Abstract: A method and a device for obtaining electric energy efficiently from a hydrous organic substance by suppressing the activation overvoltage of an anode low and thereby obtaining a sufficiently low anode potential. The power generating device comprises an anaerobic region (4) including microorganisms which can grow under anaerobic conditions, solution or suspension containing an organic substance, an electron mediator and an anode (1), an aerobic region (5) including molecular oxygen and a cathode (3), and a diaphragm (2) defining the anaerobic region (4) and the aerobic region (5), wherein a closed circuit (6) is formed by connecting the anode (1) and the cathode (3) electrically with a power utilization apparatus, and oxidation reaction of microorganisms using the organic substance in the anaerobic region (4) as electron donor and a reduction reaction using oxygen in the aerobic region (5) as electron acceptor are utilized.

Abstract: An separation method comprising a temperature control process useful for microchip electrophoresis such as microchip DGGE is provided along with a device therefor. The present invention relates to a microchip electrophoresis method for separating double-stranded nucleic acids by means of differences in nucleotide sequence while maintaining a preset temperature, wherein the temperature during separation of double-stranded nucleic acids in an separation region comprising an separation microchannel is controlled to within ±2.5° C. of the preset temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microchip apparatus using liquids. More specifically, the invention provides a liquid mixing apparatus comprising at least two microchannels for introducing liquids and a mixing microchannel that connects to the at least two liquid-introducing microchannels, wherein the liquids are transported from the respective liquid-introducing microchannels toward the mixing microchannel, the apparatus further comprising means for enhancing the mixing of the liquids that converge in the mixing microchannel. The invention also provides an electrophoretic apparatus and a microchip electrophoretic apparatus for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: Disclosed are a biological power generator comprising an anaerobic region containing microorganisms capable of growth under anaerobic conditions and an anode having an electron mediator immobilized thereon and having a standard electrode potential (E0?) in a range of ?0.13 V to ?0.28 V at pH 7, an aerobic region containing molecular oxygen and a cathode, and a diaphragm that defines the anaerobic region and the aerobic region, as well as a method of treating organic waste by making use of the biological power generator.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of treating a nucleic acid. More particularly, the invention provides a method for amplifying a nucleic acid and an apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid, as well as method and apparatus for synthesizing nucleic acid to be used for the amplification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microchip apparatus using liquids. More specifically, the invention provides a liquid mixing apparatus comprising at least two microchannels for introducing liquids and a mixing microchannel that connects to the at least two liquid-introducing microchannels, wherein the liquids are transported from the respective liquid-introducing microchannels toward the mixing microchannel, the apparatus further comprising means for enhancing the mixing of the liquids that converge in the mixing microchannel. The invention also provides an electrophoretic apparatus and a microchip electrophoretic apparatus for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treatment of waste water which is characterized by removal of both organic substances and phosphorus from phosphorus-containing organic waste water by novel microorganisms that are fortified in phosphorus-incorporating and/or accumulating abilities.

Abstract: Phosphorus, nitrogen and BOD are removed from organic waste liquid containing the same by mixing the organic waste liquid with activated sludge which is substantially free of oxygen, nitric acid and nitrous acid and subjecting the mixture to the action of the activated sludge under anaerobic conditions which forms a mixture of a liquid rich in soluble phosphorus and an activated sludge low in phosphorus. The sludge and liquid are separated. A portion of the liquid is subjected to solid-liquid separation to form a liquid high in phosphorus and a sludge low in phosphorus. This latter sludge is, along with the other portion of the liquid and the sludge from which the liquid has been initially separated are mixed with oxygen, in the presence of nitric acid or nitrous acid and subjected to aerobic biological oxidation. This results in the formation of a liquid low in phosphorus and an activated sludge.