A method of detecting gibberellins, for example in barley. Current methods of detecting gibberellins require dedicated equipment which makes it expensive and time consuming. A ligand bind assay for detecting gibberellins in which the above disadvantages could at least partially be overcome or alleviated is described. The ligand binding assay uses aptamers for the detection of gibberellins in barley seeds.

A method of determining volume of a deposited skinprint uses an apparatus comprising: a primary electromagnetic radiation source; an electromagnetic radiation detector; and a translucent waveguide comprising a first surface providing a waveguide interface coincident with a skinprint receiving region. The method comprises transmitting primary electromagnetic radiation from the primary electromagnetic radiation source towards the waveguide interface at an angle of incidence relative to and on a first side of a normal line that is perpendicular to the waveguide interface, such that: (a) where the waveguide interface interfaces directly with ambient, the primary electromagnetic radiation incident on the waveguide interface reflects in the waveguide interface at an angle of reflection relative to and on a second side of the normal line opposite the first side; and (b) where a deposited skinprint is present on the skinprint receiving region such that the waveguide interface interfaces with the skinprint and the skinprint interfaces with ambient, at least a portion of the primary electromagnetic radiation incident on the waveguide interface is caused by the skinprint to be transmitted through the waveguide interface. The method further comprises using the electromagnetic radiation detector to determine a primary output value being an amount of primary electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the waveguide interface and/or reflected by the waveguide interface. The method also comprises: using calibration data that provides correspondence between the primary output value and the volume of skinprint on the substrate so as to provide a value for the volume of the deposited skinprint.

An example method includes comparing, via circuitry, a first signal indicative of a first amount of light received by a first light sensor to a second signal indicative of a second amount of light received by a second light sensor, wherein the second light sensor is to compensate for an environmental change by detecting the second amount of light transmitted by a light source regardless of a presence or absence of an object in the conveyance path; determine, via the circuitry, whether a reflection loss is present based on the comparing of the first and second signals; and if the circuitry detects the reflection loss based on the comparing of the first and second signals, generating a presence indication.

A specular variable angle absolute reflectometer. The device includes a light source and a mirror system in a light path of the light source. The mirror system is configured to reflect a light beam from the light source towards a sample that is optically reflective. The device also includes a roof mirror disposed in the light path after the sample. The roof mirror is configured to reflect the light beam back towards the sample. The device also includes a mechanism connected to the roof mirror. The mechanism is configured to rotate the roof mirror about an axis of the sample. The device also includes a detector in the light path after the roof mirror such that the detector receives light that has been reflected from the roof mirror, thence back to the sample, thence back to the mirror system, and thence to the detector.

A portable rapid diagnostic test reader system includes a mobile phone having a camera and one or more processors contained within the mobile phone and a modular housing configured to mount to the mobile phone. The modular housing including a receptacle configured to receive a sample tray holding a rapid diagnostic test. At least one illumination source is disposed in the modular housing and located on one side of the rapid diagnostic test. An optical demagnifier is disposed in the modular housing interposed between the rapid diagnostic test and the mobile phone camera.

Examples disclosed herein relate to an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) to enhance wireless communications in a wireless network. The IGU has a first and a second glass layers, a first and a second spacers, and a first and a second ground planes, the first ground plane in contact with the first glass layer and the second ground plane in contact with the second glass layer. The IGU also includes a gas layer in between the first and the second ground planes, a reflectarray comprising a metastructure array of reflector elements, and a third glass layer on top of the metastructure reflectarray.

A retroreflective optical system for creating a passive optical tag in an absence of electrical power, involving: a retroreflector having a surface and a retroreflective element disposed in relation to the surface, the retroreflective element configured to: passively impart a unique signature in relation to incoming light by using at least one of spectral filtration and color filtration, whereby a plasmonic response is effectible; and reflect outgoing light having the unique signature; and an optical device having an input aperture, the optical device disposed at a distance from the retroreflector and configured to transmit the incoming light and the outgoing light.

A multifeed detection device according to the present disclosure includes: a light source configured to irradiate a sheet with light; a light receiver configured to receive transmission light transmitted through a sheet and reflection light reflected by a sheet; and a controller configured to acquire, from the light receiver, transmission output data that is output data of the transmission light and reflection output data that is output data of the reflection light, the controller being configured to determine whether or not a multifeed of sheets has occurred based on the transmission output data and the reflection output data.

An object of the present invention is to improve the quality level discrimination accuracy of the grain G by a grain quality level discrimination device. The device includes an optical unit 3 that emits light to the grain G, receives reflected and/or transmitted light from the grain G by a photosensor, and obtains information for discrimination of the quality level of the grain G from the upper and lower surface side of the grain G, and a quality level discrimination unit 7 that discriminates the quality level of the grain G on the basis of the information. The information on the upper and lower surface sides can be acquired by one optical unit at the same time so that the divergence therebetween due to the displacement or variation of the attitude of the grain G can be avoided. The reference plate for the correction of the information is placed outside of the moving path of the grain G to prevent it from soiling or damaging. Thus the deterioration of information can be avoided. Further, a reference plate especially for the information to be obtained from the side surface of the grain G may be provided for enhancing the accuracy of the side surface information. Thus the quality level discrimination accuracy can be improved further.

A transformer lifetime evaluation apparatus comprises a first storage part for storing insulation oil used for insulation of a transformer; a second storage part provided to be separated from the first storage part and storing insulation oil which is not used for the insulation of the transformer; a light-emitting unit for emitting light of a specified wavelength; a light-receiving unit for receiving light emitted from the light-emitting unit; a first optical cable connecting the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, providing a moving path of light emitted from the light-emitting unit and received in the light-receiving unit; a second optical cable connecting the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, providing a moving path of light emitted from the light-emitting unit and received in the light-receiving unit; and a calculation part connected to the light-receiving unit and receiving information about an optical property of methanol from the light-receiving unit.