A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a sensing system that is configured to measure properties of pressure waves within the enclosed chamber. A controller operates the sensing system and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber based on the characteristics of the pressure wave response within the chamber.

A mold sensor include a housing that defines an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a substrate advancement mechanism that is configured to selectively move the substrate to expose a surface of the substrate within the chamber. The mold sensor includes a sensor configured to detect mold growth on the substrate within the chamber.

A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes an optical sensor that is configured to measure optical properties in the enclosed chamber. A controller operates the optical sensor and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber based on the optical properties measured by the optical sensor.

Improved devices, systems and methods for measuring in situ saturations of non-aqueous phase liquids and/or petroleum in media such as soil. A clear or otherwise UV-transparent well for detecting fluorescence in a soil column having a transparent casing and an oil sensing device positioned in the well configured to monitor the soil column. A method for real-time estimation of LNAPL saturations in media, including emplacing a UV-transparent well in the media and recording fluorescence in the media via an oil sensing device.

The present disclosure provides a portable device for controlling an alcoholic beverage that includes a single light source emitting a monochromatic excitation light beam of a wavelength between 350 and 650 nanometers, a beam splitter to reflect the light beam, a focus and collection lens, and a positioning device to orient the light beam along a direction substantially normal to an outer surface of the container. The positioning device positions the outer surface of the container at a predetermined distance from the focus lens. The device includes a filtering device for filtering fluorescence radiation captured by the focus lens to eliminate wavelengths shorter than or equal to the wavelength of the light beam. A spectrometer module produces a signal corresponding to the measured spectrum of the fluorescence radiation and an analysis module compares the measured spectrum to a reference spectrum.

A method of determining beryllium or a beryllium compound thereof in a sample is disclosed by measuring fluorescence. This method discloses use of highly strong acids to extract beryllium from samples into the said acidic medium, and then using these solutions in combination with alkaline fluorescent indicating dye solutions to determine the amount of beryllium in the said samples. Further, the method also discloses measuring fluorescence under highly alkaline conditions, where the pH after mixing the highly alkaline fluorescent indicating dye solutions with the sample solution containing beryllium is at least 11.3.

An observation container (10) includes: a bottom portion that includes a bottom wall (12A) (first plate part) and a bottom wall (12B) (second plate part) which intersect each other and that is configured to accommodate a liquid sample O as a sample containing microparticles to be imaged by imaging units (30A) and (30B) serving as an imaging device; and a region that has transparency with respect to a wavelength of light used for observation of the microparticles.

A nucleic acid amplification disk apparatus using a temperature sensitive polymer synthesis and the analysis method using the same, and more specifically, and the nucleic acid amplification device, and the analysis method using the nucleic acid amplification disk unit and the nucleic acid amplification disk for amplifying the Bacterial DNA or RNA, and the driving control section for controlling the nucleic acid amplification disk.

This invention relates generally to a system and process for early detection of biological ammonia oxidation in water utilizing a fluorescence-based sensor and process. Various embodiments are configured to read increases in a fluorescence excitation-emission wavelength pair that is responsive to a period of time (days to weeks or even longer) prior to the onset of biological ammonia oxidation, which is considered to be a nitrification event. Fluorescence excitation/emission pairs that have proven to be reliable include a fluorescence excitation wavelength of about 230 nm and an emission wavelength of about 345 nm and an excitation wavelength of 325 and an emission wavelength of 470. The system and process enable drinking water utilities to improve management of its distribution systems and facilitate earlier corrective actions, resulting is less loss of treated water through flushing and other tangible benefits.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a photoluminescent wavelength-shifting material configured to receive an input-light data signal comprising a first range of wavelengths, absorb at least a portion of the received input-light data signal, and produce an emitted-light data signal comprising a second range of wavelengths based on an upper-state lifetime of the photoluminescent wavelength-shifting material. The apparatus also includes a focusing element configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted-light data signal, concentrate the received portion of the emitted-light data signal, and produce a concentrated-light data signal. The apparatus further includes a photodetector configured to receive the concentrated-light data signal, and produce an electrical current corresponding to the concentrated-light data signal.