Abstract: Systems and methods are used to concentrate and extract platelets from blood, where an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood. The aggregated red blood cells are provided to a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma. Finally a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide de-ionization. First and second conductive porous membranes are placed between a feed channel having a feed flow and first and second concentration channels having first and second concentration flows to separate the feed channel from the concentration channels. Cathode and anode electrodes are placed on external sides of the concentration channels. A voltage supply distribution network provides independent voltages across the channels to cause movement of ions in the feed and concentration flows toward the electrodes.

Abstract: A fluidic system and method includes a channel reservoir which holds 1.5 milliliters or less of fluid. The agitation mechanism, which is partially integrated with the channel or reservoir, includes a fiber or rod at least partially situated within the channel or reservoir, and which acts to move or vibrate to stir and/or agitate fluid within the channel or reservoir. The fluid is then extracted from an extraction area following the agitation or stirring operation.

Abstract: An improved technique for particle separation is provided. A serpentine structure is utilized in a continuous fluid flow environment to allow for suitable separation of particles to occur in a manner that does not require external application of forces to initiate the separation. The geometry of the serpentine structure and associated forces generated in connection with fluid flow therein suffice.

Abstract: A xerographic micro-assembler system, method and apparatus that includes a sorting unit that is adapted to receive a plurality of micro-objects. The micro-objects can also be sorted and oriented on the sorting unit and then transferred to a substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include a device for detecting errors in at least one of the micro-objects on the sorting unit and a protection means for preventing an improper micro-object from being transferred to the substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include an organized micro-object feeder assembly that can transfer at least one of a plurality of micro-objects to the sorting unit or directly to the substrate.

Abstract: An optically based transport system and method for transporting particles across a virtual electrode array are disclosed. The system comprises a photoconductor layer where optically induced electrodes are projected thereon through sequential light images in a traveling wave grid pattern in order to transport particles across the virtual electrode array with a traveling wave.

Abstract: An improved method and system for non-contact powder image development are provided. The present technique implements a 5-stage jumping development cycle where the initial stage is a momentary over-voltage condition to release the majority of the toner on a donor substrate and the final stage includes the implementation of a decelerating potential to minimize return impact on the donor and therefore toner abuse. It also uses a routine to directly determine improved (e.g. up to optimal) waveform amplitudes and pulse widths based on toner size and q/m, guided by physical insight.

Abstract: An improved technique for particle separation is provided. A serpentine structure is utilized in a continuous fluid flow environment to allow for suitable separation of particles to occur in a manner that does not require external application of forces to initiate the separation. The geometry of the serpentine structure and associated forces generated in connection with fluid flow therein suffice.

Abstract: The water treatment system and method incorporating the use of a hydrodynamic separator to remove most of the total suspended solids (TSS) in source water being treated to thereby lighten the load on membrane filtration in the water treatment system and lower energy costs.

Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply including a filter input a coagulation system in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water is subjected to a coagulation process to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank in operative connection with the coagulation system aggregates floc in size within the water. A spiral separator separates the water into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is configured to receive the first stream of water and perform a filtration operation thereon. A sterilization system is configured to perform a sterilization operation on the first stream of water. The water is then output from the sterilization system as potable water.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for the desalination of water. The systems and methods receive source water containing particles therein from a source of water such as, for example, the ocean. The source water may be pre-treated to remove suspensions and/or sub-micron organics in the source water. The source water is used to generate supercritical water having a pressure and temperature above a critical pressure and a critical temperature, respectively. The supercritical water is run through a spiral separator to generate effluent water and waste water containing aggregated particles therein. Energy may be recovered from the effluent water and used to generate additional supercritical water.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid stream includes inputting a fluid stream to an input section of the fluid treatment system and receiving the fluid stream via spiral mixer-conditioner. The spiral mixer-conditioner mixes and conditions the input stream. Thereafter the mixed and conditioned fluid stream is input to a spiral separator where the mixed and conditioned fluid stream is separated into at least two fluid streams, a first fluid stream having particulates in the input stream removed, and the second fluid stream having the particulates in the input fluid stream concentrated.

Abstract: In one aspect of the presently described embodiments, the system comprises an inlet to receive at least a portion of the fluid containing algae, a curved channel within which the fluid containing algae flows in a manner such that the neutrally buoyant algae flow in a band offset from a center of the curved channel, a first outlet for the fluid with algae within which the band flows, and, a second outlet for the remaining fluid.

Abstract: The water treatment system and method incorporating the use of a hydrodynamic separator to remove most of the total suspended solids (TSS) in source water being treated to thereby lighten the load on membrane filtration in the water treatment system and lower energy costs.

Abstract: A non-filtration pre-separation device and method for the removal of algae using the same, comprising a system having a hydrodynamic separator including at least one curved structure for the removal of bio-organisms from seawater, such structure having an inlet in operative connection with a source of raw seawater and a bifurcated outlet operative for passing pre-treated effluent fluid to a downstream filtration system and the removal of waste fluid. Various fluidic structures, implementations and selected fabrication techniques to realize such a device, whether singular or in stacked and/or packed parallel configuration are also provided.

Abstract: A coagulation generating system that combines the advantages of conventional and electrocoagulation. In the coagulation generating system electro-coagulation is performed on an input (e.g., salt/brine) solution to generate a concentrated coagulant solution, which is then added to the source water in the same way as a standard stored chemical coagulant.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation system including a dosing unit, a mixing unit and a buffer tank is provided. The dosing unit receives a fluid from an external source and injects an electrochemically generated coagulant into the fluid using one or more pairs of electrodes. The mixing unit mixes the coagulant with the fluid and is separate from the dosing unit. The buffer tank holds the fluid until particles contained in the fluid grow to a predetermined size.

Abstract: A xerographic micro-assembler system, method and apparatus that includes a sorting unit that is adapted to receive a plurality of micro-objects. The micro-objects can also be sorted and oriented on the sorting unit and then transferred to a substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include a device for detecting errors in at least one of the micro-objects on the sorting unit and a protection means for preventing an improper micro-object from being transferred to the substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include an organized micro-object feeder assembly that can transfer at least one of a plurality of micro-objects to the sorting unit or directly to the substrate.

Abstract: An optically based transport system and method for transporting particles across a virtual electrode array are disclosed. The system comprises a photoconductor layer where optically induced electrodes are projected thereon through sequential light images in a traveling wave grid pattern in order to transport particles across the virtual electrode array with a traveling wave.

Abstract: An optical electrical system that converts a photo image pattern to a conductance pattern comprises a photoconductive layer for receiving light image patterns and a conversion layer for converting an electrostatic voltage into a conductance pathway for a current flow. The light image pattern can be generated into a page sized area and generated from a light source comprising an array of projectors coupled together.