Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical detection cell for micro-fluidics. The detection cell provides a first layer, a detection cell layer contacting the first layer, a third layer contacting the detection cell layer, a micro-fluidic chip having a fluidic port and a detection channel defined through the detection cell and being in fluid communication with the fluidic port of the chip, the detection channel serving as a light path for receiving light for detecting a molecule. Methods of detecting molecules and making the detection cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow in a microfluidic circuit includes at least one microfluidic channel, and a heating element adjacent the at least one microfluidic channel, wherein when activated, the heating element boils liquid in the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding liquid samples.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling a liquid sample, wherein the apparatus includes integrated sample processing and sample evaluating components. The sample processing and evaluating components can include solid matrices that allow for optical measurement of a sample, or for the removal of contaminants from a sample. Methods for using the apparatus to handle liquid samples and evaluate sample components are also provided.

Abstract: A method of text mining is disclosed for automatically building text knowledge base. First, the text mining is applied to the web pages downloaded from internet/intranet or other text documents to extract phrases information. Then, the phrases are classified using automatic classification method or using existed classification information. In addition, the weights between the phrases are trained by using the text information in the web pages or the documents. A knowledge base system is built using the text mining results. The knowledge base is used to directly provide knowledge for a search. Also, the knowledge base helps search engine refine search results.

Abstract: A fluidic device is provided that includes a body and a contiguous electrically conductive layer. The body has interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface defines at least a well and a fluid-transporting feature, e.g., a microfeature in fluid-communication with the well. The well has a sidewall and an exterior opening terminating at the exterior surface. The contiguous electrically conductive layer is located on at least the sidewall of the well and selected regions of the interior and exterior surfaces so as to form a contact pad region on the exterior surface in electrical communication with any fluid within the fluid-transporting feature. Also provided is a method for forming a fluidic device.

Abstract: Fluidic separation devices and methods with reduced sample broadening are provided. A column is located downstream from a holding chamber, and a flow providing means provides fluid flow effective to convey a sample along a flow path that extends from the holding chamber into the separation column. The sample is typically focused in the flow path upstream from the separation column. Optionally, the invention may be employed with electrospray mass spectrometry and in microfluidic applications.

Abstract: A fluidic device is provided that includes a plurality of fluid-transporting features extending from a common inlet to a common outlet and a means for effecting fluid flow through the fluid-transporting features. The features are associated with differing fluid dwell times. The means for effecting fluid flow cooperates with the fluid-transporting features to merge fluids from the fluid-transporting features in a manner effective to produce an output stream from the common outlet that exhibits at least one desired characteristic generated as a result of the differing dwell times. Also provided is a method for producing a fluid stream exhibiting at least one desired characteristic. Optionally, the device and/or method are used in microfluidic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrospray apparatus with an auxiliary electrode, and a method of using.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling a liquid sample, wherein the apparatus includes integrated sample processing and sample evaluating components.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for separating the components of a fluid sample. A cover plate is arranged over the first surface of a substrate, which, in combination with a microchannel formed in the first surface, defines a separation conduit for separating the components of the fluid sample. An inlet port in fluid communication with the separation conduit allows a mobile phase containing a gradient of a selected mobile-phase component to be introduced from an integrated gradient-generation means to the separation conduit. A method is also provided for separating the components of a fluid sample using a mobile phase containing a gradient of a selected mobile-phase component, wherein the gradient is generated within a small volume of mobile phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microdevice for separating the components of a fluid sample. A cover plate is arranged over the first surface of a substrate, and, in combination with a microchannel formed in the first surface, defines a separation conduit for separating the components of the fluid sample. A sample inlet port in fluid communication with the conduit allows a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that the sample fluid travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, the separation conduit and a sample outlet port. The microdevice also includes an integrated introducing means for controllably introducing a volume of the fluid sample from a sample source into the sample inlet port and through the separation conduit. A method for separating the components of a fluid sample using the microdevice is also provided.

Abstract: A packing material for a chromatography column is described. The packing material comprises a support structure. The packing material also comprises a stationary phase adjacent to the support structure and comprising a carbon nanotube material.

Abstract: Devices comprising a mechanism for selectively diverting a portion of a mobile phase flowing through a mobile-phase transporting conduit to a fluid-transporting conduit comprising a stationary phase for separating sample components are disclosed, as well as systems and methods for using the same.

Abstract: The subject invention includes constituent separation apparatuses that include a fluid pathway and a pair of spaced-apart electrodes positioned within the pathway for detecting current flow within a mobile phase present in the pathway. Coupled to the pair of spaced-apart electrodes is a mix ratio determinator for determining the mix ratio of the mobile phase from the detected current flow. Also provided are methods that include contacting a mobile phase with an apparatus for separating constituents of a mobile phase, detecting the current flow of the mobile phase when the mobile phase is in contact with the apparatus and determining the mix ratio of the mobile phase from the detected current flow. The mix ratio may be adjusted based on the determined mix ratio. Algorithms for practicing the subject methods are also provided on computer readable mediums. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-substrate microfluidic device for performing multi-dimensional separation of sample components, as well as systems and methods for using the same.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for introducing particles into a microdevice conduit. Also provided are microdevices containing a plurality of particles that occupy at least about 25 volume percent of a microconduit. In some instances, particles may controllably form a particle bridge in a bridging zone within a microdevice.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion. The hydrophobic coating is electrically nonconductive.

Abstract: An ion source for an analytical instrument is described. The ion source comprises a capillary tip and counter-electrode interface and a feedback loop control device connected to the capillary tip and counter-electrode interface. The feedback loop control device comprises a transimpedance amplifier, a DC de-coupler, a frequency to voltage converter, a controller, and a voltage-controlled high-voltage power supply that provides a tip to counter-electrode voltage to the capillary tip and counter-electrode interface. The feedback loop control device measures the modulation frequency of ionization currents and provides a feedback adjustment of the tip-to-counter-electrode voltage to maintain ionization efficiency.