A solution for measuring a suspension which contains wood fibres. The consistency of the suspension is changed in a consistency range. Optical radiation is directed at the suspension and the intensity of optical radiation interacted with the suspension is measured at different consistencies in the consistency range. The maximum intensity of the optical radiation is determined within the consistency range. At least one of the following properties of the suspension are determined based on the determined maximum intensity: kappa number, brightness.

An infrared detection system comprises the following elements. A laser source provides radiation for illuminating a target (5). This radiation is tuned to at least one wavelength in the fingerprint region of the infrared spectrum. A detector (32) detects radiation backscattered from the target (5). An analyzer determines from at least the presence or absence of detected signal in said at least one wavelength whether a predetermined volatile compound is present. An associated detection method is also provided. In embodiments, the laser source is tunable over a plurality of wavelengths, and the detector comprises a hyperspectral imaging system. The laser source may be an optical parametric device has a laser gain medium for generating a pump beam in a pump laser cavity, a pump laser source and a nonlinear medium comprising a ZnGeP2 (ZGP) crystal. On stimulation by the pump beam, the ZnGeP2 (ZGP) crystal is adapted to generate a signal beam having a wavelength in a fingerprint region of the spectrum and an idler beam having a wavelength in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum. The laser gain medium and the ZnGeP2 (ZGP) crystal are located in the pump wave cavity.

Methods and systems for automatically identifying and enumerating early granulated cells (EGC) in blood samples are disclosed. In one embodiment a method for identifying EGC in a blood sample includes analyzing white blood cells of the blood sample using a low angle light scatter (LALS) parameter, separating the EGCs from the other white blood cells using the LALS parameter, and enumerating the separated EGCs.

A system for measuring hematocrit in a whole blood sample is provided. An absorbent substrate is adapted to receive a whole blood sample. At least one light source is positioned to illuminate the sample on the substrate at first and second wavelengths. The first and second wavelengths are different from each other. A spectral sensor is positioned to measure a first intensity and a second intensity of light diffusely reflected from the sample at the first and second wavelengths, respectively. The diffusely reflected first and second intensities of light are compared to reference values to generate first and second reflectance values. A controller, coupled to the spectral sensor, is configured to determine a first differential reflectance between the first and second reflectances. The hematocrit level of the sample is determined based on a first stored relationship between hematocrit and a differential reflectance corresponding to the first and second wavelengths.

The present invention intends to provide a method by which the scattering property of a powder can be more clearly evaluated. There is provided a method for evaluating a scattering property of a powder, the method including dropping a powder to be evaluated onto a liquid placed in a box, thereby scattering the powder as dust in the box, and measuring a dust concentration in air in the box with a dust meter. There is also provided an apparatus for evaluating a scattering property of a powder, the apparatus including a box in which a liquid is to be placed, and a dust meter that measures a dust concentration in air in the box when the powder to be evaluated drops onto the liquid placed in the box and scatters as dust.

A reflective materials sensor for detecting remotely located reflective material. The reflective materials sensor includes a transparent window with two window surfaces, an amount of reflective material that is remotely located away from one window surface. An operating parameters sensor located adjacent to the transparent window, a radiation detector located away from the other window surface; and two spaced apart radiation emitters located on either side of the radiation detector, and away from the second window surface. Each radiation emitter is configured to emit radiation along one axis through the transparent window towards the reflective material and towards a common focal point. The radiation detector is located to receive reflected radiation from the reflective material along another axis. The first axis of the radiation emitters is angled towards the other axis of the reflected radiation.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for condensation detection for vehicle surfaces via light transmitters and receivers. An example vehicle includes a side mirror including a front surface and a back surface, a light transmitter adjacent to the front surface for emitting a light beam toward the side mirror, a first light sensor adjacent to the back surface for detecting a first light intensity of the light beam, and an opaqueness detector that determines whether condensation is on the side mirror based upon the first light intensity.

An apparatus for analysing a sample of granular material, such as soil, is described. An elongated housing has a channel extending therethrough to define an optical path. A cavity is defined within the top of the housing to receive the sample, and a transparent sample-receiving surface is disposed within the cavity at a first elevation from the bottom of the housing. A lens assembly is positioned within the optical path at a second, lower, elevation. The lens assembly magnifies an image formed by light beams reflected by or transmitted through the sample. An image capturing device is disposed across the optical path at a third elevation that is lower than the second elevation. The image capturing device is thus lower than both the lens assembly and the transparent sample-receiving surface. A light source is mounted within the housing to emit light toward the sample-receiving surface.

Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a tip resistant optical testing instrument configured to rest on a surface. The optical testing instrument includes a shell defining a cavity for receiving a sample tube. The shell includes a bottom shell surface, wherein the bottom shell surface defines at least one support element, wherein the at least one support element is configured to engage the surface to support the optical testing instrument in a testing position, and a translational surface configured to engage the surface to support the optical testing instrument in an angled position. In an instance in which the optical testing instrument tilts from the testing position to the angled position, the translational surface is configured to engage the surface contacting the translational surface to prevent the optical testing instrument from tipping further and allow the optical testing instrument to return to the testing position.

Provided herein are an optical test platform and corresponding method of manufacturing the same. The test platform may include a shell defining a cavity for receiving a sample tube, a first aperture, and a second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture of the shell may each be configured to optically couple the cavity with an exterior of the shell. The test platform may further include a first window and a second window embedded in the shell. The first window may seal a first aperture and the second window may seal a second aperture. The first window and second window may each permit the optical coupling of the cavity with the exterior of the shell. The first window and the second window may be optically coupled via the cavity, and the shell may prohibit optical coupling between the first window and the second window through the shell.