Abstract: A disclosed system uses modulations of ionic current across a nanopore in a membrane to detect target molecules passing through the nanopore. This principle has been applied mainly to nucleic acid sequencing, but can also be used to detect other molecular targets such as proteins and small molecules. In addition, the system delivers target molecules to a nanopore to provide label-free single molecule analysis using a chip-based system. Target molecules are concentrated on microscale carrier beads, and the beads are delivered and optically trapped in an area within the capture radius of the nanopore. The target molecules are released from the beads and detected using nanopore current modulation. In addition, the disclosed system combines sample preparation (e.g. purification, extraction, and pre-concentration) with nanopore-based readout on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A biosensor component is provided that provides enhanced characteristics for use in biosensors, such as blood glucose sensors. The biosensor component comprises a substrate and a conductive layer coated on the substrate. The conductive layer includes nickel, chromium, and iron, such that a combined weight percent of the nickel and chromium in the conductive layer is in the range of 80 to less than 95 weight percent, and the weight percent of iron in the conductive layer is greater than 5 weight percent and less than 12 weight percent.

Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.

Abstract: A multiparameter standard solution for verifying and calibrating water quality sensors containing an aqueous pH buffer, a xanthene dye, and distyryl biphenyl (DSBP) is provided. The standard solution provides a safe, quick, easy, and stable field standard to simultaneously conduct calibration analysis for several sensors at once. The standard solution is stable when stored and can be safely disposed of in the field. Methods of calibrating sensors used in water quality analysis using the multiparameter standard solution are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated method for concentration of polarizable molecules within a fluid medium. The apparatus comprising a structure defining a cavity, having a cross-sectional dimension of 200 nm or less; at least two translocation electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a DC electric field passing through the cavity; and at least two trapping electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a time-varying electric field proximal to the cavity inlet.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor including a working electrode having an arrangement of pillars defining channels between the pillars. The channels increase confinement of a byproduct produced in an electrochemical reaction used during sensing of an analyte, so as to increase interaction of the byproduct with the working electrode. A number of working embodiments of the invention are shown to be useful in amperometric glucose sensors worn by diabetic individuals.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid flow device having high freedom of choosing means for detecting flow errors. The fluid flow device includes a channel forming body. The channel forming body forms a plurality of fluid channels, a plurality of detection spaces corresponding to the fluid channels, respectively, and a plurality of communication channels providing respective communications between the fluid channels and the detection spaces corresponding thereto, respectively. Each of the detection spaces contains a detection fluid and a detection gas aligned in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an interface is formed therebetween. The detection gas is contained in the detection space so as to allow the position of the interface to be changed with the pressure change of a processing object fluid that flows through the fluid channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cell potential detection apparatus that can prevent a culture solution from being contaminated by a component harmful to cells, a method for manufacturing the cell potential detection apparatus, and an information processing system. The cell potential detection apparatus includes a cell potential detection chip including an electrode section configured to detect a potential of a cell, a member included in a liquid storage section configured to store a culture solution for the cell, and a film covering a liquid contact surface of the member and being harmless to the cell, the liquid contact surface being configured to contact the culture solution. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a semiconductor module in which a chip for detecting a potential at an action potential generation point generated due to a chemical change in a cell is packaged.

Abstract: A system for nucleic acid sequencing includes a machine-readable memory and a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system to expose template polynucleotide strands in a plurality of defined spaces of a sensor array to a series of flows of nucleotide species, the series comprising a sequence of random flows; and obtain, for each of the series of flows of nucleotide species, a signal indicative of how many nucleotide incorporations occurred for that particular flow to determine a predicted sequence of nucleotides corresponding to the template polynucleotide strands.

