Abstract: A micro device includes a substrate and a structure configured to bind to an object or a material, or not to bind to an object or material. The structure has a roughness based on a roughness of the object or material. For example, a microarray includes a substrate and a well positioned in the substrate and configured to bind to a type of bead. The well has a roughness based on a roughness of the type of bead to which the well is configured to bind. The roughness of the well is controlled by controlling a position and number of striations in the side of the well. In another example, a moveable component of a micro device may have a roughness different from a roughness of an adjacent component, to reduce the likelihood of the moveable component sticking to the adjacent component.

Abstract: An exfiltration apparatus for removing contaminants from a fluid, the exfiltration apparatus including a housing defining a fluid flow path and having a first filter/sorptive layer positioned within a first portion of the housing and a second filter/sorptive layer positioned within a second portion of the housing. The first portion of the housing and the first filter/sorptive layer are removable as a unit from the second portion of the housing. The exfiltration apparatus may also include a container positioned within the second filter/sorptive layer and a third filter/sorptive layer disposed within the container. The exfiltration apparatus may also include a container defining a fluid retaining chamber. The chamber may be generally positioned between the first filter/sorptive layer and the second filter/sorptive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor apparatus based on 2D films or 3D assemblies of cubic nanoparticles capped with an organic coating. The apparatus is used to determine the composition and preferably measure the concentration of volatile and non-volatile compounds in a sample, with very high sensitivity. Methods for use of the apparatus in applications such as diagnosis of disease, food quality and environmental control are disclosed.

Abstract: Materials, components, and methods consistent with the present invention are directed to the fabrication and use of micro-scale channels with a fluid, where the temperature and flow of the fluid is controlled through the geometry of the micro-scale channel and the configuration of at least a portion of the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles that make up the fluid. Moreover, the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles are configured such that collisions between the constituent particles and the wall are substantially specular.

Abstract: A filtration and monitoring system. An inlet pipe provides fluid to a filter block chamber and has an inlet valve located therein configured to shut off the flow of the fluid through the inlet pipe. A filtered fluid conduit fluidically connects the filter block with the monitoring device. The outlet axis of the outlet pipe in the filter chamber is offset from the inlet axis of the inlet pipe such that the fluid undergoes a change of direction while passing through the filter block chamber thereby causing turbulent flow within the filter block chamber to reduce the buildup of filter cake on the filter element. Closing the inlet valve block, results in a back-flushing flow of fluid through the filter element from a pressure accumulator located in the filtered fluid conduit.

Abstract: A disposable device for measuring UV radiation comprising: a matrix, at least one photochrome compound provided to said matrix wherein said photochromic compound is capable of changing its color when exposed to UV radiation, color changing agent distributed within said matrix, wherein said color changing agent irreversibly changes the device's color as a function of the UV dose irradiated, whereby said device is not affected by ambient conditions and visible light.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a substrate having an upper surface, a plurality of protrusions on the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is defined by a base at the upper surface of the substrate and by one or more sloped surfaces oriented at oblique angles relative to the upper surface, and two or more structural layers in the sloped surfaces. The surfaces of the two or more structural layers can adsorb molecules of a chemical or biological substance.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including at least one microvalve which controls a flow of a fluid, where the at least one microvalve includes: a pneumatic layer, a fluidic layer disposed opposite to the pneumatic layer; an elastomer membrane disposed between the pneumatic layer and the fluidic layer; and an asymmetric valve seat protruding from a surface of the fluidic layer toward a surface of the elastomer membrane and asymmetrically dividing a space between the fluidic layer and the elastomer membrane.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus using a fuel cell as at least one electric power source. The fuel cell has an electric power output unit for outputting an electric power through a chemical reaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas, a purge device for purging the electric power output unit and a purge control unit for issuing a purge instruction to the purge device. The electronic apparatus has a monitor unit for monitoring a consumption power, an operation state or a manipulated state of the electronic apparatus, and a purge permission unit for judging from an output of the monitor unit whether the purge control unit is permitted to issue the purge instruction, and outputting a judgment result to the purge control unit.

