Abstract: Disclosed is a localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) nanopillar assembly. The LSPR assembly is for use in sensing the presence of a biomarker when attached to a quantum dot. The LSPR assembly comprises a substrate and an array. The array comprises a LSPR nanopillar and a polymer spacer attached to the nanopillar. The LSPR assembly further comprises an antibody attached to the at least one polymer spacer. In the LSPR assembly, a combined height of the polymer spacer and antibody is selected by varying the number of monomer units of the polymer spacer, so that, when in use with the biomarker and the quantum dot, the quantum dot is at a predetermined distance from the nanopillar.

Abstract: A plate member for a cell stack, a cell stack assembly, a method of forming a plate member for a cell stack and a method of assembling a cell stack may be provided, and the plate member includes a channel sheet with at least one peak and one trough for forming fluid flow channels; two alignment parts, each alignment part including a main body and one or more alignment members or holes, the main body having a through hole provided within the main body; and wherein the alignment part is capable of aligning the channel sheet parallel to a plane of the main body and the alignment member is capable of aligning the alignment member to another corresponding alignment member along an axis passing through the alignment member; and further wherein the channel sheet is disposed between the two alignment parts.

Abstract: There is provided a sorbent for removing metabolic waste products from a dialysis liquid, the sorbent comprising a layer of immobilized uremic toxin-treating enzyme particles intermixed with cation exchange particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorbent for removing metabolic waste products from a dialysis liquid, the sorbent comprising a soluble source of sodium ions. The sorbent comprises an ion exchange system which converts urea to ammonium ions and which is configured to exchange ammonium ions for predominantly hydrogen ions and to exchange Ca, Mg, and K for predominantly sodium ions. The soluble source of sodium ions overcomes an initial drop in sodium concentration in regenerated dialysate. When used in conjunction with an infusion system configured to utilise exchange of Ca, Mg and K for sodium during dialysate regeneration a desired sodium ion concentration can be maintained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid fuel, a system and a method for generating hydrogen. The solid fuel comprises sodium borohydride, catalyst loaded fibres and a binder, wherein the catalyst loaded fibres and the binder form a scaffold structure within which the sodium borohydride is positioned. The system comprises a fuel cartridge containing the solid fuel of the present invention for generating hydrogen gas, a reactor configured to house the fuel cartridge, a tank for storing water, a pump and a liquid conduit for conveying water from the tank to the fuel cartridge housed within the reactor to induce a hydrolysis reaction of the solid fuel contained in the fuel cartridge and a controller for regulating flow of the water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dialysis devices. In some embodiments, a dialysis device may include a disposable housing having a storage chamber in fluid communication with a dialysate flow path. Also included may be a controller, an interface capable of operably coupling the controller and the disposable housing, a fluid displacement structure, a pump configured to actuate a deformable diaphragm, and a pressure sensor to trigger the reversal of the pump. The flow path may be fluidly sealed from the controller and the interface.

Abstract: A dialysis device is provided including a disposable housing having a flow path along which dialysate received from a patient is subjected to contaminant removal when in operation. The device includes a controller for controlling the operation of the disposable housing and an interface capable of operably coupling the controller and the disposable housing to enable the contaminant removal from the dialysate. The flow path is fluidly sealed from the controller and interface.

