Abstract: The present invention relates to a reusable optical fiber aptasensor using a photo-thermal effect, and more particularly, to a reusable optical fiber aptasensor using white light and a laser. The aptasensor includes a light emitting unit for selectively emitting one of white light and a laser, a sensor unit including a plurality of aptamers, a plurality of gold nanorods, and a silver mirror, a detector for analyzing a wavelength of inputted light, and an optical fiber for connecting the light emitting unit with the sensor unit, and connecting the detector with the sensor unit, wherein the light emitted from the light emitting unit is totally reflected in the optical fiber and irradiated to the sensor unit, and light reflected from the silver mirror of the sensor unit is irradiated to the detector. Accordingly, the aptasensor easily measures concentration of a target material in a sample using the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present application discloses a sensor for determining a measurand correlated with a concentration of at least one analyte belonging to the class of reactive oxygen species in a measuring fluid, the sensor including a sensor element having an indicator substance, wherein the indicator substance is oxidized into an oxidized form of the indicator substance by the at least one analyte, a means for generating a flow of current in the sensor element that causes a reduction of the oxidized form of the indicator substance and thereby regeneration of the indicator substance, an optical measuring sensor to detect measuring radiation influenced by the oxidized form of the indicator substance and to generate an electrical measuring signal using the influenced measuring radiation, and a sensor switch connected to the optical measuring sensor to receive the measuring signal and to ascertain a measured value of the measurand using the measuring signal.

Abstract: A sample vessel (1, 11) for transferring and analyzing a sample with analyzer instrument, which sample vessel comprises an elongated vessel body (2, 12) for containing the sample and a hinged cap (3, 13) connected in top end area of the vessel body, and the cross-section of the vessel body (2, 12) on a transversal plane in relation to the lengthwise center axis of the vessel body the inner surface of the vessel body is rotationally asymmetrical in relation to the lengthwise center axis, wherein the sample vessel (1, 11) comprises a surface (5, 15) extending upwards from the vessel body, which surface partially surrounds the edge of the cap (3, 13), when the cap is in closed position.

Abstract: Provided are microfluidic systems and methods for detecting, sorting, and dispensing of low abundance events such as single cells and particles, including a variety of eukaryotic and bacterial cells, for a variety of bioassay applications. The systems and methods described herein, when implemented in whole or in part, will make relevant microfluidic based tools available for a variety of applications in biotechnology including antibody discovery, immuno-therapeutic discovery, high-throughput single cell analysis, target-specific compound screening, and synthetic biology screening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus, which comprises an optical waveguide, a first and second waveguide couplers. The optical waveguide may be configured to receive light from an end surface of the optical waveguide. The first waveguide coupler may be coupled, at a first coupling strength, to a first portion of the optical waveguide. The second waveguide coupler may be coupled, at a second coupling strength, to a second portion of the optical waveguide. Attenuation of the light at the first portion is smaller than attenuation of the light at the second portion. The first coupling strength is smaller than the second coupling strength. The first waveguide coupler and the second waveguide coupler each comprises a surface comprising sites configured to attach a probe.

Abstract: A highly reflective light-guide system has a highly reflective light-guide surface for reflecting light that has been emitted from a sample and has entered from an entry port opposing a window material and propagating the same to an exit port opposing a light reception surface of a photodetector. An optical filter is provided in a space surrounded by the window material, the photodetector, and the highly reflective light-guide system and transmits the signal luminescence to be measured that is emitted from the sample between the window material and photodetector. The optical filter is fixed to the window material or photodetector by an adhesive, and the peripheral shape of the optical filter is smaller than the shape of the inside of a fitting part to which the optical filter is fitted and that is formed on the highly reflective light-guide system.

Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and a drip tray movable between a first position not under the capping/decapping mechanism and a second position under the capping/decamping mechanism.

Abstract: An in-situ photocatalysis monitoring system based on surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The monitoring system may include a Raman excitation light source, a laser coupling lens, a narrow band filter, a total reflection mirror, a dichroic mirror, a focusing coupling lens, a SERS optical fiber probe, a liquid phase photocatalysis reactor, a photocatalytic light source, a Raman collection lens, and a spectrometer. A first furcation part and a second furcation part each extend from one end of a common detection part of the SERS optical fiber probe; an extending end of the first furcation part is coupled with the focusing coupling lens; an extending end of the second furcation part is coupled with the photocatalytic light source; and the other end of the common detection part is arranged inside the liquid phase photocatalysis reactor. Raman excitation light and photocatalytic light may be transmitted on a common channel.

Abstract: Provided is an in-vitro diagnostic apparatus having a cartridge. The cartridge includes a body to which a biochip is detachably coupled, and the body includes a plurality of sample accommodating chambers. The disc member includes a cylinder portion and a sample mixing chamber, wherein the cylinder portion has a hollow tube form and is coupled to the body, and the sample mixing chamber is disposed under the cylinder portion. A fluid input/output port is provided in a bottom portion of each of the sample accommodating chambers. The sample mixing chamber includes a fluid path and an injection path, the fluid path selectively connectable to the fluid input/output port, and the injection path connecting the sample mixing chambers with the biochip. A syringe piston is coupled to the cylinder portion and configured to slidably elevate along the cylinder portion.

