Abstract: A first reactant is immobilized i.e. in a porous matrix (50), adjacent a sample electrode (46) within a reaction chamber. Energizing of the electrode (46) electrophoretically attracts a mobile second reactant and/or electrolytically induces appropriate reaction conditions to enhance reaction of the first and second reactants. Polarity reversals between the sample electrode (46) and remote electrodes (38), (42), (44) cause unreacted second reactant and/or by-products to migrate away from the immobilized first reactant. The techniques are useful for sequential chemical reactions such as sequencing or construction of proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids where cyclical additions and removals of reactants are required. The techniques are amenable to automated micro and nano scale construction and operation and allow direct electrophoretic (38) interfacing with chromatographic, HPCE and mass spectrophotometric equipment.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use with an electrified fence and an energizer (21) therefor, monitoring system being adapted to determine the effectiveness of electric pulses applied to the fence by the energizer (21) and including a voltage sensing device (10) for sensing the voltage of the pulse applied to the fence conductor, a current sensing device (12) for sensing the current in the fence conductor and monitoring device (14) (16) (17) (20) for monitoring signals related to the current and voltage whereby the monitoring device (14) (16) (17) (20) operates an alarm (18) and/or indicates a reading on an indicator (15) when the monitored signals fall outside predetermined ranges of values indicative of lack of fence effectiveness.