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 MEMS sensing device for sensing microparticles in an environment external to the MEMS sensing device is provided. The MEMS sensing device comprises a semiconductor body integrating a sensor and a pump unit, the sensor including a sensor cavity, a membrane suspended over the sensor cavity, and a piezoelectric element over the membrane and configured to cause the membrane to oscillate, about an equilibrium position, at a corresponding resonance frequency when sensing electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element during a first operative phase of the MEMS sensing device, the resonance frequency depending on an amount of microparticles located on the membrane, the membrane having a plurality of through holes for establishing a fluid communication between the sensor cavity and the environment; the pump is configured to cause air pressure in the sensor cavity to be reduced with respect to the air pressure of the environment during the first operative phase, so that microparticles are caused to adhere onto the membrane by a suction force through the plurality of through holes.

Device for automatically analyzing micro organisms in an aqueous sample using filter cytometry comprising at least one filter holder and processing modules, wherein the filter holder is arranged to contain a filter for receiving the sample, wherein the processing modules comprise sample application means for applying the sample to the filter in the holder and imaging means for imaging the micro organisms on the filter, wherein the device furthermore comprises displacement means for automatically moving the filter holder between the processing modules and wherein each of the modules and the filter holder are arranged to removable connect for interaction.

A clogging determination device includes a first antenna disposed at one of a side of a first end and a side of a second end of a filter disposed internally of a case, a second antenna disposed at the other of the side of the first end and the side of the second end of the filter, a multi-tone signal generator that has an output terminal coupled to the first antenna, outputs from the output terminal a multi-tone signal obtained by compositing a plurality of signals having different frequencies, and moves a position of an envelope of the multi-tone signal emitted to the filter from the first antenna, a detector that is coupled to the second antenna, and detects an intensity of the multi-tone signal received by the second antenna, and a determinator that determines a degree of clogging of the filter based on an intensity of the multi-tone signal.

A method for assessing the condition of an oil using a portable computer coupled to a camera comprises: separating wear particles from a sample of the oil; capturing an image of the separated wear particles using the camera; and analysing the image and generating information about the condition of the oil using the portable computer. The method may be used for tracking the condition of an oil in a machine over a period of time. The methods are particularly useful for assessing the condition of an industrial oil e.g. a lubricating oil that has been used to lubricate moving parts in a machine.

To enable exhaust gas analysis by taking into account the influence of particulates contained in air in a test chamber, an analysis system that analyzes exhaust gas discharged from a test piece that is provided in the test chamber and that includes an engine includes a sampling unit that samples the particulates contained in the air in the test chamber, a first analyzing unit that analyzes the particulates sampled by the sampling unit, and an analysis result output unit that outputs an analysis result of the first analyzing unit.

A MEMS sensing device for sensing microparticles in an environment external to the MEMS sensing device is provided. The MEMS sensing device comprises a semiconductor body integrating a sensor and a pump unit, the sensor including a sensor cavity, a membrane suspended over the sensor cavity, and a piezoelectric element over the membrane and configured to cause the membrane to oscillate, about an equilibrium position, at a corresponding resonance frequency when sensing electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element during a first operative phase of the MEMS sensing device, the resonance frequency depending on an amount of microparticles located on the membrane, the membrane having a plurality of through holes for establishing a fluid communication between the sensor cavity and the environment; the pump is configured to cause air pressure in the sensor cavity to be reduced with respect to the air pressure of the environment during the first operative phase, so that microparticles are caused to adhere onto the membrane by a suction force through the plurality of through holes.

Provided is an airborne microbial measurement apparatus and a method of measuring the same. The airborne microbial measurement apparatus includes a particle separation device comprising an introduction part for introducing air and a nozzle part disposed on one side of the introduction part, a microbial particle passage through which microbial particles in the air passing through an inner passage of the nozzle part flow, an air particle passage through which air particles in the air passing through an outer space of the nozzle part flow, a collection device communicating with the microbial particle passage, the collection device comprising a filter part onto which the microbial particles are collected, and a luminescence measurement device dispose on one side of the collection device to detect an amount or intensity of light emitted from the microbial particles collected onto the filter part.

A clogging determination device includes a first antenna disposed at one of a side of a first end and a side of a second end of a filter disposed internally of a case, a second antenna disposed at the other of the side of the first end and the side of the second end of the filter, a multi-tone signal generator that has an output terminal coupled to the first antenna, outputs from the output terminal a multi-tone signal obtained by compositing a plurality of signals having different frequencies, and moves a position of an envelope of the multi-tone signal emitted to the filter from the first antenna, a detector that is coupled to the second antenna, and detects an intensity of the multi-tone signal received by the second antenna, and a determinator that determines a degree of clogging of the filter based on an intensity of the multi-tone signal.

A method for assessing the condition of an oil using a portable computer coupled to a camera comprises: separating wear particles from a sample of the oil; capturing an image of the separated wear particles using the camera; and analysing the image and generating information about the condition of the oil using the portable computer. The method may be used for tracking the condition of an oil in a machine over a period of time. The methods are particularly useful for assessing the condition of an industrial oil e.g. a lubricating oil that has been used to lubricate moving parts in a machine.