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: A system for assaying a biological sample for a presence of a target analyte includes an assaying device and a computer controller. The assaying device includes a housing, a receptacle disposed in the housing, and a source of activation energy. The receptacle is configured to accept an electrophoresis cell. The electrophoresis cell has a recess area configured to accept a chip configured to accept the biological sample. The chip includes a polymeric separation medium with activatable functional groups that covalently bond to the target analyte when activated. The source of activation energy is configured to supply activation energy to activate the activatable functional groups. The computer controller is operably coupled to the source of activation energy and is configured to activate the source of activation energy to direct an application of activation energy to the polymeric separation medium to activate the activatable functional groups.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to single-channel free-flow electrophoresis devices or apparatuses, and methods for separating and collecting analytes of interest from a sample by sequentially adjusting the pH value of the electrolyte buffers and separating the analyte of interest according to the corresponding isoelectric points of the analyte of interest. The method includes flowing a sample through a single center channel, applying an electric field perpendicular to a flow direction of the sample via an anolyte channel and a catholyte channel that are parallel to the center channel, and then collecting a fraction of the analyte of interest in accordance with their respective isoelectric points.

Abstract: A system for assaying a biological sample for a presence of a target analyte includes an assaying device and a computer controller. The assaying device includes a housing, a receptacle disposed in the housing, and a source of activation energy. The receptacle is configured to accept an electrophoresis cell. The electrophoresis cell has a recess area configured to accept a chip configured to accept the biological sample. The chip includes a polymeric separation medium with activatable functional groups that covalently bond to the target analyte when activated. The source of activation energy is configured to supply activation energy to activate the activatable functional groups. The computer controller is operably coupled to the source of activation energy and is configured to activate the source of activation energy to direct an application of activation energy to the polymeric separation medium to activate the activatable functional groups.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a device for a vehicle, having: a first interface configured to couple to at least one replaceable fluid container for a vehicle comprising a battery, the first interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of the replaceable fluid container; a second interface configured to couple to an engine of the vehicle, the second interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of a fluid circulation system of the vehicle; a fluid path coupled to at least one fluid port of the first interface and at least one fluid port of the second interface; and at least one electrical pump configured to be powered and/or driven by the battery of the vehicle and to cause fluid flow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a device for a vehicle, having: a first interface configured to couple to at least one replaceable fluid container for a vehicle comprising a battery, the first interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of the replaceable fluid container; a second interface configured to couple to an engine of the vehicle, the second interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of a fluid circulation system of the vehicle; a fluid path coupled to at least one fluid port of the first interface and at least one fluid port of the second interface; and at least one electrical pump configured to be powered and/or driven by the battery of the vehicle and to cause fluid flow.

Abstract: A method is described of supplying liquid to a liquid delivery system in a vehicle. A a replaceable liquid container including a reservoir containing liquid is releasably coupled in the vehicle to provide fluidic communication between the reservoir and a liquid delivery system of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: (i) prior to establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and the liquid delivery system of a selected vehicle, communicating with a data carrier carried by the container and determining data associated with at least one of the container and its contents; and (ii) using the data in an analysis of suitability of the container and/or content of the container for the selected vehicle and generating a suitability output, and (iii) establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and liquid delivery system of the selected vehicle in dependence on the suitability output.

Abstract: A method is described of supplying liquid to a liquid delivery system in a vehicle. A a replaceable liquid container including a reservoir containing liquid is releasably coupled in the vehicle to provide fluidic communication between the reservoir and a liquid delivery system of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: (i) prior to establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and the liquid delivery system of a selected vehicle, communicating with a data carrier carried by the container and determining data associated with at least one of the container and its contents; and (ii) using the data in an analysis of suitability of the container and/or content of the container for the selected vehicle and generating a suitability output, and (iii) establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and liquid delivery system of the selected vehicle in dependence on the suitability output.

