Methods of detecting a non-explosive analyte can include exposing a sensor compound to a non-explosive analyte and displaying a change in the sensor compound upon exposure of the sensor compound to the non-explosive analyte. A variety of sensor compounds for detecting a target analyte, including both explosive and non-explosive analytes, is also described. Sensor devices for detecting a target analyte can include a substrate and a sensor compound positioned on the substrate in a plurality of detection zones.

A method for measuring the radiant exposure of energy curable inks or coatings on a printing press. The steps for measuring comprise: a) providing an ink or coating material comprising a fluorescent probe; b) transferring the ink or coating material onto a substrate using a printing process; c) exposing the ink or coating material to actinic radiation capable of initiating cure of the ink or coating material that also alters the luminescence of the probe; d) exposing the ink or coating to a first source of excitation light with wavelength and luminance capable of absorption by the fluorescent probe; and e) measuring the emitted light from the fluorescent probe by a first detector.

A soil sampler attachable to a vehicle for agricultural uses includes a collector configured to collect a soil sample from a field as the vehicle advances across the field. The soil sampler further includes a preprocessor connected to the collector and configured to receive the soil sample from the collector and to preprocess the soil sample to dilute the soil sample. The soil sampler also includes a sensor connected to the preprocessor and configured to determine a concentration of at least one analyte in the soil sample. The soil sampler further includes a disposer connected to the sensor and configured to dispose the soil sample after the sensor determines the concentration of the at least one analyte in the soil sample.

An easily inspected shaft assembly is provided and includes a shaft, a sleeve receptive of a portion of the shaft and an optically activatable layer including first and second sections disposed on respective exterior surfaces of the shaft and the sleeve, respectively, such that the first and second sections move relative to one another as the shaft and the sleeve move relative to one another.

Disclosed are methods for quantifying the cleanability of a surface of an article, for instance an aircraft interior component. In embodiments, a solution containing an artificial “dirt” is introduced to a surface under test to simulate a sullied condition. The sullied surface is subjected to at least one cleaning process. Obtained reference and post-cleaning light measurements are compared to determine a measurement difference corresponding to a cleanability of the surface and/or effectiveness of the at least one cleaning process. In embodiments, the measurement difference is assigned a cleanability score for at least one of determining a passing or failing cleanability, modifying the cleaning process, indicating the need for a second or subsequent cleaning, modifying the barrier coating formulation, redesigning the article, etc. The disclosed methods provide solutions for objective verification measures of surface cleanability used to facilitate new article designs, materials, barrier coatings, cleaning processes, cleaners, etc.

A device for monitoring a measurement object, comprising: an active unit having a light source emitting light with a wavelength spectrum and an optical detector. An optical link passes the emitted light to a at least one passive unit. Each passive unit comprises a sensor and a selector for diverting the emitted light to the sensor. The sensor comprises a luminescent material being directly or indirectly affected by the emitted light diverted by the selector. The sensor is sensitive to an external influence by the measurement object for producing a modulated signal, which is passed to said detector via the optical link. The luminescent material may be a fluorescent material, which is directly irradiated by the emitted light from the light source.

The chemical sensing device comprises a substrate of semiconductor material, integrated circuit components and a photodetector formed in the substrate, a dielectric on the substrate, a wiring in the dielectric, and a source of electromagnetic radiation, a waveguide and a fluorescent sensor layer arranged in or above the dielectric. A portion of the waveguide is arranged to allow the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source of electromagnetic radiation to be coupled into the waveguide. A further portion of the waveguide is arranged between the photodetector and the fluorescent sensor layer.

A detection kit suitable for detecting a target in a sample is provided. The detection kit includes a syringe, a first reaction container, a second reaction container, and a plurality of fluorescent substances. The syringe is loaded with first organic solvent. The first reaction container is connected to the syringe and is loaded with the sample. The second reaction container is connected to the first reaction container and is loaded with second organic solvent. The fluorescent substances are dispersed in the second organic solvent and emit fluorescence. When the target in the sample is dissolved in the first organic solvent and reacts with the fluorescent substances in the second organic solvent, the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent substances is quenched.

A process of utilizing a water-sensitive fluorophore for moisture content evaluation in a hygroscopic polymer includes forming a blend that includes a hygroscopic polymer resin and a water-sensitive fluorophore. The process includes forming pellets having a particular geometry from the blend, determining fluorescence properties of at least one of the pellets, and determining moisture content of at least one of the pellets. The process also includes generating a calibration curve for the particular pellet geometry by correlating the fluorescence properties with the moisture content. The process further includes providing the calibration curve for non-destructive moisture content evaluation of a material derived from the pellets.

A method for detecting nano- and micro-plastics in an aqueous sample suspected of being polluted with nano- or micro-plastics is provided. The method is based on interaction of the nano- and micro-plastics with hyaluronic acid functionalized with a luminescent or fluorescent dye. The luminescent or fluorescent dye is Rhodamine B or the metallorganic complex Ru(bpy).sub.3.sup.2+.