A system for monitoring vibrations in a target region of interest may include a pulsed laser transmitter assembly, interferometric, telescope, and receiver optics, a photo-EMF detector assembly, signal conditioning/processing electronics, and a monitoring circuit/display. The detector assembly, which has a photo-EMF detector and amplifier circuits, generates an output signal indicative of the vibrations. A laser module outputs a source beam at a PRF of at least 2 Hz. A beam splitter device splits the source beam into separate interrogating and reference beams. The mirror directs the reference beam onto the photo-EMF detector for interference with a reflected return signal. The telescope optics generates an amplified return signal, and directs the amplified return signal to the photo-emf detector. The monitoring computer compares the output signal from the signal processor to a baseline to ascertain a difference therebetween, and generates a diagnostic signal indicative of the difference.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a blend of nucleators which is advantageous for providing reduced haze in a nucleated polyolefin material compared to blends of the same nucleators having different weight ratios of components. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for identifying a blend of at least two nucleators having a weight ratio of components that provides reduced haze in a nucleated polyolefin material compared to blends of the same nucleators having different weight ratios of components, wherein each nucleator is soluble in a molten polyolefin resin, said method comprising the steps of: i) preparing a plurality of blends of the at least two nucleators wherein each blend contains the same at least two nucleators but in a different weight ratio, wherein the plurality of blends includes one or more blends in which one of the at least two nucleators is a major weight fraction of the blend as well as one or more blends in which the same one of the at least two nucleators is a minor weight fraction of the blend; ii)determining, for each of the blends prepared in step i), a minimum dissolution temperature at which a given concentration of each of the blends becomes completely dissolved in individual samples of the same molten polyolefin resin, wherein the concentration of each of the different blends in the individual samples is substantially the same and below the saturation point in the molten polyolefin resin and the same method for determining the minimum dissolution temperature is used for each blend; and iii) identifying a blend of the at least two nucleators which has a minimum dissolution temperature which is lower than that determined in step ii) for a majority of the plurality of blends.

The present invention provides a drug discovery assay to screen for compounds capable of modulating condensates based on the ability of the said compounds to shift the condensation propensity of a studied target, preferably an intrinsically disordered protein.

An optical sensor and corresponding method of operation can detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte. The optical sensor includes an optical element with a metallic film coupled or integral thereto, with a sample chamber holds the hydrocarbon-based analyte such that the hydrocarbon-based analyte is disposed adjacent the metallic layer. The optical sensor further includes a light source configured to direct light through the optical element such that the light is reflected by the metallic layer under conditions of surface plasmon resonance. The optical sensor analyzes the reflected light to detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte.

An apparatus and a method for in-situ phase determination are provided. The apparatus includes a measurement chamber configured to retain a substance, and an entrance window mounted on a side of the measurement chamber. An exit window is mounted on an opposite side of the measurement chamber, and the exit window is parallel with the entrance window. The apparatus further includes a light source configured to generate an incident light beam. The incident light beam is directed to the entrance window at a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a normal of the entrance window. The incident light beam passes through the entrance window, the measurement chamber and the exit window to form an output light beam. A detector is positioned under the exit window and configured to collect the output light beam passing through the exit window and generate measurement data.

This invention relates a biomarker detection system, for detecting cancer biomarkers using optical heterodyning. The system includes a tunable laser configured to produce a plurality of laser beams of at least two frequencies, a pair of optical fibers coated with gold nanoparticles and functionalized with an antibody is configured to undergo a change of fiber surface of each optical fiber by adsorbing molecules of an analyte on a surface of the antibody, modify a reflection of the plurality of laser beams inside a fiber core of the each optical fiber when the each optical fiber is bent, and create an audible beat frequency; and perform spectral analysis. A frequency spectrum analyzer configured to provide a composition information of the adsorbed molecules based on a spectral analysis of the beat frequency.

A laser vibrometer for measurement of ambient chemical species includes a laser that produces a beam that is split into a reference readout beam and a signal readout beam. A probe laser beam is tuned to an absorption feature of a molecular transition, and generates acoustic signals when incident on a gaseous species via the photo acoustic effect. The scattered acoustic signals are incident on a thin membrane that vibrates. The readout laser beam reflected from the vibrating membrane is mixed with the reference beam at the surface of a photo-EMF detector. Interferrometric fringes are generated at the surface of the photo-EMF detector. Electric current is generated in the photo-EMF detector when the fringes are in motion due to undulations in the signal readout beam imparted by the vibrating membrane. A highly sensitive photo-EMF detector is capable of detecting picoJoules or less laser energy generated by vibrating processes.

A laser vibrometer for measurement of ambient chemical species includes a laser that produces a beam that is split into a reference readout beam and a signal readout beam. A probe laser beam is tuned to an absorption feature of a molecular transition, and generates acoustic signals when incident on a gaseous species via the photo acoustic effect. The scattered acoustic signals are incident on a thin membrane that vibrates. The readout laser beam reflected from the vibrating membrane is mixed with the reference beam at the surface of a photo-EMF detector. Interferrometric fringes are generated at the surface of the photo-EMF detector. Electric current is generated in the photo-EMF detector when the fringes are in motion due to undulations in the signal readout beam imparted by the vibrating membrane. A highly sensitive photo-EMF detector is capable of detecting picoJoules or less laser energy generated by vibrating processes.

A laser vibrometer for measurement of ambient chemical species includes a laser that produces a beam that is split into a reference readout beam and a signal readout beam. A probe laser beam is tuned to an absorption feature of a molecular transition, and generates acoustic signals when incident on a gaseous species via the photo acoustic effect. The scattered acoustic signals are incident on a thin membrane that vibrates. The readout laser beam reflected from the vibrating membrane is mixed with the reference beam at the surface of a photo-EMF detector. Interferrometric fringes are generated at the surface of the photo-EMF detector. Electric current is generated in the photo-EMF detector when the fringes are in motion due to undulations in the signal readout beam imparted by the vibrating membrane. A highly sensitive photo-EMF detector is capable of detecting picoJoules or less laser energy generated by vibrating processes.

The invention is a method for characterizing a liquid sample, said liquid sample containing particles, the method comprising the following steps: a) illuminating said sample using a light source that is able to emit an incident light wave towards the sample; b) detecting, using a photodetector, a light wave transmitted by the sample thus illuminated; c) characterizing the sample depending on an intensity of the light wave detected by the photodetector. The method comprises, prior to step c), applying an acoustic wave to the sample, said acoustic wave forming pressure nodes and pressure antinodes in the sample, so as to separate, in the latter, a poor portion, poor in particles, and rich portion, rich in particles, such that, in step c), the sample is characterized: either on the basis of the intensity of the light wave transmitted by the poor portion; or on the basis of the intensity of the light wave transmitted by the rich portion.