Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing biogas from organic matter including a container (1) which is charged with fermentation substrate by a delivery system (13), and at least two stirring mechanisms (2) arranged in the container, the stirring mechanisms having propellers (3) which are rotated and generate mostly horizontal currents of the fermentation substrate in the container. The propeller diameters, the propeller geometries, and the positions of the propellers in the container are selected such that a shared mixing zone of the medium is generated in the container. Data for determining the mean speed and/or the viscosity of the medium in the mixing zone are detected and transmitted to a control unit (4) which varies actuating variables which modify the power input of the stirring mechanism into the mixing zone and/or the composition and/or the flow behavior of the container contents.

Abstract: An airlift circulation micro-algae photoautotrophic-heterotrophic coupling photobioreactor for wastewater treatment carbon emission mitigation includes feeding pipe, micro-algae heterotrophic zone, gas-liquid separation chamber, micro-algae phototrophic zone, bottom backflow zone, discharge pipe, and the liquid drained zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, microfluidic devices, and systems for the detection of an active target agent in a fluid sample. A substrate molecule is used that contains a sequence which may cleave in the presence of an active target agent. A SNAP25 sequence is described, for example, that may be cleaved in the presence of Botulinum Neurotoxin. The substrate molecule includes a reporter moiety. The substrate molecule is exposed to the sample, and resulting reaction products separated using electrophoretic separation. The elution time of the reporter moiety may be utilized to identify the presence or absence of the active target agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chip for optical analysis. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical sensor handling a liquid sample, which is a chip for analysis that can be used for selectively measuring a biologically-relevant substance or a chemical substance such as an environmental pollutant or a health affecting substance in a liquid to be measured. The chip for optical analysis of the present invention is characterized in that (1) an adsorption region (filter region) is provided between a sample introduction section and the observation section in a passage of the chip for analysis, (2) a bypass passage is provided in the passage (main passage) of the chip for analysis, and a time lag is generated between samples passed through the main passage and passed through a bypass passage, and (3) a measurement region and a reference region are provided in the observation section of the chip for analysis.

Abstract: A closed transparent photobioreactor having a dome and a staged column wherein the dome is used as a growth chamber to provide a large culture volume to land area used and a flow pattern inside the dome allows for the uniform distribution of light energy, thereby negating growth rate inhibiting ‘dark zones’. A pump delivers culture from the bottom of the column to a lower portion of the dome and drives circulation between the two components and an increase in mass in the dome results in a spillover from the top of the dome into the column. Once in the column, algaculture will be aerated at each stage before returning to the dome. The staged column also provides for semi-continuous harvest of algae through the application of froth flotation and various other separation processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular ethanol production plant constructed of a number of identically sized modules each having a supporting structure main framework to which the components contained in the modules are attached. The plurality of modules includes a fermentation module, a distillation module, a ground grain module, or a sugar source feedstock module, and an optional heating module. Each of the modules are sized to occupy the same approximate space as a standard sized ocean going shipping container. Also, each of the modules has a central walkway including piping and electrical control boxes that are aligned for each connection to the next adjacent module.

Abstract: The invention provides environmental packages, instruments, and methods for sealing, protecting, and providing analysis chips for processing and analysis. The analysis chips are bonded directly or indirectly to chip carriers which are held within the chambers of an environmental packaging strip. The chambers are sealed with a sealing film such that the chip carriers can be extracted using a piercing tool and an extraction tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. A sensor system interacts with the bioreactor to receive information related to a condition of the bioreactor and/or receive a sample from the bioreactor, which it analyzes. The sensor system sends data signals related to the information and/or the sample to a controller, which determines a control signal based on the received information. The controller sends the control signal to the sensor system which, based on the control signal, performs an action that affects a condition of the bioreactor or affects the sensor system itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus, in particular for performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a plurality of PCR-samples, which comprises an arrangement for tempering samples, the arrangement comprising a tempering block for the tempering of samples, the tempering block comprising a reception side, which provides receptacles for receiving sample vessels, and a contact side for the contact of at least one tempering device, at least one tempering device, arranged in an area of said contact side, a pressure device, which comprises a pressure element and an auxiliary element, said at least one tempering device being arranged between said auxiliary element and the tempering block, the pressure element being linked to said auxiliary element and to the tempering block, and being arranged to press said at least one tempering device against the tempering block by pressing said auxiliary element against said at least one tempering device, wherein at least one tempering device is shaped and arranged

