Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an inlet port configured to receive a sample, a first reaction chamber fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a first pump fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a second pump fluidically coupled to a mixing chamber, a metering channel fluidically coupled to the first reaction chamber and to the mixing chamber, and one or more second reaction chambers fluidically coupled to the mixing chamber. The first pump is configured to move fluid from the inlet port to the first reaction chamber and from the first pump to the inlet port. The second pump is configured to move fluid from the second pump to the mixing chamber, from the first reaction chamber to the mixing chamber, and from the mixing chamber to the one or more second reaction chambers.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluid pump of an ophthalmosurgical system for conveying a treatment fluid is provided. The fluid pump has a pump chamber and a drive chamber separated from the latter with an elastic partition element and which is acted upon by a drive fluid. A position of the partition element is detected. The method includes subjecting the drive fluid to a first drive pressure, detecting a treatment fluid pressure present in the first position of the partition element, subjecting the drive fluid to a further drive pressure, at which the partition element adopts a further position, detecting the at least one further position of the partition element, and a further treatment fluid pressure present in this further position, and taking into account the treatment fluid pressures and drive pressures present in the respective positions account in the operation of the fluid pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for setting an injection strategy for an injector (1) by way of PWM signals in order to inject fuel in a fuel cell system (2), having the steps of: setting an injection frequency to a predefinable first value within a predefinable value range with a predefinable pulse duration in the PWM signal using a setting unit (3), and adjusting the injection frequency to a predefinable second value, different from the first value, within the predefinable value range using an adjustment unit (4), wherein the pulse duration of the PWM signal is kept constant in order to change a duty cycle of the PWM signal of the injection strategy. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding circuit arrangement (8), to a fuel cell system (2) and to a computer program (9).

Abstract: In a lateral flow test (LFT) device, the liquid conduit element 20 is formed from a substrate 21, 22 or 24 having at least two layers, including a first layer 21b, 22b or 24b not exceeding 75 ?m in thickness formed from a porous material for wicking liquid, and a second layer 21a,22a or 24a of additional thickness formed from a generally non-porous polymer material acting as backing layer. The layered arrangement is incorporated into an LFT device to reduce sample volume requirements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous web of polymeric membrane and for continuous downstream processing of said web. The apparatus (10) comprises: a casting station (20) for casting the continuous web (M); a carrier (24) for carrying the web downstream; a membrane drier (30) downstream of the carrier, for drying the web; and a brushing station (40) downstream of the drier for brushing the web. Said drier is located immediately downstream of the carrier, and upstream of said brushing station. The apparatus (10) further includes an additional drying station (50) downstream of the brushing station (40). Brushing after drying retains more surfactant in the membrane which is useful for certain applications. In addition, initial drying eliminates virtually all solvents from the membrane, but leaves some non-solvent (e.g. water) within it, which in turn fixes the surfactant on the nitrocellulose fibers, which improves significantly the consistency and reproducibility of the membrane.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an inlet port configured to receive a sample, a first reaction chamber fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a first pump fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a second pump fluidically coupled to a mixing chamber, a metering channel fluidically coupled to the first reaction chamber and to the mixing chamber, and one or more second reaction chambers fluidically coupled to the mixing chamber. The first pump is configured to move fluid from the inlet port to the first reaction chamber and from the first pump to the inlet port. The second pump is configured to move fluid from the second pump to the mixing chamber, from the first reaction chamber to the mixing chamber, and from the mixing chamber to the one or more second reaction chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for sample preparation and collection.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an inlet port configured to receive a sample, a first reaction chamber fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a first pump fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a second pump fluidically coupled to a mixing chamber, a metering channel fluidically coupled to the first reaction chamber and to the mixing chamber, and one or more second reaction chambers fluidically coupled to the mixing chamber. The first pump is configured to move fluid from the inlet port to the first reaction chamber and from the first pump to the inlet port. The second pump is configured to move fluid from the second pump to the mixing chamber, from the first reaction chamber to the mixing chamber, and from the mixing chamber to the one or more second reaction chambers.

