Other

E Y Laboratories, Inc.

Redwood Scientific Incorporated

John L Lawless

Albert E Chu

Robert J Moffat

James E Parris

Provided are devices and methods for quantifying a surface's cleanliness relative to a contaminant. Such devices and methods may comprise and/or use a source of interrogating radiation to which the contaminant is responsive, a means for directing the interrogating radiation, a detector, and an analyzer. Radiation emitted from the source is directed by the radiation means toward an article having the surface or comprising a surface cleaner that may hold the contaminant. The detector detects radiation from the article produced in response to the interrogating radiation by the contaminant, e.g., fluorescent or phosphorescent radiation, and generate a corresponding signal that is compared by the analyzer relative to an electronic standard that corresponds to the surface in an acceptably clean state so as to quantify the surface's cleanliness.

Device and method for quantifying a surface's cleanliness

Provided are devices and methods for quantifying a surface's cleanliness relative to a contaminant. Such devices and methods may comprising and use a source of interrogating radiation to which the contaminant is responsive, a means for directing the interrogating radiation, a detector, and an analyzer. Radiation emitted from the source is directed by the radiation means toward the surface or a surface cleaner that may hold the contaminant. The detector detects radiation from the surface or the surface cleaner produced in response to the interrogating radiation by the contaminant, e.g., fluorescent or phosphorescent radiation, and generate a corresponding signal that is compared by the analyzer relative to an electronic standard that corresponds to the surface in an acceptably clean state so as to quantify the surface's cleanliness.

Device and methods are provided for assessing a temperature exposure history of a sample that is comprised of a nonmetallic material. To assess the temperature exposure history, the pre-exposure and post-exposure electronic states of the sample are compared. Changes in the electronic state of the sample are indicative of the temperature exposure history.

Devices and methods for assessing a sample's temperature exposure history

A self-contained system uses light reflectivity to examine intensity of a dyed spot on a device membrane surrounded by background area to discern information about the specimen that produced the spot. In a preferred embodiment, a master clock alternatively drives one LED focussed upon the spot center, and then drives two LEDS focused on the background area. Light reflected from the spot and background is detected by preferably two photodetectors ('PDs') spaced-apart a multiple of 90&#xb0; azimuthal.

Reflectometry system with compensation for specimen holder topography and with lock-rejection of system noise

A self-contained system uses light reflectivity to examine intensity of a dyed spot on a device membrane surrounded by background area to discern information about the specimen that produced the spot. In a preferred embodiment, a master clock alternatively drives one LED focussed upon the spot center, and then drives two LEDS focused on the background area. Light reflected from the spot and background is detected by preferably two photodetectors (&ldquo;PDs&rdquo;) spaced-apart a multiple of 90&deg; azimuthal, a configuration discovered to minimize the effects of uneven membrane topography upon light intensity measurements. The PD outputs are average-summed together and are input to a phase lock-in amplifier system that enhances detected signal/noise by measuring signal voltage without producing noise. The lock-in system simultaneously positively and negatively amplifies the average-summed PD outputs, which amplified signal is then switched in synchronism with the LED drive signals. Only in-phase signals occurring during the active LED drive signal portion are sampled, and signal components present in the average-summed together PD output are essentially doubled in effective amplitude, thereby enhancing signal to noise ratios. The output of the switch is lowpass filtered to recover a noise-free DC level proportional to detected light intensity. A readout of the DC level provides an accurate measurement of the spot intensity.

A swim meter to be worn by a swimmer and indicating swim speed, swim distance, elapsed time and other measurements includes a housing to be worn on the body of a swimmer with a mechanism mounted to the housing and responsive to the flow of water in generating an electrical signal indicative of swimmer movement in the water. A display is mounted to the housing or separately on the swimmer for viewing by the swimmer, and a computer mounted inside the housing generates display drive signals in response to the signals from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can comprise a rotating element, such as a paddle wheel, turbine, propeller, or pinwheel, or the drive mechanism can be a pitot tube and pressure sensor, a current generator responsive to salt ions in the water, or a voltage generator. The computer can be responsive to electrical or mechanical signals.

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Pacifica, CA, United States of America

John L Lawless