Abstract: A biological sample collection system can include a sample collection vessel having a sample collection chamber with an opening configured to receive a biological sample into the sample collection chamber. The biological sample collection system can additionally include a selectively movable sleeve valve configured to associate with the opening of the sample collection chamber. The biological sample collection system can additionally include a sealing cap that is configured to associate with the selectively movable sleeve valve and with the sample collection vessel. The sealing cap can include a reagent chamber having reagent(s) stored therein, and when the sealing cap is associated with the sample collection vessel, the selectively movable sleeve valve opens, dispensing the reagent(s) into the sample collection chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time method for detecting copper and silver in water in parts per billion. Total silver is detected by adding a 2% nitric acid solution to the sample; after ten minutes, adding a buffer solution comprising water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and EDTA to the sample; adding an indicator comprising Cadion 2B, EtOH, and Triton X-100 to the sample; after one minute, reading the absorbance of the sample using a spectrophotometer with a target peak of 515 nm; and determining the silver concentration by comparing the absorbance of the sample to the absorbances of known silver standards.

Abstract: Methods of detecting the presence of toxins in a sample using electrophoretic separations and of performing electrophoretic separation of complex samples are provided. The method of detecting the presence of toxins includes reacting a sample and a substrate with a signaling enzyme which converts the substrate to the product in a reaction medium, introducing a run buffer into a separation channel having an inlet end, selectively introducing at least one of the substrate and the product of the reaction medium into the inlet end of the separation channel, electrophoretically separating the substrate and the product, and determining the rate of conversion of the substrate to the product, wherein a change in the rate of conversion is indicative of the presence of toxins.

Abstract: A breath alcohol measurement device has a sample collector (1) with a sample inlet (2) configured for a contactless introduction of a breath sample. A measurement unit (9) has a sensor (16) that generates a measurement signal based on an alcohol content in the breath sample. A control and evaluation unit (4) determines the alcohol content based on the measurement signal and transmits a result-specific signal to an output unit (5). Some of the breath sample provided into the sample inlet (2) is applied, at least intermittently via a main flow duct (10), to the sensor (16) via a measurement gas duct (21) that is connected via an outlet to the environment (7). Between the sample inlet (2) and the outlet of the main flow duct there is a further outflow opening (6) through which some of the breath sample introduced into the sample inlet exits into the environment.

Abstract: An optical nano-biosensing system and a method thereof are provided. The optical nano-biosensing system includes a nano-plasmonic sensing device, a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter, a signal acquisition and processing device, and an intelligent electronic device. The nano-plasmonic sensing device further includes a light-source control circuit, a sample receiver, a light detector, and a signal-amplifying circuit. The sample receiver receives a sample. The light-source control circuit generates an incident light from a light source to be projected onto the sample receiver. The light detector detects an emergent light from the sample receiver to generate a detection signal. The signal-amplifying circuit converts the detection signal to generate an amplified signal. The high-resolution analog-to-digital converter digitizes the amplified signal to generate a digital signal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to finite step emulsification device and/or methods that combine finite step emulsification with gradients of confinement for the formation of a 2D monolayer array of droplets with low size dispersion.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe head is provided. The microfluidic probe head comprises a processing surface. The processing surface has a first and second aperture and a fluid injection channel, which leads to the first aperture. The microfluidic probe head comprises also a first fluid aspiration channel which leads to the second aperture. Thereby, the second aperture forms a slot in the processing surface. Furthermore, a microfluidic probe may be provided comprising the microfluidic probe head.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device configured to deliver a controlled amount of a liquid to an analysis tool, wherein the microfluidic device comprises: a buffer tank configured to contain a liquid and/or a gas; at leas one level sensor configured to measure a liquid level in the buffer tank; a pneumatic system configured to create selectively a positive or a negative pressure in the buffer tank; at least one intake port to let in a liquid in the buffer tank; at least one delivery port to inject a controlled amount of liquid from the buffer tank onto the analysis tool; at least one drain port with a controlled drain valve, located on the lower part of the buffer tank to discharge the liquid from the buffer tank; a first check valve located upstream of the intake port and a second check valve between the buffer tank and the analysis tool.

Abstract: Provided is an aluminum ion detector. The aluminum ion detector may include apple extracts having a predetermined concentration, and metal nano particles coupled to the apple extracts.

Abstract: A method using ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as part of a chemical test kit employing sodium rhodizonate as the coloring agent for producing a yellow-orange to purple color transition for detection of lead in various media eliminating the use of strong acid.

