Abstract: An electrophoresis gel assembly comprising a gel slab, at least two sample wells and at least one focusing buffer well arranged between two adjacent sample wells and wherein focusing barriers are arranged between the focusing buffer well and the sample wells. A high conductivity focusing buffer can be applied to the focusing buffer well to obtain a lateral focusing of the sample bands during electrophoresis.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electroplating are described. Apparatus described herein include anode supports including positioning mechanisms that maintain a consistent distance between the surface of the wafer and the surface of a consumable anode during plating. Greater uniformity control is achieved.

Abstract: Contacting a pair of electrodes with soil, applying an alternate current input electric signal to one of the pair of electrodes, comparing a phase of an output electric signal from the other of the pair electrodes with a phase of the input electric signal; and determining the concentration of the ionic solute included in the solvent according to a difference of the phases. The difference of the phases is not dependent on the water content. An electrical conductivity is proportional to a water content and ion concentration, thereby, the water content of soil is available according to the measured electrical conductivity, while determining the ion concentration.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating three-dimensional electrically conductive structures. Three-dimensional electrically conductive microstructures are also provided. The method may include providing a mold having at least one microdepression which defines a three-dimensional structure; filling the microdepression of the mold with at least one substrate material; molding the at least one substrate material to form a substrate; and depositing and patterning of at least one electrically conductive layer either during the molding process or subsequent to the molding process to form an electrically conductive structure. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional electrically conductive microstructure comprises an electrically functional microneedle array comprising two or more microneedles, each including a high aspect ratio, polymeric three dimensional substrate structure which is at least substantially coated by an electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of improving performance of electrochemical gas sensors includes cycling potentials applied to one or more of the electrodes of the respective sensor(s) to improve performance of a different electrode. In a process for treating a reference electrode, potentials can be applied to working and, or counter electrodes so as to modify the environment in the vicinity of the reference electrode. An apparatus can carry out the method automatically.

Abstract: A method and device for facilitating maintenance of an anode of a marine engine cooling system, the device including a plug for an anode that has a detachable component with a threaded end for mounting to a threaded bore of a cooling system structure, a connector that holds the anode, at least one channel communicating with the cooling system and a sealing mechanism for sealing the channel from the cooling system, the sealing mechanism including a sealing element having an opening through which the anode may pass and being biased to seal against the anode and to close the opening to seal the channel when the anode is not present in the channel. The method permits changing the anode while preventing or minimizing water from exiting the cooling system of the marine engine.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: An adjustable insertion assembly for an electrochemical sensor includes an electrode holder to receive the sensor, having a distal aperture to permit process fluid to contact the sensor. A receptacle slidably receives the holder, for a sliding range of motion extending from fully inserted to fully retracted positions. An open distal end portion of the receptacle extends through a wall of a process fluid vessel, so that the aperture is open to the process fluid when fully inserted, and closed when fully retracted. A leverage member is releasably movable relative to the receptacle, and moves with a captured extension. An abutment of the receptacle engages the extension so that movement of the leverage member in opposite directions alternately clamps and releases the electrode holder relative to the receptacle to substantially prevent and permit movement at substantially any point within the range of movement.

Abstract: To provide an anode, corrosion-protecting structure of a concrete constructions using this, and a corrosion protection method capable of protecting electrical corrosion, with little generation of gas due to electrolysis of water or chlorine compounds, by decreasing as far as possible the amount of processing performed on the structural body in on-site construction work and suppressing the voltage that is conducted therethrough to a low level. [Solution] A corrosion-protecting structure (1) is constituted by attaching an anode (10) to the surface layer (3) of a corrosion-protecting body (4) through a first electrolyte layer (12) on one face of a conductive layer (11) formed as a sheet. The electrolyte is formed as a sheet. The first electrolyte layer (12) having adhesiveness is attached to the conductive layer (11) and the surface layer (3) of the corrosion-protecting body (4).

Abstract: The disclosed device for trapping biologically-relevant substances can easily collect biologically-relevant substances from a thin tissue section or a gel in which said biologically-relevant substance have been fractionated. Said device is provided with: trapping bodies for trapping biologically-relevant substances; carriers that hold the trapping bodies; and electrodes for charging the trapping bodies. The trapping bodies are charged and brought into contact with a prescribed position on a thin tissue section that contains biologically-relevant substances or a gel in which biologically-relevant substances have been fractionated, thereby trapping said biologically-relevant substances from said gel or thin tissue section.

