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 system for detecting foreign particles in a liquid, the method and system include transmitting transmitted pulses of radiation, by a transmitter, towards a liquid conduit that is filled with liquid; wherein the transmitted pulses comprises pulses that differ from each by being associated with absorbance frequencies of different foreign particles; receiving, by a receiver, received pulses that propagated through liquid as a result of the transmission of the multiple transmitted pulses; comparing between the transmitted pulses and the received pulses to provide a comparison result; and determining a liquid contamination based on the comparison result.

A method and system for detecting foreign particles in a liquid, the method and system include transmitting transmitted pulses of radiation, by a transmitter, towards a liquid conduit that is filled with liquid; wherein the transmitted pulses comprises pulses that differ from each by being associated with absorbance frequencies of different foreign particles; receiving, by a receiver, received pulses that propagated through liquid as a result of the transmission of the multiple transmitted pulses; comparing between the transmitted pulses and the received pulses to provide a comparison result; and determining a liquid contamination based on the comparison result.

This invention relates to a sampling device. The device includes an elongate separating member having a sampling side and a non-sampling side. One or more through openings extend from the sampling side to the non-sampling side of the elongate member. The separating member is adapted for insertion into a reservoir of particulate material so as to define a sampling zone and a non-sampling zone within the reservoir. A shaft is positioned away from the sampling side and operably associated with the separating member, wherein the shaft is selectively rotatable about its longitudinal axis. One or more sample capturing scoops are attached to the shaft so as to be aligned with a respective opening. The or each scoop has a leading edge, a trailing edge and a cavity for receiving a sample of particulate material. The device is configured such that rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis causes a corresponding rotation of the or each scoop between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the leading edge of the associated scoop is located within the respective opening such that the opening is effectively closed and the remainder of the scoop projects away from the sampling side such that the sampling side of the separating member is free of protuberances during insertion into the reservoir. In the second position, the scoop is positioned on the sampling side and the leading edge of the associated scoop bears against the sampling side of the elongate member, thereby to enclose the sample of particulate material by the rotation of the scoop towards the second position.

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 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.

An apparatus for obtaining samples from a process, and which can be located in the process, which comprises a gate which reciprocates between a first position and a second position to fill and empty a sample chamber via corresponding inlets and outlets. The gate may pivot within the chamber about a longitudinal axis through the chamber, and a dam prevents fluid flow directly between the inlets and outlets. The inlets may provide outlets, and vice versa, depending on the direction of movement of the gate. Means such as pumps may be provided to agitate the fluid samples obtained by the apparatus, and sensors mounted in the sample chamber (for example on the gate or on the dam) can perform measurements on the samples. Wipers may be provided on the gate to assist in the ingress and egress of samples into and out of the sample chamber. It is also possible to inoculate the fluid samples within the sample chamber.

Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for separating components of a sample; as well as methods of using compositions prepared by same. In one aspect, the apparatus can comprise a tubular body for receiving sample, a thixotropic material, and a float. The system comprising the apparatus can be configured to separate the component of the sample using centrifugation. The float can have a specific gravity less than or equal to the specific gravity of the thixotropic material. The thixotropic material can be positioned along a bottom inner surface of the tubular body, and a portion of the float can be embedded in the thixotropic material. The float can be made of a single, integral piece or a plurality of pieces that are configured to be fixed and immobile relative to each other during centrifugation. The float can be solid, nonporous and without any aperture.

The present invention relates to a method and device for collecting, washing and drying solid particle samples used in collecting the solid particle samples in sample collection work in the fields of industrial production and scientific research, and particularly relates to a method and device for collecting, washing and drying solid particles by pneumatic conveying. A method for collecting, washing and drying solid particles by pneumatic conveying comprises: collecting and conveying a sample mixture containing solid particles into a solid particle collecting and processing device by a pneumatic conveying airflow; then disturbing and diluting the collected sample mixture containing solid particles in the solid particle collecting and processing device by the pneumatic conveying airflow and a washing liquid to filter and wash solid particle samples. The present invention overcomes the problems in the prior art: washing and drying to realize automatic one-stop completion of collection.

A funnel control device is fixed on a shear box or respective cells in various soil mechanics/dynamics testing devices, and the funnel control device enables to produce soil samples to be tested by discharging a soil through a funnel into a sample preparation mold at a given axis and rate. The funnel control device includes at least one supporting body for being placed on the soil mechanics/dynamics testing device, at least one holder, wherein the at least one holder is provided on the at least one supporting body to be movable in vertical axis and the funnel is placed on the at least one holder, at least one driving member, wherein the at least one driving member is located in or on the at least one supporting body and is used for moving the at least one holder in the vertical axis.