Abstract: Aspects of the innovations presented herein relate to improved systems that in some embodiments perform capillary electrophoresis (CE) and CE in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI) as an input to a mass spectrometry system (MS). Some embodiments use a high voltage isolated CE power supply that is configured to float on the high voltage output of an ESI-MS power supply, with a protective resistance in the ESI-MS path, as well as DC/DC converter isolation and communication system isolation for the isolated CE power supply. Some embodiments additionally use a cartridge assembly integrating separation and conductive fluid capillaries with fluid cooling and protective retractable housings for the capillary end portions and for the ESI output. The protective housing may further be used with an adapter for interfacing with different MS systems.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a sensor (10) having a layer arrangement (12), wherein the layer arrangement (12) comprises at least a base layer (14), a middle layer (16) and an outer layer (18), wherein the middle layer (16) is arranged at least partly upon and in contact with the base layer (14) and wherein the outer layer (18) is arranged at least partly upon and in contact with the middle layer (16), wherein the base layer (14) comprises a metal, wherein the middle layer (16) comprises a metal oxide, and wherein the outer layer (18) is porous and comprises a material selected from the group comprising electrically conductive carbon compounds such as, more particularly, graphite or carbon nanotubes (CNTs), organic electrical conductors and base metals, and wherein electrical contacts can be formed with the base layer (14) and outer layer (18) for a conductivity measurement and/or a resistance measurement.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising an upper chamber, a middle chamber and a lower chamber, wherein the upper chamber is in communication with the middle chamber through a first pore, and the middle chamber is in communication with the lower chamber through a second pore, wherein the first pore and second pore are about 1 nm to about 100 nm in diameter, and are about 10 nm to about 1000 nm apart from each other, and wherein each of the chambers comprises an electrode for connecting to a power supply. Methods of using the device are also provided, in particular for sequencing a polynucleotide.

Abstract: The planchet holder for electrodeposition of materials includes a container cover configured to securely fit over the mouth of a beaker. An elongate suspension post passes through a through-hole in the cover a predetermined distance, and a holder assembly is coupled to the suspension post to be suspended within the beaker at a select height from the bottom of the beaker. A planchet receptacle extends axially from a body of the holder assembly, and a substrate recess is formed at a distal end of the planchet receptacle for selective placement of a planchet. An endcap is secured onto the planchet receptacle to securely capture the planchet, and a port in the endcap exposes one face of the planchet for electrodeposition of a material. The planchet holder holds the planchet stationary within the beaker and exposes only one face for electrodeposition and subsequent analysis, thereby reducing time and costs.

Abstract: An anode assembly is disclosed for use in a cathodic protection system. The anode assembly includes an elongated housing, an electrical cable, an anode, and electrically conductive backfill. The housing has a leading end and a trailing end through which the electrical cable extends. The anode is located within the housing and is in the form of a plurality of electrically conductive segments which are spaced apart from each other and which are electrically connected to the electrical cable at respective electrically conductive joints. The backfill surrounds the anode and cable within the housing.

