Abstract: Chemical sensors and methods of forming and making the same include a semiconductor substrate having an input terminal and an output terminal. A negative capacitance structure is positioned on the semiconductor substrate and is configured to control a current passing from the input terminal to the output terminal. A functionalized electrode is in electrical contact with the negative capacitance structure and is configured to change surface potential in the presence of an analyte, such that a phase change in the negative capacitance structure is triggered when the surface potential exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.

Abstract: A system may comprise a voltage upconverter, a universal serial bus (USB) connector to receive an input voltage from a USB port on a computing device, and a microfluidic diagnostic chip communication link to electrically couple the voltage upconverter to a microfluidic diagnostic chip wherein the voltage upconverter is to convert the input voltage to be received by the USB connector to an output voltage sufficient to drive a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip. A diagnostic system may comprise a microfluidic diagnostic chip comprising a pump and a voltage upconverter to receive an input voltage from a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device and to convert the input voltage into an output voltage that powers activation of the pump.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor for detecting an analyte gas includes a first element including a first electric heating element, a first support structure on the first electric heating element and a first catalyst supported on the first support structure and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first element. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide energy to the first element to heat the first element to at least a first temperature at which the first catalyst catalyzes combustion of the analyte gas and to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first element to being heated to at least the first temperature. The electronic circuitry is further configured to apply an interrogation pulse to the first element in which energy to the first element is increased or decreased to induce an associated response from the first element.

Abstract: A carbon electrode having a functional moiety that forms a charge-transfer complex with a nitro-containing compound covalently attached to a surface of the electrode, and a process of preparing such an electrode are provided. Also provided are sensing systems integrating the carbon electrode and methods utilizing same for electrochemical detection of nitro-containing compounds.

Abstract: A fluid refining device and assembly comprises an inlet for fluid to be refined, a separation outlet and a concentration outlet for processed fluid in a refining layer, wherein the refining layer comprises a plurality of refining units arranged in a pattern, and wherein the cross section of the concentration outlet is less than the cross section of the inlet.

Abstract: A sample tube rack for receiving at least one sample tube comprises an upper part comprising an upper surface, wherein at least one upper opening for receiving the sample tube is provided in the upper surface; an intermediate part comprising an intermediate surface, wherein at least one intermediate opening for receiving the sample tube is provided in the intermediate surface; and a lower part comprising a supporting surface, wherein at least one supporting position for supporting the sample tube is provided in the supporting surface. Therein, the intermediate part is connected to both the upper part and the lower part such that the at least one upper opening is substantially aligned above the at least one intermediate opening and above the at least one supporting position for receiving the at least one sample tube. At least one gripping orifice is provided in a lateral side of the lower part.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a microfluidic device is provided, comprising a sample holding chamber; and at least one flow path connected to the sample holding chamber configured to supply liquid into the sample holding chamber, wherein the sample holding chamber includes a first inner surface; and a light irradiation region intersecting the first inner surface and configured to receive light from outside of the sample holding chamber to irradiate liquid inside the sample holding chamber, wherein the first inner surface includes at least one recess shaped so as to contain gas bubbles present within the liquid, and wherein the at least one recess is located outside of the light irradiation region.

Abstract: A microfluidic diagnostic chip may comprise a microfluidic channel, a functionalizable enzymatic sensor in the microfluidic channel, the functionalizable enzymatic sensor comprising a binding surface to bind with a biomarker in a fluid, and a microfluidic pump to pass the fluid over the binding surface. A microfluidic device may comprise a number of pumps to pump a fluid though the number of microfluidic channels and a number of microfluidic channels comprising at least one sensor to detect a change in a chemical characteristic of the fluid in response to presence of the fluid on the sensor.