Abstract: The technology described herein is related to a two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism for a body-mountable electronic device. During a first phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motion sensor detects an acceleration event indicative of deployment of the device onto the body of the user. During a second phase of the two-phase mechanism, control circuitry can be adapted to be enabled by the acceleration event. Once enabled, the control circuitry can verify that the device has been launched onto the body of a user via a deployment applicator in which the device is retained until deployment. Once verified, the control circuitry can wake up the body-mountable electronic device by transitioning the device from a sleep state to a functional (or operational) state.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate authenticating a user making a payment using microelectromechanical systems (MEMs) devices (i.e., smart dust). The MEMs devices may have sensors that collect data and transfer it to a base station device. The MEMs devices can collect sensor data, including biometric data and/or capture images of the person. The MEMs can also collect sensor data such as audio data, optical data, temperature data, pressure data, and motion data and compare it to data associated with a user profile to determine that the person making the payment is the same person associated with the user profile. Once the person's identity has been confirmed, and thus authenticated, the payment request can be confirmed and payment made, via either the mobile device or credit card.

Abstract: A nanopore cell includes a conductive layer and a working electrode disposed above the conductive layer and at the bottom of a well into which an electrolyte may be contained, such that at least a portion of a top base surface area of the working electrode is exposed to the electrolyte. The nanopore cell further includes a first insulating wall disposed above the working electrode and surrounding a lower section of a well, and a second insulating wall disposed above the first insulating wall and surrounding an upper section of the well, forming an overhang above the lower section of the well. The upper section of the well includes an opening that a membrane may span across, and wherein a base surface area of the opening is smaller than the at least a portion of the top base surface area of the working electrode that is exposed to the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating assay information with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system includes a reader adapted to read/erase/write information from/to an assay consumable identifier associated with the assay consumable. Various types of assay information are described, as well as methods of using such information in the conduct of an assay by an assay system.

Abstract: The technology relates to portable personal monitor device and associated methods. In particular, the technology provides for improving the capability of personal monitor device systems by enabling functions such as two-way communications from the personal monitor; associating possible threats with one or more locations; and dynamically determining safe locations and potential evacuation routes. Also described herein are monitors which improve the detection of possible threats or risks by allowing a base unit to be used with various replacement sensor modules.

Abstract: A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.

Abstract: An electric transmission mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention may include a tubular ring fixed to a shaft electively connected to an electrode, at least one brush slidably contacting with a circumferential surface of the ring, a bearing including an inner race fixed to the ring, and a housing which is fixed to an outer race of the bearing and accommodates a contact part of the ring and the brush therein.

Abstract: A nanopore device for molecular characterization that includes a supporting substrate. The supporting substrate has at least one nanopore where the nanopore is a carbon nanotube of a first diameter. The nanodevice is configured to provide a stimulus to the carbon nanotube causing the first diameter to change to a second diameter. The nanopore device also includes a device configured to apply the stimulus to the nanopore. The nanopore device further includes an electrical circuit configured to measure an electrical property across the nanopore, where there is a change in the electrical property when a molecule traverses the nanopore.

Abstract: A chemical substance concentrator is configured to concentrate a chemical substance contained in a gaseous sample. The concentrator includes a flow passage having a hollow part allowing the gaseous sample flows through the hollow part, first and second electrodes disposed on an inner wall of the flow passage, an electrode wiring connected to the first and second electrodes, a material layer disposed on the electrode wiring, and an adsorbent disposed on the material layer. The adsorbent is configured to adsorb the chemical substance and to desorb the adsorbed chemical substance. The chemical substance concentrator is capable of efficiently desorbing the adsorbed chemical substances.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, an discharge tray, a discharging roller pair, a main board, a wireless communication unit including a first wireless communication board. The housing includes a first part and a second part. The first part is arranged at a downstream side of a nip of the discharging roller pair, and an upper surface of a side wall of the first part is arranged at a lower position with respect to the nip. In the second part, the discharging roller pair is positioned. The second part is arranged at an upstream side of the first part. An upper surface of a side wall of the second part is arranged at a higher poison with respect to first part. At least part of the wireless communication unit is arranged at a higher poison with respect to the side wall of the first part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for conserving energy of a power source of an analyte monitoring device. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for reducing noise during data transmissions to and from the analyte monitoring device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing an exchangeable electrode assembly, with at least one sensor body and at least a first electrode, for an electrochemical sensor for determining the concentration of an analyte in a gaseous or liquid measurement medium, a corresponding electrode assembly, and an electrochemical sensor with an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure. In order to produce the electrode assembly, the following method steps are performed: providing a sensor body, and applying at least a first electrically-conductive material to a first sub-region of the sensor body for producing a first electrode of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: This present invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to devices and systems having universal channel circuitry configured to perform optical and electrochemical assays, and methods of performing the optical and electrochemical assays using the universal channel circuitry. The universal channel circuitry is circuitry that has electronic switching capabilities such that any contact pin, and thus any sensor contact pad in a testing device, can be connected to one or more channels capable of taking on one or more measurement modes or configurations (e.g., an amperometric measurement mode or a current drive mode).

