Abstract: An automated liquid handling system is disclosed. A system includes a first pipetting group, which includes at least one pipettor, movably arranged on a first arm; and a second pipetting group, which includes at least one pipettor, movably arranged on a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are movably arranged on at least one track such that the first arm and the second arm can independently move along the at least one track while keeping the first arm parallel with the second arm, wherein the at least one pipettor of the first pipetting group is arranged on a side of the first arm facing the second pipetting group, wherein the at least one pipettor of the second pipetting group is arranged on a side of the second arm facing the first pipetting group.

Abstract: An automated liquid handling system is disclosed. A system includes a first pipetting group, which includes at least one pipettor, movably arranged on a first arm; and a second pipetting group, which includes at least one pipettor, movably arranged on a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are movably arranged on at least one track such that the first arm and the second arm can independently move along the at least one track while keeping the first arm parallel with the second arm, wherein the at least one pipettor of the first pipetting group is arranged on a side of the first arm facing the second pipetting group, wherein the at least one pipettor of the second pipetting group is arranged on a side of the second arm facing the first pipetting group.

Abstract: A coaxial bi-modal imaging system is produced by aligning a microwave transceiver, an optical camera and an antenna array in a coaxial configuration. The microwave transceiver is operable to emit microwave radiation to illuminate an object and to receive reflected microwave radiation reflected from the object to capture a microwave image of the object. The antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each programmable with a respective transmit direction coefficient to direct the microwave radiation emitted from said microwave transceiver toward a target on the object, and each programmable with a respective receive direction coefficient to direct the reflected microwave radiation reflected from said target towards said microwave transceiver. The optical camera is configured to capture an optical image of said object.

Abstract: A coaxial bi-modal imaging system is produced by aligning a microwave transceiver, an optical camera and an antenna array in a coaxial configuration. The microwave transceiver is operable to emit microwave radiation to illuminate an object and to receive reflected microwave radiation reflected from the object to capture a microwave image of the object. The antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each programmable with a respective transmit direction coefficient to direct the microwave radiation emitted from said microwave transceiver toward a target on the object, and each programmable with a respective receive direction coefficient to direct the reflected microwave radiation reflected from said target towards said microwave transceiver. The optical camera is configured to capture an optical image of said object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nanopore flow cells are provided.

Abstract: An ion optic device is dimensionally stable over variations in temperature when constructed with a ceramic or glass-ceramic substrate. A conductive or resistive coating is applied on surfaces of the substrate that are required to be particularly conductive or resistive for the function of the ion optic device.

Abstract: An ion optic device is dimensionally stable over variations in temperature when constructed with a ceramic or glass-ceramic substrate. A conductive or resistive coating is applied on surfaces of the substrate that are required to be particularly conductive or resistive for the function of the ion optic device.

Abstract: Processes for producing durable three-dimensional bowls such as water basins comprising plastics preferably acrylics heavily filled with alumina trihydrate, some embodiments including visible particles such as those sometimes used for simulating nature stone. A preferred process for manufacturing the bowls of such material includes defining a flat rigid blank such as from a larger rectangular bulk sheet in the approximate top outline shape of bowl to be formed, e.g., the blank being oval for an oval bowl and circular for a circular bowl. The blank is provided a smooth side which will be the concave finished and exposed side in use. The blank is heated to a point of softening and of uniform temperature throughout, located within a molding die such as a matched molding die having a female cavity of the desired bowl shape, indexed to the die, but left generally unrestrained so that the heated blank and un-clamped edges thereof are allowed to draw inward to reduce tension loads during forming.

Abstract: Processes for producing durable three-dimensional bowls such as water basins comprising acrylic plastics heavily filled with alumina trihydrate, some embodiments including colorants and visible particles such as those used for simulating stone such as granite. A preferred process for manufacturing the bowls of such material includes defining a flat rigid blank in the approximate top outline shape of bowl to be formed, e.g., the blank being a flat oval for an oval bowl and circular for a circular bowl. The flat blank is provided a smooth side or sides which will be the concave finished side in use. The blank is heated to a point of softening and of uniform temperature throughout, and located within a molding die such as a matched molding die having a female cavity of the desired bowl shape. The heated blank is indexed to the die, but left generally unrestrained so that the heated blank and edges thereof are un-clamped, thereby allowing the edges to be moved inward to help minimize tension loads during forming.

Abstract: An easily assembled concrete form including a plurality of elongated wall members manufactured by roll forming and connected together to define an enclosure. Each wall member has a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface. Attached to the inner surface of the wall member at the first end is a key having legs extending beyond the first end of the wall member. Attached to the inner surface of the wall member at the second end is an interlocking bracket having two vertically spaced slots for receiving the legs of the key to connect adjacent wall members together. One of the slots is enlarged for also receiving an extending flange from a support bracket to frictionally maintain the U-shaped key and interlocking bracket in a locked relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of fabricating the apparatus utilize a flexible substrate to provide structural integrity for the apparatus. The apparatus is an optical path device used in mass spectrometers to manipulate ions extracted from a sample of interest. The apparatus uses traces on a surface of the flexible substrate to generate a desired electrostatic field. Preferably, the flexible substrate is made of KAPTON.RTM. and the traces are composed of stainless steel or nickel. In one embodiment, an ion mirror is formed by shaping the flexible substrate and the traces to create a hollow conduit for the ions. In another embodiment, an einzel lens is formed by varying the configuration of the conductive material on the flexible substrate. In a different embodiment, a region of resistive material on the flexible substrate is utilized to create a field gradient. The resistive material can be used to create an ion mirror.