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel method and system for identification of microorganisms in samples that proteins and other biological material from non-microorganism sources (e.g., proteins of mammalian origin) that can interfere with identification of the microorganisms. The methods and systems described herein include use of a single-use chromatography medium to purify intact proteins prior to mass spectrometry analysis. The chromatography medium and the methods described herein can rapidly and efficiently remove of a substantial portion of interfering biological material (e.g., mammalian proteins) from a crude cell lysate while preserving high signal strength and removing enough of the interfering protein(s) to allow for identification of the microorganism(s) by mass spectrometry analysis.

Abstract: A flow control device comprises a laminate structure of an electroactive material layer and a non-actuatable layer. An array of orifices is formed in one of the layers wherein the orifices are open in one of the rest state and actuated state and the orifices are closed in the other of the rest state and actuated state. Actuation of the electroactive material layer causes orifices to open and close so that flow control function may be implemented.

Abstract: Provided is a separating apparatus including separating unit configured to apply external force to a fluid sample containing two or more components immiscible with each other and having different specific gravities to separate the fluid sample into separation target and non-separation target, and a transfer mechanism configured to apply a pressure to the separation target separated by the separating unit to transfer the separation target.

Abstract: A device for rapid non-destructive genetic material collection can include a multi-reservoir array (202) and a movement mechanism. The multi-reservoir array (202) can include multiple reservoirs (204). A plurality of the multiple reservoirs (204) can include an abrasive surface (210) capable of retaining a source of genetic material in a liquid carrier. The abrasive surface (210) has a roughness. The movement mechanism can be operable to move the multi-reservoir array (202) in an oscillating motion sufficient to create relative movement between the abrasive surface (210) and the source of the genetic material in order to remove a portion of genetic material from the source of the genetic material without destroying the source of the genetic material or the portion of the genetic material that is removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for whole cell analysis. In particular, the present disclosure relates to single cell genomic analysis (e.g., gene expression analysis.

Abstract: A sample collection system can include a sample collection vessel having a sample collection chamber with an opening configured to receive a sample into the sample collection chamber. The sample collection system can additionally include a selectively movable sleeve valve configured to associate with the opening of the sample collection chamber. The sample collection system can include a sealing cap that is configured to associate with the selectively movable sleeve valve and with the sample collection vessel. The sealing cap can include a reagent chamber having reagent(s) stored therein, and when the sealing cap is associated with the sample collection vessel, the selectively movable sleeve valve opens, dispensing the reagent(s) into the sample collection chamber. When the selectively moveable sleeve associates with the sample collection chamber, an outer sleeve slides relative to an inner vessel, opening the sleeve and dispensing reagent into the sample collection chamber.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an intestinal microorganism detection system including: a feces collection unit configured to collect the feces of a user: a storage unit including a plurality of accommodation units configured to accommodate a fecal sample, the fecal sample being formed by mixing the feces collected by the feces collection unit with fluid; a sensor unit configured to detect a microorganism in the fecal sample accommodated in each of the plurality of accommodation units and generate first information; and a control unit configured to estimate, on the basis of the generated first information, the type of intestinal microorganism present in the user and a concentration thereof, wherein the plurality of accommodation units are respectively exposed to different environmental conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a measurement system capable of rapid spectroscopic and calorimetric analysis of the chemical makeup of a test sample. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure include a low-thermal-mass sample holder having a substrate whose surface has been engineered to create a large-area sample-collection surface. The sample holder includes an integrated temperature controller that can rapidly heat or cool the test sample. As a result, the sample holder enables differential scanning calorimetry Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DSC-FTIR) that can be performed in minutes rather than hours, as required in the prior art.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mixing a fluid/media for an assay are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a mixing device for an immunochemistry system includes a pipette configured to aspirate fluid and/or paramagnetic particles from or dispense fluid and/or paramagnetic particles into a cuvette, at least one nonconcentric mass configured cause the pipette to move in a mixing motion, and a control unit configured to activate the at least one nonconcentric mass while the pipette is located within the cuvette so as to mix the fluid and/or paramagnetic particles within the cuvette.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for measuring free chlorine in a solution, including: preparing a thiocarbamate-based indicator; introducing the thiocarbamate-based indicator to a solution, wherein the solution contains an amount of free chlorine and the introducing causes a change in fluorescence of the solution; and measuring the amount of free chlorine in the solution by measuring a change in intensity of the fluorescence. Other aspects are described and claimed.