Abstract: A test strip and analytical apparatus have pin connections permitting the definition of geographic regions or of particular customers. A test strip made for use in a particular region or for a particular customer will have pin connections matching features of the apparatus made for use in that region or by that customer. Insertion of the strip into the apparatus does not merely turn on the apparatus, but provides the regional or customer coding. Analog switches within the apparatus allow coding of a larger number of distinct regions or customers than would otherwise be possible, all without degrading the quality of the measurements made of the fluid being tested. Conductive paths in the strips permit testing the strips during manufacture so as to detect quality lapses regarding the printing or deposition of the paths.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a method, systems and meters that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample and compensating for the effects of ambient temperature with a defined relationship between temperature in the environment, the meter or the biosensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a method that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample and determining whether at least one output transient signal of the biosensor is erroneous by monitoring the biosensor and flagging an error if the signal outputs of the biosensor do not meet certain criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for individually detecting NO and NO2 concentrations as NOX components of an object gas. An NO concentration corresponding value is obtained from a first detection element not having a reduction section. An NO concentration corresponding value is obtained from a second detection element having a reduction section, and having an NO2/NO sensitivity ratio greater than that of the first detection element. The difference ?C between the NO concentration corresponding values of the two detection elements is obtained, and divided by the difference ?S between the NO2/NO sensitivity ratios of the two detection elements, whereby an NO2 concentration corresponding value is obtained. A value obtained by multiplying the NO2 concentration corresponding value by the NO2/NO sensitivity ratio of the second detection element is subtracted from the NO concentration corresponding value of the second detection element, whereby an NO concentration corresponding value is obtained.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a NOx sensor for accurately obtaining the resistance value of a heater. When a second layer is laminated immediately above a first layer on which the heater for electrically heating the proximity of an inner space of the NOx sensor and two heater leads having substantially same shape which are energizing paths to the heater are formed, the second layer on which at least one of leads is formed out of a first lead for electrically connecting a reference electrode to outside, a second lead for electrically connecting a measuring electrode to outside, and a third lead for electrically connecting a plurality of pump electrodes to outside, the lead formed on the second layer is arranged so as not to overlap any of two heater leads in a laminating direction of the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: An O2 sensor has a sensor element, which includes a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes. The solid electrolyte layer is held between the electrodes. The electrodes include an atmosphere side electrode, which becomes a positive side at a time of outputting an electromotive force from the sensor element, and an exhaust side electrode, which becomes a negative side at the time of outputting the electromotive force from the sensor element. A resistor is provided in an electric path that connects between the atmosphere side electrode and a ground. When the sensor element generates the electromotive force, the resistor conducts an electric current, which is generated while using the electromotive force as an electric power source, to induce a change in an output characteristic of the O2 sensor.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system is provided for a subterranean well casing having an enclosed upper section of the well casing being substantially shielded by a cellar from an impressed-current cathodic protection circuit passing through earth media. The impressed-current cathodic protection circuit is provided to protect an unenclosed lower section of the well casing. To protect the enclosed upper section of the well casing, a supplemental cathodic protection circuit is provided. The supplemental cathodic protection circuit is a galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit comprising the enclosed upper section of the well casing and one or more bracelet galvanic anodes being circumferentially mounted to the enclosed upper section. The enclosed upper section of the well casing and the one or more bracelet galvanic anodes are substantially surrounded by a cellar backfill, and the galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit is equally effective throughout a broad range of non-homogeneity within the cellar backfill.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and methods for characterizing a fluid composition including exposing electrolyte to one fluid mixture, collecting a signal from an electrode in contact with the electrolyte, and simultaneously exposing the electrolyte to a second fluid, collecting a signal from a second electrode in contact with the electrolyte exposed to the second fluid, and comparing the signal difference between the electrodes with the Nerst equation wherein the temperature of the electrolyte is above 488° C. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or oxygen may be present in the fluid and/or the second fluid.

Abstract: A system configured to provide cathodic protection to buried and/or submerged metal components and/or structures, such as pipes is disclosed. The system includes a cathodic protection apparatus having at least one upright support and a plurality of sacrificial anodes secured to the at least one upright support in a vertical orientation to provide variable cathodic protection to the metallic structures.

Abstract: A method of measuring a quantity of a substrate contained in sample liquid is provided. This method can reduce measurement errors caused by a biosensor. The biosensor includes at least a pair of electrodes on an insulating board and is inserted into a measuring device which includes a supporting section for supporting detachably the biosensor, plural connecting terminals to be coupled to the respective electrodes, and a driving power supply which applies a voltages to the respective electrodes via the connecting terminals. One of the electrodes of the biosensor is connected to the first and second connecting terminals of the measuring device only when the biosensor is inserted into the measuring device in a given direction and has a structure such that the electrode becomes conductive between the first and second connecting terminals due to a voltage application by the driving power supply.

Abstract: A marine cathodic protection system configured to protect a metal structure exposed to seawater from corrosion. The system includes a first anode provided on or adjacent the protected metal structure at a first position. The first anode is exposed to seawater, is electrically insulated from the protected metal structure, and is formed of a metal having a greater negative potential than the protected metal. The system further includes a second anode provided on or adjacent the protected metal structure at a second position. The second anode is electrically connected to the first anode. The first position is preferably substantially submerged in said seawater such that the protected metal and the first anode cooperate to define a seawater battery configured to apply an electrical current to the second anode, the second anode thus being an impressed current anode.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor system including at least one sensor for detecting an analyte gas and a control system includes electronically interrogating the sensor to determine the operational status thereof and upon determining that the operational status is non-conforming based upon one or more predetermined thresholds, the control system initiating an automated calibration of the sensor with the analyte gas or a simulant gas.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell includes a support substrate, a back electrode layer on the support substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, and a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer. The back electrode layer includes at least three layers. The method includes forming a first layer on a support substrate, forming a second layer on the first layer, forming a third layer on the second layer, forming a light absorbing layer on the third layer, and forming a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly of parts has a first metal part having a first surface having a corrosion resistant surface treatment and a second surface being free of corrosion resistant surface treatment, a second metal part having a third surface having a corrosion resistant surface treatment and a fourth surface being free of corrosion resistant surface treatment. The second metal part defines a recess that defines the fourth surface. The first and third surfaces are in contact. A conductive member is disposed at least in part in the recess and is in contact with the second and fourth surfaces. A sealing member disposed in the recess around the conductive member. A sacrificial anode is mounted and conductively connected to one of the first and second metal parts.