Abstract: A series of reactor tubes can be employed to remove a biofilm from a growth medium. Each reactor tube can contain a cathode comprised of a blend of transition metal oxides. As the growth medium is passed through the series of reactor tubes, a specific voltage and amperage can be applied to the reactor tubes to cause the biofilm to aggregate without damaging the algae. The aggregated biofilm can then be easily removed from the growth medium.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for electrically altering the charge and conductivity of polar solvents are disclosed. Such alterations are effected via a system comprising, among other things, an electrolyzing apparatus which stimulates higher conductivity and increased interfacial contact between polar protic solvents and fluids to assist or promote the extraction and/or leaching of solutes, including hydrocarbons, such as lipids, from an admixture, an occluded biomass or another aqueous medium. Methods, systems, and apparatuses for reducing the amount of solvents used in liquid extraction processes and increasing solvent recovery through the concurrent introduction of amphoteric species, which assist in the removal of the polar solvent from its liquid phase to a recoverable and reusable form, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described by which a growth medium is exposed to an electric field of sufficient magnitude to kill competing microorganisms and insufficient magnitude to cause flocculation to an algae population.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes a load, a support assembly, a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load and to the support assembly, and an exercise station operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly. The exercise station includes a user interface, at least one adjustment assembly configured to adjust a position of the user interface, and an actuator assembly selectively engageable with the at least one adjustment assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to approximately simultaneously enable vertical and horizontal adjustment of the user interface when the actuator assembly is actuated to release the at least one adjustment assembly, and to approximately simultaneously disable adjustment of the user interface when the actuator assembly is actuated to lock the at least one adjustment assembly.

Abstract: A system preferably for light irradiation, wherein the system includes a support structure, wherein the support structure is able to accommodate an array of vessels capable of receiving light; the system includes a buoyancy support system and a feeding harvesting system, wherein the buoyancy support system is in fluid and data communication with the array of vessels to regulate the amount of light introduced into the vessels within a fluid medium.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes a load, a support assembly, a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load and to the support assembly, and an exercise station operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly. The exercise station includes a user interface, at least one adjustment assembly configured to adjust a position of the user interface, and an actuator assembly selectively engageable with the at least one adjustment assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to approximately simultaneously enable vertical and horizontal adjustment of the user interface when the actuator assembly is actuated to release the at least one adjustment assembly, and to approximately simultaneously disable adjustment of the user interface when the actuator assembly is actuated to lock the at least one adjustment assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting a wafer on a mount and thinning the wafer. The wafer includes a front surface having bumps with an adhesive tape having a backing attached thereto and a back surface. The front surface of the wafer is mounted facedown on a suction surface with the backing of the adhesive tape abutting the surface. The wafer is then suctioned, after which the back surface of the wafer undergoes a grinding process to thin the wafer. Since the backing attached to the bumps on the wafer is substantially planar and sits substantially flat on the suction surface of the wafer mount, the force exerted on the wafer from the thinning process does not overcome the suction force holding the wafer on the wafer mount. Thus, the bumped wafer may be thinned without damaging the bumps and the active surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A sensing element for use with a controller adapted to receive input signals corresponding to the sensing element, the sensing element having: a housing defining a conduit adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid; a pair of sensing arrays disposed within the conduit, the pair of sensing arrays being in a facing spaced relationship to define a gap disposed therebetween; a plurality of sensors disposed on the pair of sensing arrays, the plurality of sensors being adapted to sense and provide signals corresponding to a plurality of parameters of the fluid; a microprocessor adapted to receive the signals of the plurality of sensors, the microprocessor being adapted to determine at least one condition of the fluid upon receipt of the signals corresponding to the plurality of parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: A sensing element for use with a controller adapted to receive input signals corresponding to the sensing element, the sensing element comprising: a housing defining a conduit adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid; a pair of sensing arrays disposed within the conduit, the pair of sensing arrays being in a facing spaced relationship to define a gap disposed therebetween; a plurality of sensors disposed on the pair of sensing arrays, the plurality of sensors being adapted to sense and provide signals corresponding to a plurality of parameters of the fluid; a microprocessor adapted to receive the signals of the plurality of sensors, the microprocessor being adapted to determine at least one condition of the fluid upon receipt of the signals corresponding to the plurality of parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a wafer on a wafer mount and thinning the wafer on the wafer mount. The wafer includes a front surface having bumps located thereon and a back surface. Attached to the bumps on the wafer is an adhesive tape having a backing. The wafer mount includes a suction surface with apertures that communicate with a vacuum. The wafer is mounted on the suction surface with its front surface face down with the backing of the adhesive tape abutting the suction surface of the wafer mount. The wafer is then suctioned to the wafer mount by the vacuum communicating with the apertures in the suction surface, after which, the back surface of the wafer undergoes a grinding process to thin the wafer. Since the backing attached to the bumps on the wafer is substantially planar and sits substantially flat on the suction surface of the wafer mount, the force exerted on the wafer from the thinning process does not overcome the suction force holding the wafer on the wafer mount.

Abstract: A cassette having two side panels, wafer dividers, two retaining combs and a pair of locking collars. Each retaining comb includes an elongated stringer, a hook shaped upper flange at the upper end of the stringer, a hook shaped lower flange at the lower end of the stringer, and a plurality of projections connected to the stringer. The projections are positioned vertically adjacent to one another at spaced apart intervals thereby defining a series of truncated slots. The projections have the same cross-sectional size and shape as the dividers. The retaining combs are operatively coupled to the side panels by means of hook shaped flanges positioned in a pair of complementary notches formed in a top edge and a bottom edge of the side panels. Thus, the retaining combs may slide vertically along the side panels but are prevented from moving laterally, thereby retaining the combs in place except when the retaining combs are moved into an extreme upward or downward position.