The present invention is directed toward the early detection of harmful algal blooms. The system employs the ability of whole cell non-contact micro Raman spectroscopy to detect cell pigmentation in such a way that distinct patterns or fingerprints can be assembled. Light field microscopy will provide a fundamentally innovative increase in image and sample volume. Furthermore, darkfield microscopy is employed to capture high-resolution, color images of the detected plankton to increase the accuracy of species identification and classification. Together, this new instrument will provide a powerful yet elegantly simple solution to detection of HAB cells and characterization of environmental conditions.

Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

A submersible sensor device configured as a small pellet for testing biological and other liquid samples is provided. In one aspect, a sensing device includes: a housing; and one or more sensors contained within the housing, wherein the housing hermetically seals the sensors such that the sensing device is fully submersible in a liquid analyte. A method and system for analysis of a liquid sample using the present sensing device are also provided.

A high-resolution in situ sensing system and method for providing continuous measurements of at least one dissolved analyte including a sample processing cell having at least a first conduit defining a first passage with at least one selectively-permeable wall capable of passing a portion of the sample liquid into a processing, fluid. The at least one selectively-permeable wall substantially resists flow of another portion of the sample liquid therethrough. Processing fluid is directed through the first conduit while moving the sample liquid and the reagent fluid relative to each other in one of a stationary, concurrent or a countercurrent flow relationship to achieve either partial or full equilibration between the sample liquid and processing fluid to generate at least partially equilibrated reagent fluid and a processed sample in a substantially continuous manner.

An inspection system and method that use a differential technique to accurately detect interface defects at a resolution on the order of tens of nanometers or less. Specifically, a radiation source (e.g., a THz or sTHz radiation source) is used to illuminate a materials interface within an object under test (e.g., a semiconductor wafer, integrated circuit (IC) chip package, etc.) under selectively varied inspection conditions. Suitable detector(s) are used to capture images of the materials interface when that interface is illuminated under the selectively varied inspection conditions. The captured images can be compared and contrasted to determine an actual differential in a property of the images. Based on this actual differential, a determination can be made as to whether or not the materials interface is defective and, particularly, as to whether or not the materials interface contains defects even defects that are a few nanometers or less in size.

A method for determining in situ and in real time at least one suspended sediment property in a medium, the suspended sediment comprising a mineral and an organic fraction. The method comprises the steps of (a) measuring light absorbance with a submersible ultraviolet-visible spectrometer, the ultraviolet-visible spectrometer being configured to analyse to analyse light absorbance at wavelengths which are comprised between 220 nm and 730 nm and of (b) correlating the light absorbance to the properties of the suspended sediment, in various instances by using the Beer-Lambert's law. The method is remarkable in that the step (b) is performed by using one model calibrated for deriving the properties of the suspended sediment from the light absorbance.

A system for monitoring at least one parameter of a fluid contained in a container includes a measuring device based on near-infrared spectroscopy designed to be submerged in the cited fluid to be monitored and to take measurements of the fluid. The measuring device includes a measuring area. The monitoring system includes a flotation system joined to the measuring device. The flotation system is arranged, during the use of the monitoring system, floating on the fluid to be monitored such that the measuring area of the measuring device is submerged in the fluid at a constant depth with respect to the level of fluid in the container, such that all the measurements taken by the measuring device are taken at the same depth with respect to the level of the fluid.

A leak detection system includes a light source configured to output emitted light into a region of water, and a light detector configured to receive returned light from the region of the water and to output a detector signal indicative of the returned light. The leak detection system also includes at least one controller configured to detect hydrocarbons within the region of the water in response to detecting a hydrocarbon wavelength within the returned light, to determine at least one position of the hydrocarbons within the region of the water based on a time difference between a first time at which the emitted light is output from the light source and a second time at which the returned light at the hydrocarbon wavelength is received at the light detector, and to generate a three-dimensional model of a subsea structure based on the detector signal.

The disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for monitoring fluorescent peaks using a fluorometer, where the fluorometer comprises an instrument assembly, a circuit assembly, a casing, and a window set into the casing, wherein at least a portion of the instrument assembly is submerged within a liquid and above an analyte workspace; a buoy assembly; one or more emission sources electrically coupled to the circuit assembly, the emission sources configured to emit light in one or more frequencies or wavelength bands; a prism arranged in contact with the window, the prism configured to direct emissions from the emission sources towards the analyte workspace, the prism including at least one angled surface; at least one photosensor positioned above the window and configured to detect fluorescence emissions of analytes in the analyte workspace; and a filter array positioned between the window and the photosensor.

A detection module of an autonomous detection system for in situ monitoring floating polymer particles and phytoplankton in sea water. The detection module is combined with a floating body, and a communication module with an antenna, and is configured for detecting polymer particles and phytoplankton such as algae. The detection module comprises: a detection area for a water sample, notably a salty water flow with polymer particles and/or phytoplankton; ultraviolet light emitting means configured for emitting ultraviolet light in the detection area, light sensing means configured for sensing light from the detection area in order to detect polymer particles and/or phytoplankton such as cyanobacteria; an energy generating module configured for powering said detection module. The UV emitting means comprise a low power consumption UV LED. A detection process, and a use of an UV light source for removing a biolayer in the detection area.