A soil sample collection apparatus is comprised of an extension member, a soil sample collection container, and a collection panel. The extension member includes first and second ends. The soil sample collection container includes first and second ends, the first end of the soil sample collection container being coupled to the second end of the extension member. The collection panel is proximate to the first end of the soil sample collection container, the collection panel moveable to an open position during collection of a soil sample and a closed position during extraction of the soil sample.

A system for collecting a biological sample from a passenger cabin includes a collector for collecting particulate samples positioned within at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path. The system includes at least one of an outflow valve positioned in the outlet flow path downstream from the collector or a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter positioned in the recirculation flow path downstream from the collector. A method for collecting particulates from cabin air includes capturing particulates in at least one of an outlet flow path or a recirculation flow path with a collector for a period of time, removing the collector from at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for testing, and inserting a clean collector into at least one of the outlet flow path or the recirculation flow path for use during another period of time.

A trap for marine sediments, comprising on two vertical sides, opposite to each other, a first inlet opening and a second outlet opening, configured to allow the inlet and the outlet of the marine current, the trap comprising between said two openings an inlet area, whose section diverges in terms of width between said inlet opening and the end section of the inlet area; a sedimentation area having a section greater than the end section of the inlet area, configured to allow the separation by gravity of the particles present in the marine current, and an outlet area whose section converges in terms of width between the section where the outlet area is connected to the sedimentation area and the second outlet opening having the section of the inlet area converges in terms of height between the inlet opening and its own end section.

A device for characterizing substances in a scene, the device including a housing having a cavity configured to contain the substances, an opening for receiving the substances, an imager for capturing an image of the substances, an illumination source for illuminating the substances, a sensor for obtaining sensory data of the substances, a gas supply device for storing and inserting gas into the housing, a mechanical arm for inserting or removing the substances into or from the device via the opening, a syringe to add a material into the housing, a pump for creating a vacuum in the device, an air pump to suck air from the housing and removing the substances from the housing, a fan for cooling the housing, a fluid injector for inserting fluid into the housing, and a processor in communication with the imager and the sensor imaging module. The processor receives the sensory data and the captured images, and compares them to a. database to identify the characteristics of the substances.

A testing device for testing the level of a selected chemical in central heating system water in a central heating system circuit comprises: a sample chamber for holding a sample of central heating system water, the sample chamber being connected to the central heating system circuit; means for controlling filling of the sample chamber with central heating system water from the central heating system circuit, and emptying of the sample chamber; at least one valve for isolating the sample of central heating system water from the heating circuit during testing; and optical testing apparatus including a light source and a detector, for measuring an optical property of the sample of central heating system water isolated within the sample chamber and thereby making a determination as to whether or not the level of the selected chemical in the water is greater than a predetermined threshold level.

A specimen collector for gathering tissue specimens includes a housing extending along a first axis between a first opening and a second opening to define a hollow interior. An inlet port and an outlet port are located axially between the first and second openings. A specimen tray defines a first specimen well and a second specimen well and is slideably disposed within the housing and axially slideable between a first position to dispose the first specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports and a second position to dispose the second specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The specimen tray comprises a pair of tray components each defining a respective one of the first and second wells and jointly slideable. The pair of tray components are separable from one another and each individually removable from the housing.

An analysis system includes a stage that supports a sample. The analysis system includes a first supplier configured to provide a hydrophobic material on the sample, and surround an inspection region on the sample with the hydrophobic material. The analysis system includes a second supplier configured to provide an inspection liquid over the inspection region. The analysis system includes a collector configured to collect the inspection liquid. The analysis system includes an analyzer configured to analyze a component contained in the collected inspection liquid.

A system for measuring with the aid of light absorption spectrometry the concentration of one or more analytes in porewater in soil, the system comprising: one or more monitoring unit(s), each monitoring unit comprising a porewater sampler (1), an optical flow cell (2) with a tube connecting the liquid inlet port of said optical flow cell to said porewater sampler; and vacuum arrangement to enable extraction of porewater; at least one light source (5) for generating a light beam to be transmitted through said optical flow cell (2); and at least one detector (8) for obtaining spectral information from the beam exiting said optical flow cell. A method of measurement is also provided.

An apparatus includes a body and a fluid sampling conduit disposed within the body. The body is configured to be disposed within a pipe flowing a fluid. The fluid sampling conduit is configured to obtain a sample of the fluid flowing in the pipe. The apparatus includes an odometer wheel coupled to the body and an elastomeric ring surrounding at least a portion of the body. The elastomeric ring is configured to remove material disposed on an inner wall of the pipe as the apparatus travels through the pipe. The apparatus includes a solid sampling subsystem coupled to an external to the body. The solid sampling subsystem includes a capsule, an inlet valve, and a tubing. The inlet valve, when opened, allows at least a portion of the material removed from an inner wall of the pipe to flow through the tubing and into the capsule.

A water quality sampler includes a membrane receptacle and at least 7 sample membranes. The membrane receptacle comprises at least 7 membrane cavities disposed on a top surface of the membrane receptacle. Each membrane cavity is configured to hold a sample membrane and the sample membranes are each removably positioned within the membrane cavities and extend at least 1 cm out from the top surface of the membrane receptacle. A bottom of the membrane receptacle comprises a protruding lip that traces a bottom edge of the membrane receptacle in a downward direction, where the protruding lip encompasses a stacking chamber capable of receiving a top end of a second water quality sampler to allow stacking of multiple water quality samplers.