Abstract: A microfluidic system is configured for enhanced temperature control by combining spatial and temporal temperature control. The microfluidic system includes an electro-wetting on dielectric (EWOD) device comprising an element array configured to receive one or more liquid droplets, the element array comprising a plurality of individual array elements; a control system configured to control actuation voltages applied to the element array to perform manipulation operations of the liquid droplets; and a plurality of thermal control elements located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal control elements being variable in temperature with respect to time. The control system includes a thermal control unit configured to control temperatures of the thermal control elements to generate a plurality of thermal zones located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal zones being variable in temperature with respect to time.

Abstract: Fluid storage containers and analysis cartridges for use in assay processes are presented. In addition, systems comprising such storage containers and analysis cartridges and methods of using such containers and cartridges are presented as well. In specific embodiments, fluid storage containers are configured to be coupled to analysis cartridges in a first stage and a second stage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor having continuous and discontinuous regions of conductive metallic nanoparticles capped with an organic coating which enables the detection of volatile organic compounds and/or water vapor. Continuous regions may exhibit a positive response upon exposure to volatile organic compounds and to water vapor, while discontinuous regions exhibit a negative response upon exposure to water vapor larger than the positive response of the continuous region.

Abstract: Microfluidic probe head for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers. The microfluidic probe head includes: an inlet, an outlet, a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel and a fluid bypass connecting the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel delivers the sequence of separate liquid volumes from the inlet toward a deposition area, the fluid bypass allows the spacers to be removed from the first fluid channel obtaining a free sequence of separate liquid volumes without spacers, the first fluid channel delivers the free sequence of separate liquid volumes to the deposition area, and the second fluid channel delivers the removed spacers from the fluid bypass to the outlet. The present invention also provides a microfluidic probe and method for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes.

Abstract: Provided in part herein are multiple-tube devices that contain a region of reduced wall thickness, which devices facilitate biological fluid processing and analysis. Also provided in part herein are methods of manufacturing and using such devices.

Abstract: A standard for testing measurement systems for aqueous chlorine species analysis includes an openable storage vessel and an aqueous composition including a compound having the formula R1R2NCl where R1 and R2 are independently methyl, ethyl or propyl, wherein the aqueous composition is storage stable within the openable storage vessel.

Abstract: Polydentate polycyclic compounds of various formulas are disclosed herein. The compounds are useful for ratiometric luminescence. Significantly, the compounds will luminesce at different wavelengths/colors, depending on the analyte (metal ion, acid, or boron-containing compound) it is combined with. Thus, a single compound can provide different luminescent outputs based on the analyte, rather than requiring an entire set of structurally different compounds to detect each analyte or to generate a desired color output.

Abstract: Methods are described for determining the amount of metabolites of leflunomide in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying teriflunomide in a sample.

Abstract: An object of the present technology is to provide a chlorine-concentration-measuring composition that can reduce staining by reagents, a measurement method using the chlorine-concentration-measuring composition and a method for reducing staining by chlorine-concentration-measuring composition using an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof. Provided are a chlorine-concentration-measuring composition comprising an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof; a chlorine-concentration-measuring composition comprising component (a) a color reagent for detection of residual chlorine and component (b) an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof; a chlorine-concentration-measuring method comprising using the composition; and a method for reducing or preventing staining by using the chlorine-concentration-measuring composition comprising an aromatic sulfonic acid-based polymer or the salt thereof.

Abstract: A device, especially a microfluidic device for performance of an immunoassay, has a first, a second and a third fluidically connected chamber and a membrane. In the event of a given deflection of the membrane into the first chamber, a first fluid is passed at least partly out of the first chamber into the second chamber in such a way that a second fluid is at least partly displaced from the second chamber into the third chamber in such a way that the third chamber is entirely filled with the second fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe head for providing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers, the separate liquid volumes including a respective target substance associated with a respective target area, the microfluidic probe head including an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid channel fluidly connected to the inlet, the first fluid channel configured for delivering an injection liquid from the inlet to a respective target area; a second fluid channel fluidly connected to the outlet, the second fluid channel configured for delivering liquid volumes from the respective target area to the outlet; and a spacer insertion unit fluidly connected to the second fluid channel, the spacer insertion unit configured for inserting spacers into the second fluid channel between the liquid volumes to provide the sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for measuring adsorption/desorption of contaminants onto surface bed sediments and a method of using the device. The measurement device includes a sediment sample disc, a sample holder, a reaction cylinder, a liquid collection cylinder, and a liquid circulating member from inside to outside, the liquid circulating member consisting of rubber pipes and a peristaltic pump.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a solid phase microextraction sampling instrument for inserting into or through a solid or semisolid material to extract a component of interest from a sample, comprising a support structure at least partially coated with an extraction phase for extracting the component of interest, a protrusion that shields the coating during insertion, where the distances within a cross-sectional plane of the sampling instrument are greater than or equal to the corresponding distances in all of the cross-sectional planes located between the cross-sectional plane of interest and the insertion end of the sampling instrument. The present disclosure also discusses methods of making the instrument, desorption chambers, and methods for desorbing a component of interest from the instrument.

