G01N 33/00 - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Investigating or analysing materials, i.e. either solid, liquid or gaseous media, insofar as the material object of the investigation or analysis is of major importance.
Investigating or analysing materials by methods specifically adapted to the object of the analysis.
Investigating or analysing materials by a combination of pre-treatment and analysis, specifically adapted to the object of analysis.
Investigating or analysing biological material (covered by group G01N 33/48), e.g. blood (in vitro) or urine, including chemical analysis (see definition of group G01N 33/50).
Relationship between large subject matter areas
Analysis as an integrated step of a process should be classified with the process, insofar as the process is fully provided for in another subclass. For example, analysis of water as integrated step of water treatment process is classified in subclass C02F.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
determining the germinating capacity of seeds | A01C 1/02 |
measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration within the blood, pH-value of blood, for medical or veterinary diagnosis | A61B 5/145 |
apparatus for enzymology or microbiology | C12M |
measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, other than immunoassay (which is covered by G01N 33/53) | C12Q |
investigation of foundation soil or ground water in-situ | E02D 1/00 |
sampling; preparing specimens for investigation | G01N 1/00 |
investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress | G01N 3/00 |
analysing materials by weighing, e.g. weighing small particles separated from a gas or liquid | G01N 5/00 |
analysing materials by measuring the pressure or volume of a gas or vapour | G01N 7/00 |
investigatingdensity or specific gravity of materials; analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity | G01N 9/00 |
investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity, plasticity; analysing materials by determining flow properties | G01N 11/00 |
investigating surface or boundary effects, e.g. wetting power; investigating diffusion effects; analysing materials by determining surface, boundary, or diffusion effects | G01N 13/00 |
investigating characteristics of particles; investigatingpermeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials | G01N 15/00 |
investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion, or to light | G01N 17/00 |
investigatingmaterials by mechanical methods | G01N 19/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using infra-red, visible, or ultra-violet light | G01N 21/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves | G01N 22/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of other wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons | G01N 23/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance or other spin effects | G01N 24/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of thermal means | G01N 25/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electro-chemical, or magnetic means | G01N 27/00 |
investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object | G01N 29/00 |