In some aspects, provided herein are methods of identifying interactions of a compound and a condensate, or a component thereof, and uses thereof. In other aspects, provided herein are methods of identifying (or screening for or designing) compounds, or portions thereof, having a desired interaction with a condensate, or a component thereof. In yet other aspects, provided herein are applications of the methods described herein, e.g., libraries of compounds having known or predicted characteristics, and methods of identifying compounds useful for treatment of a disease.

A characteristic of tallow may be evaluated using a spectrometer (110). For example, optical reflectance data may be obtained from tallow, the reflectance data corresponding to a specified range of infra-red wavelengths. A value corresponding to the characteristic may be output based on the reflectance data generated by the spectrometer (110). The characteristic may include unsaponifiable matter as a percentage or concentration in a sample, for example.

In an embodiment, an optical ice detection method is provided. The method includes contacting a multilayer structure with water under conditions effective to form ice, the multilayer structure comprising an optically transparent or semi-transparent material disposed over at least a portion of a material probe. The method further includes performing Raman spectroscopy on one or more of the material probe, water, or ice to obtain Raman spectra, detecting a shift in the Raman spectra, and calculating ice-induced strain in the material probe. Apparatus for optically detecting ice are also provided.

Optical and/or thermal energy is directed onto target tissue, generating smoke. The smoke generated is collected and a spectrum of smoke generated from the tissue is measured. Based on the spectrum, the target tissue is characterized to be normal or non-normal such as cancerous.

A characteristic of wastewater may be evaluated using a spectrometer (110). For example, optical reflectance data may be obtained from wastewater, the reflectance data corresponding to a specified range of infra-red wavelengths. A value corresponding to the characteristic may be output based on the reflectance data generated by the spectrometer. The characteristic may include oil and grease or nitrogen as a percentage or concentration in a sample, for example.

The invention provides an in vitro method for the determination of sun protection factor (SPF), in order to gain reproducibility and accuracy and replace the use of tests on living beings. Natural substrates of the human skin, like hyaluronic acid are tested in the form of solutions or in the form of a solid film in a modified spectrophotometer, at concentrations below 1% w/v. Once calibrated, the method is used to corroborate the protection factor offered by commercial sunscreens.

A system for monitoring vibrations in a target region of interest may include a pulsed laser transmitter assembly, interferometric, telescope, and receiver optics, a photo-EMF detector assembly, signal conditioning/processing electronics, and a monitoring circuit/display. The detector assembly, which has a photo-EMF detector and amplifier circuits, generates an output signal indicative of the vibrations. A laser module outputs a source beam at a PRF of at least 2 Hz. A beam splitter device splits the source beam into separate interrogating and reference beams. The mirror directs the reference beam onto the photo-EMF detector for interference with a reflected return signal. The telescope optics generates an amplified return signal, and directs the amplified return signal to the photo-emf detector. The monitoring computer compares the output signal from the signal processor to a baseline to ascertain a difference therebetween, and generates a diagnostic signal indicative of the difference.

A system includes a downhole tool having a housing and a passage extending through the housing, where the passage includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of a wellbore fluid and an outlet configured to discharge the flow of the wellbore fluid. The downhole tool includes a heating element configured to heat the flow of the wellbore fluid and to enable the flow of the wellbore fluid to transition to a single-phase fluid flow within the passage. The downhole tool includes a phase composition sensor positioned adjacent the passage and configured to provide feedback indicative of formation of the single-phase fluid flow. The system includes a controller configured to monitor a power consumption of the heating element and to determine an enthalpy of the wellbore fluid based in part on the power consumption and the feedback from the phase composition sensor.

In an embodiment, an optical ice detection method is provided. The method includes contacting a multilayer structure with water under conditions effective to form ice, the multilayer structure comprising an optically transparent or semi-transparent material disposed over at least a portion of a material probe. The method further includes performing Raman spectroscopy on one or more of the material probe, water, or ice to obtain Raman spectra, detecting a shift in the Raman spectra, and calculating ice-induced strain in the material probe. Apparatus for optically detecting ice are also provided.

The present invention relates to the field of biochemical detection, and in particular to a reading apparatus for reading an assay result on a testing element. The reading apparatus comprises a first light-emitting element, a first photodetector and a light blocking element, wherein the first light-emitting element emits light and illuminates one or more corresponding areas of the testing element, the first photodetector receives light from one or more corresponding areas of the testing element, and the light blocking element guides a path of light emitted from a light emitting element and/or from a testing element. The light blocking element separates photodetectors in separate spaces, including a first light blocking element and a second light blocking element, wherein the first light blocking element is located between the first light-emitting element and the first photodetector, to guide the light emitted from the light emitting element to illuminate the testing element. The reading apparatus of the present invention allows light from a specific area of the testing element to be received by the photodetector and blocks invalid light from unrelated areas from entering the photodetector, thereby enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of detection.