Abstract: An apparatus to effect multiple simultaneous separations to measure absorbance, comprising a photodetector array comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements connected to provide a serial output. The elements are typically pixels of a photodiode array (PDA). The elements are illuminated by a light source positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the photodetector array. The light source may be a an AC or DC mercury lamp or other useable light source for chromatography. An array of separation channels is disposed between the light source and the photodetector array, each of the separation channels having a lumen, a sample introduction end and a detection region disposed opposite the sample introduction end. Typically and as disclosed herein the array is a multiple parallel capillary electrophoresis system.

Abstract: A fluid delivery method and apparatus implementing active phasing to actively restore the substantially exact mechanical positions of driven components in a delivery system in order to precisely reproduce the mechanical signature and hydraulic characteristics of the system from run to run without perturbing output flow. The delivery system is configured to intelligently drive pump pistons to a known position and to deliver fluid(s) at a known pressure, and includes a plurality of pump modules each including motor driven syringes having respective pistons configured to reciprocate under control of a control mechanism. Pump phasing is accomplished through a mechanism of compensation delivery of the syringes. An independent, motor-driven syringe of any given pump in a plurality of pumps in a system has the ability to act as a delivering syringe to maintain a prescribed output flow while one other syringe of each of the plurality of pumps is repositioned under load.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature devices and methods for analyzing the absorbance spectra of a sample, and a method of making such device. The device comprises a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines a chamber having an input opening and an exit opening defined by rims. The input opening has a first geometric shape and the exit opening has a second geometric shape. Any point about the rim at the input end can be connected by a straight line to any point on the rim of the exit end. The interior surface end of the chamber corresponds to the sum of these lines from the rim of the input opening, to the rim of the exit opening.

Abstract: An improved gradient proportioning valve compensates for hydraulic inertia in a compact, reliably sealed valve assembly that is less susceptible to unswept volumes and gas permeation. A flat diaphragm is located within an accumulator volume integral to a valve manifold block. The compliance and damping of the diaphragm are optimized for the application's flow characteristics. Sealing of the diaphragm is provided by a sealing plug installed in the manifold block. The diaphragm has only one sealing joint. The sealing plug configuration allows for a more reliable clamping and sealing of the diaphragm which reduces and substantially eliminates the potential for leaks. Potential for unswept volumes is substantially eliminated by including the accumulator volume as a unitary part of the valve manifold. Air permeation into the fluid stream is substantially reduced by a reduction in surface area and exposed liquid volume in the accumulator, effected by including the accumulator volume as part of the valve manifold.

Abstract: An electrospray (ES) apparatus provides efficient reagent addition and improved ionization of an analyte aerosol at high flow rates by combining an ionized reagent aerosol with the analyte aerosol, thereby producing a superior ionized analyte aerosol for mass spectronomy (MS) implementations. The ES apparatus separately receives a reagent and a flow stream comprising analyte. The ES apparatus nebulizes the reagent and flow stream into aerosols, ionizes the reagent aerosol, combines the aerosols into an ionized analyte aerosol, and outputs the ionized analyte aerosol towards a mass spectrometer. The ionized analyte aerosol is formed at high flow rates and with effective reagent mixing, thereby minimizing flow stream aberrations and substantially improving signal sensitivity and selectivity in the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal gas content.

Abstract: A pump configured so that tools are not required to remove the pump head and disassemble the plunger. A single large hand operated knob or head nut facilitates tool-less pump head removal. The pump head is guided into position in a manifold and held in place by the hand knob. The manifold is designed to receive all the external fluidic connections made to the pump head. Fluid paths to the pump head have been replaced with miniature face seals which facilitate high pressure sealing between the pump head and manifold. Low pressure tubing seals reside in a seal wash chamber or housing and are not attached to the head, eliminating the need for tooling to disconnect them during pump head removal. A tool-less plunger mechanism includes a nutcap assembly having a plunger socket receiving a plunger assembly including a sapphire plunger fixed to a plunger holder ball accommodated by the socket. The plunger assembly is captured within the socket by a plurality of cams.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive pump is provided which makes use of a magnetostrictive element which, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to it, compresses a chamber containing a working fluid. A bellows located within the working fluid is repeatedly compressed by the compression of the chamber, and pumps a fluid to be pumped in and out of the bellows. Since the magnetostrictive element does not directly contact the bellows, the bellows life is greatly extended. Valves are provided to direct the fluid flow in a desired manner. The pump may be combined with other pumps in various series or parallel arrangements to create a pump system. The pump may be pre-biased to make its response more linear by either mechanical or magnetic biasing. A permanent magnet may be used to magnetically bias the pump and create an "at-rest" initial extension of the magnetostrictive element. Similarly, a spring may be used to mechanically load the magnetostrictive element.

