Abstract: A process for derivatization of an elemental carbon surface comprising exposing the carbon surface to a reaction mixture containing a thiol and a free radical initiator, and inducing decomposition of the initiator to free radicals so that moieties from the thiol become covalently attached to the carbon surface. The process can derivatize carbon with a redox active compound having a functional group which can be converted electrochemically between reduced and oxidized forms. Such derivatized carbon may be used in an electrode of an electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments for methods and systems that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample containing the analyte and deriving one of a batch slope, sampling time, or combinations thereof to attain accurate glucose concentration.

Abstract: A particle separating apparatus and method are provided, which pass a fluid sample such as blood through a filter to remove foreign matter, and separate target particles by using a MOFF channel, and re-separate the separated target particles through dielectrophoresis. The particle separating apparatus includes a MOFF (Multi Orifice Flow Fractionation) channel including a multi orifice segment through which a fluid sample passes to discharge a primarily separated material that are target particles separated from the fluid sample, through a central passage; a dielectrophoresis channel including a pair of electrodes to which AC power is applied and forming an electric field in a flow channel connected to the central passage of the MOFF channel to re-separate the target particles from the primarily separated material discharged from the central passage of the MOFF channel through dielectrophoresis.

Abstract: An automated system and method for storing/retrieving vessel holders is presented. A first storage compartment comprises first storage sections. A first translating mechanism vertically translates one storage section to a loading level for loading holders into the first storage compartment and translates one storage section to a handing-in level for handing in holders to/from an analyzer. A second storage compartment comprises second storage sections. A second translating mechanism vertically translates one second storage sections to a handing-out level and translates one storage section to an unloading level for unloading holders from the second storage compartment. A first transport mechanism comprises a first conveyor for transporting holders from a first storage section at the handing-in level to a handing-over station. A second transport mechanism comprises a second conveyor for transporting holders from the handing-over station to a second storage section at the handing-out level.

Abstract: A technique relates sorting biopolymers. The biopolymers are introduced into a nanopillar array, and the biopolymers include a first population and a second population. The nanopillar array includes nanopillars arranged to have a gap separating one from another. The biopolymers are sorted through the nanopillar array by transporting the first population of the biopolymers less than a predetermined bumping size according to a fluid flow direction and by transporting the second population of the biopolymers at least the predetermined bumping size according to a bumped direction different from the fluid flow direction. The nanopillar array is configured to employ the gap with a gap size less than 300 nanometers in order to sort the biopolymers.

Abstract: Provided are an analytical device comprising a pair of hematocrit electrodes (first pair of electrodes) and a pair of glucose electrodes (second pair of electrodes) that allows a sample to sufficiently reach as far as the second pair of electrodes that are provided on a downstream side in a flow path, a method for manufacturing the analytical device, and a measuring apparatus using the analytical device.

Abstract: A technique relates sorting biopolymers. The biopolymers are introduced into a nanopillar array, and the biopolymers include a first population and a second population. The nanopillar array includes nanopillars arranged to have a gap separating one from another. The biopolymers are sorted through the nanopillar array by transporting the first population of the biopolymers less than a predetermined bumping size according to a fluid flow direction and by transporting the second population of the biopolymers at least the predetermined bumping size according to a bumped direction different from the fluid flow direction. The nanopillar array is configured to employ the gap with a gap size less than 300 nanometers in order to sort the biopolymers.

Abstract: Methods for degrading contaminant nucleic acid. The methods use combinations of metal ions and peroxide ions to produce a variety of oxidative species that degrade nucleic acid. Methods of the invention are useful for decontaminating laboratory equipment or solutions. After the equipment or solutions have been decontaminated, the metal ion and peroxide ion solution can be deactivated by raising the temperature to dissociate the peroxide or by binding the metal ions, e.g., with a chelating agent.

Abstract: A production process monitoring system is used to monitor a set of production parameters in a production process of a plurality of production units that perform parallel production operation. The production units comprise at least one reference production unit and at least one distribution production unit. The reference production unit comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, and a reference control unit. The distribution production unit comprises a second sensor and a distribution controller. The first and second sensors of the reference production unit is configured to monitor a first and second parameters in the production parameters in the reference production unit and output a first and second signals corresponding to the first and second parameters. The second sensor of the distribution production unit is configured to monitor the second parameter in the distribution production unit and output a second parameter distribution signal corresponding to the second parameter.

Abstract: An automated feed manufacturing product is disclosed. The automated feed manufacturing product is provided with a flexible substrate having a plurality of card zones with the card zones defining sensing areas with sensor units formed within the sensing areas. The sensor units have a first electrode having first fingers, and a second electrode having second fingers and with the first fingers interleaved with the second fingers and with the first fingers spaced away from the second fingers. The sensor units also comprising biomolecule receptors on the flexible web between the first electrode and the second electrode such that a physical property of the first electrode relative to the second electrode is effected upon one or more of the biomolecule receptors binding to a biomolecule. The automated feed manufacturing product can be formed as a continuous web, or discrete sheets formed using a sheet feeder that picks up and processes the discrete sheets.