Abstract: A method is described of controlling at least one operation in at least part of a lifecycle of a replaceable container which is arranged to be removably seated in a dock in a vehicle and which at least before seating in the dock contains an ancillary fluid for use by the vehicle. A controller communicates with a data carrier carried by the container, determines, on the basis of the communication with the data carrier, data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle, and controls carrying out of at least one action in relation to at least one of the container and its contents on the basis of the data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is described of controlling at least one operation in at least part of a lifecycle of a replaceable container which is arranged to be removably seated in a dock in a vehicle and which at least before seating in the dock contains an ancillary fluid for use by the vehicle. A controller communicates with a data carrier carried by the container, determines, on the basis of the communication with the data carrier, data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle, and controls carrying out of at least one action in relation to at least one of the container and its contents on the basis of the data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a device for a vehicle, having: a first interface configured to couple to at least one replaceable fluid container for a vehicle comprising a battery, the first interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of the replaceable fluid container; a second interface configured to couple to an engine of the vehicle, the second interface comprising at least one fluid port configured to couple to at least one fluid port of a fluid circulation system of the vehicle; a fluid path coupled to at least one fluid port of the first interface and at least one fluid port of the second interface; and at least one electrical pump configured to be powered and/or driven by the battery of the vehicle and to cause fluid flow.

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 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: A method is described of controlling at least one operation in at least part of a lifecycle of a replaceable container which is arranged to be removably seated in a dock in a vehicle and which at least before seating in the dock contains an ancillary fluid for use by the vehicle. A controller communicates with a data carrier carried by the container, determines, on the basis of the communication with the data carrier, data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle, and controls carrying out of at least one action in relation to at least one of the container and its contents on the basis of the data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for assaying a biological sample for a presence of a target analyte includes an assaying device and a computer controller. The assaying device includes a housing, a receptacle disposed in the housing, and a source of activation energy. The receptacle is configured to accept an electrophoresis cell. The electrophoresis cell has a recess area configured to accept a chip configured to accept the biological sample. The chip includes a polymeric separation medium with activatable functional groups that covalently bond to the target analyte when activated. The source of activation energy is configured to supply activation energy to activate the activatable functional groups. The computer controller is operably coupled to the source of activation energy and is configured to activate the source of activation energy to direct an application of activation energy to the polymeric separation medium to activate the activatable functional groups.

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: Structures and methods that facilitate integration and/or isolation of various functions in a microchip system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the integration of the functions is by a multi-chip, sliding linear valve approach. The chips are in continued physical contact. In a second embodiment, the chips are separated and rejoined when they are moved to the preferred position. Surface coating of the joining edges helps prevent leakage and keeps liquid in the capillary channels for both embodiments. Another embodiment relates to miniature valves. Several designs were disclosed, including the linear, edge-contact sliding valve approach. Method to fabricate very small, high aspect ratio holes in glass was also disclosed, which facilitates the above embodiments.

Abstract: Structures and methods that facilitate integration and/or isolation of various functions in a microchip system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the integration of the functions is by a multi-chip, sliding linear valve approach. The chips are in continued physical contact. In a second embodiment, the chips are separated and rejoined when they are moved to the preferred position. Surface coating of the joining edges helps prevent leakage and keeps liquid in the capillary channels for both embodiments. Another embodiment relates to miniature valves. Several designs were disclosed, including the linear, edge-contact sliding valve approach. Method to fabricate very small, high aspect ratio holes in glass was also disclosed, which facilitates the above embodiments.

Abstract: A capillary connector having one or more capillary tubes entering a first end and terminating with an open end at a level face on the opposite side of the connector. The face is held by a coupler and brought into a biased abutment such that the open capillary ends are in fluid communication with the ends of microchannels on an abutting surface. These microchannel ends may be capillary tube ends from a second capillary connector or may be openings of microchannels on a substrate. The connector may be a fiber-optic connector modified to hold capillary tubes. Alternatively, the connector may be a substrate having microchannels extending through the substrate and terminating at a level face on the substrate. The coupler may receive the capillary tube, which passes through the coupler. This coupler may be attached to a substrate surface to allow the capillary connector to be joined to the substrate.