Abstract: This present invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to devices and systems having universal channel circuitry configured to perform optical and electrochemical assays, and methods of performing the optical and electrochemical assays using the universal channel circuitry. The universal channel circuitry is circuitry that has electronic switching capabilities such that any contact pin, and thus any sensor contact pad in a testing device, can be connected to one or more channels capable of taking on one or more measurement modes or configurations (e.g., an amperometric measurement mode or a current drive mode).

Abstract: Provided is a method for measuring a component of a biological sample with a biosensor provided with: a capillary for introducing the biological sample; an electrode part including a first electrode system that includes a first working electrode and a first counter electrode in the capillary; and a reagent part disposed so as to be in contact with the electrode part, the reagent part containing an enzyme and a mediator, and the method including a step of starting voltage application for a duration longer than 0 second and up to 0.7 second to the first electrode system within 0 second to 0.5 second after detection of the introduction of the biological sample to obtain a hematocrit value based on a current value obtained thereby.

Abstract: A structure of an electrochemical unit includes a substrate, a first metal layer disposed on the substrate, and an array of electrochemical cells disposed on the first metal layer. The array of the electrochemical cells includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the electrochemical cells includes the first metal layer disposed on the substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first metal layer, a polymer layer disposed on the substrate and adjacent to the first metal layer and the first electrode. A second metal layer is disposed on the polymer layer, and a second electrode is disposed on the second metal layer. A pore is constituted between the polymer layers of every the two electrochemical cells. A cavity located above the first electrode is defined between every the two electrochemical cells, wherein the cavity is communicated with the pore.

Abstract: A sensor probe having a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first sensing element generates current changes in response to changes in a relative amount of a target element present in reference air versus a first exhaust gas chamber of the sensor probe. A second sensing element generates current changes in response to changes in a relative amount of the target element present in the first exhaust gas chamber and either a second exhaust gas chamber of the sensor probe or reference air.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer are described herein. In one example, an agitation stimulus level such as an electrical agitation stimulus is applied to a lipid bilayer wherein the agitation stimulus level tends to facilitate the formation of nanopores in the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, a change in an electrical property of the lipid bilayer resulting from the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer is detected, and a nanopore has formed in the lipid bilayer is determined based on the detected change in the lipid bilayer electrical property.

Abstract: Accordingly, in some embodiments methods for detecting an analyte or analytes in one or more sample(s) are provided. The methods encompass providing a solid support with an addressable marker and an associated ligand, contacting the solid substrate to a sample, thereby forming a contacted solid support, associating the contacted solid support with a FET array and detecting the electrical properties of the FET array and thereby detecting an analyte or analytes in one or more samples. In other embodiments, the sample encompasses a second addressable marker.

Abstract: ISEs comprising a substrate layer; a carbon nanotube layer disposed on the substrate layer; a conductive metal layer on a portion of the carbon nanotube layer; a conductive polymer disposed on the portion; and an ion-selective membrane disposed on the conductive polymer and methods of making them are provided. A system is also provided for detecting a plurality of analyte ions in a sample comprising a housing; a plurality of ISEs associated with the housing, each electrode comprising an ion-selective membrane to a different analyte ion; a reference electrode associated with the housing; a fluid sample receptacle associated with the housing and in fluid communication with the plurality of ion-selective electrodes and reference electrode.

