An optochemical sensor unit including: an optical waveguide; a transmitting unit for emitting a first transmission signal for exciting a luminophore; a receiving unit for receiving a received signal comprising a signal component emitted by the excited luminophore; a measuring chamber for receiving a fluid, wherein the fluid includes magnetic microspheres; a membrane arranged between the measuring chamber and a measuring medium for exchanging an analyte between the measuring medium and the fluid in the measuring chamber, wherein the measuring diaphragm is impermeable to the magnetic microspheres; and an electromagnet for attracting magnetic microspheres to a sensor membrane with a fluid-contacting surface and/or to a fluid-contacting surface of the optical waveguide, or to a surface of a transparent substrate layer of the optical sensor unit that is connected to the optical waveguide.

A gas sensor includes a plurality of detectors discolored by reacting with different predetermined target gases, such that the gas sensor independently measures the amount of each target gas. A refrigerator for deciding a type and state of target food contained in a container by sensing a color change of a gas sensor mounted to the container including the target food, and a method for controlling the gas sensor are disclosed. The gas sensor for detecting a plurality of target gases includes a base and a plurality of detectors provided at the base. The detectors respectively detect different target gases, and each detector is discolored by reacting with each predetermined target gas.

The present disclosure relates to a sensor for determining measured values of a measured variable representing an analyte content in a measuring fluid, comprising a measuring probe with a probe housing that comprises an immersion region provided for immersion into the measuring fluid, and a single-layer or multi-layer membrane arranged in the immersion region, wherein the membrane comprises at least a first layer that is formed from a polymer and comprises a superhydrophobic surface that is in contact with the measuring fluid when the immersion region is immersed in the measuring fluid.

Processes, compositions, and sensors for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals based on colorimetric changes. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical includes contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide or a porous mixed-metal oxide/hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent is determined to thereby detect exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

A planar waveguide device (PWD) for interacting with a fluid (FLD) is disclosed, the planar waveguide device (PWD) comprising a waveguide layer (WGL) for supporting optical confinement, a coupling arrangement (CPA) for in-coupling and out-coupling of light into and from the waveguide layer (WGL), a fluid zone (FZN) for accommodating the fluid (FLD), a filter layer (FTL) arranged between the fluid zone (FZN) and the waveguide layer (WGL) in an interaction region (IAR) of the waveguide layer (WGL),
wherein the filter layer (FTL) comprises filter openings (FOP) arranged to allow the fluid (FLD) to interact with an evanescent field of light guided by the waveguide layer (WGL),
wherein the filter openings (FOP) are adapted to prevent particles (PAR) larger than a predefined size from interacting with said evanescent field,
wherein the filter openings (FOP) are arranged as line openings having their longitudinal direction in parallel with the direction of propagation (DOP) of light guided by the waveguide layer (WGL).

The present invention discloses a unit for validating an in situ decontamination effect, including a connecting end. A left end of the connecting end is in communication with any space that needs gas decontamination. A right end of the connecting end is connected to a closed isolation damper. A right end of the closed isolation damper is connected to a hollow decontamination validation chamber. A sealing cover is sleeved over an outer wall of the decontamination validation chamber. A mesh cup is placed inside the decontamination validation chamber, and the mesh cup is used for placing a bioindicator. In addition, the present invention further discloses a device for filtering biologically contaminated air, including a unit for validating an in situ decontamination effect and a hollow box installed with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The unit for validating an in situ decontamination effect is in communication with the hollow box. In the present invention, an actual decontamination effect of the HEPA filter after gas decontamination can be validated reliably in time, thereby effectively preventing pathogenic microorganisms that exist on the surface of the HEPA filter from spreading to the external environment, avoiding polluting the external environment, and ensuring personal safety.

The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical sensor for determining a measurand correlating with a concentration of an analyte in a measuring fluid, comprising: a sensor membrane designed to be in contact with the measuring fluid for detecting measured values of the measurand; a probe housing which has at least one immersion region designed for immersion into the measuring fluid, wherein the sensor membrane is arranged in the immersion region of the probe housing; and a measurement circuit which is at least partially contained in the probe housing and is designed to generate and output a measurement signal dependent on the measurand, wherein the sensor membrane contains an optically detectable substance for marking the sensor membrane.

The present disclosure relates to a sensor membrane for an optochemical sensor for determining a measurand correlating with a concentration of an analyte in a measuring fluid, comprising: a functional layer comprising a first polymer matrix doped with a luminescent dye whose emissivity after excitation with electromagnetic radiation can be changed by the analyte; and a second polymer matrix in which the functional layer is at least partially encapsulated and which is permeable to the analyte at least in a subregion facing the measuring fluid and adjacent to the functional layer, wherein the sensor membrane comprises an optically detectable substance, different from the luminescent dye, for marking the sensor membrane. The present disclosure further relates to a membrane cap having such a sensor membrane and an optochemical sensor.

There is disclosed herein a device for determining the smoking status of a subject, wherein said device comprises a plurality of different specific binding molecules deposited to a solid phase to detect specifically the presence of two or three tobacco smoke exposure biomarkers in a biological sample, said biomarkers consisting of: (i) cotinine and total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-, pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL); (ii) cotinine and N-acetyl-S-[2-carboxyethyl]-L-cysteine (CEMA); or (iii) cotinine and NNAL and CEMA.

Method and compositions using transition metal salts and/or ammonium chloride to liberate toxins and other molecules from cyanobacteria, useful for assaying for total cyanobacterial toxins in lakes, reservoirs and other waters.