Abstract: Automatic fluid control assemblies and methods for fire protection include an arrangement of electrically operated control points, a valve body and a controller to operate the fluid control assembly. The automatic fluid control assembly has an inlet, an outlet and a valve body to control flow between the inlet and the outlet. An electric latch includes a first electrically operated control point and a second electrically operated control point in fluid communication with a control line to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the valve body and outlet. The methods of fluid control include controlling a plurality of electrically operated control points to perform any one of: a leak test, a trip test, a flow test, a water delivery test, and a validation test of a non-trip condition and a trip condition.

Abstract: Invention methods employ the use of acoustic waves to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. In invention methods, acoustic waves are propagated through a separated pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Invention methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precision automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening, and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Invention methods employ the use of acoustic waves to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. In invention methods, acoustic waves are propagated through a separated pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Invention methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precision automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening, and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ordering a preloaded chemical assay plate. The method comprises the steps accessing an Internet based order entry site; viewing a list of target chemical compounds; creating an order on the order entry site that lists the desired target compounds for the assay; specifying one or more well plate parameters, such as the number of wells in a well plate that will be used to hold the target compounds; specifying one or more assay parameters in the order, such as specifying the final test volume and concentration of the target compounds in the wells; and placing the order from the order entry site.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a noncontact method for measuring viscosity and/or surface tension information of a liquid in a liquid containment structure. The steps of the method include exciting a surface of the liquid with an excitation burst of acoustic energy that causes the surface to oscillate; generating a positional data set comprised of a plurality of positional measurements related to the detected position of the surface at a plurality of times after the surface is excited; generating a frequency domain data set from the positional data set, the amplitude spectrum of the frequency domain data set comprising information about the oscillation frequency of at least one vibrational mode of the of the surface as it oscillates; and processing the frequency domain data set and/or the positional data set to yield information about the surface tension and/or viscosity of the liquid. A Fast Fourier Transform technique may be used in generating the frequency domain data set.

Abstract: Devices useful in liquid transfer applications and in particular, devices for controlling the free surface of a source liquid in acoustic liquid ejection systems are disclosed. The devices advantageously maintain a source liquid to be transferred at a constant height and reduce disturbances formed in the liquid due to droplet ejection. In one variation, a well plate includes a plurality of wells each having a capillary. Source liquid in a well moves up the capillary due to capillary action and arrives at a certain height. The height arrived at remains constant despite the source liquid depleting from the well during the ejection process. The capillary can be separately joined or integral with the well plate. An acoustic wave emitter positioned adjacent to the well plate emits a focused acoustic beam that causes at least some of the liquid in the capillary to be ejected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for droplet steering is disclosed herein. A throated structure having a nozzle defines a converging throat with an inlet and an outlet and a vectored fluid stream directed therethrough. The fluid stream is driven through the system via a vacuum pump. As the fluid approaches the outlet, its velocity increases and is drawn away from the nozzle through a connecting channel. As a droplet is ejected from a liquid therebelow, it will have a first trajectory until it is introduced to the high velocity fluid stream at the perimeter of the interior walls of the nozzle. The fluid accordingly steers the momentum of the droplet such that it obtains a second or corrected trajectory. Alternative variations include an electrically chargeable member, e.g., a pin, positionable to be in apposition to the outlet and capillary tubes for controlling the ejection surface of the pool of source fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for droplet steering is disclosed herein. A throated structure having a nozzle defines a converging throat with an inlet and an outlet and a vectored fluid stream directed therethrough. The fluid stream is driven through the system via a vacuum pump. As the fluid approaches the outlet, its velocity increases and is drawn away from the nozzle through a connecting channel. As a droplet is ejected from a liquid therebelow, it will have a first trajectory until it is introduced to the high velocity fluid stream at the perimeter of the interior walls of the nozzle. The fluid accordingly steers the momentum of the droplet such that it obtains a second or corrected trajectory. Alternative variations include an electrically chargeable member, e.g., a pin, positionable to be in apposition to the outlet and capillary tubes for controlling the ejection surface of the pool of source fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for droplet steering is disclosed herein. A throated structure having a nozzle defines a converging throat with an inlet and an outlet and a vectored fluid stream directed therethrough. The fluid stream is driven through the system via a vacuum pump. As the fluid approaches the outlet, its velocity increases and is drawn away from the nozzle through a connecting channel. As a droplet is ejected from a liquid therebelow, it will have a first trajectory until it is introduced to the high velocity fluid stream at the perimeter of the interior walls of the nozzle. The fluid accordingly steers the momentum of the droplet such that it obtains a second or corrected trajectory. Alternative variations include an electrically chargeable member, e.g., a pin, positionable to be in apposition to the outlet and capillary tubes for controlling the ejection surface of the pool of source fluid.

Abstract: A non-contact method for measuring viscosity and surface tension information of a liquid in a first liquid containment structure. The steps of the method include oscillating a free surface of the liquid in the liquid containment structure; detecting wave characteristics of the oscillating free surface; and analyzing the wave characteristics. The oscillating step may be performed by propagating an acoustic wave from an acoustic wave emitter, through said liquid containment structure, towards the free surface. The detecting step may be performed by delivering a series of acoustic pulses at the free surface and detecting acoustic reflections from the free surface as the oscillating free surface relaxes. The analyzing step can be performed by comparing the wave characteristics with a candidate liquid wave characteristics. Prior knowledge and behavior of the selected candidate liquid can thus be imputed to the source or sample liquid. The sample liquid can be one of photoresist, solder or a biological compound.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: A system for composing high-density arrays of biological and chemical materials onto target substrates by a rapid sequence. A system includes a thin liquid transfer plate having a fill side, a dispense side and a plurality of channels extending therethrough. The channels of the liquid transfer plate may be loaded with chemical and or biological materials. Once loaded, the materials are ejected from the liquid transfer plate onto a plurality of target substrates. The system further includes various arm assemblies to manipulate and position the liquid transfer plate and the target plates. Additional liquid transfer plates may be loaded and dispensed onto the plurality of target substrates. Methods for composing a high-density array are also provided.

Abstract: Acoustic waves are used to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. Acoustic waves are propagated through a pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precise automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Invention methods employ the use of acoustic waves to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. In invention methods, acoustic waves are propagated through a separated pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Invention methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precision automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening, and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for controlling the depth of removal by chemical mechanical polishing of a selected material on a supporting semiconductor underlayer where it is desired to terminate removal of the selected material, such as silicon oxide, at a specified depth. In accordance with at least some embodiments of this novel method and system, the selected material, such as a surface oxidization layer, is polished to initiate removal thereof in the direction of the material-underlayer interface. This system includes three primary components: a chemical mechanical wafer polishing machine, a semiconductor thin film thickness measurement device, and statistical signal process algorithm and its associated computer system provides a chemical mechanical polishing system control by analysis and prediction of the current and future removal rates based on performance of past ratios for the before and after semiconductor thin film thickness measurements.