Abstract: A device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure in hot water systems is disclosed and claimed. The device includes a flow-through cell, a sensor, and a reference electrode. The components of the device work in conjunction with the other components and have electrical connections that transmit signals to a controller. The controller calculates and determines adjustments to feedwater chemistry for the hot water system.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds or oxidizing gases are detected when the work function of a metal-organic framework is measured to produce a sensor signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of molecules using electromagnetic write-heads and magneto-resistive sensors. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic write-head magnetically excites a molecule with an alternating magnetic field. A magneto-resistive sensor measures the resonant response of the magnetically excited molecule. A processor compares the resonant response to a table of known responses of different molecules to identify the chemical composition of the target molecule.

Abstract: A sensor system is formed from a micro machined resonant structure with multiple resonant elements, a tracking resonator control electronics, and signal processing algorithms. The moving elements of the resonator are coated with chemically active materials that change mass when exposed to the target chemical resulting in a change in frequency or period of oscillation. The changes in frequency or period are processed by multi-sensor chemical detection algorithms to identify chemical types and concentrations. In essence, the resonator and drive electronics form a closed loop oscillator operating at the resonator's natural frequency. The resonators are formed from silicon using photolithographic processes. The resonator design includes in-plane resonant motion combined with dynamic balance to operate with a high Q even in the presence of atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A water-concentration detection device is configured to detect a water concentration of insulating gas filled in a gas-insulated device. The water-concentration detection device includes: a gas chamber in which the insulating gas introduced from the gas-insulated device is enclosed; electrodes that are porous and are arranged to face each other within the gas chamber; a solid electrolyte membrane that is hydrogen-ion conductive and is held between and fixedly attached to the electrodes; an impedance measurement unit that measures an alternating-current impedance between the electrodes by applying an alternating-current voltage to the electrodes; a water-concentration detection unit that detects the water concentration of the insulating gas based on the alternating-current impedance measured by the impedance measurement unit; and a drying unit that removes water from an atmosphere in the gas chamber before the insulating gas is introduced into the gas chamber from the gas-insulated device.

Abstract: The invention includes a base, a working wire, a grounding wire, a first division layer, a second division layer and a cover layer. The base has a reaction area. The working wire is formed with a first measure contact and a first bioreaction contact. The grounding wire is formed with a second measure contact and a second bioreaction contact. The first division layer and second division layer have a first inlet and a second inlet, respectively. The first inlet and the second inlet correspond to the reaction area in position to expose the first and second bioreaction contacts. The guiding trough is formed by the cover layer, the base and the first and second inlets.

Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing relative concentrations of first and second analyte substances in an analyte sample comprises a sample cell defining a sample chamber therewithin, and a semipermeable boundary member disposed in the sample chamber to define first and second sides of the sample chamber. Sample flow input and sample flow output ducts direct an analyte sample containing respective initial concentrations of the first and second analyte substances into the first side of the sample chamber. The semipermeable boundary member permits diffusion therethrough of the first and second analyte substances to the second side of the sample chamber at different rates. An analyte sample in the second side of the sample chamber, and an analyte sample exiting the first side via the sample flow output duct, have respective concentrations of the first and second analyte substances that are different from the initial concentrations.

Abstract: Microdevices containing a predetermined preferential axis of magnetization are disposed in an array having discreet regions. Under influence of a magnetic field, the microdevices can have at least twelve discrete orientations, and can advantageously be flipped upside down in place. Microdevices can be coded in a manner that supports a coding space of at least 102, 103, 106 or even 1010 or more choices, and can include one or more chemically reactive sites. The regions can be defined by long and short bars, in which microdevices span gaps between the longer bars, and the shorter bars measure less than 60% of such gaps. Preferred embodiments are also provided to produce microfabricated microdevices for magnetic assembly-based arraying.

