An apparatus for preparing samples for chemical analysis includes a container receptacle for receiving a sample container having a crucible portion and an expansion portion. The container receptacle includes a heating compartment and a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, a first cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container, and a second cooling mechanism for cooling the crucible portion of the sample container.

A specimen chamber for transmitted light microscopy includes a chamber body having a specimen space that is sealed off in a transmitted light direction on opposite sides by transparent first and second observation windows, respectively, a seal being interposed in each case. First and second clamping elements are configured to fix the two observation windows to the specimen space. The clamping elements comprise observation openings into the specimen chamber. The first observation window comprises a first plane-parallel shoulder that protrudes into the first observation opening of the first clamping-element so as to fit exactly. The second observation window comprises a second plane-parallel shoulder that protrudes into the second observation opening of the second clamping element so as to fit exactly. The two seals are resistant to high pressure. The observation windows and the seals each consist of a plastomer.

We disclose herein an environmental sensor system comprising an environmental sensor comprising a first heater and a second heater in which the first heater is configured to consume a lower power compared to the second heater. The system also comprises a controller coupled with the environmental sensor. The controller is configured to detect if a measured value of a targeted environmental parameter is present. The controller is configured to switch on at least one of the first and second heaters based on the presence and/or result of the measured value of the targeted environmental parameter.

A method for measuring optical signal detector performance that includes directing light emitted from an optical signal detector onto a first non-fluorescent surface portion in a first detection zone of the optical signal detector. A first characteristic of light detected by a first sensor of the first optical signal detector is measured while the first non-fluorescent surface portion is in the first detection zone of the optical signal detector. Light emitted from the optical signal detector is directed into a first void in the first detection zone of the optical signal detector. A second characteristic of light detected by the first sensor of the optical signal detector is measured while the first void is in the first detection zone of the optical signal detector. And an operational performance status of the optical signal detector is determined based on at least one of the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

A container includes a vial, cap, and one or more wireless transponders secured to the cap, the vial or a jacket to store and identify samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., vitrified biological samples), for instance held by cryopreservation storage devices. A specimen holder may be extend from the cap. The vial and/or cap includes ports or vents. A carrier includes a box, thermal shunt, thermal insulation to store and identify arrays of containers that hold cryopreservation storage devices with samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures. Various apparatus include wireless transponders positioned and oriented to enhance range, and allow interrogation while retained in a carrier. Various apparatus can maintain the biological material at or close to cryogenic temperatures for prolonged period of times after being removed from a cryogenic cooler, and can allow wireless inventorying while maintaining the biological samples at suitably cold temperatures.

A cartridge for providing a target analyte for detection is described. One such exemplar cartridge includes a base portion including: (1) a receiving area disposed at or near a center region of the base portion; (2) multiple reaction wells disposed outside the center region or radially disposed at or near a perimeter of the base portion; and (3) multiple connecting tracks that substantially linearly extend from a region at or proximate to the receiving area to the multiple reaction wells and designed to convey a sample including the target analyte from the receiving area to the multiple reaction wells, each of which are configured to transform the sample to a detectable sample. Systems and methods of reacting and detecting the sample including the target analyte are also described.

The disclosure provides an instrument for determining the contents of a mixed-phase flow, such as that of a petroleum line. The instrument can use far-infrared, mid-infrared laser spectroscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy methods to determine the components of a mixture, and report the contents to a user.

A reaction processing apparatus includes: a reaction processing vessel; a first fluorescence detection device that irradiates a sample with first excitation light and detects first fluorescence produced from the sample; and a second fluorescence detection device that irradiates a sample with second excitation light and detects second fluorescence produced from the sample. The wavelength range of the first fluorescence and the wavelength range of the second excitation light overlap at least partially. The first excitation light and the second excitation light flash at a predetermined duty ratio d. The phase difference between the flashing of the first excitation light and the flashing of the second excitation light is set within a range of 2π(pm−Δpm) (rad) to 2π(pm+Δpm) (rad) or within a range of 2π[(1−pm)−Δpm] (rad) to 2π[(1−pm)+Δpm] (rad), where pm=d−d2 and Δpm=0.01*pm.

A container includes a vial, cap, and one or more wireless transponders secured to the cap, the vial or a jacket to store and identify samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., vitrified biological samples), for instance held by cryopreservation storage devices. A specimen holder may be extend from the cap. The vial and/or cap includes ports or vents. A carrier includes a box, thermal shunt, thermal insulation to store and identify arrays of containers that hold cryopreservation storage devices with samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures. Various apparatus include wireless transponders positioned and oriented to enhance range, and allow interrogation while retained in a carrier. Various apparatus can maintain the biological material at or close to cryogenic temperatures for prolonged period of times after being removed from a cryogenic cooler, and can allow wireless inventorying while maintaining the biological samples at suitably cold temperatures.

Systems, apparatus and methods determine the presence of a volatile substance in expired breath. Alcohol concentrations can be determined from expired breath through the use of electromagnetic detection. The systems, apparatus and methods allow measurements of volatile substances to be done accurately and quickly over a wide range of temperatures, and are easily incorporated into vehicles.