Abstract: A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises an interchangeable assembly configured to accommodate any one of a plurality of sample holders, each respective sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also includes a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further includes an optical system configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from the plurality of samples. The optical system, in particular, can comprise a single field lens, an excitation source, an optical sensor, and a plurality of filter components. The excitation source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The field lends can be a bi-convex lens.

Abstract: A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises an interchangeable assembly configured to accommodate any one of a plurality of sample holders, each respective sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also includes a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further includes an optical system configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from the plurality of samples. The optical system, in particular, can comprise a single field lens, an excitation source, an optical sensor, and a plurality of filter components. The excitation source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The field lends can be a bi-convex lens.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe methods and apparatus for mixing chemical components in the manufacture of polyurethane foam. The chemical components include a polyol and different blowing agents. The blowing agents are injected directly into a mixing chamber (100) at different height levels according to their boiling points. The mixing chamber allows continuous discharge of the mixture into a static mixer (400) for further mixing before being stored into a storage tank (600). The blowing agents are chemical compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon-containing compounds, hydrofluorocarbon-containing compounds or hydrofluoroolefin-containing compounds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe methods and apparatus for mixing chemical components in the manufacture of polyurethane foam. The chemical components include a polyol and different blowing agents. The blowing agents are injected directly into a mixing chamber (100) at different height levels according to their boiling points. The mixing chamber allows continuous discharge of the mixture into a static mixer (400) for further mixing before being stored into a storage tank (600). The blowing agents are chemical compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon-containing compounds, hydrofluorocarbon-containing compounds or hydrofluoroolefin-containing compounds.

Abstract: A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises an interchangeable assembly configured to accommodate any one of a plurality of sample holders, each respective sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also includes a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further includes an optical system configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from the plurality of samples. The optical system, in particular, can comprise a single field lens, an excitation source, an optical sensor, and a plurality of filter components. The excitation source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The field lens can be a bi-convex lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assigning attributes to a plurality of samples are provided. An exemplary system includes an instrument configured to perform an experiment on a plurality of samples in a multi-sample support device and to produce a plurality of measured values. The system further includes a computer system in communication with the instrument. The computer system is configured to receive the plurality of measured values from the instrument, store the plurality of measured values in a memory configured as a grid of cells representing the grid of the multi-sample support device, display the grid of cells in a graphical user interface, receive a selected cell from the graphical user interface, receive two or more attribute values for the selected cell from the graphical user interface, and store the two or more assigned attribute values along with a measured value of the selected cell in the memory configured as a grid of cells.