Abstract: A thread-based microfluidic guiding system is provided and includes a substrate, two fiber threads arranged on the substrate in a cross manner. The two fiber threads are used as physical guiding pathways to guide a sample fluid and a buffer fluid, respectively. The two fiber threads have capillary action, so that the sample fluid, the buffer fluid or a mixture fluid thereof can flow along fiber surfaces of the two fiber threads, which can be pre-treated by plasma. The thread-based microfluidic guiding system of the present invention is different from recessed microfluidic channel structures, and can simplify system structure, lower manufacture cost, accelerate detection operation and enhance detection sensitivity.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip includes a plurality of reagent sources for a feeding a plurality of reagents, each reagent source feeding a corresponding reagent among the plurality of reagents. A macro-chamber receives one or more reagents among the plurality of reagents from the plurality of reagent sources. A microfluidic reactor is coupled to the macro-chamber and the plurality of reagent sources and configured to receive two or more reagents among the plurality of reagents from at least one of the macro-chamber, the plurality of reagent sources, and react the two or more reagents to generate a reaction content.

Abstract: A quantitative sensor and manufacture method thereof are disclosed. This quantitative sensor has a dual-mode film bulk acoustic resonator structure to achieve desirable performances in sensitivity, accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, this quantitative sensor serves as a fluid sensor when a fluid detection metal layer is formed in a sample-receiving chamber; and this quantitative sensor may also serve as a bio sensor when biocompatible metal layer and a bio-sensing layer are formed in the sample-receiving chamber instead of the fluid detection metal layer.

Abstract: Processor unit for processing and controlling a preparation of a blood sample placed in a preparation unit arranged in said processor unit comprising a piston placed in a first chamber for containing the blood sample. A part of the processed blood moves from the first chamber to a second chamber. The blood sample is centrifuged into separate layers comprising an outer layer adhering to the inner side of the outer first chamber wall and an inner layer placed opposite the outer layer. That the processor unit further comprises a first unit for emitting an outcome signal through the first chamber and a second unit for detecting after the signal has passed the first chamber an income signal. The piston is moved as a function of the detected income signal of the second unit.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to testing devices having an optically readable microspot array and/or an electrochemical detector and to methods of performing microspot arrays and electrochemical assays using such devices. The present invention is particularly useful for performing immunoassays and/or electrochemical assays at the point-of-care.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and techniques for controlling flow between a manifold and two or more connecting microchannels. Flow between plural connecting microchannels, that share a common manifold, can be made more uniform by the use of flow straighteners and distributors that equalize flow in connecting channels. Alternatively, flow can be made more uniform by sections of narrowed diameter within the channels. Methods of making apparatus and methods of conducting unit operations in connecting channels are also described.

Abstract: A multi-channel contaminant sensor includes a first contamination test platform including an exposed first base metal portion that react in a first manner when exposed to one or more airborne contaminates. A second contamination test platform includes an exposed second base metal portion that reacts in a second manner when exposed to the one or more airborne contaminants.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode is disclosed. A carbon nanotube is deposited on a substrate. A section of the carbon nanotube is removed to form at least one exposed end defining a first gap. A metal is deposited at the at least one exposed end to form the electrode that defines a second gap.

Abstract: A microfluidic device adapted to perform many simultaneous binding assays including but not limited to immunological experiments, such as ELISA assays, with minimal cross-talk between primary and secondary antibodies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological field effect transistor (BioFET) and a method of fabricating a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device includes a plurality of micro wells having a sensing gate bottom and a number of stacked well portions. A bottom surface area of a well portion is different from a top surface area of a well portion directly below. The micro wells are formed by multiple etching operations through different materials, including a sacrificial plug, to expose the sensing gate without plasma induced damage.

Abstract: A voltage control circuitry for a detection cell is described, where the detection cell is adapted for determining an electrical property of a sample in a detection cell volume of the detection cell. The voltage control circuitry comprises a power supply adapted for providing a voltage to the detection cell, and a power evaluation unit adapted for determining an actual power dissipation in the detection cell volume. The voltage control circuitry further comprises a control unit adapted for comparing the actual power dissipation with a desired power dissipation, and for regulating the power supply's voltage in a way that the actual power dissipation is driven towards the desired power dissipation.