Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a microchannel, which defines a flow path for a liquid. It further includes a liquid-pinning trench, which is arranged so as to form an opening that extends across the flow path. In addition, the device includes an electrode extending across the flow path so as to at least partly overlap the trench. The trench and overlapping electrode make up an electrowetting gate, which allows an efficient, reliable, and easy-to-implement flow control mechanism. In addition, such a mechanism requires relatively low actuation voltages (less than 10 V) to resume the liquid flow. Thus, a microfluidic chip having gates such as described herein can be controlled with a portable system, e.g., a smartphone connectivity. The present devices may notably be embodied as point-of-care diagnostic devices. Related devices, as well as methods of operation and methods of fabrication of such devices, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preventing the formation of white rust on a steel surface at least partially coated with zinc includes a) bringing said surface, preferably under thermal load, into contact with an aqueous composition, the pH of which is between 6.5 and 8.5 comprising at least one organic acid of formula: R—X—OH??(I) wherein X represents C(O) or S(O)2, and R represents an organic chain. A composition and also to a cooling tower treated by the process are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a single-walled pipette tip rack comprising buttresses for use in automated systems, in some embodiments. Also provided herein is a partial single-walled pipette tip rack comprising posts.

Abstract: A method for identifying a reagent during a process in an analysis system is disclosed. The analysis system comprises a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. The method comprises providing a reagent, adding at least one chemical substance to the reagent with a concentration being below a detection level of the mass spectrometer, enriching the chemical substance within the liquid chromatograph to a concentration above the detection level of the mass spectrometer, processing the reagent together with the enriched chemical substance by means of the analysis system, and identifying the reagent based on a detection of a substance detection signal of the mass spectrometer representing the chemical substance.

Abstract: A milking system includes a device to sample and analyse a milk sample, including a control unit, a sample supply line connected to the milk line, a pump to control the sample flow, an optical radiation source, and an optical sensor device to detect and analyse optical radiation coming from the reagent pad with said sample, to provide an indication of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move and unwind the tape from the tape reel, and a pump drive, external to the cassette, and releasably operably connected to the pump device for driving the pump device. The sampling and analysis device also includes a cassette with a sample receiving line, releasably connected to the sample supply line by a liquid connector, and arranged to receive the sample from the sample supply line, a tape reel with a tape that includes a base tape layer and a series of separate reagent pads, and a dosing device to provide a droplet of the sample onto a reagent pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides derivatized indicator compounds, such as pH indicator compounds, which can be covalently immobilized to a variety of solid substrates to produce an indicator pad. Such pads can be used to monitor water quality in variety of settings. In particular, the pads of the invention are useful in devices which monitor the quality of recreational water, such as water in swimming pools, hot tubs, and amusement park attractions, including water slides, and water-based rides. The present invention overcomes the limitations of commercially available pad chemistries.

Abstract: Since the measurement start timings for a plurality of specimens in different test fields deviate from one another, the measurement results are not coordinated, leading to a delay in reporting. When determining an order for measuring a newly recognized specimen using an automated analysis device capable of performing measurements in a plurality of test fields, the measurement order for specimens waiting to be measured is changed to minimize the time difference between measurement result output timings for a plurality of specimens for the same patient, with reference to specimen information such as urgent test information, a measurement completion time, and an earliest measurement completion time for other specimens, relating to the patient's other specimens having the same patient number in the specimen information.

Abstract: There is provided a master for micro flow path creation, a transfer copy, and a method for producing a master for micro flow path creation by which transfer copies having an area with high hydrophilicity can be easily mass-produced, the master for micro flow path creation including: a base material; a main concave-convex portion provided on a surface of the base material and extending in a planar direction of the base material; and a fine concave-convex portion provided on a surface of the main concave-convex portion and having a narrower pitch than the main concave-convex portion. The fine concave-convex portion has an arithmetic average roughness of 10 nm to 150 nm and has a specific surface area ratio of 1.1 to 3.0.

Abstract: A blood collection tube holder that prevents a blood collection tube from falling even when pressed by an elastic sheath body being compressed is provided. A blood collection tube holder 1 includes a blood collection tube holder body 11 and a holding member 12. The blood collection tube holder body 11 includes a needle tube 17 supported by a needle base 15, and an elastic sheath body 18 covering the needle tube 17, and the holding member 12 includes a press-contact member 22. The blood collection tube holder body 11 includes a tongue-shaped protrusion piece 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for detecting an analyte in a gas mixture or a liquid, comprising: (a) a polymer sorption filter (2) configured to separate methanol from ethanol; and/or to separate hydrogen and/or methane from interferants; and (b) means configured to detect (4) at least one of methanol, ethanol, hydrogen and methane. Furthermore, described is a method for detecting an analyte using the device and the use of the device.

