Abstract:
A mount for an optical element such as in a laser, optical amplifier, or other optical system, is disclosed. The mount is a mounting vane for cooling the optical element by a fluid stream. The optical element may be a gain medium generating heat. The mounting vane comprises: an input section with a leading edge for meeting the fluid stream; a diffuser section which tapers to a trailing edge; and a plane section with an aperture for receiving the optical element for cooling by the fluid stream, the plane section arranged between the input section and diffuser section, wherein the diffuser section includes one or more flow guiding fins protruding from the diffuser section. The mounting vane may be stacked with a plurality of other mounting vanes in a manifold.
Abstract:
Properties of turbid or scattering samples are determined using Raman spectroscopy with probe light delivered to and subsequently collected from the sample using a transmission geometry. The technique may be applied to pharmaceutical products such as tablets, diagnostic tests such as lateral flow diagnostic strips, and elsewhere.
Abstract:
An electron amplifier device is provided which comprises a substrate (10) having a plurality of vias extending between opposing faces. An electrically conductive layer (20) is formed on at least one of the faces, and a secondary electron emission layer (22) is formed on the conductive layer.
Abstract:
A method of electrospinning fibres is disclosed. The fibres have an inner core surrounded by a porous outer shell. The method comprises co-electrospinning first and second liquids as core and shell respectively, the second liquid surrounding the first liquid in a jet issuing from a Taylor cone, wherein the first and second liquids are miscible or semi-miscible with each other, such that pore generation is driven in the shell of the fibre. The liquids may be solutions or melts. The electrical conductivity, viscosity, miscibility and other parameters of the liquids determine the structure of the produced fibres. As well as producing fibres having a porous shell there are described methods of co-electrospraying porous beads as well as core- shell vesicles having a porous shell. The methods may be used to produce hydrogen storage fibres, vesicles and beads. The methods may also be used for producing controlled drug- delivery fibres, vesicles and beads.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for electrospinning and/or electrospray are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are provided for electrospinning of fibre, or deposition of droplets on a surface by electrospraying. The apparatus comprises: a band tensioned between first and second rollers and curved around the rollers, an electric field generator for providing an electric field between an electrospinning zone at the first roller and a counter electrode, and a bath for containing liquid arranged to wet the band or regions of the band as it passes around the second roller. The band is arranged to transport liquid from the bath to the electrospinning zone for the production of fibres in said zone. The electric field generator may be arranged to provide an electric field between the counter electrode and the surface of the band where it is curved around the first roller.
Abstract:
An optical sensor (10) comprises an optical cavity defined by a dielectric body and responsive to one or more physical environmental conditions, and a waveguide (70) having a terminal end spaced apart from the optical cavity such that light is optically coupled from the terminal end of the waveguide (70) to the optical cavity. The waveguide (70) is arranged such that, in use, it is maintained at a first temperature that would not damage the optical coupling to the optical cavity when the dielectric body is maintained at a second temperature sufficient to damage the optical coupling to the optical cavity.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a neutron spectrometry system, comprising a plurality of semiconductor detector portions arranged in close proximity, wherein the detector portions are arranged in at least two non-parallel axes, wherein each detector portion is arranged to output a detection signal indicative of energy deposited in the detector portion by ionising particles induced in the device by incident neutrons, and a control unit arranged to receive the plurality of detection signals, and to allocate detection signals to one or more of a plurality of channels based on a number of substantially coincident detection signals for determining a spectrum of incident neutrons based thereon.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a method of determining the concentration of total lipoprotein in a sample. The method involves the steps of: (i) adding to an aliquot of the sample a lipophilic dye that binds to lipoproteins in the sample and which when so bound fluoresces under appropriate excitation; and (ii)determining the total lipoprotein concentration in the sample using fluorescence analysis. A method of analysing the lipoprotein content of a sample solution using a dye that discriminates between different types of lipoprotein is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of generating a lipid profile for a sample solution. The method comprising: a first step of determining the concentration of total lipoprotein in a first aliquot of the sample using fluorescence analysis; a second step of determining the concentration of total cholesterol in a second aliquot of the sample using fluorescence analysis; and optionally a third step of determining the concentration of HDL in a third aliquot of the sample using fluorescence analysis. The concentrations of the total lipoprotein, and of total cholesterol may be used to calculate other lipid components and thereby generate a lipid profile. The invention also concerns apparatus that may be used to perform the method of the invention.
Abstract:
A mounting arrangement for an optical element, such as gain medium, for a laser, optical amplifier or other optical systems is disclosed. The mounting arrangement is applied to a vane assembly for cooling by a gas or liquid stream. The vane assembly comprises: an optical element; a vane plate having an aperture, the optical element mounted in the aperture; and a retainer arranged to fit between the optical element and the vane plate to provide a compressive force at the edge of the optical element to hold the optical element in the aperture. The retainer may be a resilient element or spring element. The retainer may be held in position using retaining rings.