Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating waste plastic materials such as whole tyres, coarsely cut tyres, large plastic pieces, plastic composites such as hoses or combinations of above into gases, liquids and solids by direct heating in a pyrolysis liquid (1) such as molten salt or molten metal. The pyrolysis system is constructed such that the segregation of the light and heavy materials occurs within the pyrolysis chamber. The carbon black is segregated from the pyrolysis vapours via a cyclone and fractions of carbon black may be obtained by installing a number of cyclones in series so that different qualities of carbon black may be produced. Diesel or other oils, steel, carbon black, ZnO and synthesis gas are recovered; all of which can be feed streams to other processes. This process avoids the inefficient procedure of cutting the tyres or other plastic composites into small pieces before treatment by pyrolysis and also recovers valuable components.

Abstract: A microreactor array platform and method for sealing a reagent in microreactors of an array of microreactors are provided. The microreactor array platform includes an array of microreactors, and a sealing film having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the sealing film configured to movably seal the array of microreactors. The microreactor array platform also includes an injector for delivering a reagent into the array of microreactors via a fluid path between the array and the second surface of the sealing film, and an applicator for directing a sealing liquid against the first surface of the sealing film. The microreactor array platform further includes a system for creating a pressure differential between the reagent in the injector and a space between the array of microreactors and the second surface of the sealing film.

Abstract: A process includes receiving information associated with a target molecule to be synthesized via a synthetic pathway engine user interface. The process also includes determining, using a synthetic pathway engine, synthetic pathway data for synthesis of the target molecule. In some cases, the process further includes generating a synthetic pathway report user interface that includes information associated with the synthetic pathway data. In other cases, the process further includes initiating automated synthesis of the target molecule using automated chemical synthesis equipment according to the synthetic pathway data.

Abstract: A method and system for analysis of protein interaction kinetics in microarray or whole-cell based formats includes positioning a sensor chip on a prism. The sensor chip is spotted with a plurality of target molecules. A movable printer head deposits a plurality of analyte droplets on predefined regions of the sensor chip surface. A light source transmits light through the prism to excite surface plasmon resonance on the sensor chip surface, whereby the plurality of target molecules bound to the upper surface are changing the SPR resonance angle and therefore the intensity of the reflected beam. A detector receives reflected light transmitted through the prism from the bottom surface. Signals from the detector are received and processed into kinetic data and microarray labeled data to determine molecular interactions and binding kinetic properties for the plurality of analyte droplets.

Abstract: An array of membranes comprising amphipathic molecules is formed using an apparatus comprising a support defining an array of compartments. Volumes comprising polar medium are provided within respective compartments and a layer comprising apolar medium is provided extending across the openings with the volumes. Polar medium is flowed across the support to displace apolar medium and form a layer in contact with the volumes, forming membranes comprising amphipathic molecules at the interfaces. In one construction of the apparatus, the support that comprises partitions which comprise inner portions and outer portions. The inner portions define inner recesses without gaps therebetween that are capable of constraining the volumes comprising polar medium contained in neighbouring inner recesses from contacting each other. The outer portions extend outwardly from the inner portions and have gaps allowing the flow of an apolar medium across the substrate.

Abstract: A monitoring device is provided for analytical measurement of reaction fluid produced in a reaction vessel in a spectrometer with a monitoring cell. The distribution apparatus includes at least four supply and return lines that open into the distribution apparatus, wherein the distribution apparatus comprises a distribution device for distributing reaction fluid to the supply and return lines. The distribution apparatus comprises a distribution vessel in which the distribution device and an electrically controllable pump device for pumping of the reaction fluid are provided, wherein the distribution device comprises an electrically controllable valve device for distributing the reaction fluid to the lines that open into the distribution vessel.

Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus defining an aseptic pathway configured to direct fluids therethrough is provided. The fluid transport apparatus may include a conduit extending between a first terminus and a second terminus. The conduit may include platinum catalyzed silicone rubber having methyl and phenyl side groups. The conduit may have a storage modulus of 108 or less Pascals at ?75 degrees Celsius. At least one fitting may be connected to the first terminus. A fluid storage accessory may be engaged with the second terminus. A related flexible conduit, method of manufacturing a flexible conduit, and storage method are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: An automated life science laboratory or a storage facility for biological specimens may be located together with or in close proximity to a data center. The location of the data center, the automated life science laboratory, and the storage facility may be a location in which land and/or electricity are less expensive than locations where the biological specimens are collected. The automated life science laboratory may have a high-capacity data connection to the data center. The life science laboratory, storage facility, and the data center may share a connection to the electrical grid, an HVAC system, and/or a security perimeter. A biological specimen may be removed from storage at the storage facility, process by one or more biotechnology protocols at the automated life science laboratory, and data from the processing may be stored in the data center.