Abstract: A microfluidic, chip-based assay device has been developed for measuring physical properties of an analyte (particularly, whole blood or whole blood derivatives). The technologies can be applied to measure clotting times of whole blood or blood derivatives, determine the effects of anticoagulant drugs on the kinetics of clotting/coagulation, as well as evaluate the effect of anticoagulant reversal agents. These technologies can additionally be used to optimize the dosage of anticoagulation drugs and/or their reversal agents. The assay is independent of the presence of anticoagulant; clotting is activated by exposure of the blood sample in the device to a glass (or other negatively charged material such as oxidized silicon) surface, which activates the intrinsic pathway and can be further hastened by the application of shear flow across the activating materials surface.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide gas detector is provided. The detector includes a metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas sensor having an electrical characteristic that varies with hydrogen sulfide gas concentration. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas detector to measure the electrical characteristic. A controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to receive an indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor as well as an indication of ambient humidity. The controller is configured to provide a compensated hydrogen sulfide gas concentration output based on the indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor, an indication of ambient temperature, and the indication of ambient humidity.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making rapid labeled dextran ladders and other calibrants useful in liquid chromatography. The methodologies include a two-step process comprising a reductive amination step of providing a reducing glycan and reacting it with a compound having a primary amine to produce an intermediate compound. The intermediate compound is then rapidly tagged with a rapid tagging reagent to produce the rapid labeled dextran ladder.

Abstract: In one arrangement, a cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a holding compartment, first and second fractioning compartments, and a number of flow channels formed within the cartridge body. A predetermined quantity of fluid can be held in the holding compartment when the cartridge body is held in a first orientation, and can be poured from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment by rotating the cartridge body about a predefined rotation axis to a second orientation, spilling the fluid from the holding compartment to the first fractioning compartment through one of the flow channels. The first fractioning compartment is such that when the cartridge body is in the second orientation, not all of the fluid can be contained in the first fractioning compartment, and fluid that overflows the first fractioning compartment flows through a second flow channel to the second fractioning compartment.

Abstract: A device for detecting an airborne contaminant includes (a) a reactive polymer film having affinity for binding with the airborne contaminant, (b) an electrically conductive polymer film in contact with the reactive polymer film and having electrical property sensitive to binding of the airborne contaminant to the reactive polymer film, and (c) two electrodes in electrical contact with the electrically conductive polymer film for measuring the electrical property to detect the binding of the airborne contaminant to the reactive polymer film. Another device for detecting an airborne contaminant includes (a) a polymer film molecularly imprinted with the airborne contaminant, and (b) color reporting molecules having color sensitive to binding of the airborne contaminant to the polymer film. A method for manufacturing a device for detecting an airborne contaminant includes depositing, using one or more inkjet print heads, a polymer film and at least two electrodes onto a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method, in particular embodiments, may apply specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it extremely difficult or impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe. Particular SEC (size exclusion chromatography)-based methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be used to measure, e.g., the molecular size, weight, and/or volume, whether in absolute or relative manner, of the various components of eluate from the SEC stationary phase (e.g., a permeable gel). This analytical method is applicable on a wide variety of hydrocarbonaceous materials, and especially useful for, but not limited to oil, maltenes of oil, asphalt binders and asphalt binder blends, which may contain wide varieties of different types of additives, modifiers, and chemistries.

Abstract: A method and microfluidic device are provided for containing a droplet having an outer surface at a predetermined location. The microfluidic device includes a plate having an upper surface and a central region communicating with the upper surface. The central region is adapted for receiving a droplet of fluid thereon. The central region includes an outer periphery that defines a first fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid on the central region from flowing therepast. A second fluid constraint extends about the first fluid constraint. The second fluid constraint is configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast. A third fluid constraint extends about the second fluid constraint. The third fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast.