Abstract: Techniques for depleting target organisms in water include a waterproof transducer configured for ensonifying a container of water with low intensity sound at one or more ultrasound frequencies for a duration sufficient to prevent maturation of at least 90% of the target organism. In some cases the target organism is mosquito larvae. For example, a portable system for depleting target organisms in water includes a control system and a plurality of waterproof transducers. The system is configured for ensonifying a surface layer of water in an acoustic frequency range from about 40 kilohertz to about 100 kilohertz and in a power concentration range from about 35 milliwatts per milliliter to 100 milliwatts per milliliter for a duration in a range from about 1 to about 100 seconds.

Abstract: It is to be understood that embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and a method for pumping a liquid, for example to recirculate liquid in a liquid storage tank by means of a gas lift pump. A perforated extension at the top of a gas lift allows the apparatus to be used in circumstances where the depth of liquid in the tank may vary over a wide range. Gases other than air may be used in the gas lift, so as to change the acidity and the concentrations of dissolved gases, particularly oxygen, in the liquid. The gas may be introduced into the gas lift through a whistle that generates intense sound waves and couples them into the liquid. These features when used in combination have particular application against invasive species in the ballast water of ocean-going tankers.

Abstract: A recursive fractal system provides low cost, high throughput removal of contaminants, selected compounds, and elements from a flowable medium. This includes low energy desalination of saltwater, and removal contaminants from waste water. A series of concatenated, self-similar, co-axially aligned fractal stages are provided for defining a flow path for receiving the flowable medium, such as salt water. The configuration of self similar fractal stages as a succession of venturis recursively accelerates and separates flow vectors at each stage without the need for pumping. The series of venturis have been found to accelerate the water to such an extent that an electro hydrodynamic field interaction is magnified at each successive stage, such that contaminants, heavy metals, salt, or other selected compounds are aggregated by an electromagnetic field signature, separated and extracted from the flowable medium.

Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid medium are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid medium is being drawn.

Abstract: A water quality-upgrading device includes a container having an inner peripheral wall defining a receiving chamber and two opposite ends respectively defining an inlet and an outlet; at least two water molecule refinement layers disposed in the receiving chamber; two filtering sheets disposed at said inlet and said outlet of the container respectively; and wherein, when water flows into said receiving chamber, the water molecule refinement layers are capable of reducing dimension of water molecules so as to spread the finer water molecules on an oil sludge stained on a substance such that the finer water molecules penetrate into gaps formed between the oil sludge and an external surface of the substance, thereby reducing contact area amount and simultaneously weakening a bonding property between the oil sludge and the external surface of the substance to facilitate removal of the oil sludge off the substance by of a wiping cloth.

Abstract: A method for inducing continuous separation of copper ions from copper using UV-light source, comprising the following steps: (1) cutting apiece of copper into wires or slices for immersing into a vessel containing water; switching on a stirrer for stirring the water continuously and keeping the copper being immersed in the water; (2) turning on the UV-light source for irradiating the copper and the water continuously; appearing a large amount of white precipitate in the water; (3) filtering the solution; detecting the filtered solution, a certain concentration copper ions in the filtered solution are found; adding hydrochloric acid by drops into the unfiltered original solution, the white precipitate is dissolved and copper ions are detected. The invention makes the copper separate out copper ions continuously and can be applied to copper ion disinfection for swimming-pool water, scenic water and cooling water, etc.

Abstract: An acoustophoresis device made up of modular components is disclosed. Several modules are disclosed herein, including ultrasonic transducer modules, input/output modules, collection well modules, and various connector modules. These permit different systems to be constructed that have appropriate fluid dynamics for separation of particles, such as biological cells, from a fluid.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling fluid flow is provided. The valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, an actuator assembly configured to move between a first position and a second position within the first and second chambers, a plurality of fluid ports in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a plurality of fluid ports in fluid communication with the second chamber. The first position of the actuator assembly defines a first series of fluid flowpaths through the plurality of fluid ports of the first and second chambers. The second position of the actuator assembly defines a second series of fluid flowpaths through the plurality of fluid ports of the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.

Abstract: An enhanced septic system includes a storage tank having an inlet that receives liquid gray water from a standard septic system having at least one digester and a pump located in the storage tank. The pump is coupled to an actuator to selectively provide power to the pump from a power supply to pump the gray water from the storage tank when the gray water reaches a predetermined level within the storage tank. The system also includes an outlet pipe coupled to the storage tank and to receive gray water pumped from the storage tank by the pump, at least one ultraviolet light in communication with the outlet pipe, and a detector to determine when the pump is actuated and to turn on the at least one ultraviolet light upon actuation of the pump.

Abstract: Methods and systems for concentrating and allowing for separation of nanoparticles from fluids use acoustically driven nanoparticle concentrators which have an aerogel as the reflecting material and include tuning capabilities to alter the location at which the particles are being concentrated.

Abstract: A system and process for recycling machining waste into a solid/scrap material component and a recyclable machining coolant. The system and process comprise collecting the waste machining waste and mechanically separating the machining waste into a solid/scrap material component and a machining waste liquid component. The machining waste liquid component is decanted to separate oils and solids from the recyclable machining coolant. The machine recyclable machining coolant is then filtered through at least a first filter and preferably a second, finer mesh filter. The recyclable machining coolant is then exposed to UV light to kill bacteria and microorganisms. Lastly, ultrapure water is added to dilute the recyclable machining coolant and form the recycled machining coolant. If desired, a virgin machining coolant can be added to the recycled machining coolant, to replenish any additive(s) stripped during the recycling process, prior to resale of the recycled machining coolant.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.

Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for separating beads and cells from a host fluid. The method includes flowing a mixture containing the host fluid, the beads, and the cells through an acoustophoretic device having an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric material driven by a drive signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A drive signal is sent to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A recirculating fluid stream having a tangential flow path is located substantially tangential to the standing wave and separated therefrom by an interface region. A portion of the cells pass through the standing wave, and the beads are held back from the standing wave in the recirculating fluid stream at the interface region. Also disclosed is an acoustophoretic device having a coolant inlet adapted to permit the ingress of a cooling fluid into the device for cooling the transducer.

Abstract: Acoustophoretic devices and methods for concentrating targeted biological cells in a reduced volume using multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves are disclosed. The methods include flowing a mixture of a host fluid and the biological cells through an acoustophoretic device. The acoustophoretic devices include an inlet, an outlet, and a flow chamber having an ultrasonic transducer-reflector pair. Biological cells, such as T cells, are separated from a host fluid for utilization in allergenic or autologous cell therapies. The disclosed devices and methods are capable of concentrating biological cells to at least 100 times their original cell concentration. The disclosed methods and devices are further capable of decreasing an original feed volume to a final concentrated volume that is less than one percent of the original feed volume.

Abstract: Devices for separating a host fluid from a second fluid or particulate are disclosed. The devices include an acoustic chamber, a fluid outlet at a top end of the acoustic chamber, a concentrate outlet at a bottom end of the acoustic chamber, and an inlet on a first side end of the acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer and reflector create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that traps and separates particulates (e.g. cells) from a host fluid. The host fluid is collected via the fluid outlet, and the particulates are collected via the concentrate outlet. The device is a large-scale device that is able to process liters/hour, and has a large interior volume.

Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.

Abstract: A sterilizer apparatus for treating liquids, especially opaque and turbid ones characterized by a low UV radiation penetration depth, utilizing a novel tangential in-line mixer design inside an elongated reactor chamber built around an ultraviolet lamp. Other applications and adaptations of the presently disclosed apparatus include mixing fluids (including liquids and/or gases) as part of various industrial processes.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.