A method of monitoring detection of an analyte in a liquid sample using a measuring cell, the measuring cell comprising a working electrode for excitation of electrochemiluminescence in the liquid sample, an optical detector for detecting the excited electrochemiluminescence, the excitation and detection being performed in an measurement cycle, the measurement cycle comprising transporting the liquid sample via a transport path to the working electrode using a support liquid, the method comprising: coupling light of a light source into the transport path during part of the measurement cycle, the transport path forming a light guide between the light source and the optical detector, detecting the coupled light by the optical detector, analyzing the detected light for a gas bubble in the transport path, providing a measurement state if the result of the analysis deviates from a target state regarding the presence of a gas bubble in the transport path.

Various turbidimeters are described that can detect light directly in a substantially circular, e.g., encompassing, manner such that an increased amount of scattered light from a sample vial may be detected by a light detector, e.g., a photodiode or photodiode array. In an embodiment, a substantially circular photodiode array is provided to directly detect scattered light in an arc about the sample vial. In other embodiments, light guides are provided in an arc element that guides light to a detector or detectors. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Various turbidimeters are described that can detect light directly in a substantially circular, e.g., encompassing, manner such that an increased amount of scattered light from a sample vial may be detected by a light detector, e.g., a photodiode or photodiode array. In an embodiment, a substantially circular photodiode array is provided to directly detect scattered light in an arc about the sample vial. In other embodiments, light guides are provided in an arc element that guides light to a detector or detectors. Other aspects are described and claimed.

An integrated optical component coupled to a circuit board of an aerosol sensor is provided. The integrated optical component comprising a medium including a first, second plane, third plane, wherein the first plane is adjacent to a detection area, the second plane is positioned about a photosensor, and the third plane is opposite an angle formed by an intersection of the first and second plane. The integrated optical component further comprising a first lens configured on the first sidewall, the first lens configured to receive incident light from the detection area and focus the incident light onto a reflector through the medium, the reflector configured on the third sidewall, the reflector configured to reflect the incident light towards a second lens, and the second lens configured on the second sidewall, the second lens configured to receive the incident light from the reflector and focus the incident light to the photosensor.

A particulate matter measuring apparatus including an inlet for introducing air, a cyclone means fluidly connected to the inlet, the cyclone means adapted to remove particles of a predetermined size from the air, a particle detector to detect particulate matter in the air and a pump to move the air from the inlet, through the cyclone means and through the particle detector, wherein the particle detector has a laser diode to shine laser light through the air and a detector angled at between 115 to 140 relative to the direction of the laser light to detect an amount of laser light scattered by particulate matter in the air.

An apparatus (150) comprises a first detection chamber (130) for receiving microorganisms and configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the first detection chamber (130); a medium (120) configured to permit passage of microorganisms from a sample (110) through the medium (120) into the first detection chamber (130); and at least one second detection chamber (140) configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the at least one second detection chamber (140).

A molecular nanotag is disclosed that includes a core nanoparticle with a diameter of less than about 100 nm, with an optional shell surrounding the core, and an armor bound to the surface of the core nanoparticle, or if present, to the surface of the shell. The molecular nanotag also includes a functionalized end with a fixed number of binding sites that can selectively bind to a molecular targeting ligand. Any one of, or any combination of, the core, the shell and the armor contribute to fluorescence, light scattering and/or ligand binding properties of the molecular tag that are detectable by microscopy or in a devices that measures intensity or power of fluorescence and light scattering. The light scattering intensity or power of the assembled structure is detectable above the specific level of the reference noise of a device detecting the light scattering intensity or power, its fluorescence intensity or power has sufficient brightness for detection above the limit of detection for the instrument, and ligand specificity is conferred by the ligand binding component. Methods of biomarker and biosignature detection using the molecular tags are also disclosed.

Sensor and Measurement Method A turbidity sensor and method of measuring turbidity is provided. The turbidity sensor (100) comprises first and second optical detectors for detecting a respective optical response of each optical signal. The first optical detector (20) may be arranged in direct view of the emitter (10) and the second optical detector (30) may be arranged in indirect view of the emitter (10). The two detectors collect light emitted from the emitter (10) when directed through a fluid sample during two optical tests run in very close succession. Firstly, a control sample is illuminated to determine a calibration factor for the control sample with known turbidity. Then, the calibration factor is used to determine the turbidity of a fluid sample with unknown turbidity. Advantageously, background radiation during the data collection process is ignored because the transient behaviour during each optical test is negligible. The approach is more convenient over known turbidity sensors and measurement methods, particularly in light of the calibration step.

Various turbidimeters are described that can detect light directly in a substantially circular, e.g., encompassing, manner such that an increased amount of scattered light from a sample vial may be detected by a light detector, e.g., a photodiode or photodiode array. In an embodiment, a substantially circular photodiode array is provided to directly detect scattered light in an arc about the sample vial. In other embodiments, light guides are provided in an arc element that guides light to a detector or detectors. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A dynamic light scattering apparatus includes a source configured for irradiating a sample with primary electromagnetic radiation, a detector configured for detecting secondary electromagnetic radiation generated by scattering the primary electromagnetic radiation at the sample, a refraction index determination unit including a movable optical element and configured to determine information indicative of a refraction index of the sample based on measurements of the secondary electromagnetic radiation for a plurality of different positions of the movable optical element, and a particle size determining unit configured to determine information indicative of particle size of particles in the sample by analyzing the detected secondary electromagnetic radiation and taking into account the refraction index determined by the refraction index determining unit.