Abstract: Chemical modification of the surface of elemental carbon comprises a first stage of attaching a compound with an azo group to the elemental carbon and then a second stage of decomposing the azo group in the presence of one or more compounds with an olefinic group so that decomposition of the azo group forms radicals attached to the carbon surface and a said radical forms a covalent bond to a said olefinic group. The second stage may proceed as a polymerization of a vinyl monomer with a redox active group such as ferrocene, anthracene or anthraquinone. The resulting polymer-modified carbon may be used in an electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: A transport device for receiving a sample container and for transporting the sample container on a transport surface, the transport device being capable of being moved magnetically over the transport surface and, further, having a cooling device is presented. A sample distribution system comprising such a transport device and to a laboratory automation system is also presented.

Abstract: An analyte selection device can include: a body defining a fluid channel having a channel inlet and channel outlet; a bipolar electrode (BPE) between the inlet and outlet; one of an anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel inlet side of the BPE and the other of the anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel outlet side of the BPE; and an electronic system operably coupled with the anode and cathode so as to polarize the BPE. The fluid channel can have any shape or dimension. The channel inlet and channel outlet can be longitudinal or lateral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The BPE can be any metallic member, such as a flat plate on a wall or mesh as a barrier BPE. The anode and cathode can be located at a position that polarizes the BPE.

Abstract: This present application relates to a battery assembly and an electronic cigarette. The battery assembly comprises a battery including a first battery electrode and a second battery electrode. The battery assembly further includes a first charging electrode and a second charging electrode electrically connected to the first battery electrode and the second battery electrode correspondingly, and the battery assembly defines a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole at positions corresponding to the first charging electrode and the second charging electrode respectively; the first charging electrode and the second charging electrode are electrically connected to an external charger to supply charging power to the battery. By implementing the battery assembly and the electronic cigarette, the electronic cigarette can be directly inserted into the external charger to be charged, and the battery assembly and the atomization assembly do not need to be separated from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately measuring carbon dioxide partial pressure even if the apparatus is disposed in an environment at a high ambient water pressure, such as in a deep sea environment. A through hole that penetrates a body portion is formed in the body portion. The body portion is connected to a light source unit and a light receiving element unit. A signal line is disposed to pass through the through hole formed in the body portion. The signal line electrically connects between an amplifier substrate of the light receiving element unit and a CPU substrate of the light source unit to transfer the detection result amplified by the amplifier substrate.

Abstract: An evaporative system for separating solid salt from a saline solution is provided. The system comprises conveyor belts arranged to move the saline solution and evaporate water from it, using natural solar radiation, reflected solar radiation, mechanically induced evaporation and heat storing materials, which accumulate heat during the day and release the heat during the night to allow continuous production. The system may be adapted to different saline solution sources and terrain conditions as well as to varying meteorological conditions. The conveyor belts may be interspaced by separators that remove from the saline solution each type of salt as it solidifies on the corresponding conveyor belt. Conveyor belts may further be used to deliver the solid salt or wastes back to saline solution source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and recycling stack gas from coal-fired power plants, from natural or propane burning heating plants, or from cement kilns by using renewable catalysts of zeolite to separate pollutants into recyclable and reusable materials. The method reduces from the stack gas carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx) as well as halogens such as chloride and fluorides and trace metals particularly, mercury, lead, and zinc. The method and apparatus also result in production of fertilizer products by purging with gaseous or liquid nitrogen the zeolite beds through which the stack gas flows. The oxygen generated may be recycled to the burners in the plant.

Abstract: A plug side surface of a plug housing is provided with a claw portion. The claw portion includes a plug lock surface facing in a direction away from a connector mounting surface. Each assistant fitting of a receptacle connector includes a receptacle lock surface that faces in a direction approaching the connector mounting surface and is opposed to the plug lock surface in a mated state. The plug lock surface includes a lock maintaining surface and an unlocking surface. Assuming that an angle formed between a reference plane and the lock maintaining surface is a lock maintaining angle and an angle formed between the reference plane and the unlocking surface is an unlocking angle, the lock maintaining angle is smaller than the unlocking angle.

Abstract: This disclosure provide a nanopillar electrode device, comprising a substrate patterned with a plurality of metal pads. The device may further comprise a plurality of nanopillars electrode arrays, wherein each nanopillar electrode array is attached to the substrate above a metal pad and electrically connected to the pad. The device may further comprise and a chamber surrounding the nanopillar electrodes, which can be used for culturing cells of interest for recording action potentials. The nanopillar electrode device may be configured to apply a voltage through the nanopillar electrodes from a voltage source. Nanopillar electroporation may be used to increase the permeability of cell membranes to allow intracellular recording. Also provided are methods of device fabrication, and methods of use.

Abstract: A micro-droplet fluidic cell includes a membrane structure having a nanopore, a hydrophobic material disposed onto a portion of the membrane structure, and an analyte solution traversing the membrane structure and forming a micro-droplet on a first surface of the membrane structure. Also disclosed are methods for fast ionic current detection using the micro-droplet fluidic cell.