Systems, devices, kits, and methods for detecting and quantifying targeted compounds within a liquid (such as urine) are provided. Such systems, devices, and methods may be autonomous, noninvasive, and provide quick and accurate results. The systems and devices are at least partially disposable (single-use) and configured to be embedded within or applied to a conventional diaper or the like. Methods for using the systems and devices hereof include receiving a liquid to be tested within a portion of a disposable device, allowing the liquid to traverse through one or more channels defined within the device in a controlled fashion, reacting the liquid with one or more chemical reagents, using a sensing unit to collect photocurrent data regarding the chemical reach on(s), and wirelessly transmitting that data to a computing unit for storage and quantitative analysis.

The present invention provides, inter alia, a device comprising a colorimetric detection layer configured to undergo a color change upon interaction with a first analyte of interest. The detection layer comprises a first plurality of self-assembled fiber bundles. At least a fraction of the fiber bundles undergo a change from a first conformation to a second conformation upon interaction with the first analyte of interest, thereby undergoing a color change. The invention also provides a method for using the system to detect an analyte of interest.

The present invention provides, inter alia, a device comprising a colorimetric detection layer configured to undergo a color change upon interaction with a first analyte of interest. The detection layer comprises a first plurality of self-assembled fiber bundles. At least a fraction of the fiber bundles undergo a change from a first conformation to a second conformation upon interaction with the first analyte of interest, thereby undergoing a color change. The invention also provides a method for using the system to detect an analyte of interest.

Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) were fluorescently labeled with 1-pyrenebutyric acid and pyrene fluorescence was employed to detect nitrated organic compounds (NOCs) in solution and on paper surfaces. Fluorescence quenching of the pyrene-labeled SNPs (Py-SNPs) by NOCs such as nitromethane, nitrotoluene (MNT), dinitrotoluene (DNT), and trinitrotoluene (TNT) was characterized in DMSO and water. Since pyrene is insoluble in water, the fluorescence of the pyrene excimer that dominated the fluorescence spectrum of the Py-SNPs dispersed in water was used for the fluorescence quenching experiments. The efficient binding of the aromatic NOCs to the pyrene aggregates of Py-SNPs dispersed in water was used to detect NOCs by Py-SNPs adsorbed at the surface of paper sheets. The low quantities of aromatic NOCs detected by the Py-SNPs demonstrate the potential of Py-SNP-coated paper for the detection of such compounds.

Methods for selective measurement and monitoring of multiple base chemicals in processing solutions are provided. Methods include providing a processing solution including a plurality of base chemicals and performing a first analytical method, such as measuring a conductivity of the solution blend, in combination with a second analytical method, such as titration or pH measurements of the solution. From such measurements, a concentration of one or more base chemicals can be selectively determined. In such methods, multiple bases in a same processing solution are advantageously selectively measured and monitored accurately.

Provided is a water quality analysis device capable of keeping the device in a clean state without leaving an operation at the time of device power supply activation to an operator and without wasting time and wash water. The water quality analysis device is configured such that: a memory 21 capable of storing a stored content in a cut-off state of the device power supply is provided; the states of the vessels, such as an IC reactor 1 and a TC reactor 2, in which sample water is injected at the time of an analysis operation are sequentially stored in the memory 21; contents of the memory 21 are read at the time of the device power supply activation; and a cleaning operation is automatically executed according to prescribed procedures with the states read for each reactor 1 and 2 as a starting point. Thus, even after the power supply interruption due to, e.g., power outage, the device is kept in a clean state with minimum necessary operations.

An ion gel including a hydrogel in an ionic liquid, and a reactive system that changes colour upon reaction with the nitrite and a microfluidic device having a substrate with calibration reservoirs that are separated from one another and include an ion gel, a calibration reservoir of the hydrogel in the ionic liquid, a reservoir for holding a sample to be analysed, connected to a measuring reservoir including an ion gel via a microfluidic channel with a reducing agent, and a measuring reservoir including an ion gel of the invention where a sample to be analysed is held and methods for producing the ion gel and the device, as well as a method for colorimetrically determining and detecting nitrite and nitrate in contaminated water using the ion gel and the device.

A method of measuring nitrate concentration in an aqueous sample includes mixing the aqueous sample with a water-soluble thioether chosen to reduce nitrate in the aqueous sample to nitrite in the presence of a water soluble catalyst, and a water soluble reagent system adapted to interact with nitrite to generate a color; measuring color generation, and correlating the color generation to nitrate concentration.

An explosive detection system may include a suction nozzle having a suction port for introducing air containing explosive particles at one end thereof, a discharge nozzle having a discharge port for discharging air at one end thereof, a sensing block in which a detection material capable of detecting explosive particles in the air is disposed, a sensor unit for emitting light to the sensing block and outputting a sensing signal, a first guide pipe connected to the other end of the suction nozzle and guiding the air introduced through the suction nozzle to the sensing block in which the detection material is disposed, a suction force generating unit formed at the other end of the discharge nozzle and to suck air through the suction port and to provide a suction force for sucking air into the sensing block and discharging the air to a discharge port formed at one end of the discharge nozzle, a second guide pipe formed between the sensing block and the suction force generating unit and discharging the air introduced into the sensing block by the suction force generated by the suction force generating unit to the discharge port of the discharge nozzle, and a controller for determining whether explosive particles are present in the air using the sensing signal.

Methods for selective measurement and monitoring of multiple base chemicals in processing solutions are provided. Methods include providing a processing solution including a plurality of base chemicals and performing a first analytical method, such as measuring a conductivity of the solution blend, in combination with a second analytical method, such as titration or pH measurements of the solution. From such measurements, a concentration of one or more base chemicals can be selectively determined. In such methods, multiple bases in a same processing solution are advantageously selectively measured and monitored accurately.