Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for the printing and maturation of living tissue in an Earth-referenced reduced gravity environment such as that found on a spacecraft or on other celestial bodies. The printing may be three-dimensional structures. The printed structures may be manufactured from low viscosity biomaterials.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for the printing and maturation of living tissue in an Earth-referenced reduced gravity environment such as that found on a spacecraft or on other celestial bodies. The printing may be three-dimensional structures. The printed structures may be manufactured from low viscosity biomaterials.

Abstract: A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) illuminator-condenser capable of supplying bright-field, dark-field, fluorescence, oblique, and phase-contrast illumination under Köhler-like conditions. A single lens may be permanently focused on the specimen plane. Illumination conditions may be made by a combination of uniform LEDs, collimating masks and diffusers. LEDs may be arranged in one or more ring-shaped patterns.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a miniaturized single-use apparatus for the preparation and analysis of suspensions of cells for flow cytometry. The cartridge apparatus is a unique combination, in order of function, of a miniature single-drive, two-cylinder syringe pump, a dual-channel stopcock valve that also performs volumetric measuring functions, a capillary-based fluid loading and measuring method, a miniaturized multistage interfacial-surface-generator mixer, a microfluidic magnetic cell selector, branching microfluidic channels with widths determined according to function, enclosed absorption-based disposal of potentially biohazardous liquids and a design compatible with manufacturing as a single-use device. In one embodiment the device for processing and labeling samples processes and samples small volumes, such as a drop of blood. The device can exist in hand-held versions, hand-carried versions and bench-scale versions of optical reading devices for flow cytometry.

Abstract: A method for non-invasively determining a chemical property of an aqueous solution is provided. The method provides the steps of providing a colored solute having a light absorbance spectrum and transmitting light through the colored solute at two different wavelengths. The method further provides the steps of measuring light absorbance of the colored solute at the two different transmitted light wavelengths, and comparing the light absorbance of the colored solute at the two different wavelengths to determine a chemical property of an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A system for feeding washing racks to an entrance of a washer, comprising: a directionally alternating transfer conveyor positioned at, and able to communicate said washing racks with, said entrance of said washer; said conveyor having a first receiving mode, a second receiving mode, and a discharge mode; and a pre-wash enclosure substantially surrounding said conveyor and including a first and second door, said first and said second door each actuable between an open position and a closed position; and a pre-wash selective water flow interior of said pre-wash enclosure and directed generally toward said conveyor.

Abstract: A solid state lighting system and components therefor are provided that are modular, rugged, reliable and energy efficient. Heat dissipation with respect to solid state light fixtures may be addressed by inverting the solid state lights on a circuit board to project light through apertures in the circuit board, so that heat need not be dissipated through the circuit board itself. In addition, solid state light fixtures may be coupled to one another along with a power supply in modular strands that incorporate AC/DC multi-wire cords that carry both AC and DC signals. Additional functionality, such as support for multiple lighting modes, may also be included, e.g., to support blackout lighting in addition to standard lighting. The multiple lighting modes may be selected, for example, by adjusting an electrical parameter of the AC power signal supplied to the lighting system, e.g., by rectifying the AC power signal.