The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for collecting dust samples. The apparatus comprises a piston (102) and a cylinder (110) for holding the piston with a body having a hole (108) extending through the body. The cylinder (110) has a first end (112), which is open, the first end of the cylinder being slanted such that underside (130) of the cylinder extends farther than upper side (132). A mechanism (114) moves the piston between inward and outward positions. The apparatus gathers dust flowing past the piston into the hole of the piston when the piston is in the outward position and moves the gathered dust by moving the piston into the inward position. An input feed (116) is configured to spread fluid through the hole filled with dust to flush the dust to an output feed (118).

Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.

A method and a device for calibrating a measuring device configured to measure a liquid (MX) comprising colloidal particles. A calibrating function is selected among a plurality of fitting functions. A group of fitting functions are constructed by utilizing different combinations of measurement data. The calibration function is the one with the smallest maximum error.

A sampling device is provided for concentrating a liquid specimen sample. The sampling device includes a filtration assembly and a collection vial disengageably coupled to the filtration assembly. The filtration assembly includes a tubular container and a plunger, which is insertable into the tubular container via a proximal container opening. The filtration assembly is configured such that movement of the plunger within the tubular container, when a liquid specimen sample is contained in the tubular container and a filter is disposed in the tubular container, pushes at least a portion of the liquid specimen sample through the filter. The sampling device is configured such that the filter is advanceable into the collection vial while the collection vial is disengageably coupled to the filtration assembly. Other embodiments are also described.

A system for a deep-sea planktonic microorganism in-situ concentration, temperature maintaining and pressure maintaining sampling is provided and includes a sampling cylinder body with double layer structures, the sampling cylinder body is provided with a plug-shaped inner cavity, the plug-shaped inner cavity is provided with a transfer water outlet and a water inlet connected to a water inlet component, the plug-shaped inner cavity is connected to an end cover, the plug-shaped inner cavity is connected to a filter part, the sampling cylinder body is provided with a sampling water outlet, the sampling water outlet is respectively connected to a pressure maintaining device and a water outlet pipe, a temperature maintaining material layer and a temperature control component are connected between the double layer structures, and the temperature control component is electrically connected to a controller. The system can complete sampling on the premise of maintaining in-situ pressure of samples.

A field-flow fractionation device includes a separation channel, a carrier fluid supplier, a separation membrane, a waste liquid chamber, a cross-flow flow rate adjuster, and a carrier fluid adder. The carrier fluid adder is configured to add, to a flow of a carrier fluid having passed through the separation membrane, a flow of another carrier fluid at a carrier fluid adding position set on an upstream side of the cross-flow flow rate adjuster so that the flow rate of the carrier fluid flowing into the cross-flow flow rate adjuster is larger than the flow rate of the carrier fluid having passed through the separation membrane.

A substrate analysis method using a nozzle for substrate analysis which discharges an analysis liquid from a tip thereof, scans a substrate surface with a discharged analysis liquid, and sucks the analysis liquid. This is done by arranging a liquid catch plate that catches the discharged analysis liquid, thus retaining analysis liquid discharged between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate; positioning the substrate so that the end part thereof can be inserted between the nozzle tip and the liquid catch plate; bringing the end part of the substrate into contact with analysis liquid retained between the nozzle tip and liquid catch plate; and moving the nozzle and liquid catch plate concurrently along a periphery of the substrate, while keeping the end part of the substrate in contact with the analysis liquid, to analyze the end part of the substrate.

A sample generator system includes a fluid source and a flow cell. The sample generator system includes a sampling system in communication with the flow cell to eject a fluid sample through an orifice in the flow cell. The sample generator system includes a gas pressure at the orifice in the flow cell greater than or equal to a fluid pressure at the orifice in the flow cell.

A concentration sensor 36 is disposed behind a wheel 22, and for sensing salinity concentration of water bounced up by the wheel 22. A front nozzle 34 is disposed ahead the wheel 22, and for sprinkling water toward an area of the road surface on which the wheel 22 is to pass. A rear nozzle 35 is disposed between the wheel 22 and the front nozzle 34, and for sprinkling water toward the wheel.

A removably attachable sampling and analysis apparatus for use with a drone which includes a housing member, a flotation member, at least two connecting members, a collapsible framework and sensors. A preferred embodiment of the present invention enables rapid deployment of the sampling and analysis apparatus to multiple target locations on a body of water to take water quality measurements and samples. The sampling and analysis apparatus can also be utilized in other applications such as soil measurements and sample collection, agricultural and forestry applications, as well as with gas sensors to measure air quality and map values in 3D space with a time stamp.