Abstract: Described is an electrochemical flow cell (1) for analyzing fluid samples including a first member (100) including a first working surface (101), the first working surface (101) including a sample outlet (102), and a second member (200) including a second working surface (201), the second working surface (201) including a working electrode (202). The first and second member (100, 200) being connectable to each other to create a chamber (2) in between the first (101) and second working surface (201). The first working surface (101) being opposite and spaced apart from the second working surface (201) and the sample outlet (102) being directed at the working electrode (202). The electrochemical flow cell (1) includes an adjustment element for stepless adjustment of a distance (d) between the first working surface (101) and the second working surface (201).

Abstract: An electroplating system and method has a needle anode associated with an XYZ or multi-direction positioning device and is configured for plating internal surfaces of holes in metal products. The needle anode is positioned such that an insertion portion of the needle anode is centered over a hole and inserted to a predetermined depth in the hole, with a discharge end located a predetermined distance from the inner end of the hole. Plating solution is supplied to the needle anode and flows continuously during plating from the discharge end of the needle, through a gap between the needle anode and inner surface of the hole, and out of the open end of the hole into a drain. In one example, the metal object is a terminal of an electrical connector and the hole is a solder cup at a terminal end of the connector.

Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the analyte concentration of a fluid test sample includes a base, a dielectric layer, a reagent layer and a lid. The base provides a flow path for the test sample having on its surface a counter electrode and a working electrode adapted to electrically communicate with a detector of electrical current. The dielectric layer forms a dielectric window therethrough. The reagent layer includes an enzyme that is adapted to react with the analyte. The lid is adapted to mate with the base and to assist in forming a capillary space with an opening for the introduction of the test sample thereto. At least a portion of the width of the counter electrode is greater than the width of the working electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor testing method including: applying at least one of a first voltage that obtains a response caused by a substance and a second voltage that either obtains no response or substantially no response caused by the substance across a first electrode and a second electrode of a sensor; measuring current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode; and determining whether or not there is a defect present in the sensor based on a quantity related to an amount of change per specific period of time of a current measured when the first voltage and/or the second voltage have been applied.

Abstract: A method of determining an electrolyte in a sample including adding the sample to an electrolyte module, the electrolyte module including a dilution cup, a flow cell, and a pump, the flow cell having a flow channel with a first end and a second end, the first end fluidically coupled to the dilution cup, and the second end fluidically coupled to the pump; combining the sample with a diluent in the dilution cup to produce a diluted sample; operating the pump to aspirate the diluted sample into the flow cell; measuring the electrolyte in the diluted sample in the flow cell; and reversing the pump to dispense fluid through the second end to displace the diluted sample from the flow cell back into the dilution cup.

Abstract: There is provided an electroplating method for a through-hole. The method includes: a first plating process, a second plating process, and a third plating process. The first plating process is a plating process of forming a metal film with a uniform thickness in the through-hole to reduce a diameter of the through-hole, the second plating process is a plating process of blocking up a central portion of the through-hole with the metal film using a PR pulsed current, and the third plating process is a plating process of completely filling the through-hole with the metal film using the plating current whose value is equal to or larger than a forward-current value of the PR pulsed current used in the second plating process.

Abstract: A light absorbing layer for a photoelectrode structure, the light absorbing layer including copper oxide, wherein metallic copper (Cu) is present at a grain boundary of the copper oxide. Also, a photoelectrode structure including the light absorbing layer, a photoelectrochemical cell including the photoelectrode structure, and a solar cell including the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes co-feeding fluids comprising a leading electrolyte, a trailing electrolyte, and at least one of DNA and RNA to a channel, and applying an electric field to the fluids in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the channel for inducing transverse isotachophoresis. In another embodiment, a method includes co-feeding fluids to a channel. The fluids include a leading electrolyte, a trailing electrolyte, biological objects, at least one of DNA and RNA, and a spacer electrolyte having an electrophoretic mobility that is between an electrophoretic mobility of at least some of the biological objects and an electrophoretic mobility of the at least one of the DNA and the RNA. The method also includes applying an electric field to the fluids in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the channel for inducing transverse isotachophoresis. Other methods of isotachophoresis are disclosed in addition to these.