Abstract: The invention discloses methods and devices for rapidly detecting a biological or other residue in a liquid sample. In some embodiments of the instant invention, a single electrode is employed to contact a flowing aqueous solution, with electrical outputs being recorded by an electrical metering device. Injection or flow of sample leads to changes in solution electrostatic behavior; those changes are recorded in the metering device, with absence of predetermined residues or targets yielding the highest signals. General and specific target detection may be performed with various embodiments of the instant invention.

Abstract: In a gas sensor element of a gas sensor, reference oxygen chamber (113) assumes the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. A reference electrode (111) is disposed on a surface of a third solid electrolyte body (73) which is exposed to the reference oxygen chamber (113). A second outer electrode (117) is disposed opposite the reference electrode, on a surface of a second solid electrolyte body (77) which is exposed to the reference oxygen chamber. Further, a porous, insulative protection layer (165) is formed so as to cover the entire surface of the second outer electrode. A gap (167) is present between the reference electrode and the insulative protection layer. The thickness of the gap is greater than that of the insulative protection layer.

Abstract: An electrode element and fuel cell and a new method of manufacturing a fuel cell, particularly for use in a breath alcohol detector. This new element includes a reservoir for extra electrolyte that can allow near perfect capillary action to keep the electrode substrate full of electrolyte for long periods of time, increasing its useful life, especially under harsh conditions. Further, the capillary action need not work through a layer of electrode and can be integrally formed with the electrode element to eliminate or reduce loss due to connective surfaces. Wire connections and arrangements are generally of no concern in this design as the reservoirs for electrolyte connect directly to the substrate and electrolyte does not need to pass through an electrode.

Abstract: Droplet actuator apparatus and system are provided. An apparatus comprises: a microfluidics system having an insertion slot for insertion of a droplet actuator; a bottom plate against which the droplet actuator would slide when inserting the droplet actuator into the insertion slot; and means for forcing a substrate in the droplet actuator parallel to the bottom plate, wherein warpage in the substrate is corrected.

Abstract: An exhaust sensor comprises a sensing electrode and a reference electrode each in contact with an electrolyte. At least one of the sensing electrode and the reference electrode are formed by depositing an electrode precursor material on an electrolyte precursor material and sintering the combination at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to achieve densification of the electrolyte, wherein the electrode precursor material comprises an alkali salt. Electrode patterns having enhanced perimeter ratios are also disclosed. The resulting exhaust sensor is capable of providing a usable output at a reduced operating temperature.

Abstract: A technique is provided for forming a nanodevice for sequencing. A bottom metal contact is disposed at a location in an insulator that is on a substrate. A nonconducting material is disposed on top of the bottom metal contact and the insulator. A carbon nanotube is disposed on top of the nonconducting material. Top metal contacts are disposed on top of the carbon nanotube at the location of the bottom metal contact, where the top metal contacts are formed at opposing ends of the carbon nanotube at the location. The carbon nanotube is suspended over the bottom metal contact at the location, by etching away the nonconducting material under the carbon nanotube to expose the bottom metal contact as a bottom of a trench, while leaving the nonconducting material immediately under the top metal contacts as walls of the trench.

Abstract: A MEMS biochemical sensor configured to sense a target molecule, such as a DNA molecule, a protein molecule, and a viruses molecule. The biochemical sensor may include a cell and a readout module. The cell is configured to be coupled to a probe molecule, to retain a pre-sensing charge before the probe molecule is exposed to the target molecule, and to retain a sensing charge after the probe molecule is exposed to the target molecule. The readout module is coupled to the cell and configured to generate a measurement signal based on the pre-sensing charge and the sensing charge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting biochemical oxygen demand. Active sludge, surface water, domestic waste water, or industrial waste water comprising microorganism is taken as a water sample with microorganism in the method provided by the present invention. The water sample with microorganism is cultivated to obtain a microorganism film. The blank water sample and the target water sample are made to pass through the microorganism film respectively. The dissolved oxygen reduction current values of the blank water sample and the target water sample are detected. The difference value between the dissolved oxygen reduction current value of the target water sample and that of the blank water sample is obtained. On the basis of the difference value and the predetermined standard curve, the biochemical oxygen demand of the target water sample is acquired.

Abstract: In a biological information measurement device for measuring, for example, a blood glucose level, it is intended to improve measurement accuracy. In a voltage sweep mode A (a biological information characteristic detection mode), different voltage values are applied between a first input terminal and a second input terminal from a voltage applying unit 15 in a first period and a second period, a plurality of various factors that affect variation in the measurement of biological information are considered as changes in the current value in the voltage sweep mode A (the biological information characteristic detection mode), thereby a biological information correction value is calculated from the changes in the current value, and the biological information measurement value measured during the biological information measurement mode C is corrected by the biological information correction value. Thus, the measurement accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction characteristics of a biological sample are provided. The system generally includes a test strip and a readout device. A fluid sample is placed in the test strip, and the test strip is in turn operatively connected to the readout device. The readout device provides a controlled current that is sent across the fluid in the sample chamber. In addition, the readout device identifies an inflection point or transition time at which the voltage between contacts of the test strip is changing at the highest rate. The oxidation-reduction capacity of the sample is taken as the integral of the current profile from the time at which current begins to be supplied to the sample to the identified transition time.

