Abstract: An improved food preparation system includes a base with a top portion, side portion and bottom portion. Attached to the side portion is an arm assembly, which in one embodiment includes a first and second arm. The base includes a channel, the arm assembly connected thereto and slidable therein. Based on sliding within the channel, the arm assembly is adjustable between a storage position and an open position. The system includes a hinging element connecting the arm assembly to the base and a locking mechanism locking the arm assembly in the extended position. While in the extended position, the dual-arm assembly can transition between an engaged position and a disengaged position. While in the extended position, a bag is held open by the arms of the arm assembly for receiving food scraps. During non-use, the bag is removed, the arm assembly is returned to the closed position.

Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. A single-use pipette tip includes fluid ports for aspirating the sample and connecting to a concentrating unit.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.

Abstract: A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.

Abstract: An improved food preparation system includes a base with a top portion, side portion and bottom portion. Attached to the side portion is an arm assembly, which in one embodiment includes a first and second arm. The base includes a channel, the arm assembly connected thereto and slidable therein. Based on sliding within the channel, the arm assembly is adjustable between a storage position and an open position. The system includes a hinging element connecting the arm assembly to the base and a locking mechanism locking the arm assembly in the extended position. While in the extended position, the dual-arm assembly can transition between an engaged position and a disengaged position. While in the extended position, a bag is held open by the arms of the arm assembly for receiving food scraps. During non-use, the bag is removed, the arm assembly is returned to the closed position.

Abstract: A method for operating a power-compensated fusion furnace that includes a power control system having one switching device per heating element, power measurement circuitry, a master temperature sensor, and a controller. Each switching device is electrically connected to a respective heating element. The controller, in conjunction with the switching devices, is able to individually control the electrical energy flowing to each heating element, thereby controlling the duty cycle of each heating element. The duty cycles are corrected for one or more of variations in the electrical resistance of each heating element and position-dependent variations in furnace cavity temperature.

Abstract: A heating element includes a filament that conducts electricity. In some embodiments, the filament is encapsulated in a silicon nitride cover. The heating element provides a heating zone located relatively closer to the tip of the heating element and relatively further from a connection where electrical leads connect to the filament.

Abstract: A fluxer includes a single, wide furnace enclosure that is sufficiently large and prewired to accommodate multiple fusion positions. The furnace includes at least one movable insulated partition that defines the actual insulated volume of the furnace.

Abstract: Systems and methods that automatically identify causes of errors during one or more CAD processes, such as while binding external reference drawings to a host drawing and/or batch comparing sets of multiple drawings. In certain examples, a first session of a CAD program can be used to track potential crash occurrences during a second CAD program's processing of a set of drawings and dynamically replace corrupt drawings and/or broken references with blank (proxy) drawings so that the desired process can complete. Whenever the first CAD session detects a potential error event, such as when the second CAD session is interrupted for a particular length of time, the first CAD session can log the error, close the second session, and/or continue the desired process with a new CAD session.

Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating CAD design of one or more structures by automatically categorizing and/or associating multiple drawings without pre-existing knowledge as to the type of drawings being categorized. In some examples, a computing system receives a set of CAD drawings from a third-party, and a host manager automatically determines which of the drawings are host, stand-alone, and external reference drawings. Moreover, the host manager can determine which of a set of external references comprises a broken reference, such as a network pathway that does not contain the desired external reference. For each broken or corrupt reference, the host manager can create a dummy (proxy) drawing that can be inserted in place of the broken reference so that the system can process (e.g., bind) the set of drawings without crashing. An interface may be further provided for displaying the categorized set of drawings to the user.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of inorganic sample disks for analysis, the sample, in powdered form, is mixed with a powdered reagent flux which has been pre-melted. In an inert gas atmosphere, the mixture is placed in a graphite crucible and heated to a temperature slightly above 1000° C. After the flux dissolves the sample, a homogenous mix is produced. This mix is then poured into a graphite mold, the bottom of which contains a molten pool of an inert metal, such as gold, which acts as a smooth receiving surface. Upon cooling, the material in the mold solidifies, resulting in a glassy disk that can be analyzed. Cooling can be accelerated by making use of a cooling fluid that has a substantially higher thermal capacity than air.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses/systems, and software for comparing two drawings to create a compare drawing that includes options for highlighting added and deleted graphic objects, as well as unchanged graphic objects, and comparing one drawing to many or many drawings to many drawings, whether or not the drawings are similar. The invention includes a filtered zoom feature that enables the user to zoom in on a filtered set of graphic objects and to continue to zoom in until a single graphic object is depicted. Detailed information from selected graphic objects can be captured and placed in a list for generating schedule changes, bill of materials, and for other purposes. The invention further includes the ability to detect and report any variances between the drawings, including area differences between drawings depicting physical objects.

Abstract: A rapid one-pass liquid filtration system efficiently concentrates biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. Additional concentration stages may be added in “cascade” fashion, in order to concentrate particles below the size cut of each preceding stage remaining in the separated fluid in a concentrated sample suspension. This process can also be used to create a “band-pass” concentration for concentration of a particular target size particle within a narrow range.

Abstract: A vial and impactor combination for use in a cryogenic mill is disclosed. The impactor includes a steel or similar core, and a surrounding exterior of polycarbonate or similar inert material. The vial is made preferably of polycarbonate with endcaps also made of polycarbonate.