Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide sensor is disclosed. The hydrogen sulfide sensor includes a substrate, a pair of interdigitated electrodes supported by the substrate, and a nanocomposite based sensing layer deposited on the interdigitated electrodes and configured to interact with hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for an immunoassay technique that uses amperometric measurements to rapidly analyze different pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, and parasites and chemical compounds using a disposable element. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at least one conductive immunosorbent is used to provide support for antibody immobilization and placed on the top of the working electrode; it could also be used by itself as a working electrode. This immunosorbent or powder can be fabricated of conductive material or nonconductive material over which a conductive material is coated. A membrane cover of the working electrode forms a fluidic chamber having a pore size that is suited to the particular application to insure no contact between the working electrode and counter or silver electrode. The immunoassay can be automated using microprocessor control to reduce the amount of human intervention.

Abstract: A method for measuring ammonia in a blood sample may involve positioning the blood sample in proximity with an ammonia gas sensor, generating a current with the ammonia gas sensor in response to ammonia gas released from the blood sample, and measuring the current generated by the ammonia gas sensor, using a current measurement member coupled with the ammonia gas sensor. A device for measuring an ammonia level in a blood sample may include a blood sample containment member, an ammonia gas sensor coupled with the blood sample containment member, and a current measurement member coupled with the ammonia gas sensor. The method and device may be used to measure an ammonia level in a blood sample as small as one drop of blood, or approximately 0.05 mL of blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compositions of 1,3-disubstituted ferrocenes useful for the modification of electrodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of measuring ammonia and/or calcium in a sample of dental plaque, comprising obtaining the sample of plaque and measuring ammonium and calcium ions using capillary electrophoresis, together with methods of diagnosis, treatment and screening based on evaluation of plaque.

Abstract: A convenient technique allows detecting fluorescence emitted in the channel with a uniformly high detection sensitivity and a good reproducibility. On the front face side of a plate-like body 11, a groove-shaped introduction channel 12 and separation channel 14 are formed. In this micro-channel chip 10, on the inner faces of a groove constituting the separation channel 14 formed in a surface of the plate-like body 11, there is formed a fine particle layer 20 provided by sintering fine particles having an average particle diameter of 10 to 500 nm mainly composed of zinc oxide (ZnO) or titanium oxide (TiO2).

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device for manipulating and processing bio-entity samples is disclosed. The device includes a microfluidic channel that is coupled to fluidic control circuitry, a photosensor array coupled to sensor control circuitry, an optical component aligned with the photosensor array to manipulate a light signal before the light signal reaches the photosensor array, and a microfluidic grid coupled to the microfluidic channel and providing for transport of bio-entity sample droplets by electrowetting. The device further includes logic circuitry coupled to the fluidic control circuitry and the sensor control circuitry, with the fluidic control circuitry, the sensor control circuitry, and the logic circuitry being formed on a first substrate.

Abstract: A method for operating a sensor element, in particular a lambda sensor, for determining the concentration of a gas component of a gas mixture, in which the gas component is removed from a measuring gas chamber by applying a pump voltage and the concentration of the gas component in the gas mixture is inferred therefrom. Oscillations of the pump current caused by dynamic pressure variations are taken into consideration for a correction of the sensor signal in that a frequency analysis of the pump current is carried out.

Abstract: A micro-particle sorting apparatus is provided including a microchip in which a flow path through which liquid containing a micro particle flows and an orifice; an oscillating element configured to transform the liquid into a liquid drop; a charge means for adding an electric charge to the discharged liquid drop; an optical detection means; paired electrodes sandwiching the moving liquid drop; and at least a container that collects the liquid drop, and wherein the flow path is configured to gradually decrease, from upstream of the orifice, in cross-section area perpendicular to the liquid-delivering direction between the location at which the optical property is detected and the location of the orifice.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a select analyte in a sample in an electrochemical system. The method includes applying to the electrochemical system a time-varying potential superimposed on a DC potential to generate a signal; and discerning from the signal a contribution from the select analyte by resolving an estimation equation based on a Faradaic signal component and a nonfaradaic signal component.

Abstract: A method for preventing the formation of gas bubbles inside a high pressure reference electrode in the electrolyte-filled section, and thus eliminating the gas bobble effect on the electrical continuity, was disclosed. One or more thin solid rods or tubes are inserted into the internal electrolyte-housing tube and the thin rods or tubes alter the surface tension of the gas bubbles so that the bubbles are unstable in the middle of the liquid electrolyte. Compared with the fiber wicks or porous powder used by previous researchers to ensure the electrical continuity, the thin tubes or rods are easy to handle and easy to clean. This method may also be used in other systems that contain a liquid-filled vertical or sloped tube (e.g., a pH electrode) to prevent the formation of gas bubbles in the liquid-filled section of the tube.

Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.

Abstract: Method and a device for capturing heavy metal ions included in sewage sludge. The method includes steps of: a) placing in the fluid a functionalized radiografted track-etched membrane FRTEM which contains polymer nanopores; this membrane including a first electrode on one side of the membrane, b) selectively capturing heavy metal ions inside the polymer nanopores, c) applying an anodic stripping voltammetric ASV analysis on the membrane in order to differentiate and quantify captured metal ions, the first electrode being used as an ASV detection electrode.

Abstract: An analytical test strip for the determination of an analyte (such as glucose and/or hematocrit) in a bodily fluid sample (such as a whole blood sample) includes a first capillary sample-receiving chamber, a second capillary sample-receiving chamber, and a physical barrier island disposed between the first and second capillary sample-receiving chambers. Moreover, the physical island barrier is disposed such that bodily fluid sample flow between the first capillary sample-receiving chamber and the second capillary sample-receiving chamber is prevented during use of the analytical test strip.

Abstract: A method for separating charged particles in a liquid sample is disclosed. The method includes the steps of driving the liquid sample containing a plurality of charged particles to flow, forming a non-uniform electric field in the direction relative to the flow direction of the liquid sample by two electrodes, and aggregating the charged particles under the non-uniform electric field so as to separating the charged particles from the liquid sample. When the liquid sample flows through the non-uniform electric field, it doesn't contact to the electrodes. A device and its manufacturing method for separating charged particles in a liquid sample are also disclosed. Accordingly, the charged particles can be separated from the liquid sample easily and more effectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.

Abstract: A test sensor includes a body, a first conductive trace, a second conductive trace, and a third conductive trace. The body includes a first region that has a fluid-receiving area, a second region separate from the first region, and a first temperature sensing interface disposed at or adjacent to the fluid-receiving area. The fluid-receiving area receives a sample. The first trace is disposed on the body, and at least a portion of the first trace is disposed in the first region. The second and third traces are disposed on the body. The third trace extends from the first to the second regions. The third trace is connected to the first trace at the first temperature sensing interface. The third trace includes a different material than the first trace. A first thermocouple is formed at the first temperature sensing interface. The thermocouple provides temperature data to determine an analyte concentration.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a working electrode 101, a counter electrode 102 opposing the working electrode 101, a working electrode terminal 103 and a working electrode reference terminal 10 connected to the working electrode 101 by wires, and a counter electrode terminal 104 connected to the counter electrode 102 by a wire. By employing a structure with at least three electrodes, it is possible to assay a target substance without being influenced by the line resistance on the working electrode side.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a working electrode 101, a counter electrode 102 opposing the working electrode 101, a working electrode terminal 103 and a working electrode reference terminal 10 connected to the working electrode 101 by wires, and a counter electrode terminal 104 connected to the counter electrode 102 by a wire. By employing a structure with at least three electrodes, it is possible to assay a target substance without being influenced by the line resistance on the working electrode side.