Abstract: An amperometric gas sensor for determining oxygen content in a gas mixture includes a solid-state electrolyte. A first electrode configured as a cathode and a second electrode configured as an anode are disposed on the solid-state electrolyte and exposed to the gas mixture. The cathode is in contact with the gas mixture without any interposed diffusion barrier and has a design such that a flow of oxygen molecules from the gas mixture to a three-phase boundary between the solid-state electrolyte, the cathode and the gas mixture is limited in a defined manner. A voltage source configured to apply a DC voltage between the electrodes. A measuring device is configured to measure a limiting current flowing between the electrodes as a measure of the oxygen content in the gas mixture.

Abstract: A microelectrochemical sensor having a diaphragm, a web, a first and a second electrode. The diaphragm is permeable to ions of a chemical species, is arranged transversely with respect to a cutout in a base body, and closes off the cutout in a fluid-tight fashion. The web is arranged on a first side of the diaphragm between a first partial surface and a second partial surface, and is designed to adjust a temperature of the diaphragm to an operating temperature using electrical energy. The first electrode has a first partial electrode and a second partial electrode, is permeable to fluid, and is arranged on the first side of the diaphragm. The web prevents electrical contact between the first electrode and the diaphragm. The second electrode has a third partial electrode and a fourth partial electrode, is also permeable to fluid, and is arranged on a second side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for detecting sodium in a liquid. A concentration of a very small amount of sodium can be repeatedly and accurately measured by correcting baseline fluctuation and sodium concentration variation due to temperature variation on the basis of measured temperature and minimizing noise influence on the concentration measurement. According to the apparatus for detecting sodium in a liquid, the apparatus for detecting sodium in a liquid can accurately and repeatedly measure a concentration of a very small amount of sodium by minimizing noise and temperature variation effects on concentration measurements to ensure measurement accuracy of sodium concentration and the stability of a baseline as a measurement reference.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochemical sensor device comprising: an integrated electrochemical sensor element having: a substrate; first and second electrodes formed on the upper surface of the substrate; and an electrolyte layer formed on the first and second electrodes so as to electrically contact both the first and second electrodes; and a sensor integrated circuit electrically connected to the first and second electrodes of the integrated electrochemical sensor element. The integrated electrochemical sensor element and the sensor integrated circuit are provided in a single package.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for scaling body fluid analysis data to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature, variations in electrode conductivity or combinations thereof before providing an analyte concentration. The scaling methods utilize current response data obtained from an AC block applied prior to a DC block to minimize the impact of such confounding variables upon the observed DC current response before creating descriptors or algorithms. The scaling methods therefore compensate the measured DC current by using data from the AC block made on the same sample. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various scaling methods.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for rapid enrichment and mass transport of biomolecules (e.g., such as proteins) or other small molecules and particles using electrodeless dielectrophoresis (eDEP). In one aspect, a device to aggregate molecules includes a substrate that is electrically insulating, an electrically insulative material formed on the substrate and structured to form a channel to carry an electrically conducting fluid containing particles, a constriction structure formed of the electrically insulative material and located in the channel to narrow a channel dimension and forming an opening with a size in the nanometer range, and a circuit coupled to the substrate to apply an ac electric field and a dc bias electric field along the channel, in which the constriction structure is structured to magnify the applied ac electric field to produce forces that operate collectively to aggregate the particles.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital image in fluorescence gel imaging is disclosed. The method includes providing a gel sample and placing the gel sample on a flat panel detector having array of photodiodes and transistors that collect light generated from the gel sample. The gel sample is illuminated using a light source integrated into the flat panel imaging system and light emitted by the gel sample responsive to an excitation of the gel sample by light provided by the light source is then collected, with the light emitted by the gel sample being collected by the array of photodiodes of the flat panel detector and converted to electric charges to generate light data. The light data is then processed to generate a digital image of the gel sample.

Abstract: A test strip for use with an analyte meter comprises an integrated power source, such as a battery wherein the test strip is configured upon insertion into the meter to provide sufficient power for completing a sample assay without requiring a separate power source in the meter.

Abstract: A biomolecule detection apparatus comprising a nanopore device having a front surface and rear surface and including a nanopore having a nano-sized diameter; a reservoir disposed adjacent to a rear surface of the nanopore device; and a power supply unit comprising a first electrode disposed in a front of the nanopore device; a second electrode disposed inside the reservoir; and a third electrode disposed adjacent the nanopore and between the first electrode and the second electrode; as well as a method of using the biomolecule detection apparatus to detect a biomolecule in a sample.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochemical sensor (10) for detecting the concentration of analyte in a fluid test sample is disclosed. The sensor (10) includes a counter electrode having a high-resistance portion for use in detecting whether a predetermined amount of sample has been received by the test sensor.