Abstract: Methods and systems for forming water-in-oil emulsions are described. For example, an apparatus is described which includes: a first compartment containing a plurality of particles dispersed in an aqueous phase; a second compartment containing an oil phase; a porous layer separating the first and second compartments; and a device for applying pressure to the first compartment. A method is described which includes: moving an oil phase relative to a surface of a porous layer while simultaneously forcing an aqueous composition comprising particles through the porous layer and into the flowing dispersion medium thereby forming droplets of the aqueous composition containing particles dispersed in the oil phase. The aqueous composition can include one or more nucleic acid templates and reagents for amplifying the nucleic acids such as PCR reagents.

Abstract: Systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis.

Abstract: A method for substantially eliminating a cross-linking element of a pressure sensitive adhesive by heating the pressure sensitive adhesive at a temperature of at least 180° C. for a period of time required to thermally decompose the cross-linking element of the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides products and methods of reducing dye artifacts from chain extension reactions.

Abstract: Beads coded with phosphor particles and methods of making and using them are provided.

Abstract: Devices are provided which include supports upon which one or more ion-exchange materials can be disposed for purifying a sample. In various embodiments, the supports include a plurality of deformable members, for example, petal-shaped purification members, that provide binding sites for ion-exchange material and optionally biochemical species, chemicals, salts, or other materials. An apparatus and method are also provided for the insertion and removal of the purification members into respective wells of a multi-well microplate.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for high speed, high resolution of analytes by capillary electrophoresis starting with uncoated capillaries. The compositions comprise a sieving component, comprising a non-crosslinked acrylamide polymer, and a surface interaction component, comprising at least one uncharged and non-crosslinked water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymer. Methods for employing the novel compositions in capillary electrophoresis are provided. Kits comprising the novel compositions for use in the novel methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for high speed, high resolution of analytes by capillary electrophoresis starting with uncoated capillaries. The compositions comprise a sieving component, comprising a non-crosslinked acrylamide polymer, and a surface interaction component, comprising at least one uncharged and non-crosslinked water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymer. Methods for employing the novel compositions in capillary electrophoresis are provided. Kits comprising the novel compositions for use in the novel methods are also provided.

Abstract: A device for purifying a sample is provided, and includes ion-exchange particles in contact with a substrate. The device can include size-exclusion material and an ion-exchange material.

Abstract: A size-exclusion ion-exchange particle and a device using the particle are provided wherein the particle includes an ion-exchange core micro-encapsulated by a shell, and the shell includes a polymerization product of a reactive monomer. The shell can be an at least partially cross-linked polymer. The shell can be capable of excluding molecules of a size equal to or larger than a 10 nt ssDNA molecule or molecules of a size equal to or larger than a 100 nt ssDNA molecule, for example, and the core can be capable of ion-exchange. Methods of making size-exclusion ion-exchange particles are also provided, as are methods of purification using the particles.

Abstract: Devices are provided which include supports upon which one or more ion-exchange materials can be disposed for purifying a sample. In various embodiments, the supports include a plurality of deformable members, for example, petal-shaped purification members, that provide binding sites for ion-exchange material and optionally biochemical species, chemicals, salts, or other materials. An apparatus and method are also provided for the insertion and removal of the purification members into respective wells of a multi-well microplate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal light composite in which discrete volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix material is produced by a process in which a reactive additive formulation is added and photopolymerized. The reactive additive formulation includes mono- and multifunctional compounds in specified proportions and a photoinitiator. The reactive additive formulation reduces the operating field and may also improve other electro-optical properties.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a liquid crystal composite including a dye. The method comprises forming volumes in which a liquid crystal material is surrounded by a containment medium, forming a dye dispersion, combining the dye dispersion and the volumes of liquid material, and treating that combination to facilitate the transfer of the dye into the volumes of liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a liquid crystal light valve in which the electro-optically active element is a liquid crystal composite sandwiched between two electrodes. The liquid crystal composite comprises plural volumes of liquid crystal material dispersed in a polymer matrix. By use of a tie layer, the problem of stress clearing is markedly reduced or eliminated. The tie layer material can be either a liquid crystal material or a telomer, crosslinkable or otherwise.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is made from an encapsulated liquid crystal structure comprising a liquid crystal composition dispersed in a containment medium. Selected additives may be added to the encapsulated liquid crystal structure to improve performance characteristics such as the operating field, the hysteresis, and the voltage holding ratio.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is made from an encapsulated liquid crystal structure comprising a liquid crystal composition dispersed in a containment medium. Selected additives may be added to the encapsulated liquid crystal structure to improve performance characteristics such as the operating field, the hysteresis, and the voltage holding ratio.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is made from an encapsulated liquid crystal structure comprising a liquid crystal composition dispersed in a containment medium. Selected additives may be added to the encapsulated liquid crystal structure to improve performance characteristics such as the operating field, the hysteresis, and the voltage holding ratio.

Abstract: Telomers of the structure ##STR1## are disclosed, where R is --CH.sub.3 or H; R' is a C.sub.5 to C.sub.18 alkyl or fluoroalkyl group; n is an integer between 2 and 6 inclusive; and x is an integer between 3 and 26 inclusive. These telomers are surface active and are useful as aids for coating applications.

Abstract: Aromatic bistriazene compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein --R.sub.1, --R.sub.2, --R.sub.3, and --R.sub.4 are independently --H, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 Y, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; --R.sub.5 -- is ##STR2## --R.sub.6 is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH.sub.3, or --CF.sub.3 ; r is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and --Y is halogen, --NO.sub.2, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl. These bistriazene compounds are useful for cross-linking polymers such as poly(imides), poly(aryl ether ketones), poly(aryl ether sulfones), poly(quinolines), poly(quinoxalines), and nonaromatic fluoropolymers having aliphatic C--H groups.

Abstract: Compounds of the structure ##STR1## where --R' is --F, --CF.sub.3, --CN, or --Cl; each --R", which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moieties and aryl moieties; and n is 0 or 1. Such compounds are useful as derivatizing and crosslinking agents for polymers, especially fluorinated poly(arylene ethers).