A dual function fluorometer-absorbance sensor features an absorbance-based sensor configured to receive one part of an optical signal transmitted through a body of water of interest along an optical beam transmission path, and determine absorbance-based sensor signaling containing information about an absorbance of the optical signal by one or more absorbance species of interest present in the body of water; and a fluorescence-based sensor configured to receive another part of the optical signal transmitted through the body of water of interest along a corresponding optical beam transmission path that is perpendicular to the optical beam transmission path, and determine fluorescence-based sensor signaling containing information about a fluorescence transmitted by one or more fluorophore species of interest present in the body of water.

Provided herein is a method of effectively quantifying a target material by performing both colorimetry and fluorescence analysis on the same sample, based on metal nanoparticles and an aptamer.

A calibration material may be used to calibrate an optical sensor to help ensure that the optical sensor produces accurate measurements. In some examples, the calibration material may be used to calibrate both turbidity measurements made by an optical sensor and fluorometric measurements made by the same optical sensor. The calibration material may be an aqueous mixture that includes water in an amount greater than 70 percent by weight of the composition, inorganic, water-insoluble, light-scattering particles, and a viscosity modifier in an amount effective to maintain the inorganic, water-insoluble, light-scattering particles in suspension in the composition. The composition can be non-fluorescing when exposed to ultraviolet light. In addition, in some applications, the composition is formulated of food safe ingredients, allowing the composition to be used in facilities that process consumable foods and beverages.

Systems and methods for predicting a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in vitro, such as by spectral/image analysis, of a sunscreen formulation are described.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and systems for assaying a sample for an analyte. Methods according to certain embodiments include illuminating a sample with a slit-shaped beam of light, detecting light transmitted through the sample, determining absorbance of the transmitted light at one or more wavelengths and calculating concentration of the analyte based on the absorbance to assay the sample for the analyte. Systems for practicing the subject methods are also described.

The present invention relates to a method for the optical measurement of at least the stability and the aggregation of particles in a liquid sample which is located in a sample container, wherein the method comprises the following steps: irradiating the sample with light of at least one first wavelength in order to fluorescently excite the particles, irradiating the sample with light of at least one second wavelength in order to examine the scattering of the particles, measuring the fluorescence light which is emitted by the sample; and measuring the extinction light at the second wavelength, wherein the irradiated light of the second wavelength runs through the sample container, is reflected back, runs again through the sample container in the opposite direction and exits as extinction light, wherein the stability is determined based on the measured fluorescence light and the aggregation is measured based on the measured extinction light. The invention further relates to a corresponding apparatus.

A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.

A label-free method for the spatio-temporal mapping of protein secretions from individual cells in real time by using a chip for localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) imaging. The chip is a glass coverslip compatible for use in a standard microscope having at least one array of functionalized plasmonic nanostructures patterned onto it. After placing a cell on the chip, the secretions from the cell are spatially and temporally mapped using LSPR imaging. Transmitted light imaging and/or fluorescence imaging may be done simultaneously with the LSPR imaging.

The present invention is drawn to devices and systems for allergen detection in a sample. The allergen detection system includes a sampler, a disposable analysis cartridge and a detection device with an optimized optical system. In some embodiments, the allergen detection utilizes aptamer nucleic acid molecules as detection agents. In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are conjugated to magnetic beads or solid surfaces such as glasses, microwells and microchips.

The present invention relates to a method for the optical measurement of at least the stability and the aggregation of particles in a liquid sample which is located in a sample container, wherein the method comprises the following steps: irradiating the sample with light of at least one first wavelength in order to fluorescently excite the particles, irradiating the sample with light of at least one second wavelength in order to examine the scattering of the particles, measuring the fluorescence light which is emitted by the sample; and measuring the extinction light at the second wavelength, wherein the irradiated light of the second wavelength runs through the sample container, is reflected back, runs again through the sample container in the opposite direction and exits as extinction light, wherein the stability is determined based on the measured fluorescence light and the aggregation is measured based on the measured extinction light. The invention further relates to a corresponding apparatus.