Abstract: A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer stores: a predetermined period from the opening of a reagent vessel to the deterioration of the reagent; a reagent production lot number, reagent vessel unsealing time, and reagent expiration date as reagent information kept on a reagent-set-by-set basis; and relevant calibration curve factor information. The automatic analyzer judges whether a calibration curve factor for a reagent set is applicable or not to another reagent set of the analyzer with the same production number based on the predetermined period from the reagent vessel unsealing time and on the reagent expiration date.

Abstract: A method for the biological purification of ammonium-containing wastewater. The wastewater is purified in an aeration tank in which a low oxygen concentration of less than 1.0 mg/l is set so as to first convert, using aerobically oxidizing bacteria, ammonium contained in the wastewater to nitrite and then to convert, using anaerobically oxidizing bacteria, ammonium and nitrite to elemental nitrogen. At least a part of surplus sludge formed in the aeration tank is separated into a heavy sludge phase and a light sludge phase. The light sludge phase is fed as surplus sludge to a sludge digestion. Sludge water that is separated off from the sludge in a sludge dewatering is fed to a deammonifying tank. Nitrogen compounds in the sludge water are converted, by deammonification in the deammonifying tank, to elemental nitrogen. Surplus sludge formed in the deammonifying tank is fed to the aeration tank.

Abstract: A biochemical reaction cassette having a structure for uniformizing a liquid flow in a reaction chamber with a simple additional arrangement is provided. A fluid resistive section is arranged in a channel that is constructed to include an injection port, a reaction chamber, and a discharge port. The fluid resistive section decreases the cross-sectional area of the channel to decrease the fluid resistance at ends in the width direction of the fluid resistive section and at positions remote from the injection port and the discharge port, where the flow rate is decreased.

Abstract: Provided are systems for arrays for assaying various biomolecules and other compounds in a microtiter plate format. The wells are designed so as to contain subwells to facilitate fluid communication between subwells and to allow for efficient human or robotic manipulation of samples and assay of binding or other interactions of components within the wells.

Abstract: A chemical indicator device for use in detecting exposure to an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, comprising a substrate or support upon which is disposed a chemical indicator composition (ink) for detecting an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. The chemical indicator composition further comprises an indicator dye that achieves a distinct range of different color changes with clear transitions between colors, upon exposure to different doses of the oxidizing agent, thus allowing for both a qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of exposure to the agent.

Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing an aqueous solution may comprise a housing, one or more measurement circuits and a control circuit all arranged inside the housing. The housing may be configured to receive a test element. The one or more measurement circuits may be configured to produce one or more corresponding sets of measurement signals relating to an aqueous solution received on the test element. The control circuit may include a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to process the one or more sets of measurement signals to determine one or more corresponding characteristics of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing an aqueous solution may comprise a housing, one or more measurement circuits and a control circuit all arranged inside the housing. The housing may be configured to receive a test element. The one or more measurement circuits may be configured to produce one or more corresponding sets of measurement signals relating to an aqueous solution received on the test element. The control circuit may include a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to process the one or more sets of measurement signals to determine one or more corresponding characteristics of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A system relating to sample analyzers, and more particular, to sample analyzers that are simple to operate and have a reduced risk of providing an erroneous result to a user. In some cases, the sample analyzer may be a portable sample analyzer that includes a disposable fluidic cartridge. The operators of the analyzers need not be trained.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature sensitive indicator, which can be held in a desired state and is not affected by temperature of a finger at the time of an operation of the temperature sensitive indicator. The temperature sensitive indicator includes: a member base (13) including an upper base member (11) and a lower base member (12); and a label component (21) sandwiched and held between the upper base member and the lower base member of the member base under a state in which a pulled-out portion on one end side of the label component is protruded outward.

Abstract: A diagnostic tape cassette is disclosed that includes an analytical test tape, a supply spool for winding off unused test tape and a take-up spool for winding used test tape, a housing and a rotational lock for the take-up spool at least against inadvertent unwinding of test tape. The rotational lock includes one of a locking teeth arrangement, friction elements, and a catch spring and spring latch arrangement.