Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for batch production of espresso coffee by preparing ground coffee and water mixture in a pressure chamber, degassing the ground coffee in the pressure chamber, extracting an initial brew from the degassed ground coffee via pressure, and producing a final brew (large batch of espresso coffee) from the initial brew.

Abstract: Systems and methods of producing a frozen food product include dosing ingredients with a liquefied gas while mixing the ingredients using self-cleaning interlocking beaters. A system can include a container mount rotatable in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, a coolant dosing system configured to provide coolant to ingredients in a container coupled to the container mount, at least one beater to mix ingredients in the container, and a controller to control the rotation of the container mount and the beaters, the controller performing a mixing process that includes rotating the beaters and the container mount in opposite directions for a first time period, rotating the beaters and the container mount in the same directions for a second time period, and rotating the beaters and the container mount in opposite directions for a third time period.

Abstract: A capsule for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages includes pushing means for lifting a disc, arranged at a bottom of a cup defining an internal volume for containing a food substance to be infused. A central portion is collapsible towards the inside of the cup under a pressure force exerted from outside. The disc is fixed to an external edge with a peelable weld. Collapse of an intermediate portion pushes the disc, which, by lifting itself, detaches from the external edge, forming an outlet passage for the beverage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is notably directed to a microfluidic probe head (202), or MFP head, comprising a processing surface (204) having liquid injection and liquid aspiration apertures, as well as projections (205) extending from the processing surface (204). The arrangement of injection and aspiration apertures provides for a hydrodynamic flow confinement within a processing region that is formed between the processing surface (204) and a substrate (104) or sample surface (for example, the bottom of a microtiter plate sample well (102)), typically located beneath the processing surface (204). The disclosure is further directed to related microfluidic probe devices, and methods of operation of such an MFP head, notably to deposit cells on a surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, reagents, kits, systems, system components, and methods for performing assays. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an assay composition for detecting luminescence, which comprises an alkyl diethanolamine, for example, N-butyldiethanolamine (BDEA). In embodiments, the assay composition comprises 2-dibutylaminoethanol (BDAE).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the detection of the presence of sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample. The methods include embedding of sperm cells of the semen sample in a gel, denaturing DNA of the sperm cells, and lysing the nuclear proteins of the sperm cells. The present method includes an ionic surfactant sodium dodycyl sulfate (SDS) and a chaotropic agent urea in the lysis solution for releasing DNA from protamine of chromosome, which significantly reduces the time required for lysis. A kit for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pipette tip for use with a pipettor including a pipettor shaft having a terminal end has opposed proximal and distal ends and includes a tubular body and a coupling portion. The tubular body extends between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular body define a fluid passage terminating at a proximal opening adjacent the proximal end and a distal opening adjacent the distal end. The coupling portion is located on the proximal end. The coupling portion includes an interlock feature configured to mechanically interlock with the pipettor shaft proximate the terminal end to selectively and releasably secure the pipette tip to the pipettor shaft.

Abstract: A method for quantitative analysis of hydrogen gas generated due to the decomposition of Si—OH (silanol) in porous silica, which is a support of a metallocene catalyst is provided. The analysis enables the measurement of the content of hydrogen present in trace amounts in silica by employing an inert gas fusion-infrared absorption (IGFIA) method under specific pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic chip and valve, production process and uses thereof according to the independent claims.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for thermocycling of a reaction mixture is provided. The device comprises an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a flow channel connecting the inlet opening and the outlet opening and defining a flow direction from the inlet opening through the flow channel to the outlet opening, wherein the flow channel comprises a first flow channel surface and a second flow channel surface opposite to the first flow channel surface, and an array of wells provided in the first flow channel surface for fluidic communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening. Further, the first flow channel surface provides a first hydrophilicity and at least a part of the second flow channel surface provides a second hydrophilicity, wherein the first hydrophilicity is greater than the second hydrophilicity.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for the production of formulations of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In some embodiments, the disclosure provides an automated medicine formulation system comprising a portable and self-contained API formulating apparatus where the API and excipients are formulated to make a drug product meeting drug quality and safety specifications. The automated formulation system produces liquid formulations including, for example, injectable and intravenous medicines. The systems are capable of producing a plurality of individual sterile injectable doses of drug comprising a specific API and excipient(s), which can be formulated on demand in a GMP and FDA acceptable manner.

