A specimen measurement device which detects a measurement object material according to the present embodiment, includes: a magnetic field applicator configured to apply a magnetic field to a measurement cartridge including a substrate, a first substance fixed on the substrate and specifically reacting with the measurement object material, a magnetic particle, and a substance fixed on the magnetic particle and specifically acting with the measurement object material; a detector configured to detect light passing through the substrate; and a controller configured to control the magnetic field applicator to perform a first operation to apply a first magnetic field in a direction to move the magnetic particle away from the substrate when a specimen solution containing the measurement object material is introduced into the measurement cartridge, and then perform a second operation to apply a second magnetic field in a direction to move the magnetic particle toward the substrate.

A system for determining pH of a fluid and a method to determine the pH of a fluid contacting a sensor, the method having the steps of: providing the sensor to an environment such that the sensor is in contact with the fluid, wherein the sensor features a fiber extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the fiber further features a medial portion positioned between the first and second ends, wherein the sensor further features a pH sensitive coating on the medial portion of the fiber, and wherein the pH sensitive material features a metal oxide including but not limited to SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, Ta.sub.2O.sub.5, A.sub.2O.sub.3, and combinations thereof; interrogating the sensor with an optical signal; collecting a modified optical signal after the sensor has been interrogated; and determining the pH of the fluid contacting the pH sensor using the modified optical signal.

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 method is described of manufacturing an optical sensing element for detecting a presence and/or determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluid medium, in particular in an aqueous medium. The optical sensing element includes an optical waveguide (e.g. an optical fiber) comprising an optically transparent material for guiding light through the sensing element along a flightpath. The optical sensing element further includes an inorganic coating for adsorbing the analyte from the fluid medium and an adhesion promotion layer formed between the optical waveguide and the inorganic coating. The adhesion promotion layer includes an adhesion promotion material for promoting adhesion of the inorganic material.

Distributed fiber optic sensors formed by covering the fibers with tubing are provided. The tubing including responsive materials formulated or configured to, responsive to exposure to one of a target chemical species and a target radiation particle, change a relative size and generate a localized effect on or in the optical fiber.

A fiber optic sensing device includes an optical fiber having a polished end defining a flat sensory portion coated with a lossy-mode-resonance (LMR) coating. A reflective coating on an end face of the optical fiber facilitates propagation of a return signal. An optic circuit for identifies a wavelength attenuated by the LMR coating from the return signal reflected by the reflective coating based on a moisture presence at the sensory portion. Various gaseous parameters may be detected based on the coating on the sensory portion. An LMR coating of tin oxide (SnO.sub.2) is employed for moisture sensing.

A system and method for the monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO2) for chemical contaminants. The carbon dioxide monitoring system includes a contaminant sensor that is configured to detect trace amounts of contaminants in CO2 that is pumped through it in real time. The contaminant sensor includes an interferometer configured to track the amount of contaminants.

A fiber optic sensing device includes an optical fiber having a polished end defining a flat sensory portion coated with a lossy-mode-resonance (LMR) coating. A reflective coating on an end face of the optical fiber facilitates propagation of a return signal. An optic circuit for identifies a wavelength attenuated by the LMR coating from the return signal reflected by the reflective coating based on a moisture presence at the sensory portion. Various gaseous parameters may be detected based on the coating on the sensory portion. An LMR coating of tin oxide (SnO.sub.2) is employed for moisture sensing.

The present disclosure presents nanostructure-based localized surface plasmon resonance systems and related methods. In this regard, a method comprises applying a body fluid sample to a metal surface of the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor with linker, intermediate, and capture/probe antibodies; illuminating the metal surface of the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor with the monochromatic, broadband, or laser light; measuring an intensity or spectrum of absorbed, reflected, transmitted, or scattered exiting light from the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor having the body fluid sample and comparing the measured intensity or spectrum with a reference intensity; detecting a spectral shift of exiting light from the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor having the body fluid sample; and signaling that the body fluid sample is positive for a presence of a particular biomaterial in response to detecting the spectral shift of the exiting light, wherein the biomaterial has binded or adsorbed to the metal surface of the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor.

An aircraft pressurized air system and method is disclosed. The system includes a compressor that receives and compresses outside air, and an air cycle machine that receives compressed air from the compressor and directs conditioned air to an aircraft pressurized zone. The system also includes a contaminant sensor disposed along an air flow path between the compressor and the aircraft pressurized zone, comprising an optical guide, a metal organic framework on an exterior surface of the optical guide in operative fluid communication with air from the air flow path, a light source in communication with the optical guide at a first end of the optical guide, and a light detector in communication with the optical guide at a second end of the optical guide.