Abstract:
A portable sampler, the sampler including a sampler assembly having a housing that includes a receiver defined therein for interchangeably receiving a number of removable inlet assemblies, the removable inlet assemblies including a respirable inlet assembly and a thoracic inlet assembly. The respirable inlet assembly includes a hybrid cyclone assembly, the hybrid cyclone assembly including an impaction stage and a cyclone in series. The thoracic inlet assembly includes an inlet slot configured to function as a size-selective inlet. Another thoracic inlet assembly includes a housing having a number of openings configured to receive a sample airflow; an inlet insert through which an inlet aperture is defined; a prequalification chamber defined between a lower surface of the housing and an upper surface of the inlet insert; and a protrusion extending downward from the lower surface of the housing into the inlet aperture of the inlet insert to from an inlet slot.
Abstract:
A portable sampling device includes a sampling housing at least partially enclosing an inner chamber; at least one pumping element disposed within the inner chamber and configured to facilitate airflow through the device; and at least one gas sensor disposed within the inner chamber and configured to detect and/or characterize one or more gases in the airflow.
Abstract:
A video display wall system for displaying information provided by a plurality of computing devices each interacting with the video display wall system at the discretion of a user. The display wall system includes a video display wall and a server operatively coupled to the display wall and to the plurality of computing devices. The system is configured to enable each of the users to concurrently display information on the display wall, as well as to enable concurrent interaction by each of the users with the displayed information. The owner of the displayed information and the identity of each of the users interacting with the displayed information are maintained by the server. A method for multiple users to concurrently interact with shared media that is displayed, and a multiuser interactive display system is described.
Abstract:
A temperature measurement system capable of operating in harsh environments including a temperature sensor having an antenna, diode, and dielectric layer disposed on the object of interest is provided, wherein the antenna includes a buried portion that extends through and is electrically coupled to the object of interest, and an exposed portion disposed upon an outer surface of the dielectric layer and the diode is coupled between the object of interest and the exposed portion of the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive interrogating signals from transmitter, and to transmit response signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the temperature sensor and its harmonics, which are indicative of the measured temperature of the object of interest. A receiver detects the response signals and correlates the frequency to a known temperature response of the dielectric material. Methods of making and using the temperature measurement system are also provided.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source (10), at least one of alight focusing element (12) positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector (40a, 40b) for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.
Abstract:
The invention features a method of assaying for the interaction of a probe and an unknown target, said method including a) exciting a sample with radiation, the sample including at least one unknown target, at least one probe, and at least one fluorescent tag, b) measuring the fluorescence from a subvolume of the sample, and c) analyzing the fluctuations of the fluorescence.
Abstract:
A sensor for detecting an analyze is disclosed that includes a core including hydrogel, fluorescence reagent disposed in the core, a semipermeable coating surrounding the core, the semipermeable coating including a polydisperse polymer having a molecular weight from about 4 kDa to about 18 kDa and a polydispersity index greater than 1 and a biocompatible coating surrounding the semipermeable coating.
Abstract:
A method of identifying an analyte-ligand binding pair that exhibits non-radiative fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) using a combinatorial library. The method includes a) obtaining an analyte binding ligand from a combinatorial library that includes ligands, and b) attaching a label at least one of the analyte binding ligand and an analyteanalogue with at least one of a first component and a second component of a non-radiative fluorescence resonance energy transfer donor-acceptor pair (FRET pair) such that FRET occurs when the analyte-analogue is bound to the analyte binding ligand, and a change in FRET occurs when the analyte-analogue is not bound to the analyte binding ligand. The method also includes contacting a combinatorial library of ligands, which are optionally labeled with a component of a FRET pair, with analyte-analogue, which is optionally labeled with a component of a FRET pair, and detecting the presence of FRET.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.
Abstract:
Provided herein are nanofibrous meshes and xerogels used for selectively filtering target compounds or elements from a liquid. Also provided herein are methods for forming nanofibrous meshes and xerogels, methods for treating a liquid using nanofibrous meshes and xerogels, and methods for analyzing a target compound or element using nanofibrous meshes and xerogels.