A method for an automatic inspection of a plurality of plate-like plastic carriers, whereby each plastic carrier is closed by a cover and has a unique identification code and a culture medium. A storage container including a multiplicity of plastic carriers is provided, and a computer-controlled handling unit including an optical inspection system is provided. While performing the automatic inspection in an inspection routine, a plastic carrier is removed from the storage container with the aid of the handling unit, the cover of the plastic carrier is subsequently removed, the plastic carrier is supplied to the inspection system, the identification code is read, and at least one image of the plastic carrier, including the surface of the culture solution is recorded. The image is evaluated for a growth of germs and/or faults in the plastic carrier and the result of the evaluation is stored for each plastic carrier.

In accordance with a method for characterization of particles in a fluid-filled hollow structure, an ultrasound signal with a frequency spectrum, which exhibits a local maximum at a variable measurement frequency, is emitted in the direction of a part area of the hollow structure and reflected components are detected. The measurement frequency is tuned in a predetermined measurement interval, and depending on the detected reflected components, a spectral response curve is acquired as a function of the measurement frequency. Depending on the response curve, at least one characteristic property for a part of the particles located in the part area of the hollow structure is determined. The characteristic property includes a measure for an adhesion of the particles of the part of the particles located in the part area of the hollow structure.

A particulate matter sensor includes a shield through which exhaust gases flow in a direction of flow from upstream to downstream. A sensing element with a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated from the positive electrode by an electrode gap is located within the shield. The positive electrode includes a plurality of positive electrode branches each having positive electrode extensions extending downstream and separated from each other by positive electrode slots. A positive electrode extension tip for each has a positive electrode extension tip width. The negative electrode includes negative electrode branches each having negative electrode extensions extending upstream which are each flanked on each side thereof by a plurality of negative electrode slots. A negative electrode extension tip for each has a negative electrode extension tip width. A sum of the positive electrode extension tip widths is greater than a sum of the negative electrode extension tip widths.

A system, device and method for deployment of one or more dust accumulation sensors receives a baseline measurement associated with no accumulation of dust in a target environment, receives a time-elapsed measurement associated with positive accumulation of dust in the target environment, determines a quantity of accumulated dust in the target environment based on the baseline measurement and the time-elapsed measurement, generates a spatial dust deposition distribution for the target environment based on the determined quantity of accumulated dust and determines a deployment for one or more dust accumulation sensors for the target environment based on the spatial dust deposition distribution.

A sensing element includes a substrate including an electrically non-conductive surface, at least one high surface energy region, and an electrode pair structure disposed on the electrically non-conductive surface. The electrode pair structure includes at least one pair of electrodes having a gap therebetween. At least one of the electrodes is at least partially within the at least one high surface energy region. The sensing element is configured to sense fluid-soluble particulate matter.

The invention provides a device and method for the real-time detection of aeropathogens. The device includes an aerosampler having an air inlet and at least one collector tube, a microfluidic system which includes a container, piping, a micro pump for flowing a liquid and a viral detection chamber. The viral detection chamber has an electrode which may be equipped with functionalized bio sensors, a counter electrode, an electronic detection system connectable to the electrodes of the viral detection chamber, and an embedded electronic processing system for processing data from the electronic detection system.

In a data generation apparatus, an acquisition unit acquires original data which are odor data measured in a specific environment. A generation unit performs a linear transformation with respect to the original data, and generates augmented data which are odor data in an environment where temperature and humidity are different from those in the specific environment.

A biosensor using an exceptional point is disclosed. A biosensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a biosensing unit configured to output wavelength-separated optical signals from destruction of an exceptional point resulting from attachment of biomolecules; a detection unit configured to convert the wavelength-separated optical signals into wavelength-separated electrical signals; an analysis unit configured to measure a beat frequency resulting from the wavelength-separated electrical signals; and a determination unit configured to determine a wavelength difference resulting from the beat frequency, thereby determining the amount of the biomolecules therefrom.

A soot sensing system includes a soot sensor having a first element, and circuitry to an amount of soot accumulated on the element and to control heating of the element in response to the soot accumulation. An electrostatic repelling voltage (ERV) may be applied to a sensor/heater element(s) during a contamination prevention mode (CPM) to repel ash and reduce contamination of the sensor. A pulsed heating voltage (PHV) may be applied to the elements during the CPM and a pulsed ERV may be applied to the elements during the “off” period of the PHV. All voltage to the elements may be turned off during the CPM and the elements may be floating/ground. A PHV may be applied to the elements during the CPM and no voltage may be applied to the elements during the “off” period of the PHV. A heating voltage may be applied to the elements during a CPM corresponding to a cold start.

The inventive concept relates to a device for detecting particles in air, said device comprising a receiver for receiving a flow of air comprising particles, a sample carrier, and a particle capturing arrangement. The particle capturing arrangement is configured to separate the particles from the flow of air for and to collect a set of particles on a surface of the sample carrier. The device further comprises a light source configured to illuminate the particles on the sample carrier, such that an interference pattern is formed by interference between light being scattered by the particles and non-scattered light from the light source. The device further comprises an image sensor configured to detect the interference pattern. The device further comprises a cleaner configured for cleaning the surface of the sample carrier for enabling re-use of the surface for collection of a subsequent set of particles.