The present invention relates to evaporation apparatus (100) comprising manifolds provided with at least one nozzle (102), a tank unit (103) for a liquid, and a sample holder configured to be inserted into the tank unit. The sample holder is configured to hold at least one sample in a defined position relative the at least one nozzle a control unit (104) an inlet port (105) configured to be connected to a gas supply, a pressure regulator (106) arranged downstream the inlet port (105). A set value of the pressure regulator (106) is controlled by the control unit (104), a control valve (107) arranged downstream the pressure regulator (106), wherein each of the at least one manifold (101a-d) is connected to a corresponding output port of the control valve. The control valve is controlled by the control unit (104), and the control unit is configured to set the set value of the pressure regulator to a value that causes a predetermined gas flow from each of the at least one nozzle.

An apparatus for analyzing the content of at least one contaminant in a liquid cryogen comprising a cylindrical enclosure, an annular enclosure arranged around the cylindrical enclosure, means for dividing a flow of liquid cryogen in two, means for delivering a first part of the liquid cryogen to the cylindrical enclosure, means for delivering a second part of the liquid cryogen to the annular enclosure, a pipe connected to the cylindrical enclosure to allow vaporized liquid to pass through, a pipe connected to the annular enclosure to allow vaporized liquid to pass through, a heater for heating the cylindrical enclosure vessel and means for stopping the delivery of liquid cryogen to the cylindrical enclosure.

Various implementations, systems and methods are disclosed for continuous, near real-time, hands-off sampling of airborne particulate matter, and qualification and/or quantification of biomolecules in the sample representative for biologic or microbial contamination. The systems and methods may utilize an electrostatic precipitator for sampling the matter; and a measurement assembly configured to illuminate, excite, or breakdown the sampled matter by electromagnetic radiation, and to detect a spectrum, or one or more wavelength bands of the scatter emitted by the sample. In an exemplary implementation, a sputter deposition process is employed to configure the sample for an enhanced plasmon resonance. The measurement data may be transferred via wireless communication means for cloud storage and signal processing.

Techniques for detecting cannabinoid, opioid, and virus aerosols in an exhaled breath are provided. An example method of identifying a virus-containing aerosol in exhaled breath includes capturing a breath input in an aerosol filter cartridge, disposing the aerosol filter cartridge in an optical path in a spectroscopy system, detecting one or more infrared spectral features of the breath input with the spectroscopy system, and identifying the virus-containing aerosol based on the one or more infrared spectral features.

Techniques for detecting cannabinoid, opioid, and virus aerosols in an exhaled breath are provided. An example method for analyzing exhaled breath includes receiving an aerosol breath sample, concentrating the aerosol breath sample onto an infrared-transparent coupon with an electrostatic precipitator, disposing the infrared-transparent coupon in an optical path of a spectroscopy system, detecting one or more infrared spectral features of the concentrated aerosol breath sample with the spectroscopy system, and analyzing the aerosol breath sample based on the one or more infrared spectral features.

A sheath flow device for an evaporation light scattering detector comprises an evaporation pipe fastener (110), an evaporation pipe heat insulating component (120), a sheath flow nozzle blocking plate (130), a sheath flow nozzle (140), a sheath flow sleeve (150), a sheath flow outlet piece (170) and a stainless steel spray needle (160). The evaporation pipe fastener, the evaporation pipe heat insulating component, the sheath flow nozzle blocking plate, the sheath flow nozzle, the sheath flow sleeve and the sheath flow outlet piece are concentrically connected orderly from front to back, and all provided with concentric inner holes. Said device is applicable to ELSD sheath flow devices ranging from nanoliter-scale to microliter-scale. On one hand, material particles entering a testing pool are enveloped and aggregated so that the formation of eddy and turbulence can be reduced, the chromatographic peak shape of a sample can be improved and the stability of sample detection can be enhanced; on the other hand, the testing pool can be cleaned so that baseline noise can be reduced and the signal to noise ratio can be increased.

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).

A liquid sample drying device, dried sample test piece and the preparation method for the dried sample test piece are provided. The liquid sample drying device includes two substrates, at least one spacer and a clamping member. Each of the two substrates includes a surface. The two surfaces face each other. The at least one spacer is located in between the substrates so as to form a sample region between the surfaces for receiving a liquid sample. The clamping member touches the two substrates so as to temporarily clamp and fix the two substrates and the at least one spacer together.

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).

With a water, particulate and fibre mixture, a method of quantifying fibre content may include providing a sample of the mixture, filtering the sample to produce a particulate and fibre mixture, burning the particulate and fibre mixture to produce a fibre sample, and dissolving the fibre sample to produce a fibre solution. The fibre solution may be analyzed to determine an elemental content of the fibre solution. The elemental content may be compared to a known elemental content to estimate the fibre content.