Low-cost and easily-operated microviscometer suitable for medical diagnosis clinical studies and other fluid tests. The equipment consists of a microchannel (2) formed by concatenated microchannels made by micro-manufacturing techniques, and a fluid column position detector inside the microchannel. The microchannels are open at one end and closed at the other end and are made of a single biocompatible material. When a liquid drop is put into the inlet of the microchannel (2), the fluid enters by capillary until the compressed air pressure equals the capillary pressure plus atmospheric pressure. The fluid transient movement from entering the channel until stopping at its balance position is analyzed thus obtaining as a result the viscosity and the capillary pressure of the liquid tested.

Methods for preform and tube draw based on controlling forming zone viscosity determined by calculating a holding force exerted by the glass component in the forming zone on the strand being drawn below. The holding force may be calculated by determining a gravitational force applied to the strand and a pulling force applied to the strand by a pulling device, where the holding force is equal to the opposite of the algebraic sum of the gravitational and pulling forces. The holding force may also be calculated by measuring a stress-induced birefringence in the strand at a point between the forming zone and the pulling device, determining an amount of force applied to the strand at the point corresponding to the birefringence, and calculating the holding force by correcting the amount of force for a gravitational effect of the weight of the strand between the forming zone and the point.

Methods for preform and tube draw based on controlling forming zone viscosity determined by calculating a holding force exerted by the glass component in the forming zone on the strand being drawn below. The holding force may be calculated by determining a gravitational force applied to the strand and a pulling force applied to the strand by a pulling device, where the holding force is equal to the opposite of the algebraic sum of the gravitational and pulling forces. The holding force may also be calculated by measuring a stress-induced birefringence in the strand at a point between the forming zone and the pulling device, determining an amount of force applied to the strand at the point corresponding to the birefringence, and calculating the holding force by correcting the amount of force for a gravitational effect of the weight of the strand between the forming zone and the point.

A capillary bridge viscometer, comprises an input port (flow in) an output port (flow out) a first capillary tubing arm (R1) in a first hydraulic path between the input port and a first differential detection point (DP+), a second capillary tubing arm (R3) in a second hydraulic path between the first differential detection point (DP+) and the output port (flow out), a third capillary tubing arm (R2) in a third hydraulic path between the input port (flow in) and a second differential detection point (DP−), a fourth capillary tubing arm (R4) in a fourth hydraulic path between the second differential detection point (DP−) and the output port (flow out), an adjustable mechanical flow restrictor (20) in one of the first, second, third, and fourth hydraulic paths, wherein the adjustable mechanical flow restrictor (20) is operative to mechanically adjust a resistance to flow of a fluid while the fluid flows through the adjustable mechanical flow restrictor.

Methods for preform and tube draw based on controlling forming zone viscosity determined by calculating a holding force exerted by the glass component in the forming zone on the strand being drawn below. The holding force may be calculated by determining a gravitational force applied to the strand and a pulling force applied to the strand by a pulling device, where the holding force is equal to the opposite of the algebraic sum of the gravitational and pulling forces. The holding force may also be calculated by measuring a stress-induced birefringence in the strand at a point between the forming zone and the pulling device, determining an amount of force applied to the strand at the point corresponding to the birefringence, and calculating the holding force by correcting the amount of force for a gravitational effect of the weight of the strand between the forming zone and the point.

Methods for preform and tube draw based on controlling forming zone viscosity determined by calculating a holding force exerted by the glass component in the forming zone on the strand being drawn below. The holding force may be calculated by determining a gravitational force applied to the strand and a pulling force applied to the strand by a pulling device, where the holding force is equal to the opposite of the algebraic sum of the gravitational and pulling forces. The holding force may also be calculated by measuring a stress-induced birefringence in the strand at a point between the forming zone and the pulling device, determining an amount of force applied to the strand at the point corresponding to the birefringence, and calculating the holding force by correcting the amount of force for a gravitational effect of the weight of the strand between the forming zone and the point.

Provided herein are microfluidic viscometer assemblies and methods using the same, that include a microfluidic cartridge having microfluidic circuits that have channels adapted for viscosity determination without the need of a control fluid or oil. The viscometer assemblies also include an image recording system and a pressure control unit. In some embodiments, a temperature control unit is included as well. During methods using the viscometers provided herein, microfluidic cartridges can be loaded and removed from a viscometer, and disposed of.

Provided herein are microfluidic viscometer assemblies and methods using the same, that include a microfluidic cartridge having microfluidic circuits that have channels adapted for viscosity determination without the need of a control fluid or oil. The viscometer assemblies also include an image recording system and a pressure control unit. In some embodiments, a temperature control unit is included as well. During methods using the viscometers provided herein, microfluidic cartridges can be loaded and removed from a viscometer, and disposed of.

The present invention relates to a steam sample concentrator and conditioning (SSCC) system. The SSCC finds use in concentrating impurities carried in steam (e.g., used in power generation and other industrial processes) and facilitating steam analysis.

The present invention relates to a steam sample concentrator and conditioning (SSCC) system. The SSCC finds use in concentrating impurities carried in steam (e.g., used in power generation and other industrial processes) and facilitating steam analysis.