Abstract: A replacement manhole cover assembly for an existing manhole having a fixed frame around the periphery of the manhole, the frame having an upper horizontal lip essentially flush with the surrounding pavement and a lower horizontal shelf, wherein the replacement manhole cover assembly includes an annular skirt selectively removable on the lower horizontal shelf of the frame, the skirt having a vertical extension terminating at a lower horizontal shelf for supporting a manhole cover made of composite material.

Abstract: An easily assembled concrete form including a plurality of elongated wall members manufactured by roll forming and connected together to define an enclosure. Each wall member has a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface. Attached to the inner surface of the wall member at the first end is a U-shaped key having legs extending beyond the first end of the wall member. Attached to the inner surface of the wall member at the second end is an interlocking bracket having two vertically spaced slots for receiving the legs of the U-shaped key to connect adjacent wall members together. One of the slots is enlarged for also receiving an extending flange from a support bracket to frictionally maintain the U-shaped key and interlocking bracket in a locked relationship.

Abstract: In hilly areas, building below the level of flooded manholes or secondary distribution boxes are often damaged by water entering the electric meter enclosure through the service conduit. For eliminating drain water from a service conduit before it reaches a meter enclosure, a drain pipe is installed in the conduit below the meter enclosure. The drain pipe must not be accessible to any probing and therefore has several spaced, oppositely and alternately positioned vanes in the bore with each vane covering over half the area of the bore.

Abstract: An electrophoresis system having separate internal and external voltage gradients that are vectorially coupled to determine zeta potential along the interior surface of a capillary column. The voltage gradient along the exterior of the capillary column is established such that the electrical potential at an on-column detection area is substantially equal to the electrical potential of a detector used to sense electrophoretic migration past the detection area. Typically, the capillary column is grounded at the point of detection, with the exterior voltage gradient being positive-going in one direction from the point of detection and being negative-going in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A heat venting system for subterranean transformer enclosures for sidewalks or streets includes a vent guard that passes air but prevents solids and fluids such as destructive oil from dropping upon the transformers. Used in connection with a vent plate having very many small holes will prevent leaves and sticks from clogging the vent and destroying the transformers.

Abstract: A method of making a capillary tube for providing increased control of electroosmotic flow in electrophoretic separation. A resistive coating solution is formed so that a tube coating having a high electrical resistivity may be achieved. An electrically conductive material, such as carbon black, is homogeneously mixed with a polymer, such as polyimide, in a solvent. The content by weight of the electrically conductive material is less than 20 percent and is preferably within 7 percent to 8 percent, relative to the content by weight of the polymer. The resistive coating solution is applied to the exterior of the tube until a thickness is reached which achieves a desired resistance across the coated exterior surface. Typically, a multi-layered coating is formed. The coating solution may be applied while rotating the capillary tube or, alternatively, while the capillary tube is drawn past an applicator.

Abstract: An electrophoretic apparatus that is useful for separation of analytes, such as proteins, comprises a capillary tube that has an interfacial layer bonded to reduce interactions between the bore and analytes during electroosmotic flow through the capillary, and an electrically modified media carried by or contacting a capillary wall outward from the bore. The modified media can be an electrically resistive coating or an electrically conductive coating. Together with appropriate power supply configurations, the electrically modified media permits the application of a voltage gradient that is transverse to the electrophoretic gradient, and provides electroosmotic flow control in cooperation with the interfacial layer.

Abstract: An electrophoresis system for controlling electroosmotic flow by affecting a zeta potential, wherein a conductive bridge provides continuity of control. A conductive coating on an optically transparent capillary tube is made of an opaque material which is removed at a detection window for on-column detection of sample constituents past the window. The conductive coating may be allowed to float relative to ground, may be grounded, or may be connected to one or more high voltage power supplies so that a potential gradient is established along the length of the conductive coating. A bridge establishes a low resistance electrical connection across the detection window, thereby establishing a continuity of external control of electroosmotic flow. In a first embodiment, the bridge is a generally flat metallic member that is adhesively bonded to the capillary tube at opposite ends of the detection window. The metallic member includes an aperture along the optical path from the on-column detector to the window.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the rate of electroosmotic flow in capillary electrophoresis. A first high voltage power supply is electrically connected to the inlet end of a capillary tube, while a second high voltage power supply is connected at an outlet end. The potential difference across the capillary tube is therefore the difference between the high voltages. Electroosmotic flow can be controlled by varying the two high voltages correspondingly to maintain the same potential difference but to achieve a different voltage offset relative to ground. Optionally, the voltage offset may be varied during electrophoresis analysis to slow migration during periods in which constituents are closely spaced and to speed migration when constituents are sufficiently spaced apart. A conductive capillary tube coating which is preferably grounded defines an external control area for electroosmotic flow. A detector is located downstream of the external control area, so that the coating is a unitary layer.