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a first component and a second component being connectable to each other, the first component comprising at least a first fluid opening and a first sealing surface and the second component comprising at least a second fluid opening and a second sealing surface. Upon connection of the first and second component the first and second fluid opening are placeable in fluid communication and the first and second sealing surfaces are placeable against each other to seal the fluid communication between the first and second fluid opening. The invention is characterized in that the cartridge comprises biasing means for biasing the second sealing surface in the direction of the first sealing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an assembly and a cover. The assembly comprises a sample block configured to receive a microtiter tray having a plurality of vials, each vial comprising a cap having a surface and a perimeter. The cover comprises a platen, vertically and horizontally displaceable in relationship to the sample block, the platen having a plurality of recesses. Each recess corresponds to a respective vial and is shaped and arranged to clear the surface of its respective cap when the cover is displaced onto the sample block. The cover includes a skirt in contact with and surrounding a perimeter of the platen. The skirt is configured for mating with a perimeter of a microtiter tray when a microtiter tray is received in the sample block, and also configured such that the cover contacts a microtiter tray when a microtiter tray is received in the sample block.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for staining tissue samples, said apparatus including a reagent section or reagent containers; at least one staining section or tissue samples, a robotic head or robotic element that may move reagent to a predetermined tissue sample, said robotic element being moveable above the reagent and the staining sections, a control element that may manage a staining process, a 2-D optical sensor to detect two-dimensional image data of a relevant property and that can feed the captured image data to the control element. By providing the robotic element with a 2-D optical sensor, a common image processor may be provided having multiple functions. By using a 2-D optical image processing system, the control system of the apparatus may easily be adapted to read various types of data presentations, just as actual images for sections of the apparatus may be identified in order to assess the condition of the apparatus.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a filtration unit and a gel growth medium cassette, the unit and the cassette being adapted to cooperate in order to occupy a nested position in which a membrane covers the gel growth medium, the unit and the cassette each being equipped with an intermediate stop, it being possible for at least one of the two stops to move clear so as to allow the unit to move from an intermediate position, in which the membrane is spaced away from the gel growth medium, into the nested position. The method comprises selecting such an assembly, of engaging the unit on the cassette until the intermediate stop of the unit comes into contact with the intermediate stop of the cassette, and the step of moving clear the stop able to move clear so as to allow the unit to move from the intermediate position into the nested position.

Abstract: The multifunctional medical device contains system on chip (SoC) computation functionality to organize several functional modules consisting of analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic tasks in the microfluidic assembly. Micro-valves, micro-tubes, micro-wires and gates organize the chambers of the flexible modules which hold multiple chemical and biological agents for combination on demand.

Abstract: The system presents applications of personalized medicine with intelligent medical devices (iMDs) and customizes therapies to complex problems involving neurological, cardiovascular, cancer, immunological and endocrinological diseases.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, that provides enhanced oxygen delivery and supply to cells without the need for stirring or sparging. Oxygen diffusion occurs on both sides of the culture vessel, top and bottom. A gas-permeable membrane that includes perfluorocarbons in its composition allows for the rapid, enhanced and uniform transfer of oxygen between the environment of cells or tissues contained in the cell culture container apparatus and the atmosphere of the incubator in which the cell culture apparatus is incubated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bubble excluder device (2) adapted for use with, and attachment to, a probe (6) for continuous measurement of the cell density of a culture in a liquid medium; the bubble excluder device comprising an inlet and an outlet to allow flow of liquid through the device and bubble exclusion means (20) to reduce or prevent ingress of bubbles from the liquid medium outside the device.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus consists of a vessel or array of vessels, each comprising a substantially flat bottom and substantially vertical sides, and composed of a substantially gas permeable material. The inner bottom surface of the vessel is commonly textured to provide the cells with adequate features for attachment and spreading. The vessel may include an integral annular flange which can be used to suspend the vessel from a suspensory element of a rack structure. To promote cell attachment and growth, the inner surfaces of the vessel bottom and sides may be coated with commonly available bio-active materials. Cells cultured in the system commonly grow in three dimensions for extended periods of time, and often produce significantly higher quantities of cellular products than cells grown in conventional labware.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. A sensor system interacts with the bioreactor to receive information related to a condition of the bioreactor and/or receive a sample from the bioreactor, which it analyzes. The sensor system sends data signals related to the information and/or the sample to a controller, which determines a control signal based on the received information. The controller sends the control signal to the sensor system which, based on the control signal, performs an action that affects a condition of the bioreactor or affects the sensor system itself.

Abstract: An acoustic wave biosensor comprises a plurality of spaced apart electrodes disposed on a substrate of piezoelectric material and having a biolayer matched to a specific type of autoinducer signaling molecule to be detected. The biolayer comprises a layer of heterobifunctional molecules disposed on the electrodes and on the piezoelectric material between the electrodes, and a plurality of bioreceptor molecules which bind exclusively with the specific type of autoinducer signaling molecule to be detected. The bioreceptor molecules are supported by the layer of heterobifunctional molecules, and a hydrogel layer surrounds the bioreceptor molecules to support a three-dimensional structure thereof. The bioreceptor molecules can bind with the specific type of autoinducer signaling molecule to be detected, and the biolayer is reactive thereto such that corresponding autoinducer signaling molecules bind to the biolayer and detectably vary acoustic characteristics of the acoustic wave biosensor.