Abstract: A liquid electrolyte, for an electrochemical gas sensor for detecting NH3 or gas mixtures containing NH3, contains at least one solvent, one conductive salt and/or one organic mediator. The conductive salt is an ionic liquid, an inorganic salt, an organic salt or a mixture thereof. The electrolyte preferably is comprised of (I) water, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate or a mixture thereof as solvent; (ii) LiCl, KCl, tetrabutylammonium toluenesulphonate or 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate as conductive salt; and (iii) tert-butylhydroquinone or anthraquinone-2-sulphonate as organic mediator.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing signal data generated by sequencing of a polynucleotide strand using a pH-based method of detecting nucleotide incorporation(s). In an embodiment, the method comprises formulating a function that models the output signal of a representative empty well of a reactor array. A time transformation is applied to the empty well function to obtain a time-warped empty well function. The time-warped empty well function is fitted to an output signal from the loaded well representative of a flow that results in a non-incorporation event in the loaded well. The fitted time-warped empty well function can then be used to analyze output signals from the loaded well for other flows.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for determining the ratio of oxidized and reduced forms of a redox couple in solution, each method comprising: (a) contacting a first stationary working electrode and a first counter electrode to the solution; (b) applying a first potential at the first working electrode and measuring a first constant current; (c) applying a second potential at the first working electrode and measuring a second constant current; wherein the sign of the first and second currents are not the same; and wherein the ratio of the absolute values of the first and second currents reflects the ratio of the oxidized and reduced forms of the redox couple in solution.

Abstract: A nanopore cell includes a conductive layer and a working electrode disposed above the conductive layer and at the bottom of a well into which an electrolyte may be contained, such that at least a portion of a top base surface area of the working electrode is exposed to the electrolyte. The nanopore cell further includes a first insulating wall disposed above the working electrode and surrounding a lower section of a well, and a second insulating wall disposed above the first insulating wall and surrounding an upper section of the well, forming an overhang above the lower section of the well. The upper section of the well includes an opening that a membrane may span across, and wherein a base surface area of the opening is smaller than the at least a portion of the top base surface area of the working electrode that is exposed to the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method is proved for pinpointing a short-circuit in a wide-range air/fuel sensor having one or more sensor-terminals that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The method includes controlling a connection of a source of electric current to the one or more sensor-terminals; determining one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals; and determining a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of source of electric current and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: A surface-enabled, metal ion-exchanging battery device comprising a cathode, an anode, a porous separator, and a metal ion-containing electrolyte, wherein the metal ion is selected from aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), or bismuth (Bi), and at least one of the electrodes contains therein a metal ion source prior to the first charge or discharge cycle of the device and at least the cathode comprises a functional material or nanostructured material having a metal ion-capturing functional group or metal ion-storing surface in direct contact with the electrolyte. This energy storage device has a power density significantly higher than that of a lithium-ion battery and an energy density dramatically higher than that of a supercapacitor.

Abstract: A device (1) for generating clean air in a measuring apparatus, comprising: a duct (2) having an inlet and an outlet for the passage of an air flow to be cleaned; a platinum wire (3), positioned inside the duct (2), for intercepting the air flow to be cleaned, the platinum wire (3) is inserted in an electrical circuit (17) connectable to an electricity supply (15) to be operatively crossed by an electrical current.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for heavy metal detection is provided. The chemical sensor includes an inlet, a chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber. A working electrode is provided in the chamber. The working electrode includes a plurality of protrusions extending into a fluid flow path in the chamber beyond a boundary layer of the fluid flow path. The chemical sensor also includes a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and a plurality of contact pads electrically connected to respective ones of the working electrode, the reference electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region can include a complex, and the complex can include a carbon nanotube that is functionalized by a porphyrin.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a test strip with a first planar substrate has coplanar electrodes on a first planar surface and a second planar substrate (which opposes the first surface of the first planar substrate) has coplanar electrodes on a second planar surface. The first planar surface of the first planar substrate having a first sensing area electrically connected to a first electrical contact. The second planar surface of the second planar substrate having a second electrical contact electrically connected to the first electrical contact via a conductive element, the conductive element extending between the first surface of the first planar substrate and the second surface of the second planar substrate without passing through the first planar substrate, the second planar substrate, or any intermediate layers.