Abstract: A method for dosing a liquid using a pipette with adjustable dosing step size and an indicating equipment and a syringe that can be operated using the pipette, wherein the syringe is detachably connected to the pipette, at option, the dosing step size is set, or the dosing step size set before is maintained, the dosing volume adjusted via the dosing step size is indicated by means of the indicating equipment, the maximum number of dosing steps possible without refilling the syringe, with the set dosing step size and completely filled syringe is indicated by means of the indicating equipment, liquid is aspirated into the syringe, a reverse stroke is performed after the syringe is filled with liquid, dosing steps are performed, the performed dosing steps are counted and the number of performed dosing steps and/or the number of dosing steps still possible without refilling the syringe is determined and indicated by means of the indicating equipment, after performing the maximum number of dosing steps possible wi

Abstract: An integrated detection, flow cell and photonics (DFP) device is provided that comprises a substrate having an array of pixel elements that sense photons during active periods. The substrate and pixel elements form an IC photon detection layer. At least one wave guide is formed on the IC photo detection layer as a photonics layer. An optical isolation layer is formed over at least a portion of the wave guide. A collection of photo resist (PR) walls patterned to define at least one flow cell channel that is configured to direct fluid along a fluid flow path. The wave guides align to extend along the fluid flow path. The flow cell channel is configured to receive samples at sample sites that align with the array of pixel elements.

Abstract: A biological fluid sample analysis chamber and a method for analyzing a biological fluid sample is provided. The chamber includes a first chamber panel, a second chamber panel, and a plurality of beads disposed between the first chamber panel and the second chamber panel, which beads are configured to not reflect light incident to the beads in an amount that appreciably interferes with a photometric analysis of the biologic fluid.

Abstract: A sample container of patient sample material includes a sample container barcode containing patient-identifying information. The sample container barcode on the sample container is read, and a tubular reaction vessel is provided to a printer module configured to print a barcode directly onto a surface of the tubular reaction vessel. The printer module prints a barcode on the surface of the reaction vessel by a thermal printing method, and the barcode printed onto the reaction vessel is associated with the sample container barcode.

Abstract: A liquid accommodating container includes an accommodating portion configured to accommodate, in a hermetically closed state, a liquid for testing a measuring apparatus, a storage portion configured to store the liquid, and a coupling portion configured to couple the accommodating portion and the storage portion in a state that one of the accommodating portion and the storage portion is foldable back to the other.

Abstract: A system and method for photo-thermal imaging of a lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) device are provided. The system includes an intensity modulated heat source directed at a surface of the LFA device to selectively excite chromophore particles of interest and a thermal capture device configured to capture thermal waves emitted from the surface of the LFA device as a radiometric signal. A computing device, in communication with the thermal capture device, receives the radiometric signal and executes lock-in demodulation to detect surface or subsurface inhomogeneities of the LFA device.

Abstract: The production of biochar generates syngas, VOCs, CO and other gasses that can adsorb to biochar and reduce the quality of the final product. A controller measures the operating parameters, such as temperature, pressure and oxygen level, and automatically controls a feedstock auger motor, blower(s) and other subsystems of a continuous combined heat, power and biochar carbonizer. The carbonizer pyrolyzes feedstock. A catalytic converter combusts unburned components in by-product gases and generates additional thermal energy. Thermal energy drives an engine, such as a Sterling, steam, or ORC engine, to generate electricity or operate a mechanical device. Remaining thermal energy is transferred using another medium, such as air or water, via a heat exchanger. The feedstock is purposefully incompletely combusted, to produce biochar that consists largely of carbon. The biochar may be used to augment soil for cultivation, filtration or for other purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a functionalised polymeric chromatography medium, which process comprises (I) providing two or more non-woven sheets stacked one on top of the other, each said sheet comprising one or more polymer nanofibres, (II) simultaneously heating and pressing the stack of sheets to fuse points of contact between the nanofibres of adjacent sheets, and (III) contacting the pressed and heated product with a reagent which functionalises the product of step (II) as a chromatography medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for the pretreatment of biomass within seconds with low inhibitor formation. The pretreatment process is used to convert biomass to a fuel or other useful chemicals by subjecting the feedstock to a rapid retention time under pressure and temperature and/or chemical reactant. The system includes a continuously-operating valve discharge apparatus to discharge pretreated feedstock while maintaining uniform pressure on the pretreatment system.

Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided in which a well of a microplate 050 is imaged by a camera 110 comprising magnification optics 112. The camera is controlled to acquire a series of images of the well with different exposures. The series of images comprise a base image with a base exposure and at least one further image with a larger exposure than the base exposure. The series of images are then merged into an output image which comprises in a center region of the well image content from the base image and at a peripheral region of the well image content from the at least one further image. Advantageously, the output image may allow for better assaying or analysis of the samples in the well than any of the individual images.

Abstract: The invention relates to conducting assays with an apparatus including a substantially transparent assay cartridge loaded with magnetic beads, and a magnet carrier base positioned below a scanning platform holding the assay cartridge. A microcomputer controls a stepping motor which controls movement of the magnet carrier base, and causes the magnetic beads to travel from one well to another, where the wells contain different assay reagents. An electromagnetic coil-spring assembly induces mixing of well contents with the magnetic beads on actuation. The assay cartridge is authenticated by sending its encoded identifier to a server or website, and assay instructions are provided remotely to the microcomputer. Following assay completion, the cartridge can have color change or other assay indication detected, and the results sent to the server or website or another recipient. Concurrently assaying a control allows modification of assay results based on measured field conditions.