Abstract: Magnetic separation devices are described for use in immunoassay or hybridization assay procedures. The most preferred embodiments comprise a defined relationship between microtube and microtiter plate receiving orifices and rare earth cobalt magnets having predetermined magnetic field orientations.

Abstract: Methods for controlling sludge bulking in aerobic waste treatment processes are presented in which nitrogen metabolism is controlled and a steady seed of facultative nonfilamentous bacteria is provided to an aerobic waste treatment process.

Abstract: A sample device and method for assaying samples containing members of immunological pairs by chemiluminescence include a first chamber wherein antibody-conjugated reagent antigen labelled with a chemiluminescence moiety is displaced from the antibody by sample antigen. The labelled reagent antigen diffuses into a second chamber, wherein the chemiluminescence moiety reacts with cofactors to produce a light emission proportional to the amount of sample antigen present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an anaerobic process to reduce caustic requirements and to facilitate dissolution of organic acid having limited solubility by combining effluent from an anaerobic reactor having dissolved carbon dioxide with fresh feed containing the organic acid and stripping the carbon dioxide from the mixture to raise the pH.

Abstract: Improved luminescent lifetime-resolved association assay techniques for detection of analytes in samples using two photophore-labelled probes, the photophores of which have different emissive lifetimes. One of the photophores is excitable by a modulated energy source to an excited state from which energy may be transferred to the other photophore when in close poximity thereto resulting in excitation and emission of the other photophore. Methods according to the invention involve associating the first photophore-labelled probe with the analyte and associating the second photophore-labelled probe with the analyte or first probe in a reaction mixture bringing the photophores in sufficient proximity to allow energy transfer to occur. The reaction mixture is formed, excited by the modulated energy source and monitored for emission of the photophore excited by energy transfer at a time beyond the emissive lifetime of the shorter-lived photophore.

Abstract: Binding assay methods involving determining the presence of analytes in samples through enzymatic formation of detectable substances in amounts related to the amount of analyte present in the sample and monitoring for the presence of the substances in distinct phases. Methods according to the invention include use of labelled materials which associate with the analyte to be determined or compete with the analyte for association with an added binder. The labelled materials employed include label portions which enzymatically form substances from substrates provided in or existing as a first phase, or, upon enzymatic treatment in a first phase, disassociate into substances capable of existing in or as a second distinct phase. Formation of the detectable substances is monitored by determining the transfer of the substance to a second distinct phase in contact with the first phase or by determining formation of a second distinct phase.

Abstract: A composition and method for obtaining an improved stable composition of naturally occurring pyrethroid substances which naturally contain polyacetylenic substances includes inactivating the polyacetylenic substances by selective hydrogenation or removal of the polyacetylenic substances by extraction.

Abstract: Methods for controlling sludge bulking in aerobic waste treatment processes are presented in which nitrogen metabolism is controlled and a steady seed of facultative nonfilamentous bacteria is provided to an aerobic waste treatment process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating materials with photoelectric radiant energy include directing photoelectric radiant energy onto a reflective conical member positioned at one focal line of an ellipsoidal reflective surface. The radiant energy is dispersed by the conical member and directed to the reflective wall. Radiant energy is further reflected by the ellipsoidal surface to an opposite focal line creating an area of intense radiant energy. Materials to be heated are introduced into the area of intense photoelectric radiant energy. Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to reacting silane and ammonia to form silicon nitride by laser pyrolysis.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic compound having at least one cyano group and one amide group or carboxyl group which process comprises subjecting aromatic polynitrile compound containing no carboxyl groups in a simple medium to the action of one or more microorganisms which have a nitrilase system capable of selectively hydrolyzing one cyano group of the polynitrile.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for applying bus bars to a solar cell by one single solder dipping operation. The bus bars are first temporarily spot attached to the pre-metallized surface of a solar cell by means of a high temperature adhesive. The solar cell and bus bars are then solder dipped allowing the solder to flow between the bus bars and solar cell surface by capillary action, adjacent the adhesive.