Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying cells and/or viruses are provided. The sample is added to a well disposed in a medium. A potential is applied across the medium to cause the contaminants to enter one or more walls of the well, and retain the cells and/or viruses in the well. The cells and/or viruses can be removed from the well, and optionally adhered or fixed to a surface, or detected. In one embodiment, the cells and/or viruses may be retained in the well by embedding in the medium. The medium including the embedded cells and/or viruses may be excised or otherwise removed and transferred to a glass slide or other solid surface.

Abstract: A method of using scrap rubber, such as tires or parts of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals includes inserting into a furnace at a more precise and controlled rate, time, and location the scrap rubber. The controlled rate of insertion into the furnace, as opposed to batch feeding them, permits the use of larger quantities of scrap rubber. The net benefit includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or the metal production, less energy is required from other sources. The invention further allows the scrap rubber to be put into the furnace separate from the scrap metal that is also to be put into the furnace, thereby eliminating the known methods and techniques of combining of the scrap rubber with the steel or scrap metal prior to the placement of the scrap rubber and scrap metal into the furnace.

Abstract: A method of producing steel with reduced internal stress concentrations is disclosed. In an embodiment, hot steel is shaped by a rolling mill. The resultant steel product is bundled as soon as practicable and the bundle is allowed to cool. Vibration energy is applied to the bundle of steel product so that internal stress concentrations within the steel product are relieved. In an embodiment, a plurality of bundles are stored on a rack and the rack is vibrated, the vibrations being transmitted to the plurality of bundles so that undesired internal stress concentrations within the steel products are relieved. Thus, improved steel is produced as well as improved steel that can be produced more rapidly than known techniques.