Abstract: A 3-dimensional PDMS cell sorter having multiple passages in a PDMS layer that follow the same path in a DEP separation region and that are in fluid communication with each other within that region. The passages may differ in width transverse to the flow direction within the passages. Flat plates may sandwich the PDMS layer; each plate may have a planar electrode used to generate a DEP field within a sample fluid flowed within the passages. The DEP field may concentrate target cells or particulates within one of the passages within the DEP separation region. The passages may diverge after the DEP-separation region, leaving one passage with a high concentration of target cells or particulates. Techniques for manufacturing such structures, as well as other micro-fluidic structures, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, a method of catalytically converting polystyrene may include contacting polystyrene with a catalyst to form a product comprising ethylbenzene. The catalyst may include oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. The catalyst may further include a mesoporous support material with pores having an average pore diameter of from 2 nm to 50 nm.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an optoelectronic measuring device. The optoelectronic measuring device comprises an objective lens, an imaging lens, a camera, and an optical path adjusting module which are disposed at the first light path. The objective lens receives a first testing light, and transforms the first testing light into a second testing light. The imaging lens receives the second testing light, and transforms the second testing light into a third testing light. The camera measures a beam characteristic of the third testing light. The optical path adjusting module, disposed between the imaging lens and the camera, comprises a mirror, the mirror moves relatively to the imaging lens according to a test command, and adjusts the distance between the imaging lens and the camera at the first light path to be a first optical distance or a second optical distance. Wherein the mirror reflects the third testing light vertically.

Abstract: A probe pin alignment apparatus includes a beam-splitting element, an image-sensing device and a light-reflecting element. The beam-splitting element has a first illuminating surface facing a probe element, a second illuminating surface facing an object, and a light incident surface. The beam-splitting element has a semi-reflective surface for reflecting a light beam from the light incident surface to the probe element. The image-sensing device is disposed externally to the light incident surface of the beam-splitting element. The light-reflecting element, disposed oppositely to the light incident surface, allows a light beam to pass through the semi-reflective surface to be reflected back to the semi-reflective surface to be further projected onto the object. The beam-splitting element outputs a probe image and an object image from the first and second illuminating surfaces through the light incident surface.

Abstract: A separate microscopy system, applied to observe a specimen positioned on a stage and further to image the specimen on an imaging device, includes an ocular-lens unit, an adjustment unit and an objective-lens unit. The ocular-lens unit has an ocular-lens optical axis, and is manipulated to make the ocular-lens optical axis perpendicular to the stage. The adjustment unit is assembled to a side of the ocular-lens unit close to the stage. The objective-lens unit has an objective-lens optical axis, and is assembled to a side of the adjustment unit close to the stage. The objective-lens unit is manipulated to be adjusted by the adjustment unit to make the ocular-lens optical axis, the objective-lens optical axis and the imaging device co-axially and perpendicular to the stage, such that the specimen can be imaged at an imaging center position of the imaging device. In addition, an adjusting method thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A probe pin alignment apparatus includes a beam-splitting element, an image-sensing device and a light-reflecting element. The beam-splitting element has a first illuminating surface facing a probe element, a second illuminating surface facing an object, and a light incident surface. The beam-splitting element has a semi-reflective surface for reflecting a light beam from the light incident surface to the probe element. The image-sensing device is disposed externally to the light incident surface of the beam-splitting element. The light-reflecting element, disposed oppositely to the light incident surface, allows a light beam to pass through the semi-reflective surface to be reflected back to the semi-reflective surface to be further projected onto the object. The beam-splitting element outputs a probe image and an object image from the first and second illuminating surfaces through the light incident surface.

Abstract: Dehydrogenative coupling can be achieved in nearly quantitative conversions and yields using a membrane reactor.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, a method of catalytically converting polystyrene may include contacting polystyrene with a catalyst to form a product comprising ethylbenzene. The catalyst may include oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. The catalyst may further include a mesoporous support material with pores having an average pore diameter of from 2 nm to 50 nm.

Abstract: A method of catalytically cracking a petroleum hydrocarbon may include contacting a petroleum hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst to form an upgraded petroleum hydrocarbon. The catalyst may include oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. Also discloses are methods for reducing the viscosity of a subterranean petroleum hydrocarbon by utilizing the presently disclosed catalysts.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, a catalyst for converting hydrocarbons may include catalytic oxidized metal materials comprising oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. At least 95 wt. % of the catalytic oxidized metal materials may be a combination of oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. The catalyst may additionally include a mesoporous support material comprising pores having an average pore diameter of from 2 nm to 50 nm. At least 95 wt. % of the mesoporous support material may comprise alumina. At least 95 wt. % of the catalyst may be the combination of the catalytic oxidized metal materials and the mesoporous support material. Additional embodiments are included, such as methods for making the presently disclosed catalysts.

Abstract: The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices in which electrokinetic mechanisms move droplets of a liquid or particles in a liquid are described. The devices include at least one electrode that is optically transparent and/or flexible.

Abstract: Dehydrogenative coupling can be achieved in nearly quantitative conversions and yields using a membrane reactor.

Abstract: The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

Abstract: A switching fabric includes a plurality of buses and a plurality of switching devices. A method for operating the switching fabric includes assigning the plurality of buses to be a plurality of peripheral buses and a plurality of computer buses according to a predetermined configuration, establishing electrical connections between the plurality of computer buses and the plurality of peripheral buses according to the predetermined configuration, and when a first computer is coupled to a first computer bus of the plurality of computer buses and performs a peripheral component interconnect express scan function, transmitting types and/or utilization information of a plurality of first peripheral devices corresponding to the first computer bus to the first computer according to the predetermined configuration to make the first computer reserve memory segments required by the plurality of first peripheral devices.

Abstract: The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, conversion of aldehydes into alcohols, conversion of aldehydes in the presence of a trifluoromethylation agent into trifluorinated secondary alcohols, cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to an epoxide to provide cyclic carbonates or preparation of an amide from the combination of an alcohol and an amine.

Abstract: Microfluidic chips and cartridges and systems that include such chips are disclosed. In some embodiments, the chips include a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate with the channel comprising at least one expansion region. The channel is configured to generate a vortex within the at least one expansion region in response to fluid through the microfluidic channel to trap cells or particles. The substrate in which the channel is formed may be relatively rigid to resist deformation.

Abstract: The invention describes phospho-amino pincer-type ligands, metal complexes thereof, and catalytic methods comprising such metal complexes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a class of catalyst compounds that can safely and effectively release hydrogen gas from a chemical substrate without producing either noxious byproducts or byproducts that will deactivate the catalyst. The present invention provides catalysts used to produce hydrogen that has a satisfactory and sufficient lifespan (measured by turnover number (TON)), that has stability in the presence of moisture, air, acid, or impurities, promote a rapid reaction rate, and remain stable under the reaction conditions required for an effective hydrogen production system. Described herein are compounds for use as catalysts, as well as methods for producing hydrogen from formic acid and/or a formate using the disclosed catalysts. The methods include contacting formic acid and/or a formate with a catalyst as described herein, as well as methods of producing formic acid and/or a formate using the disclosed catalyst and methods for generating electricity using the catalysts described herein.