Abstract: This invention relates to monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles comprising a polymer formed from (a) a hydrophilic vinylic monomer; and (b) a crosslinker comprising at least two vinyl groups. The invention also relates to monodisperse seed particles with a Z-average diameter of from 100 nm to 1500 nm that comprise a plurality of non-crosslinked oligomers of poly N,N-dimethylacrylamide. Also provided are methods of forming the monodisperse cross-linked hydrogel polymer particles and monodisperse seed particles.

Abstract: An optical microphone arrangement comprises: an array of optical microphones (4) on a substrate (8), each of said optical microphones (4) providing a signal indicative of displacement of a respective membrane (24) as a result of an incoming audible sound; at first processor (12) arranged to receive said signals from said optical microphones (4) and to perform a first processing step on said signals to produce a first output; and a second processor (14) arranged to receive at least one of said signals or said first output; wherein at least said second processor (14) determines presence of at least one element of human speech from said audible sound.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a lab-on-a-chip system makes use of first and second mold parts, which are adapted to join each other to form a cavity to accommodate a positioning means and a support structure. The method includes receiving the chip in the positioning means, forming the cavity by joining the first and second mold parts, securing the chip with a fluid port of the chip to rest on the support structure for the support structure to mask the fluid port, introducing a molding material into the cavity to over-mold at least part of the chip and a volume extending away from the chip, separating the first and second mold parts, and extracting the chip from the mold. A fluid channel is formed by the support structure.

Abstract: Measuring system for measuring the properties of an organic material, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent, an absorbent system and a process for removing acidic gas such as CO2 from exhaust gases from fossil fuel fired power stations, from natural gas streams, from blast furnace oven off-gases in iron/steel plants, from cement plant exhaust gas and from reformer gases containing CO2 in mixtures with H2S and COS. The liquid absorbent, a mixture of amine and amino acid salt is contacted with a CO2 containing gas in an absorber and CO2 in the gas stream is absorbed into the liquid. The absorbed CO2 forms more than one type of solid precipitate in the liquid at different absorption stages. In a first absorption stage solid precipitate of amine bicarbonate is formed and is withdrawn as slurry from the bottom of a first absorber section. In a second absorption stage solid precipitate of alkali metal bicarbonate is formed and withdrawn as slurry at the bottom of a second absorber section.

Abstract: To determine properties of multiple oil and gas wells, oscillations at different test frequencies are applied to the flow rate and/or pressure of multiple wells. Measurements of flow rate and/or pressure and temperature in flows downstream of a production header of the multiple wells are then obtained. Such measurements from the flows of the multiple wells are subjected to a frequency analysis of the pressure, flow rate and/or temperature measurements to determine pressure, flow rate and/or temperature variations induced by the applied oscillations. Properties of the different wells of the multiple wells based on the results of the frequency analysis are thus determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical displacement sensor comprising a first at least partially reflective surface and a second surface having a diffractive pattern, the surfaces being provided on elements having a variable distance between them, each surface pair defining a cavity between them. The sensor also comprising at least one light source transmitting light at least one a chosen wavelength range into said cavities and at least one light detector receiving light from the cavities, wherein said diffractive patterns are adapted to direct light toward at least one detector provided in a known position relative to said diffractive surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator for moving a rigid element, e.g. an optical element such as mirror, the element being mechanically coupled to a frame with a bendable coupling, wherein actuator elements are mounted on said coupling between the frame and element, the coupling and actuator elements being adapted to provide a movement to the element when subject to signal from a signal generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule, which encodes a polypeptide having alcohol dehydrogenase activity, in particular methanol dehydrogenase activity, comprising having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (i) a nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 (mdh2-MGA3), 3 (mdh3-MGA3), or 5 (mdh2-PB1); (ii) a nucleotide sequence having at least 90% sequence identity, more particularly at least 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% sequence identity, with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 or 5; (iii) a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with any one of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 or 5; (iv) a nucleotide sequence which is a part of the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 or 5, or of a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with a sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 or 5; (v) a nucleotide sequence encoding all or part of a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is set forth in any one of SEQ I

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator for moving a rigid element, e.g. an optical element such as mirror (1), the element being mechanically coupled to a frame (4) with a bendable coupling (2A), wherein actuator elements (3A, 3B) are mounted on said coupling between the frame and element, the coupling and actuator elements being adapted to provide a movement to the element when subject to signal from a signal generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID No. 1; or (b) a nucleotide sequence which is the complement of SEQ ID No. 1; or (c) a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with SEQ ID No. 1; or (d) a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% sequence identity (preferably at least 87%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity) with SEQ ID No. 1; or (e) a part of any one of (a) to (d), wherein said nucleic acid molecule encodes or is a complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding one or more polypeptides, or comprises or is complementary to a nucleic acid molecule comprising one or more genetic elements, having functional activity in the synthesis of a polyketide-based or macrolactam molecule.

