(19)

(11)

EP 1 540 298 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.04.2005 (43) Date of publication: 15.06.2005 Bulletin 2005/24 (21) Application number: 03709974.4 (22) Date of filing: 13.03.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 1/00, G01N 1/22 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2003/001063 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/083433 (09.10.2003 Gazette 2003/41)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 28.03.2002 GB 0207377 26.07.2002 GB 0217315 (71) Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY London SW1Y 5BQ (GB)	(72) Inventors: MARCHANT, Clive, Antony Cleveland TS23 3YX (GB) GREEN, Darell Cleveland TS15 9NN (GB) (74) Representative: Gibson, Sara Hillary Margaret, Dr. et al Johnson Matthey PLC,Intellectual Property Dept.,P.O. Box 1,Room N101,Belasis Avenue Billingham, Cleveland TS23 1LB Billingham, Cleveland TS23 1LB (GB)