Abstract: A spark plug having a center conductor, an insulator surrounding the center conductor, at least two electrodes forming a spark gap, and a spark plug body surrounding the insulator and having an external thread arranged at the front end of the spark plug for screwing in to an internal combustion engine. A component that is attached to the front end of the spark plug and comes into contact with fuel during operation is formed as a sintered powder injection molded part, referred to as a metal injection molded (MIM) component.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method comprises, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific binding element. This results in the protamine-specific binding element binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A spark plug having a center conductor, an insulator surrounding the center conductor, at least two electrodes forming a spark gap, and a spark plug body surrounding the insulator and having an external thread arranged at the front end of the spark plug for screwing in to an internal combustion engine. A component that is attached to the front end of the spark plug and comes into contact with fuel during operation is formed as a sintered powder injection molded part, referred to as a metal injection molded (MIM) component.

Abstract: A method includes of manufacturing a nickel alloy includes providing nickel alloy components in powdered form and in a selected ratio and melting the nickel alloy components using an electron beam, using selected parameters, to generate a spongy metal catalyst precursor alloy material.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an inlet port configured to receive a sample, a first reaction chamber fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a first pump fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a second pump fluidically coupled to a mixing chamber, a metering channel fluidically coupled to the first reaction chamber and to the mixing chamber, and one or more second reaction chambers fluidically coupled to the mixing chamber. The first pump is configured to move fluid from the inlet port to the first reaction chamber and from the first pump to the inlet port. The second pump is configured to move fluid from the second pump to the mixing chamber, from the first reaction chamber to the mixing chamber, and from the mixing chamber to the one or more second reaction chambers.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method includes, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific antibody. This results in the protamine-specific antibody binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A spark plug having a center conductor, an insulator surrounding the center conductor, at least two electrodes forming a spark gap, and a spark plug body surrounding the insulator and having an external thread arranged at the front end of the spark plug for screwing in to an internal combustion engine. A component that is attached to the front end of the spark plug and comes into contact with fuel during operation is formed as a sintered powder injection molded part, referred to as a MIM component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inventive method for controlling a corona ignition device of an internal combustion engine. A corona discharge, which ignites fuel in a combustion chamber of the engine, is generated by applying a voltage to the corona ignition device. An actual value that is characteristic of the nitrogen oxide concentration of the exhaust gas is compared with a setpoint value, and, if the actual value deviates from the setpoint value by more than a specified threshold value and the actual value is greater than the setpoint value, the voltage is reduced after the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous web of polymeric membrane and for continuous downstream processing of said web. The apparatus (10) comprises: a casting station (20) for casting the continuous web (M); a carrier (24) for carrying the web downstream; a membrane drier (30) downstream of the carrier, for drying the web; and a brushing station (40) downstream of the drier for brushing the web. Said drier is located immediately downstream of the carrier, and upstream of said brushing station. The apparatus (10) further includes an additional drying station (50) downstream of the brushing station (40). Brushing after drying retains more surfactant in the membrane which is useful for certain applications. In addition, initial drying eliminates virtually all solvents from the membrane, but leaves some non-solvent (e.g. water) within it, which in turn fixes the surfactant on the nitrocellulose fibers, which improves significantly the consistency and reproducibility of the membrane.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a corona ignition device having: an insulator, which bears an electrically conductive coating, which forms a tubular face; a central electrode, which sits in the insulator and leads to at least one ignition tip; and a holder, in which the insulator sits. According to this disclosure, the insulator has an annular shoulder, on which is situated the end of the tubular face of the coating that faces away from the at least one ignition tip. A method for producing a corona ignition device is also described.

Abstract: A method for controlling a corona ignition system in which a corona discharge is produced at an ignition electrode by exciting a resonating circuit with an AC voltage produced by a high-frequency generator. The AC voltage is adjusted to a target value depending on an operating state of the engine. Combustion onset is determined by evaluating an electrical variable of the resonating circuit and the target value of the AC voltage is reduced by a predefined value following a predefined number of engine cycles or a predefined operating period. The determined combustion onset is evaluated in one or more engine cycles. The target value for the momentary engine operating state is then increased if, by evaluation of the combustion onset, it is found that a predefined requirement is no longer met. Otherwise, the reduced target value is stored as a new target value for the momentary engine operating state.

Abstract: A sealing ring for a spark plug that has an external thread for screwing into an internal combustion engine, a collar and a thread undercut between the external thread and the collar. The sealing ring includes a ring-shaped solid sealing element made from metal. The sealing element has two planar annular sealing surfaces that are arranged parallel to one another. An annular retaining element composed of an elastomer for engaging in the thread undercut of the spark plug in a self-retaining manner is attached to the sealing element on the inner ring side thereof. Also included is a spark plug comprising such a sealing ring, and an internal combustion engine comprising such spark plugs.