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 and oper

A method and system for deriving particle characteristics is described. The method comprises imaging the movement of at least one free-floating particle in a liquid environment at at least one moment in time, determining for at least one moment in time a movement parameter based on the imaged movement of the free-floating particles in the liquid environment, and deriving from the movement parameter a characteristic of the at least one particle.

A method of determining the charge of at least one test particle, comprising: applying one of an electric current or a voltage across an aperture connecting two chambers, whereby the chambers are at least partially filled with electrolyte and whereby the at least one test particle is suspended in the electrolyte of at least one of the chambers; measuring the other of the electric current or voltage across the aperture; varying a pressure differential between the two chambers; and determining the charge based on the measurements of the electric current or voltage.

A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising a microorganism stimulation section comprising a means for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow passing through the microorganism stimulation section, and a viewing section in fluid communication with the microorganism stimulation section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening, whereby image data relating to the fluid flow and microorganisms therein is acquired via the optical system for analysis.

A light-trapping cancer cell stage testing method includes: measuring a first average escape velocity or range of first cancer cells and a second average escape velocity or range of second cancer cells whose stage is known and differ from that of the first cancer cells and whose types are known; utilizing the first average escape velocity and the second average escape velocity to calculate a reference ratio to build a database; selecting stage-unknown cancer cells and measuring an escape velocity of the stage-unknown cancer cells (type-known); utilizing the escape velocity of the stage-unknown cancer cells and an escape velocity of reference-stage cancer cells to calculate a ratio; and determining a stage of the stage-unknown cancer cells with a result comparing the ratio of the escape velocities for the stage-unknown cancer cells with the reference ratios stored in the database.

A microfluidic multiple channel particle analysis system which allows particles from a plurality of particle sources to be independently simultaneously entrained in a corresponding plurality of fluid streams for analysis and sorting into particle subpopulations based upon one or more particle characteristics.

Device for determining information which is indicative for a particle size and/or a particle shape of particles in a sample, wherein the device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source for generating electromagnetic primary radiation, an electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting electromagnetic secondary radiation which is generated by an interaction of the electromagnetic primary radiation with the sample, and a determination unit which is adapted for determining the information which is indicative for the particle size and/or the particle shape based on the detected electromagnetic secondary radiation, wherein the determination unit is adapted for selectively determining the information firstly by means of an identification and a size determination and/or a shape determination of the particles on a detector image which is generated from the electromagnetic secondary radiation, and/or for determining the information secondly from temporal changes of the electromagnetic secondary radiation between detector images which are generated at different detection points in time.

A system for three dimensional imaging of motile objects includes an image sensor and a sample holder disposed adjacent to the image sensor. A first illumination source is provided and has a first wavelength and positioned relative to the sample holder at a first location to illuminate the sample. A second illumination source is also provided having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, and positioned relative to the sample holder at a second location, different from the first location, to illuminate the sample. The first and second illumination sources are configured to simultaneously, or alternatively, sequentially illuminate the sample contained within the sample holder. Three dimensional positions of the motile objects in each frame are obtained based on digitally reconstructed projection images of the mobile objects obtained from the first and second illumination sources. This positional data is connected for each frame to obtain 3D trajectories of motile objects.

A method and device for optically detecting particles (23) have the following features: (a) a cell wall (9) of rectangular cross-section, made of black glass, is fitted on a longitudinal surface and adjoining transverse surface with an L-shaped heating and cooling element (1); (b) the centre of the transverse surface of the cell wall (9) opposite the transverse surface which forms the support of the cell wall (9) is irradiated by an irradiation device and is observed at right angles to the optical axis of the irradiation device by means of an observation device; (c) the focus of the irradiation device and the focus of the observation device can be moved by a motor to any point in the three-dimensional inner region defined by the cell wall (9) by means of a control device; (d) the surface of the cell wall (9) opposite the optical glass window (11) through which the radiation from the irradiation device enters comprises another optical glass window (11) in the centre thereof; (e) the temperature of the surface of the cell wall (9) is monitored by means of two thermistors (8).

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing asymmetric oscillations to a container. The container may include a fluid, a particle, and/or a gas. A vibration driver attached to the container provides asymmetric oscillations. A controller connected to the vibration driver controls an amplitude, frequency, and shape of the asymmetric oscillations. An amplifier amplifies the asymmetric oscillations in response to the controller. A sensor disposed on the vibration driver provides feedback to the controller.