A device and method for collecting, analyzing, and identifying chemical and biological samples in solid or liquid form is disclosed. The analysis compares the color change of Colorimetric Sensor Arrays (CSAs) over time with images for known materials/compounds contained in a library. The device can be used as a handheld or standalone device and integrates the sampling and detecting functions of the prior art into a single device that analyzes and identifies the sample without destroying it. The inventive volatile organic compound (VOC) technology device is also unique in that it relies on a comparison to a proprietary compound library that is supported by lab data. This compound library identifies the unique dye signature combinations that provide very accurate classification of a wide variety of chemical and biological agents.

A test device is configured for diagnostic testing and includes an optical readable medium, in turn including a pattern of spots of material arranged on a surface of the device. Several patterns may be provided. The patterns accordingly formed may be human and/or machine readable. They may notably encode security information, e.g., indicating whether the device has already been used. The spots may notably be inkjet spotted. In addition, a method is provided for decoding information encoded in a pattern of such a test device. In embodiments, liquid is introduced in the device, which comprises additional spots having a substantially different solubility than spots forming the actual pattern. Thus, the additional spots get solubilized in and flushed by the liquid as the latter wets them, and an initially hidden pattern may be read, which is formed of the remaining spots (not solubilized). Encoding methods are also provided.

A method of digital assessment of chemical dip tests is disclosed. A photograph of a dip tester including a colour change pad is taken with a mobile device, for example a mobile phone. The dip tester is photographed on or alongside a reference card, with both the dip tester and the reference card in the same frame. A processor on the mobile device analyses the photograph thus obtained to determine a value for a characteristic of water being tested. The characteristic may be for example, pH, concentration of iron, concentration of copper. The water may be central heating system water.

A system is provided for performing metal trace analysis on a liquid sample. A sample holder holds an analysis substrate that includes a reference region and at least one test region. An ultraviolet (UV) light source emits ultraviolet light illuminating the liquid sample. An optical sensor detects radiation emanating from the liquid sample and converting the detected radiation into an electrical signal. A microcontroller processes the electrical signal. An external interface transmits the processed electrical signal to an external device. The analysis substrate is configured for manual movement by a user. A tracking system detects a sample scanning location for the metal trace analysis, and includes a light source, other than the UV light source, and another optical sensor. The other optical sensor detects light emitted by the light source.

A diagnostic device for analysing properties of an analyte in a sample liquid including: a distribution zone having at least two hydrophilic layers placed one on top of the other, wherein one layer is a top layer (12) and the other is a bottom layer (13); and a detection zone located under the distribution zone, the detection zone having a detection layer (14), wherein: the top layer has one or more openings (15) through which the sample liquid is introduced into the device; the bottom layer having one or more openings (16) connecting the distribution zone to the detection zone; the bottom layer also having a means by which the sample liquid is distributed from the top layer's opening to the detection layer through the bottom layer's opening; and a visual indication results on the detection layer when the sample liquid comes into contact with the detection layer.

A reaction carrier (14), a measuring device (12) and a measuring method for measuring a concentration of gaseous/aerosol components of a gas mixture uses reaction material (48) which reacts in an optically detectable manner with at least one component to be measured or with a reaction product of the component to be measured. The reaction carrier includes a flow channel (42) with sections (43) and extends between connecting elements (44). A gas treatment element (47), in each of the sections, changes chemical or physical properties of the gas mixture flowing therethrough or reacts, depending on the chemical or physical properties. The sections are separated from each other in a gas-tight manner by a separating element (49). A coupling element (45) opens the separating element and establishes a connection between the sections when the coupling element is activated. The measuring device includes an activation element (25) to activate the coupling element.

A sample of water is tested for silica and phosphate content in a single apparatus. In the test method, a first sample of the water is colorimetrically analyzed in a reaction chamber rusing a “molybdenum blue” test in which silica and phosphate in the sample are complexed with a first reagent. The phosphate complexes are then optically inactivated by a second reagent and the color of the silica complexes is intensified with a third reagent. From this, the silica content is calculated. A further sample is colorimetrically analyzed without using the second reagent, so that a combined silica and phosphate content of the further sample is obtained. A value of the silica content is subtracted from the value of the combined silica and phosphate content, resulting in a phosphate content for the sample. The silica content and the phosphate content of the sample are reportable.

The present disclosure relates to probes for analyzing a chemical composition, and related methods of analyzing a chemical composition and of manufacturing probes for analyzing a chemical composition. A benefit of the disclosed probes and methods can include luminescent chemical sensor arrays for rapid, accurate, portable and economical qualitative and quantitative analysis of a broad range of chemical compositions. A benefit of the methods disclosed herein can include the rapid, simple, and accurate analysis of trace chemicals present in chemical compositions.

A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.

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.