Abstract: Haloamine biocides are prepared via multi-step processes in an integrated apparatus comprising an electrochemical cell and a mixing chamber, wherein active halogen donor species are electrochemically generated and subsequently reacted with amine-containing compositions to form haloamine biocide. Haloamine biocides prepared according to such processes are used to treat liquids in order to inhibit, reduce, and/or control microorganism growth therein.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hepatic lobule-like bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a nanofiber scaffold enclosed within a housing. An intrahepatic fibrous vascular network, a bile capillary network, upper hepatic bile ducts, lower hepatic bile ducts, a common bile duct connecting the upper and the lower hepatic bile ducts, and collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes surrounded by the bile capillary network are distributed throughout the nanofiber scaffold. Bile capillaries in the bile capillary network are provided with two or more inlet ports for biliary epithelial cells. The collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes are provided with two or more inlet ports for hepatocytes. The intrahepatic vascular network is provided with a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port. These ports extend through the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a membrane, screen or other flexible planar body in tension, while providing a conduit for water or other liquid to flow to the membrane being held. The membrane extends from inside a manifold body that carries the liquid, and the manifold body supports the membrane at one edge while the membrane is pulled in tension. Liquid pressure builds up inside the manifold body, preferably by entering a pressure chamber at the top of the manifold body. At a feeding pressure in the pressure chamber the liquid is distributed to the membrane for microbe growth. The liquid can be elevated to a higher, microbe-harvesting pressure by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, thereby deflecting a shim separating the pressure chamber from the membrane. The change in pressure is carried out by manually or automatically opening and closing a conventional water valve.

Abstract: Isolated non-naturally occurring populations of spermatozoa (15) having high purity and technologies to differentiate spermatozoa (28) based on characteristics such as mass, volume, orientation, or emitted light including methods of analysis and apparatus such as beam shaping optics (30) and detectors (32).

Abstract: A sensing system can include one or more particles having one or more plasmon resonances. The particles can be positioned adjacent to the active region of a sensor to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies corresponding to the plasmon resonances. An array of sensors such as used for color imaging can employ different types of particles adjacent to different sensors, so that different sensors sense different colors. During fabrication of such sensors, the particles can be applied mechanically or using a process such as inkjet printing.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a stack of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. An engaging member is disposed in the container and is adapted to contact one test strip of the stack of test strips. An actuator actuates the engaging member to dispense the one test strip from the container. Since one test strip is dispensed at a time, the remaining test strips are not handled by the user. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring oils on the user's hand.

Abstract: This impurity amount control system for manufacturing a single crystal has a resistivity profile memory which stores a resistivity profile for a portion of a single crystal that is rendered into wafers; a simulator which determines a resistivity profile formula for indicating a resistivity profile within a reusable ingot that is the reusable material in the single crystal from an impurity concentration estimating formula including one or more variables selected from among resistivities at both ends of the reusable ingot in the crystal growth axis direction, the impurity concentration when crystal pulling begins, a segregation coefficient, a solidification ratio and a correction coefficient, and from the resistivity profile; and an impurity amount calculator which calculates, based on the resistivity profile formula, the amount of impurity within the reusable ingot.

Abstract: An automated and autonomous diagnostic apparatus that is capable of dispensing collection vials and collections kits to users interesting in collecting a biological sample and submitting their collected sample contained within a collection vial into the apparatus for automated diagnostic services. The user communicates with the apparatus through a touch-screen monitor. A user is able to enter personnel information into the apparatus including medical history, insurance information, co-payment, and answer a series of questions regarding their illness, which is used to determine the assay most likely to yield a positive result. Remotely-located physicians can communicate with users of the apparatus using video tele-medicine and request specific assays to be performed. The apparatus archives submitted samples for additional testing. Users may receive their assay results electronically. Users may allow the uploading of their diagnoses into a central databank for disease surveillance purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating and/or controlling mercury emissions in a steam generating unit. A model of the steam generating unit is used to predict mercury emissions. In one embodiment of the invention, the model is a neural network (NN) model. An optimizer may be used in connection with the model to determine optimal setpoint values for manipulated variables associated with operation of the steam generating unit.

Abstract: A sensing device able to do concurrent real time detection of different kinds of chemical, biomolecule agents, or biological cells and their respective concentrations using optical principles. The sensing system can be produced at a low cost (below $1.00) and in a small size (˜1 cm3). The novel sensing system may be of great value to many industries, for example, medical, forensics, and military. The fundamental principles of this novel invention may be implemented in many variations and combinations of techniques.

