Abstract:
A method of performing an optical analysis of a liquid containing dissolved gas comprising the steps of A: transferring an amount of the liquid from a reservoir into a piston pump; B: holding the transferred amount at or close to ambient to permit partial degassing; C: transferring a liquid sample from the pump and into a measurement cell under a pressure greater than ambient; and D: performing an optical analysis of the pressurised, partially degassed liquid sample.
Abstract:
A press (2) for preparing a pellet of granulated material for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy comprises a tubular die (8) and a piston (4) arrangement, the tubular die (8) being formed with an inner surface (14) along which the piston (4) can slidably move and which is delimited by an open first end (10) of the tubular die (8;30;48a-d) and an opposing open second end (12) of the tubular die (8). The press (2) further comprises a removable end cap (18) having at least one flat face (24) for sealing the second end (12) of the tubular die (8).
Abstract:
A Method of Preparing an Organic Material Sample for LIBS Analysis and a Searing Device for Use in the Same An organic material sample is prepared for LIBS analysis by loading a sample pellet (508) comprising a compressed granular organic matrix into a holder (506) of a searing device (500) with an exposed surface (510) of the sample pellet (508) accessible to optical and to thermal radiation; searing the sample pellet (508) by directing thermal radiation from a heating unit (504) to the exposed surface (510); directing optical radiation from a reflectance unit (514) to the exposed surface (510) and measuring searing induced changes in the reflectance of the exposed surface (510); and controlling the heating unit (504) to direct thermal radiation to the exposed surface (510) for a time calculated by a data processor (516) in dependence of the measured searing induced changes in the reflectance.
Abstract:
A method of standardizing an output of an electrical property sensor (300) comprising the steps of: comparing in a data processor a measured magnitude (Condm) of the electrical property of an electrically conductive liquid obtained with the electrical property sensor with a reference magnitude (Condr) of the electrical property (320); and determining in the data processor a standardization factor (F) dependent on a ratio of the reference magnitude (Condr) and the measured magnitude (Condm) (340); wherein there is provided a step of calculating the reference magnitude (Condr) (330) comprising obtaining by a spectrometer spectral data resulting from an interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the electrically conductive liquid (310); and applying in the data processor a mathematical model to the spectral data to calculate the reference magnitude (Condr), which mathematical model links spectral data to magnitude of the electrical property.
Abstract:
A device for performing a lateral flow assay (2) comprises: - a receptacle (4) having a bottom wall portion (14) closing a first end of the receptacle (4) to delimit an inner material receiving space (16) and having a receptacle opening (18) at a second end opposite the first end; - a compartment (8) for holding a lateral flow assay test strip (56), the compartment (8) having a lower portion (38) located closer to the first end of the receptacle (4) than to the second end; - a liquid passageway (10) in fluid communication with the inner material receiving space (16) and the lower portion (38); and - a lid (6) adapted to overlay the receptacle opening (18) and comprising a body portion (20) having an outer periphery (22);wherein - a sample receiving portion (24) is located in said body portion (20) and is arranged in liquid communication with the inner material receiving space (16); and wherein - the liquid passageway (10) is delimited by a first opening (40) into the lower portion (38) of the compartment (8) and a second opening (26) in the lid (6).
Abstract:
A method (2) for preparing a sample of organic material for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) comprising the steps of obtaining granular organic material (4); forming at least a portion of the granular organic material into a sample pellet (6); and of searing the organic material (8, 8'), preferably only at a surface on which LIBS analysis is to be performed (8). Optionally the method (2) includes a step (10) of pressing the seared sample pellet to consolidate the material comprising the seared upper surface.
Abstract:
Determination of Analytes in a Sample Matrix by Solvent Extraction A method for the assay of one or more analytes in a sample matrix comprising the steps of: performing analyte extraction on the sample matrix, said analyte extraction comprising combining the sample matrix with a solvent for an extraction period which is less than that required for reaching equilibrium; and separating the analyte containing solvent from the sample matrix; next measuring a level of analyte present in the separated solvent; and then applying in a computer a calibration by which is established a mathematical relationship between levels of analyte extracted from each of a plurality of reference samples by means of the process employed above in the extraction for the sample matrix and a reference value of the levels of analyte for each reference sample to thereby derive a measure of the level of analyte in the sample matrix. Specifically a method to determine the amount of mycotoxins in cereal grain, especially OTA (ochratoxin A) and DON (deoxynivalenol) by mixing with a solvent comprising water alcohol mixture, with 20-40% ethanol by volume.
Abstract:
A method of compensating for amplitude drift in a spectrometer comprising: making successive performances of a standardisation process to generate, at each performance, a mathematical transform to compensate for amplitude drift for application by an arithmetic unit to a spectrum obtained by the spectrometer in an interval between the performances; modifying the mathematical transform with a function dependent on spectral data from a zero material measured in association with the standardisation process and the single beam zero spectrum measured in an interval between performances; and applying the modified mathematical transform to a spectrum from an unknown sample.
Abstract:
The invention covers a method of determining fat in a sample, a Soxhlet sample container and a means of filtration (120, 220, 320, 420) for use in a Soxhlet sample container characterised in that said means of filtration is configured to, support hydrolysis by allowing an unaided flow of acid, base and water while retaining fat and to support extraction of fat by allowing an unaided flow of solvent and fat solubilised in solvent.
Abstract:
A device for determining one or more parameters of interest for raw materials, intermediates and products of bioalcohol production, comprising a sample presentation unit, a source of radiation and a means of detection characterised in that the source of radiation and the means of detection are configured for recorded one or more spectral characteristics in the spectral region from 1000 cm-1 to 5000 cm-1.