Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating suspended particles based on size. When confined in a tube, a bubble moves relative to the liquid as a small fraction of the liquid leaks backwards through a very thin gap between the bubble and the internal wall of the tube. The lubricating film formed around the bubble can be fine-tuned by simply changing the average flow speed. With this thin film of liquid, the confined air bubble can be used to separate particles in, for example, poly-disperse microspheres suspensions. As the bubble passes through the suspension, only particles smaller than the liquid gap thickness can leak through the gap towards the back of the bubble, resulting a filtered particle suspension containing only small particles at the back of the bubble. Compared to the traditional methods, this particle separation process is easy to perform, and is flexible in filtering different suspensions with one set-up.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities for enhanced cargo screening capabilities are provided.

Abstract: Methods described herein, in some embodiments, permit extraction of particle structural and/or surface charge data from gradient induced particle motion in channels. In one aspect, a method of manipulating particle motion comprises introducing a fluid into a channel, the fluid comprising particles, and driving particle accumulation to a preselected location in the channel by setting advective velocity of the fluid to offset diffusiophoretic mobility of the particles at the preselected location.

Abstract: Emulsion breaking and phase separation is achieved by droplet adhesion. An emulsion breaking device includes a channel having distinct adjacent zones with distinctly different surface wettability characteristics, namely, solvophilic and solvophobic surfaces. The device is positioned such that the upstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the continuous phase of the emulsion, and the downstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the dispersed phase of the emulsion. As the emulsion flows from the upstream zone to the downstream zone, the change in surface wettability characteristics promotes adhesion of the dispersed phase as the dispersed phase wets the surface of the downstream portion of the channel, which results in breaking of the emulsion. Subsequent collection of the broken emulsion in a collection vessel results in separation of the disparate phases to facilitate their recapture and recycling.

Abstract: An apparatus preventing hearing loss having a body made of soft compliant material having first and second ends and a channel extending therethrough, an acoustically limp material adjacent one end of the body with the acoustically limp material having a hole therein aligned with the channel extending through the body, component film, or other structure covering or sealing the opening in the acoustically limp material. The film may be a high-strength polymer less than 10 micrometers thick. A plurality of channels may extend through the body and a plurality of corresponding holes may be provided in the acoustically limp material. The film covers or seals the holes in the acoustically limp material. The film may behave like a flap to close in response to high energy sound waves. The flap shuts from the high intensity shock wave. The body may have shape to fit in an ear canal.

Abstract: Emulsion breaking and phase separation is achieved by droplet adhesion. An emulsion breaking device includes a channel having distinct adjacent zones with distinctly different surface wettability characteristics, namely, solvophilic and solvophobic surfaces. The device is positioned such that the upstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the continuous phase of the emulsion, and the downstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the dispersed phase of the emulsion. As the emulsion flows from the upstream zone to the downstream zone, the change in surface wettability characteristics promotes adhesion of the dispersed phase as the dispersed phase wets the surface of the downstream portion of the channel, which results in breaking of the emulsion. Subsequent collection of the broken emulsion in a collection vessel results in separation of the disparate phases to facilitate their recapture and recycling.

Abstract: According to present invention embodiments, a trackable moiety can be attached to a quorum sensing (QS) molecule to form a QS modulating conjugate. QS modulating conjugates retain their activity for QS manipulation and are able to be detected by imaging techniques. The QS portion of the QS modulating conjugate can play a role in affecting bacterial behaviors, such as, inhibition of biofilms or disruption of toxin production, while the trackable moiety of the QS modulating conjugate enables monitoring, visualization in real time of its binding to the receptor on the bacterial surface, and the location of the bacterium itself, for example, in a biofilm and/or at an infection site. Since binding of the QS modulating conjugate to its cognate receptor is specific, the QS modulating conjugate can be used for diagnostic applications by enabling pinpointing of specific bacteria at infection sites.

Abstract: Methods of inducing or controlling particle motion in suspensions and colloids are described. In one aspect, a method of inducing particle motion in a suspension comprises contacting the suspension with a gas phase to establish at least one interface between the gas phase and continuous phase of the suspension. One or more gases of the gas phase are transferred across the interface to provide a solute gradient in the continuous phase, the solute gradient inducing motion of the suspended particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising QS modulating molecules attached to a surface via a linker. This QS modulator attached surface can then be used to modulate QS, biofilm production, biofilm streamer production and/or virulence factor production. The length of the linker that attaches the QS modulating molecule to the surface as well as the surface coverage density are features that impact QS modulation on surfaces. These QS modulator attached surfaces can be used to treat areas known to contain human pathogens notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections as well as fatal infections that occur outside of health care settings. Other surfaces that can be coated according to embodiments of the invention include abiotic materials, such as intravenous catheters, implants, medical devices, and cooling towers. Preferred microorganisms that can be treated with the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to S. aureus and/or P. aeruginosa.