Abstract: A system for assessing the characteristics and toxicity of a water sample comprising: a test chamber; an optical signal generator configured to emit an optical signal into the test chamber; a first digital filter disposed between the optical signal generator and the test chamber; a first optical transducer disposed to generate a first data signal in response to detecting radiant energy in the test chamber; a second digital filter disposed between the first optical transducer and the test chamber; an aqueous suspension of dinoflagellates contained within the test chamber and mixed with the water sample; a stimulator disposed to stimulate the dinoflagellates to emit a bioluminescence signal; and a microprocessor operatively coupled to the optical signal generator, the first digital optical filter, the stimulator, the first optical transducer, and the second digital filter, wherein the microprocessor is configured to assess the spectral characteristics and toxicity of the water sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for sampling and diluting concentrated emulsions, which may be oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, or other concentrated emulsions. One method embodiment of the invention comprises obtaining a sample of a concentrated emulsion comprising a dispersed phase and a continuous phase fluid; measuring droplet concentration of the dispersed phase in the sample; and for droplet concentration of the sample greater than about 1000 ppm, diluting the sample with substantially pure continuous phase fluid, forming a first diluted emulsion. Methods of the invention include those wherein the obtaining of a sample comprises opening a fluid connection to a flowing stream comprising the concentrated emulsion, wherein the obtaining and diluting steps occur in real time.

Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a hydrophilic membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained as a biofilm on the membrane. Maintaining the microorganisms as a biolayer on the surface of the membrane facilitates cleaning of the membrane surface that retains the biofilm. In addition the shell gas space that surrounds the membranes may be flooded to reduce or remove the biofilm. Agitation of the liquid, by for example the bubbling of gas in the surrounding shell space, can fully or partially remove the biofilm from the membrane.

Abstract: A method for measuring a lower heating value of a gaseous fuel. The method includes mixing a gaseous fuel with air to provide a combustible air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture is directed to flow across a flow surface of a first micro-hotplate maintained at a constant temperature. A change in power required to maintain a constant temperature of the first micro-hotplate flow surface due to a convective and conductive heat transfer from the first micro-hotplate flow surface to the air-fuel mixture is measured. The air-fuel mixture is directed to flow across a flow surface of a second micro-hotplate maintained at a constant temperature. The air-fuel mixture is combusted as the air-fuel mixture flows across the second micro-hotplate flow surface. A change in power required to maintain a constant temperature of the second micro-hotplate flow surface due to the combustion of the air-fuel mixture is measured.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for dispensing sample holders for use in an automated sample analyzer is disclosed herein. The apparatus for dispensing sample holders includes a rotating carousel for housing stack of sample holders. Stacks of sample holders from the rotating carousel are fed into a chute where sample holders contact a set of rotating members having helical threads thereon. The helically threaded rotating members engage the sample containers and separate each sample holder from the remaining sample holders in the stack by rotation of the helically threaded rotating members. The sample holder can then be transferred for use in an automated sample analyzer.

Abstract: A multiwell plate device is provided having a frame, a substantially flat substrate and a multiwell structure supported by the substrate. The multiwell structure includes multiple bottomless wells formed therein. The substrate is supported by the frame and may be processed by an automated arrayer or instrument that is used to print or spot arrays in a pattern on a reaction surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the multiwell structure may be engaged with the substrate and the multiwell structure and substrate may be engaged with the frame in an upright orientation. For scanning or other analysis, the multiwell structure and substrate may be disengaged from the frame, inverted 180°, and then reengaged with the frame in the inverted orientation.

Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.

Abstract: A leakage current on a side surface of a sensor chip of a cell electrophysiological sensor is reduced. In order to do so, a sensor chip having a continuity hole and a chip holding part covering the side surface of the sensor chip are provided. The sensor chip includes silicon as a main component, and the chip holding part is made of glass. The chip holding part is adhesively bonded to the side surface of the sensor chip by glass welding. Thus, in the cell electrophysiological sensor device of the present invention, the airtightness between the side surface of the sensor chip and the chip holding part is improved, so that a leakage current can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus comprised of devices for simple, fast and cost-effective storage and plating of solid nutrient medium (SNM) for various uses in the field of microbiological analysis. The devices consist of a container which can be aseptically filled with SNM and equipped with a plunger to accurately press out needed amounts of the SNM; a cutting means to cut, hold and transfer SNM; a measuring means to measure the amount of SNM exiting the container; and a growth plate for storage of SNM, growth of microorganisms on SNM, and introduction of indicator substances to SNM for analysis of microorganisms.