A method for operating a blast furnace with which, even in the case where there is an increase in the powder ratio of coke to be charged into the blast furnace, it is possible to achieve the stabilization of blast furnace operation. The method includes blowing air through a tuyere disposed in a lower part of the blast furnace, successively measuring a particle size distribution of coke transported to the blast furnace, and adjusting at least one of a blast volume and a coke ratio in accordance with an index derived from the particle size distribution.

A method includes illuminating a drop with a pulse of light from a light source. A duration of the pulse of light is from about 0.0001 seconds to about 0.1 seconds. The method also includes capturing an image, video, or both of the drop. The method also includes detecting the drop in the image, the video, or both. The method also includes characterizing the drop after the drop is detected. Characterizing the drop includes determining a size of the drop, a location of the drop, or both in the image, the video, or both.

A system for analyzing biological specimens by spectral imaging includes a biosensor comprising at least one graphene layer on a substrate and a memory in communication with a processor. The biosensor is configured to acquire a biological specimen sample. The memory and the processor are configured to conduct Raman spectroscopy to obtain spectral data for the sample, transmit the spectral data to a hub for direct or indirect transmission to one or more servers, perform multivariate analysis on the spectral data, and deliver a report based on the multivariate analysis of the spectral data.

A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.

A urine analysis system according to an embodiment includes: a testing apparatus that measures particles included in a urine sample according to a flow cytometry method; an image capturing apparatus that captures images of particles in the urine sample to acquire particle images; and a management apparatus that receives a measurement result obtained by the testing apparatus and the particle images acquired by the image capturing apparatus. The management apparatus generates an order to capture an image of the urine sample based on the measurement result obtained by the testing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus executes the image capturing processing of the particles in the urine sample for which the image capturing order has been generated by the management apparatus, and transmits the acquired particle images to the management apparatus.

Provided are an inkjet printing apparatus and a method for inspecting an inkjet head using same. The inkjet printing apparatus comprises: an inspection stage unit on which an inspection substrate is seated; an inkjet head unit including at least one inkjet head that ejects ink containing dipoles and a solvent in which the dipoles disperse, on the inspection stage unit; and a particle count inspection unit that is located so as to be spaced apart from the inkjet head unit in one direction. The particle count inspection unit comprises: a first heat treatment unit that is located on the top portion of the inspection stage unit; and a first sensing unit that is located on the bottom portion of the inspection stage unit and measures the number of dipoles sprayed onto the inspection substrate.

A method and system for studying cell viability and protein aggregation. In one aspect, the method relies on speckle information to analyze cells or other structures present in a fluid. A probe for measuring in situ structures includes a tip section having a sample detection region and a camera provided with image sensors.

A flow passage is irradiated with irradiation light, and light scattered from a particle contained in a sample passing through a detection region that is formed in a prescribed section is condensed at a position obtained by extending the prescribed section in a flow direction of the sample and captured at a prescribed frame rate. Then movement amount of the particle due to Brownian motion in directions perpendicular to the flow direction on the basis of captured plural frame images. Furthermore, a particle size of the particle is determined by correcting the movement amount using correction values that were obtained in advance corresponding to each of defocus positions for correcting errors of movement amount in the images caused by magnification.

Various embodiments are directed to a device for detecting fluid particle characteristics comprising: a collection fluid dispense assembly configured to selectively dispense a volume of collection fluid onto an absorbent media disposed within an internal sensor portion of a fluid composition sensor, producing a collection media based on interaction between the volume of collection fluid and the absorbent media; and a controller configured to determine, based on a particle image captured by an imaging device, a particle characteristic associated with a particle captured at the collection media. In various embodiments a device is configured to receive therein a collection media comprising a biologically nutritive substance; and may comprise an imaging device and a controller configured to determine a biological particle characteristic based on a comparison of first particle data and second particle data generated by the imaging device, the second particle data being associated with an incubated particle configuration.

A urine analysis system according to an embodiment includes: a testing apparatus that measures particles included in a urine sample according to a flow cytometry method; an image capturing apparatus that captures images of particles in the urine sample to acquire particle images; and a management apparatus that receives a measurement result obtained by the testing apparatus and the particle images acquired by the image capturing apparatus. The management apparatus generates an order to capture an image of the urine sample based on the measurement result obtained by the testing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus executes the image capturing processing of the particles in the urine sample for which the image capturing order has been generated by the management apparatus, and transmits the acquired particle images to the management apparatus.