Abstract: A multicolor fluorescence analysis device is provided. The device includes a first fiberoptic plate for guiding light including fluorescence emitted from a sample as a result of irradiation of excitation light and emitting the same from a first emission part. The device includes a second fiberoptic plate for receiving light emitted from the first emission part at a second incidence part, guiding the same, and emitting the same from a second emission part. The device includes a single multilayer dielectric interference film filter that is provided on an end surface of the second emission part, transmits at least a portion of the fluorescence, and transmits light of a plurality of transmission wavelength bands that do not include the excitation wavelength bands. The device includes a two-dimensional detection unit that is disposed so as to be adhered to the multilayer dielectric interference film filter.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (FDA Classifications: “Sputum Specimen [In-Home] Self-Collection Device” and “In Vitro Medical Diagnostic Device”) and method for self-collection, transport, decontamination and storage preservation of expectorated sputum specimens, to optimize specimen quality and reliability of clinical laboratory stain interpretation, culture and molecular diagnostic tests, thereby improving laboratory support for pathogen-specific treatment (antibiotic stewardship).

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer housing extending in the longitudinal direction, a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize at least a portion of the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol, a power supply operable to apply voltage across the heater, at least one light emitting diode, a charging button assembly including a conductive post operable to form a first external, electrical contact at the upstream end of the electronic smoking article, and a second external, electrical contact including a portion of an outer surface of the outer housing at the upstream end of the electronic smoking article. The first and second external, electrical contacts charge the power supply.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fluidic devices such as, but not limited to, microfluidic chips, with one or more freeze thaw valves (FTVs) employing one or more ice-nucleating agents (INAs), that can reliably operate to freeze at relatively higher temperatures and/or at faster rates than conventional microfluidic devices with FTV systems.

Abstract: Bodily fluid sample collection systems, devices, and method are provided. The device may comprise a first portion comprising at least a sample collection channel configured to draw the fluid sample into the sample collection channel via a first type of motive force. The sample collection device may include a second portion comprising a sample container for receiving the bodily fluid sample collected in the sample collection channel, the sample container operably engagable to be in fluid communication with the collection channel, whereupon when fluid communication is established, the container provides a second motive force different from the first motive force to move a majority of the bodily fluid sample from the channel into the container.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing ion concentration of a solution, including a first substrate, a second substrate, a sensing layer, and two electrodes. The material of the first substrate includes cellulose. The second substrate is located on the first substrate. The sensing layer is located on the second substrate. The two electrodes are separately disposed on the sensing layer to expose the sensing layer and bring a solution in contact with the sensing layer so as to measure the resistance value of the solution and convert the resistance value into the ion concentration of the solution.

Abstract: According to the invention there is a microfluidic chip 1 that includes at least two layers 10 forming a stack of layers, each layer of which has at least one flow channel 14; a bore 16 extending through the layers and communicating with a plurality of flow channels; and a valve 20, which has a shaft 22 with a recess 222 in a side of the shaft for fluid to flow through. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the bore, and has a first position in which the recess is aligned with each of at least two flow channels of the plurality of flow channels thereby providing a flow path between the at least two flow channels, and a second position in which the recess is unaligned with at least one of the at least two flow channels the flow path between the at least two flow channels thereby being closed.

Abstract: A characterization system for performing optical characterization of a liquid sample in a process plant. The system includes a sample section for holding the liquid sample, an inlet having an inlet valve controlling a flow of the liquid sample into the sample section, an outlet having an outlet valve controlling a flow of the liquid sample out of the sample section, a pressurizer pressurizing the sample section, an agitator agitating the liquid sample inside the sample section when pressurized, a measuring device performing optical characterization of the liquid sample inside the sample section while the liquid sample is pressurized and agitate. The inlet and outlet valves are connected to a line pipe, and the system receives the liquid sample from the line pipe through the inlet valve, characterizes the liquid sample, and returns at least a part of the liquid sample to the line pipe through the outlet valve.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and quantifying one or more microcystin compounds in a sample are described. The methods may include a preconcentration step, and generally utilize an LC-MS or LC-MS/MS analysis with an Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometer or a QqQ mass spectrometer. The methods provide excellent recoveries and limits of quantification of microcystins.

Abstract: A sensor (100) for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed. The sensor (100) comprises at least a first planar electrode (102) and a second planar electrode (104) arranged parallel to one another so as to form an electric capacitor (106). The first planar electrode (102) and the second planar electrode (104) are configured to generate an electric field (114) within the fluid, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to detect the state of the fluid by means of a capacitance of the electric capacitor (106). Further, a system (116) for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid is disclosed. Furthermore, a method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed.