavelength or angle performed in combination in order to characterize an aerosol is disclosed. In one example, data regarding particle counting (such as from an optical particle sensor) and data regarding angle or wavelength (such as from an ensemble measurement sensor) may be separately generated, with the separately generated data being analyzed in combination in order to characterize the aerosol. In another example, data regarding particle counting and regarding angle or wavelength may be generated in combination in order to characterize the aerosol.

This flow cytometer includes a flow path through which an observation object flows with a fluid; an optical illumination system including a spatial optical modulation device, and a first optical element; and an optical detection system including a first light detector, wherein the optical illumination system further includes a first spatial filter disposed in a first optical path between a light source and an image position of light imaged in the flow path by the first optical element and having a first region which hinders traveling of light emitted from the light source towards the observation object, the optical detection system further includes a second light detector disposed in a second optical path between the first light detector and the image position and having a second region which directs the light modulated by the observation object towards the first light detector, and the position of the first region and the position of the second region are in a substantially optically conjugate relationship.

A method and apparatus (1) for monitoring particles flowing in a stack are disclosed. The method comprises emitting light from a light source along an optical path for scattering from the particles, rotating a rotatable monitoring assembly (15) mounted in the optical path, and detecting the scattered light using a detector. The rotatable monitoring assembly (15) contains at least two in apertures, and the method further comprises rotating the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) into a plurality of different configurations. In an operation configuration, light passes through the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) and into the stack unimpeded. In a zero-check configuration, the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) blocks the light from reaching the stack. In a span-check configuration, light of varying intensity passes from the light source through the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) into the stack. In a contamination-check configuration, the light is reflected through the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) onto the detector, without entering the stack. In the safety-shutter configuration, the rotatable monitoring assembly (15) protects optical components in the instrument from particles in the stack.

A qualification process for a sample to be examined by means of cryo-electron microscopy. The, sample (12) is applied to a sample carrier (10) provided for cryo-electron microscopy and subsequently the sample (12) arranged on the sample carrier is examined by means of dynamic light scattering. The particle size distribution within the sample (12) is determined by means of the dynamic light scattering. Further, a sample holder designed to carry out the qualification process.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optoelectronic device for detection and identification of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles, the device comprising a source of ultraviolet collimated monochromatic radiation that illuminates an area of air external to the aircraft through which freely pass individual atmospheric particles to create an illuminated sample volume of air; an optical surveillance system for monitoring the clarity of light transmission through the light transmissive window to indicate a need for preventive maintenance; a first optical detection system that is constructed and arranged to collect light scattered from individual particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of S and P components of return scattered light from the sample volume to photodetectors that provide signals representative of intensity and change in polarization state caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a second optical detection system for selectively detecting fluorescence emanating from individual ash particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of fluoresence from the sample volume to a photodetector that provide a signal representative of intensity caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a signal processor that is constructed and arranged to condition the signals from the photodetectors by removing electronic noise, restoring baseline shifts and analyzing the pulse shapes to provide processed signals; a signal analyzer configured to operate upon the processed signals for extraction of data representing maximum amplitude, width, rise time and fall time of individual pulses in the S and P components, and the magnitude of the fluorescence signal which correlates to the size and/or composition of ash particles present; an information synthesizer that receives the data and produces analytical results allocated to particles by particle type including equivalent optical diameter (EOD), number and mass size distributions, and number and mass concentrations, the particle type being selected as at least one member among the group consisting of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles; and a report generator that creates an information packet utilizing information from the information synthesizer to assist in decision making related to hazard avoidance for aircraft flight, the optoelectronic system being adapted for mounting

Various embodiments include methods and systems to measure and calibrate an optical particle spectrometer for reporting mass concentration. In one embodiment, an optical particle spectrometer is used to measure a concentration of particulate matter in a sampled particle-laden airstream. A particle diverter, in fluid communication with the spectrometer, diverts at least a portion of the particle-laden airstream at predetermined intervals. In one example, a mass filter receives the portion of the particle-laden airstream and filters a fraction of the particles within the airstream that are above a predetermined particle size. A mass sensor measures a mass of the fraction of the particles received from the mass filter or from the particle diverter and uses a calibration communication loop to provide the measured mass to the spectrometer to apply a correction factor to report mass concentration from the optical particle spectrometer. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

An optical detector device may receive a spectroscopic measurement from a multispectral sensor. The optical detector device may determine, based on the spectroscopic measurement, a particulate size of a particulate. The optical detector device may determine, based on the spectroscopic measurement, an identification of the particulate. The optical detector device may determine, based on the particulate size and the identification of the particulate, that an alert condition is satisfied. The optical detector device may trigger an alert based on determining that the alert condition is satisfied.

A method and an apparatus for characterising a sample comprising particles is disclosed. The method comprises performing a first measurement on the sample using a first particle characterisation technique; flowing the sample from the first particle characterisation technique to a particle separating device; separating the sample with the particle separating device; and performing a second measurement on the separated sample. The apparatus is configured to perform the method, and comprises a measurement system for performing measurements according to a first particle characterisation technique and a particle separating device for separating samples comprising particles.

The invention relates to a method for detecting a dengue infection in a patient blood sample, comprising the steps: a) Performing an analysis of prespecified parameters of blood platelets and prespecified types of blood cells in the sample and determining parameter values for the prespecified parameters of the platelets and the prespecified types of cells; b) Obtaining sample parameters from the values determined in step a); and c) Evaluating the sample parameters in relation to a prespecified criterion, wherein, if the criterion is fulfilled, a dengue infection is present.

Particulate sensing systems or processes identify particulates suspended in an air sample by irradiating the air sample with UV light and measuring light from individual particles in the air sample. Two photodiodes having different wavelength sensitivity may be used to measure the fluorescent light emitted from a single particle, and a type of the particle may be identified using outputs from photodiodes. Repeating the process for multiple particles may produces distributions that further distinguish or identify particulate types.