Abstract: A gas generator and a method of generating a gas are provided. A gas generator includes a cartridge having a solid reactant and a liquid reactant distributor provided therein, and a liquid reactant supply in fluid communication with the liquid reactant distributor. The liquid reactant supply is configured to provide a liquid reactant under pressure to the liquid reactant distributor. The liquid reactant distributor comprises a plurality of normally closed holes configured to open at a predetermined fluid pressure to disperse the liquid reactant for reaction with the solid reactant in the cartridge.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a film with a lenticular lens array, the method comprising providing a substrate; providing a mold having a plurality of nano-scale to micro-scale cavities that form the lenticular lens array on the substrate; having the mold contact the substrate; and forming the lenticular lens array by allowing portions of the substrate to partially fill the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: A plate member for a cell stack, a cell stack assembly, a method of forming a plate member for a cell stack and a method of assembling a cell stack may be provided, and the plate member comprises a channel sheet comprising at least one peak and one trough for forming fluid flow channels; two alignment parts, each alignment part comprising a main body and one or more alignment members, the main body having a through hole provided within the main body; and wherein the alignment part is capable of aligning the channel sheet parallel to a plane of the main body and the alignment member is capable of aligning the alignment member to another corresponding alignment member along an axis passing through the alignment member; and further wherein the channel sheet is disposed between the two alignment parts.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (10) is provided. The fuel cell assembly (10) includes a first endplate (12), a second endplate (14), a plurality of separator plates (16) provided between the first and second endplates (12) and (14), and a plurality of fuel cells (18) forming a fuel cell stack (20). Each of the fuel cells (18) is provided between adjacent ones of the separator plates (16). A plurality of oxidant flow channels (22) is formed in the separator plates (16). The oxidant flow channels (22) define a first flow passage. Each of the fuel cells (18) has an active area. A portion (28) of the separator plates (16) extends beyond the active area of the fuel cells (18) to define a second flow passage at a downstream portion of the first flow passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) nanopillar assembly. The LSPR assembly is for use in sensing the presence of a biomarker when attached to a quantum dot. The LSPR assembly comprises a substrate and an array. The array comprises a LSPR nanopillar and a polymer spacer attached to the nanopillar. The LSPR assembly further comprises an antibody attached to the at least one polymer spacer. In the LSPR assembly, a combined height of the polymer spacer and antibody is selected by varying the number of monomer units of the polymer spacer, so that, when in use with the biomarker and the quantum dot, the quantum dot is at a predetermined distance from the nanopillar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid fuel, a system and a method for generating hydrogen. The solid fuel comprises sodium borohydride, catalyst loaded fibers and a binder, wherein the catalyst loaded fibers and the binder form a scaffold structure within which the sodium borohydride is positioned. The system comprises a fuel cartridge containing the solid fuel of the present invention for generating hydrogen gas, a reactor configured to house the fuel cartridge, a tank for storing water, a pump and a liquid conduit for conveying water from the tank to the fuel cartridge housed within the reactor to induce a hydrolysis reaction of the solid fuel contained in the fuel cartridge and a controller for regulating flow of the water.

Abstract: A gas generator and a method of generating a gas are provided. A gas generator includes a cartridge having a solid reactant and a liquid reactant distributor provided therein, and a liquid reactant supply in fluid communication with the liquid reactant distributor. The liquid reactant supply is configured to provide a liquid reactant under pressure to the liquid reactant distributor. The liquid reactant distributor comprises a plurality of normally closed holes configured to open at a predetermined fluid pressure to disperse the liquid reactant for reaction with the solid reactant in the cartridge.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an optical grating comprising a substrate comprising a plurality of protrusions with a space in between any two adjacent protrusions; and a cap provided on at least one of the plurality of protrusions at an end that is furthest from the substrate, wherein the cap has a higher degree of optical attenuation compared to the substrate material and wherein the combination of each protrusion and the respective cap thereon has a generally symmetric cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: A sensing system for detecting a substance in a dialysate. The system includes a hydrophobic barrier capable of allowing the substance in the dialysate to equilibrate through the barrier to a gas. The system also includes a detector capable of detecting the gas and an interface disposed between the hydrophobic barrier and the detector and configured to allow transport of the gas between the hydrophobic barrier and the detector following a concentration gradient of the gas along the interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dialysis devices. In some embodiments, a dialysis device may include a disposable housing having a storage chamber in fluid communication with a dialysate flow path. Also included may be a controller, an interface capable of operably coupling the controller and the disposable housing, a fluid displacement structure, a pump configured to actuate a deformable diaphragm, and a pressure sensor to trigger the reversal of the pump. The flow path may be fluidly sealed from the controller and the interface.

Abstract: A plate member for a cell stack, a cell stack assembly, a method of forming a plate member for a cell stack and a method of assembling a cell stack may be provided, and the plate member comprises a channel sheet comprising at least one peak and one trough for forming fluid flow channels; two alignment parts, each alignment part comprising a main body and one or more alignment members, the main body having a through hole provided within the main body; and wherein the alignment part is capable of aligning the channel sheet parallel to a plane of the main body and the alignment member is capable of aligning the alignment member to another corresponding alignment member along an axis passing through the alignment member; and further wherein the channel sheet is disposed between the two alignment parts.

Abstract: A surface on a polymeric film having an array of patterned structures, wherein the array of patterned structures influences fluid flow of the surface and causes reduced attachment of a biological material.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus (10) and method (50) of operating a fuel cell are provided. The fuel cell apparatus (10) includes a fuel cell assembly (12) having a first outlet (26) and a first vessel (34) coupled to the first outlet (26) and forming a first dead end. The first vessel (34) is arranged to receive and hold a portion of a first reactant and water when a supply of the first reactant is being fed to the fuel cell assembly (12) and to return the first reactant in the first vessel (34) to the fuel cell assembly (12) via the first outlet (26) when the supply of the first reactant to the fuel cell assembly (12) is cut off.