Abstract: A sample processing cartridge for carrying out processing under centrifugal force acting in at least two directions as the orientation of cartridge relative to centrifugal force is changed, the cartridge comprising: a first cavity adapted to contain a sample; and a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity, wherein the first and second cavities are arranged such that the sample in the first cavity is moved therefrom to the second cavity as a centrifugal force acting on the cartridge is changed from a first direction to a second direction, the first cavity is elongated perpendicular to the centrifugal force acting in the first direction, and the second cavity is more shallow than the first cavity and more extended in the direction of the centrifugal force acting in the second direction than the first cavity is extended in the direction of the centrifugal force acting in the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator for moving a rigid element, e.g. an optical element such as minor, the element being mechanically coupled to a frame with a bendable coupling, wherein actuator elements are mounted on said coupling between the frame and element, the coupling and actuator elements being adapted to provide a movement to the element when subject to signal from a signal generator.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical sensor element comprising a photonic crystal constituted by a membrane of a chosen transparent material, the membrane being provided with a number of defined openings in a chosen pattern, the pattern being adapted to provide resonance at a chosen wavelength or range of wavelengths, wherein said openings are provided with a reactive material acting as a receptor for a chosen type of molecules, e.g. proteins, the presence of which alters the resonance and/or scattering conditions in the sensor element thus altering the amount of light propagating out of the membrane plane.

Abstract: Hardener for curing of epoxy resins which produces materials with high abrasion resistance, photostability and chemical resistance, comprising a sol prepared by controlled hydrolysis and condensation of compounds of the type: (X—B—)nSi(—Y)4-n where n=1 or 2, X?SH, —N?C?O, or NR1R2, R1, R2 being chosen from hydrogen, saturated or unsaturated C1-C18-alkyl, substituted or non-substituted aryl, formyl, aliphatic or aromatic carbonyl, carbamoyl, sulphonyl, sulphoxyl, phosphonyl, sulphinyl, phosphinyl, while the carbon chains of said compounds may include one or more of the elements oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, silicon and boron, and/or may include one or more hydrolysable silane units, or R1, R2 are chosen from condensation products or addition products of one or more types or chemical compounds such as acids, alcohols, phenols, amines, aldehydes or epoxides; B is a spacing group chosen from saturated or unsaturated C1-C18-alkylene, substituted or nonsubstituted arylene, while the carbon chains of the st

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge apparatus (10) comprising: a support member (12) rotatable about a first axis (20); at least one holding means (22) mounted to said support member for rotation therewith about the first axis, wherein each holding means is adapted to rotate about a respective second axis (24) distal to said first axis and to receive a sample processing device (26) for rotation thereof also about the second axis; a first motor (28a) adapted to rotate said support member about said first axis; and a second motor (28b) coupled to said at least one holding means; wherein the two motors (28a, 28b) are placed off the support member on opposite sides of the support member. The invention also relates to use of such an apparatus, and to a centrifugation method.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical sensor element comprising a photonic crystal constituted by a membrane of a chosen transparent material, the membrane being provided with a number of defined openings in a chosen pattern, the pattern being adapted to provide resonance at a chosen wavelength or range of wavelengths, wherein said openings are provided with a reactive material acting as a receptor for a chosen type of molecules, e.g. proteins, the presence of which alters the resonance and/or scattering conditions in the sensor element thus altering the amount of light propagating out of the membrane plane.

Abstract: A sealed infrared radiation source includes an emitter membrane stimulated by an electrical current conducted through the membrane, which acts like an electrical conductor, wherein the membrane is mounted between first and second housing parts, at least one being transparent in the IR range, each housing part defining a cavity between the membrane and the respective housing part of each side of the membrane. The housing parts are at least partially electrical conductive, and a first of the housing parts is electrically coupled to a first end of the electrical conductor and insulated from the second end of the electrical conductor, the second housing part being electrically coupled to a second end of the electrical conductor and being insulated from the first end of the electrical conductor, thus allowing a current applied from the first housing part to the second housing part to pass through and heat the membrane.

Abstract: A sealed infrared radiation source includes an emitter membrane stimulated by an electrical current conducted through the membrane, which acts like an electrical conductor, wherein the membrane is mounted between first and second housing parts, at least one being transparent in the IR range, each housing part defining a cavity between the membrane and the respective housing part of each side of the membrane. The housing parts are at least partially electrical conductive, and a first of the housing parts is electrically coupled to a first end of the electrical conductor and insulated from the second end of the electrical conductor, the second housing part being electrically coupled to a second end of the electrical conductor and being insulated from the first end of the electrical conductor, thus allowing a current applied from the first housing part to the second housing part to pass through and heat the membrane.

Abstract: A sealed infrared radiation source includes an emitter membrane stimulated by an electrical current conducted through the membrane, which acts like an electrical conductor, wherein the membrane is mounted between first and second housing parts, at least one being transparent in the IR range, each housing part defining a cavity between the membrane and the respective housing part of each side of the membrane. The housing parts are at least partially electrical conductive, and a first of the housing parts is electrically coupled to a first end of the electrical conductor and insulated from the second end of the electrical conductor, the second housing part being electrically coupled to a second end of the electrical conductor and being insulated from the first end of the electrical conductor, thus allowing a current applied from the first housing part to the second housing part to pass through and heat the membrane.