Abstract: A system for automated simultaneous measurements of multiple parameters (mechanical, electrical and/or thermal) of biological tissues includes a base platform supporting a biochip holder module with a biochip integrated therein and an indenter for nano- and micro-scale indentation of a tissue. The biochip is formed with an array of micro-sensors, for example, electromechanical micro-sensors integrated on a substrate of the biochip. A temperature microsensor maybe additionally formed, for example, on the tip of the indenter to measure thermal characteristics of the tissue specimen heated by the micro-heater fabricated on the biochip.

Abstract: A device and method of use for augmenting the extraction of salivary glands from Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes, where the sporozoite stage of Plasmodium primarily resides. Sporozoites are useful for research as well as for the immunogen in whole parasite vaccines for the prevention of malaria. The device and methods of use disclosed herein greatly increase the rate at which sporozoites can be harvested.

Abstract: A plasmonic device is disclosed, the plasmonic device having a base substrate and an electrically conductive film formed on the base substrate. The base substrate has a reference upper surface and an arrangement of chiral nanostructures formed in relief from the reference upper surface. Each chiral nanostructure has a nanostructure upper surface which is disposed at a distance of at least 30 nm from the reference upper surface in a thickness direction. The electrically conductive film is formed on the nanostructure upper surface of each chiral nanostructure and on at least part of the reference upper surface of the base substrate. Also disclosed is a method of analysis of a biological material using the plasmonic device, by depositing the biological material onto the plasmonic device and irradiating the plasmonic device and the biological material with electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An instrument system for acid digestion is disclosed. The instrument includes a heating block, a reaction vessel formed of a polymer that is resistant to acid and other chemical attack at temperatures above 150° C. and that has a structure (thickness, etc.) sufficient to withstand pressures above atmospheric, a metal sleeve surrounding the polymeric reaction vessel, and an opening in the block that has a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the metal sleeve.

Abstract: A system for incubating microfluidic droplets includes a droplet incubator, a gas exchanger and a conveyor. A method provides homogeneous incubation conditions in a droplet incubator by targeted introduction of gases and/or gas mixtures into a carrier fluid.

Abstract: A biological sample holder for holding a solid phase sample, including a handle, and a seal area suitable for being received in an opening of a sample receiving chamber of a cassette, mountable to a sample analysis instrument. The holder further includes a stem connected to the seal and a sample retainer connected to the stem for retaining solids in the retainer, the sample retainer including a perforated wall region for allowing fluids to pass through the wall but preventing the solid phase sample from passing through the wall.

Abstract: A system for flare combustion control includes a sound speed measurement device for measuring sound speed in a flare vent gas, and a flare combustion controller including a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the measured sound speed and determine, based on the measured sound speed, a molecular weight of the flare vent gas. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the determined molecular weight, a net heating value of the flare vent gas, and adjust the net heating value of the flare vent gas by regulating an amount of a supplemental fuel gas in the flare vent gas.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for imaging a microarray of a microarray assembly. The microarray assembly may be configured as a protein microarray and may be used to visualize protein expression levels in sample for disease detection and/or diagnosis. In one example, the microarray assembly may comprise a laser pointed in a first direction, a camera positioned parallel to and vertically below the laser, a first dichroic mirror vertically aligned with the laser for reflecting light emitted from the laser, a second mirror vertically aligned with the camera and horizontally aligned with the first dichroic mirror, and a chip coated in a nitrocellulose film and including an array of wells containing one or more biomolecules.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for managing fluid flow in disposable assay devices, which provides constant flow even at very low flow rates. Pumps utilizing the microfluidic device, as well as methods for manufacture and performing a microfluidic process are also provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for magnetically separating paramagnetic beads for biomolecule isolation and processing are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of microelectronics, and more particularly to a structure and method of forming a biosensor having a nucleotide attracting surface tailored to reduce false detection of nucleotides and enabling optical detection of nucleotides. The biosensor may include an analyte-affinity layer on an upper surface of a dielectric layer. The analyte-affinity layer may include a plurality of cylindrical gold portions with dimensions tailored for a target analyte. A distance between adjacent portions of the plurality of portions may range from approximately 50% of a length of a target analyte to approximately 300% of a length of a target analyte. The plurality of portions of the analyte-affinity layer have an upper surface with a diameter ranging from approximately 3 nm to approximately 20 nm.