Abstract: A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.

Abstract: Electrochemical detection method and related aspects Herein is disclosed an electrochemical test method comprising (i) comparing how a plurality of immittance functions and/or components thereof vary with a change in a parameter of interest for a first system, and then selecting an immittance function or component thereof for use in an electrochemical test; (ii) carrying out an electrochemical test step for a second system to determine at least one value for the immittance function or component thereof selected in step (i), and then, by using a quantitative relationship between the selected immittance function and the parameter of interest, determining a value in the parameter of interest. A computer program and apparatus are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for the identification of chemical agents and determination of their level of exposure using electrochemical detection and advanced signal processing. In one aspect, a method includes collecting a sample from a surface containing a chemical agent to an electrode on a sensor such that the chemical agent transfers on the electrode, detecting an electrochemical signal of the chemical agent on the electrode to transduce chemical information associated with the chemical agent to an electrical signal, processing the electrical signal to obtain electrochemical spectral signature data to identify the chemical agent and generating a series of coefficients of the electrochemical spectral signature data to reduce the data, and classifying the chemical information based on the series of coefficients among preselected data sets to determine a level of exposure to the chemical agent.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for determining whether a particular test bath is able to successfully fill a feature on a substrate. In various cases, the substrate is a semiconductor substrate and the feature is a through-silicon-via. Generally, two experiments are used: a first experiment simulates the conditions present in a field region of the substrate during the fill process, and the second experiment simulates the conditions present in a feature on the substrate during the fill process. The output from these experiments may be used with various techniques to predict whether the particular bath will result in an adequately filled feature.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas including a system housing having an inlet system, an electrochemical gas sensor within the housing and in fluid connection with the inlet system, the electrochemical sensor including a working electrode responsive to the analyte gas, and a control system in electrical connection with the working electrode. The control system is operative to bias the working electrode at a first potential at which the electrochemical gas sensor is responsive to the analyte gas and operative to bias the working electrode at a second potential, different from the first potential, at which the electrochemical gas sensor is sensitive to a driving force created in the vicinity of the inlet system to test at least one transport path of the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for activating a circuit of an implant device. Consistent with one implementation, an implant device is provided with a sensor including a working electrode (WE) and a counter electrode (CE). The sensor may be configured to generate a first current at the CE when the implant device is implanted in a body of a subject. A sensing circuit may also be provided that is electrically coupled to the WE of the sensor. The sensing circuit may be activated based on the first current and utilize the sensor to measure one or more parameters of an individual or other subject.

Abstract: A sensor system including devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Input signals including amperometric and voltammetric duty cycles of excitations and relaxations may provide a shorter analysis time and/or improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. The disclosed system may reduce analysis errors, thus improving measurement performance, by adjusting the potential and/or scan rate in response to output currents obtained from voltammetric scans. The disclosed system also may determine the concentration of more than one ionizable species in the sample by adjusting the potential and/or scan rate in response to output currents obtained from voltammetric scans. The multiple, determined concentrations may be used to determine the concentration of multiple analytes or to correct the concentration determined for an analyte, thus improving the measurement performance of the system.

Abstract: A unique solution to measure NOx emissions is achieved less expensively and with much greater sensitivity than commercially available NOx sensors. A sensor's active materials are modified and operational algorithms are used to concurrently measure single ppm levels of NOx and NH3 with response times of one second or less. A combined NOx/NH3 sensor to have much finer control of an SCR system, thereby reducing NOx emissions and ammonia slip in a closed-loop device, all at lower cost than the current state-of-the-art solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for conserving energy of a power source of an analyte monitoring device. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for reducing noise during data transmissions to and from the analyte monitoring device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dosing iron ions, by spectrophotometry, especially ferric and ferrous ions, contained in a used lubricating composition, especially a lubricating composition of a marine engine. The invention also relates to a kit for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a select analyte in a sample in an electrochemical system. The method includes applying to the electrochemical system a time-varying potential superimposed on a DC potential to generate a signal; and discerning from the signal a contribution from the select analyte by resolving an estimation equation based on a Faradaic signal component and a nonfaradaic signal component.