Abstract: Fan blades within a fan assembly are rotated in a first rotational direction, thereby generating airflow from above the fan blades downward past the fan blades. Airborne particles adhere to the surface of the fan blades as the air flows past. The fan direction is then reversed maintained at a relatively low rotational rate. A fluid is dispensed onto the hub of the fan blades. Due to the centripetal force of the spinning fan blades, the fluid is spread thin across the top surface of the fan blades and the liquid film washes the blade of the fan, removing particulates from the fan blade. The solution is pushed outward against the inner wall of the fan housing forming a fluid meniscus. The fan speed is increased to push the fluid meniscus into an annular reservoir. The collected fluid is then vacuumed and consolidated into the collection vessel.

Abstract: A modified liquid impingement unit is configured to automatically maintain a volume of buffer solution within a determined range, the buffer solution used to collect airborne particles from an impinging airflow. The liquid impingement unit includes a first end of an air nozzle and a first end of a vacuum tube sealed within collection vessel. A fluid delivery tube is positioned within the vacuum tube such that a first end of the fluid delivery tube is also positioned within the sealed collection vessel. External to the sealed collection vessel, the fluid delivery tube branches from the vacuum tube through an aperture in the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube is coupled to a vacuum pump and the fluid delivery tube is coupled to a fluid pump. A control module provides control signals to the fluid pump such that the fluid pump delivers a second volume of buffer solution from a buffer solution container to the collection vessel via the fluid delivery tube.

Abstract: An integrate device includes a heater thermally coupled to a plurality of flow-through tubes to perform thermally-driven chemical reactions. A wire mesh heater is wrapped around each of multiple flow-through tubes, thereby creating a thermal interface between the mesh and the tubes. Each end of the wire mesh is coupled to an electrical contact. The electrical contacts are preferable positioned at an exterior portion of the integrated device to be easily placed in electrical contact with a voltage source. As current passes through the mesh, heat is produced. The heat passes from the mesh to each of the flow-through tubes via the thermal interface. The flow-through tubes can be fluidically coupled to a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module, the flow-through tubes, and the heater can be integrated within a single integrated device that provides automated sample preparation and thermally-driven chemical reactions for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Fan blades within a fan assembly are rotated in a first rotational direction, thereby generating airflow from above the fan blades downward past the fan blades. Airborne particles adhere to the surface of the fan blades as the air flows past. The fan direction is then reversed maintained at a relatively low rotational rate. A fluid is dispensed onto the hub of the fan blades. Due to the centripetal force of the spinning fan blades, the fluid is spread thin across the top surface of the fan blades and the liquid film washes the blade of the fan, removing particulates from the fan blade. The solution is pushed outward against the inner wall of the fan housing forming a fluid meniscus. The fan speed is increased to push the fluid meniscus into an annular reservoir. The collected fluid is then vacuumed and consolidated into the collection vessel.

Abstract: A modified liquid impingement unit is configured to automatically maintain a volume of buffer solution within a determined range, the buffer solution used to collect airborne particles from an impinging airflow. The liquid impingement unit includes a first end of an air nozzle and a first end of a vacuum tube sealed within collection vessel. A fluid delivery tube is positioned within the vacuum tube such that a first end of the fluid delivery tube is also positioned within the sealed collection vessel. External to the sealed collection vessel, the fluid delivery tube branches from the vacuum tube through an aperture in the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube is coupled to a vacuum pump and the fluid delivery tube is coupled to a fluid pump. A control module provides control signals to the fluid pump such that the fluid pump delivers a second volume of buffer solution from a buffer solution container to the collection vessel via the fluid delivery tube.

Abstract: An integrate device includes a heater thermally coupled to a plurality of flow-through tubes to perform thermally-driven chemical reactions. A wire mesh heater is wrapped around each of multiple flow-through tubes, thereby creating a thermal interface between the mesh and the tubes. Each end of the wire mesh is coupled to an electrical contact. The electrical contacts are preferable positioned at an exterior portion of the integrated device to be easily placed in electrical contact with a voltage source. As current passes through the mesh, heat is produced. The heat passes from the mesh to each of the flow-through tubes via the thermal interface. The flow-through tubes can be fluidically coupled to a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module, the flow-through tubes, and the heater can be integrated within a single integrated device that provides automated sample preparation and thermally-driven chemical reactions for a variety of applications.