Abstract: The invention includes microfluidic methods and devices that allow for the continuous production of microfibers with embedded droplets aligned along the length of the fiber at specific positions. The invention allows for formation of single or multiple emulsions within a fiber. The various phases comprised within the fiber can vary in terms of in terms of hydrophobic/hydrophilic character, solid/fluid, or gel crosslink density, which allows for the introduction of heterogeneous microenvironments within the fiber, each of which with distinct solubility characteristics, permeability, and mechanical properties. Various compounds and materials can be encapsulated in the different microcompartments of the fiber for storage and delivery applications, as well as to provide multifunctionality to the fiber structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems of measuring biofilms and/or biofilm streamers are presented. The system has at least one channel, a biofilm streamer promotion element, a fluid capable of moving along the channel, wherein the fluid has a flow driven by a controlled pressure; and a measuring element capable of measuring a flow rate of the fluid through the channel. Additionally, methods of screening for compound(s) that promote and/or inhibit biofilm and/or biofilm streamers using this system are also presented. Uses of the system, methods and identified compounds are presented for medical and/or industrial environments.

Abstract: The invention includes novel devices and methods for inhibiting or preventing colonization of fluid flow networks by bacteria that have upstream surface motility. In certain aspects, the devices and methods of the invention prevent or minimize undesirable bacterial colonization of medical devices and/or treat or prevent bacterial infections.

Abstract: The invention includes microfluidic methods and devices that allow for the continuous production of microfibers with embedded droplets aligned along the length of the fiber at specific positions. The invention allows for formation of single or multiple emulsions within a fiber. The various phases comprised within the fiber can vary in terms of in terms of hydrophobic/hydrophilic character, solid/fluid, or gel crosslink density, which allows for the introduction of heterogeneous microenvironments within the fiber, each of which with distinct solubility characteristics, permeability, and mechanical properties. Various compounds and materials can be encapsulated in the different microcompartments of the fiber for storage and delivery applications, as well as to provide multifunctionality to the fiber structure.

Abstract: The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2009, 1,479,350 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States of which 219,440 would be lung and bronchus related. The standard treatments for NSCLC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, laser and photodynamic therapy, all with various success rates depending on the stage of the cancer. National Cancer Institute assesses, however, that results of standard treatment are generally poor with only a 15 percent 5-year survival rate for combined cancer stages. Challenges facing the current chemotherapy drugs include excessive toxicity to healthy tissues and limited ability to prevent metastases. A dual drug delivery system described herein selectively targets the lung to deliver anti-cancer drugs and inhibit the formation of metastases.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogel. The hydrogel includes a liquid and a plurality of microfibers suspended in the liquid as an entangled network. The entangled network includes physically entangled microfibers that are mechanically interlocked.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities for enhanced cargo screening capabilities are provided.

Abstract: The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2009, 1,479,350 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States of which 219,440 would be lung and bronchus related. The standard treatments for NSCLC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, laser and photodynamic therapy, all with various success rates depending on the stage of the cancer. National Cancer Institute assesses, however, that results of standard treatment are generally poor with only a 15 percent 5-year survival rate for combined cancer stages. Challenges facing the current chemotherapy drugs include excessive toxicity to healthy tissues and limited ability to prevent metastases. A dual drug delivery system described herein selectively targets the lung to deliver anti-cancer drugs and inhibit the formation of metastases.

Abstract: In a broad aspect of the invention there are provided liquid infused surfaces that feature drag reducing characteristics. In a further broad aspect, the present invention provides methods for designing and fabricating liquid infused surfaces that feature drag reducing characteristics. In a yet further broad aspect the present invention provides methods for increasing the operating efficiency of systems in which a flowing bulk fluid is in contact with a patterned surface, the increased operating efficiency specifically being realized from a reduction of the drag forces due to the bulk fluid flowing over the patterned surface.

Abstract: Emulsion breaking and phase separation is achieved by droplet adhesion. An emulsion breaking device includes a channel having distinct adjacent zones with distinctly different surface wettability characteristics, namely, solvophilic and solvophobic surfaces. The device is positioned such that the upstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the continuous phase of the emulsion, and the downstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the dispersed phase of the emulsion. As the emulsion flows from the upstream zone to the downstream zone, the change in surface wettability characteristics promotes adhesion of the dispersed phase as the dispersed phase wets the surface of the downstream portion of the channel, which results in breaking of the emulsion. Subsequent collection of the broken emulsion in a collection vessel results in separation of the disparate phases to facilitate their recapture and recycling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and device allowing for fast measurements of the physicochemical properties of amphiphiles (lipids, surfactants, soaps, . . . ). A Marangoni flow is created and characterized using amphiphiles to be characterized. The observed flow is characterized, and using the disclosed process, one can deduce from this measurement many important physicochemical parameters of the amphiphiles such as their critical micellar concentration. Compared to existing techniques, the disclosed process offers the advantage that it requires a single experiment to deduce the parameters, when other techniques (pendant drop method, conductometry, etc . . . ) require the measurement of a quantity (interfacial tension, conductometry) against a systematically varied parameter (amphiphile concentration, . . . ). The disclosed process and devices are ideal to characterize and/or screen rapidly amphiphiles molecules based on their interaction with a solvent.