Abstract: A method of testing a biological sample, the method comprising: providing a centrifuge sample holder having a camera; arranging a transparent container comprising a fluid test medium in a recess of said centrifuge sample holder, wherein the camera is arranged to image a portion of the container comprising said fluid test medium; arranging said biological sample above and not in contact with said fluid test medium in said container; and with the camera, imaging a mixing of said biological sample with said fluid test medium while centrifuging the sample holder.

Abstract: Various methods of diagnosing and monitoring a subject infected with a Plasmodium parasite are described. Also, compositions and methods for attracting mosquitos are also described.

Abstract: A method for rapid detection of actinides including the steps of having a support including a colorimetric complexation, placing the support in communication with a sample through urinalysis, and receiving a visual indicator from the colorimetric complexation. The sample having an unknown concentration of at least one actinide within it. The colorimetric complexation is configured to activate when contacted by a threshold concentration of an actinide.

Abstract: A sensor and a method of using the sensor are disclosed. The sensor includes a conductive region in electrical communication with two electrodes, the conductive region including a MXene material combined with a mercaptoimidazolyl metal-ligand complex, wherein the MXene has the formula Mn+1Xn and M is at least one of a Group 3 transition metal, Group 4 transition metal, Group 5 transition metal, and Group 6 transition metal, X is carbon, nitrogen or a combination thereof, and n has a value of 1 to 3. The sensor can be used to detect volatile compounds that have a double or triple bond.

Abstract: A cap removal device and a thrombelastography device having same are disclosed. The cap removal device comprises a drive part (1), a connection shaft (2), and a cap removal member (3). The connection shaft (2) can move upward when driven by the drive part (1). The cap removal member (3) has an end (31) and the other end (32); the end (31) is pivotally connected to the connection shaft (2), so that when the connection shaft (2) moves upward when driven by the drive part (1), the cap removal member (3) rotates, due to the upward movement, around a pivot point (4) located between the end (31) and the other end (32) of the cap removal member (3), so that the other end (32) of the cap removal member (3) moves downward to contact a cap (5) to be removed, thereby removing the cap (5).

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detection of an analyte in a fluid is described. The microfluidic device comprises a substrate having a first surface defining entrances to one or more chambers defined in the substrate, surfaces of the chambers defining a second surface of the substrate, the first surface being modified for selective targeting and capture of at least one analyte to operably effect a blocking of the entrance to at least one of the chambers, and wherein a response characteristic of the microfluidic device is operably varied by the blocking of the entrance to the at least one of the chambers, thereby providing an indication of the presence of the analyte within the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and devices for concentrating target cells using dielectrophoresis (DEP) are disclosed. The method allows relatively high throughput of sample through a microfluidic device in order to allow rapid capture of target cells even when they are present in low concentrations within the sample. The method utilizes multiple chambers through which samples will flow, the chambers arranged such that the first capture area has a larger area and faster flow rate than a second chamber, the second chamber being positioned downstream of the first capture area and being smaller with a slower flow rate to further concentrate the material captured in the first capture area.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems associated with aerosol collection devices (such as, but not limited to, breath-aerosol collector devices, breathalyzers) are provided. An example aerosol collection device includes a sample transfer adapter configured to receive a sample and a device body connected to the sample transfer adapter. In some examples, the device body defines a flow channel that guides the sample to a filter component, and the filter component contains a buffer solution.

Abstract: A magnetic separation filter has an unsupported magnetically soft material layer having a plurality of pores, and, optionally, a passivation layer disposed on the magnetically soft material layer. The magnetic separation filter may be part of a microfluidic device having a lateral flow channel and a vertical flow magnetic separation filter. The magnetic separation device may be used to separate magnetically tagged particles, such as cells.