Abstract: A system includes a capture system, a storage system, and a return system. The capture system is configured to receive an outlet gas from a gasification system and to extract a component gas of the outlet gas using a regenerable material during a start-up operation of the gasification system. The storage system is coupled to the capture system and is configured to store the component gas extracted by the capture system. The return system is configured to return the component gas from the storage system to the gasification system during a normal operation of the gasification system.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly fluorescent markers, made from a reactive polymer and an isocyanate, that fluoresce in the ultraviolet or near infrared region without being visible to the human eye at low concentrations in the fluid or article being marked. The molecular weight and fluorescence emission wavelength of these highly fluorescent marker compounds can be adjusted to provide a multitude of markers with unique fluorescence signatures.

Abstract: The method for chemical vapor identification using swelling-based sensors uses an apparatus that having a first gas chamber including a gas inlet port for inletting a hydrocarbon vapor to be analyzed; a second gas chamber having a hydrocarbon vapor outlet port for exiting the vapor; a chemical sensor placed inside the first and the second gas chambers; and a thermometer placed inside the first and the second gas chambers for measuring the internal temperature; wherein the second gas chamber is placed at a lower temperature compared with the first chamber; and wherein the first gas chamber is in communication with the second chamber by a pipe for transmitting the hydrocarbon vapor from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: In a single-use handheld diagnostic test device and an associated system and method, a biological and/or environmental test sample is received and reacted with reagents. The test device tests a single sample and includes a sensor to detect test data. The test device mates with, and transmits the test data to, an electronic device. A processor of the electronic device applies algorithms to the test data to generate highly sensitive and accurate quantitative test results. A presentation element of the electronic device presents the test results to a user. The test device is adapted for disposal, or for sterilization and re-use, after the electronic device receives the test data. The electronic device may be, for example, a mobile communications device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a navigation device, a digital audio player, a camera, or a gaming device.

Abstract: An improved electronic diagnostic device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a casing having a display, a test strip mounted in the casing, a processor mounted in the casing, and a first sensor mounted in the casing and operatively coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to receive a signal from the first sensor when the device is exposed to ambient light thereby causing the device to become activated. The device includes a light shield that exerts pressure across a width of the test strip to prevent fluid channeling along the length of the test strip. The processor is configured to present an early positive test result reading when a measured value exceeds a predetermined early reading threshold value at any time after a predetermined early testing time period.

Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge for assaying an analyte comprises one or more test channels, each having a lumen; one or more reference solution channels in fluid communication with the test channels; one or more sample channels in fluid communication with the test channels; one or more sensors at least partially exposed in the lumen of the test channels; and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors for measuring properties of the analyte to determine at least one of an identity, concentration, dose, and dosage of the analyte.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of analysis, for example biological analysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to an article, especially for biological analysis, the article including: a first sheet, a second sheet, superimposed on the first sheet, the first and second sheets being joined on all of their sides in order to form a sealed package, at least one analysis device, placed inside the package, a rigid desiccation device, also constituting a device perforating the first or second sheet of the package, in order to access the analysis device, and one of the first and second sheets contains a notch which constitutes a preferential folding area.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a method for precisely dispensing fluid, including treating an orifice of a fluid dispensing apparatus during a fabrication process by applying a low surface energy material layer onto the orifice, adjusting a thickness of the low surface energy material coating to a predetermined threshold and limiting backpressure of a low dead volume fluid delivery system coupled to the orifice to reduce interference or interruptions for precisely dispensing the fluid.

Abstract: A fluorimetric system, apparatus and method are disclosed to measure an analyte concentration in a sample. A sensor reagent housing is also disclosed which comprises a channel and a porous medium having an analysis chemistry reagent, such as a nucleic acid analysis chemistry reagent. The apparatus and system are portable for field use, with an apparatus housing having a size adapted to fit into a user's hand. An apparatus also includes a sensing chamber and cover, a user interface, a light source; a photomultiplier tube, an amplifier, an A/D converter, a memory, and a processor. In various embodiments, the processor performs a data fitting, determines a sample reaction rate parameter, and determines the analyte concentration from a comparison of the sample reaction rate parameter with stored calibration data. The processor may also generate the calibration data and site-specific offset factors, and modify the calibration data using an offset factor.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the saturates portion of a petroleum or hydrocarbon sample that includes compounds with boiling points of 1000° F. (538° C.) or higher includes use of laser desorption ionization (LDI) to desorb and vaporize petroleum saturates into the gas phase. After ionization, the saturate compounds cations can be detected using mass spectrometry. The mass spectrum generated from the ionized saturated compounds is then characterized by assigning molecular formulas to any “detected” masses that exhibit a peak with an intensity greater than a defined signal to noise threshold. After making the molecular assignments, the abundance of each assigned molecule can be determined based on the signal magnitude of the peaks in the mass spectrum. The assigned molecules and the corresponding abundances can then be grouped based on a variety of factors.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more GPS-surfactant based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.

Abstract: There is provided an optical analysis technique enabling the detection of the condition or characteristic of a particle to be observed contained at a low concentration or number density in a sample solution using a light-emitting probe. The inventive optical analysis technique uses an optical system capable of detecting light from a micro region in a solution, such as an optical system of a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope, to detect the light from the light-emitting probe having bound to a particle to be observed while moving the position of the micro region in the sample solution (while scanning the inside of the sample solution with the micro region), thereby detecting individually the particle crossing the inside of the micro region to enable the counting of the particle(s) or the acquisition of the information on the concentration or number density of the particle.

Abstract: A device such as a filter or reflector includes a conductive layer including a periodic pattern of elements. The elements have shapes and sizes configured such that a transmittance or reflectance spectrum of the conductive layer has a drop at a long-wavelength end. The elements have a period configured such that the spectrum has a dip at a Plasmon mode resonant wavelength. The spectrum further includes a peal—between the dip and the drop.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of tagging peptides and other molecules using novel isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents, including novel N,N-dimethylated amino acid 8-plex and 16-plex isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents. The tagging reagents comprise: a) a reporter group having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled; b) a balancing group, also having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled, and c) an amine reactive group. The tagging reagents disclosed herein serve as attractive alternatives for isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and tandem mass tags (TMTs) due to their synthetic simplicity, labeling efficiency and improved fragmentation efficiency.

Abstract: A method for measuring a degree of deformation of blood cells includes: supplying blood to a centrifugal container of a disk; centrifuging the blood in the centrifugal container to blood cells and plasma by rotating the disk and detecting an actual moving distance of the blood cells in the centrifugal container every hour; and calculating a first curve representing the actual moving distance of the blood cells in the centrifugal container every hour and a second curve representing a theoretical moving distance of the blood cells every hour and measuring a degree of deformation of the blood cells by comparing the first curve and the second curve.

Abstract: Aromatic diimide chromophores and methods for using the chromophores for the detection of volatile organic compounds are described. The chromophores are able to reversibly change colors in the presence or absence of volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A Lab On a Chip (LOC) comprises: a sample inlet for receiving a liquid sample; and a Sample Preparation Module (SPM) coupled to the sample inlet. The SPM comprises: a mixing chamber; a reagent chamber containing a reagent; a semi-permeable membrane oriented between the mixing chamber and the reagent chamber; and a tuned energy source, wherein the tuned energy source selectively causes contents of the reagent chamber to expand and pass through the semi-permeable membrane into the mixing chamber to mix the reagent with the liquid sample. The LOC further comprises a microchannel coupled to the SPM; a light source; an optic module optically proximate to the microchannel; and a plurality of lenses within the optic module, wherein each lens has a different effective focal length for generating a single composite image of an object passing through the microchannel.