Abstract: An integrated microfluidic systems and the method of fabrication is disclosed wherein various microfluidic devices fabricated onto substrates are bonded together either using an intermediary layer or not to facilitate the bonding process. The microfluidic ports on the microfluidic devices are aligned prior to bonding and the bonding results in leak-proof seals between the devices. Moreover, the fluidic capacitance using the present invention is eliminated thereby enabling microfluidic systems with far faster time responses. The example embodiments have a wide range of applications including medical, industrial control, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and products, as well as any application(s) requiring the use of multiple microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A positive displacement pipette tip for motorized control automation or liquid handling instrument system is disclosed. The positive displacement pipette tip includes a pipette tip and a pipette plunger. An interface portion of the pipette tip of the positive displacement pipette tip is designed to be used in combination with a zero-insertion force pipette tip clamping mechanism in, for example, a liquid handling instrument. Further, the pipette plunger of the positive displacement pipette tip is designed to be used in combination with a zero-insertion force pipette plunger clamping mechanism in, for example, a liquid handling instrument.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems associated with a sample testing device are provided. For example, an example sample testing device may include a substrate layer defining a bottom surface of the sample testing device, as well as a waveguide disposed on the substrate layer and includes at least one reference channel and at least one sample channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a microfluidic device has a substrate that defines a first inlet for a continuous phase fluid, a second inlet for a dispersed phase fluid, and droplet generators that can produce micro-droplets from the continuous and dispersed phase fluids. The substrate defines (i) a plurality of delivery channels in fluid communication with the first and second inlets, each delivery channel having a first dimension along a first plane that is perpendicular to a transverse direction, and (ii) a plurality of trenches that extend from the delivery channels towards the droplet generators along the transverse direction. Each trench has a second dimension along a plane that is perpendicular to the transverse direction that is smaller than the first dimension. The substrate defines a plurality of vias that extend from the trenches to the droplet generators so as to fluidly connect the delivery channels with the droplet generators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for in situ temperature-induced antigen retrieval of samples wherein all steps are performed under a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure on a sample immobilized on a sample support which can be further subjected to staining and imaging on the same sample support, optionally by cycle multiplexing that enables imaging of various molecular targets through multi-molecular read-outs on the same sample in a rapid, highly sensitive and reliable manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing an interior of a vehicle using a drone, may include a drone body of the drone and including a conformation sensor; one or more propellers coupled to the drone body; a UV unit coupled to the drone body and configured to radiate UV light; a sterilizer spray unit mounted to the drone body and configured to spray a sterilizer through the propeller; and a controller electrically connected to the UV unit or the sterilizer and configured to set a flight route in a vehicle, determine an infected region in the set flight route, and operate the UV unit or the sterilizer unit in correspondence to the infected region.

Abstract: A liquid including an organic component, a stabilization component, and a preservation component is provided. The organic component, the stabilization component, and the preservation component are different components. The organic component present in the liquid includes a volatile organic solution with a refractive index of 1.5 or below. Further, the liquid is a visualization solution that provides a resolving power of a lens by 1/1.5.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device including a container filled with a fluid, a pressure source, a probe which separates the fluid within the container, the probe associated with a probe position, a motor which moves the probe, a flow path which connects the probe and the pressure source, the flow path associated with a flow path position, a pressure sensor which measures pressure variations within the flow path corresponding with time series management data, and a sensor which detects a liquid level position within the container. A condition of flow generated within the flow path is estimated based on (i) the time series measurement data and (ii) a reference value of pressure according to fluid pressure based on gravitational acceleration in a position of the pressure sensor calculated based on (a) the probe position or the flow path position and (b) an immersion depth of the probe determined by the sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

Abstract: A system and method for isolating target substrates includes a microfluidic chip, comprising a plurality of processing units, each processing unit comprising: an inlet port, a plurality of first chambers connected to the inlet port by a fluid channel, the fluid channel comprising a plurality of valves, a plurality of second chambers, each of the second chambers connected to a respective first chamber by a fluid channel, each fluid channel including a controllable blocking valve, and a plurality of respective outlet ports, each outlet port in fluid communication with a respective one of said second chambers and each outlet port including a blocking valve. A magnet is adjacent the microfluidic chip and is movable relative to the microfluidic chip. A valve control is capable of actuating certain ones of the controllable blocking valves in response to a control signal.