Abstract: This invention relates to a handheld, hand-powered centrifuge device. The device preferably includes a centrifuge body and a sample-holding member connected to a tether. The device centrifuges the sample by a user physically spinning the member preferably in a vertical arc. The device preferably includes a pull handle which allows a user to shorten the length of the tether to reduce the circumference of the arc, thereby increasing the speed of rotation and centrifugal force on the sample. The device also preferable includes a brake to prevent the member from contacting the handheld centrifuge body. The centrifuge body may have a storage cavity for storing the pull handle when not in use, wherein the member serves to seal the storage cavity when not in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable thermocycler having a unique geometric configuration, which allows the device to be made durable, compact and adapted for field-use. In general, the device includes a case, a rotary plate having a plurality of constant temperature heating blocks and a plurality of sample wheels, wherein the wheels are rotatable and pivotable to allow a plurality of reaction vessels, organized in cassettes, to be moved into contact with the heating blocks for heat transfer applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable thermocycler having a unique geometric configuration, which allows the device to be made durable, compact and adapted for field-use. In general, the device includes a case, a rotary plate having a plurality of constant temperature heating blocks and a plurality of sample wheels, wherein the wheels are rotatable and pivotable to allow a plurality of reaction vessels, organized in cassettes, to be moved into contact with the heating blocks for heat transfer applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a handheld, hand-powered centrifuge device. The device preferably includes a centrifuge body and a sample-holding member connected to a tether. The device centrifuges the sample by a user physically spinning the member preferably in a vertical arc. The device preferably includes a pull handle which allows a user to shorten the length of the tether to reduce the circumference of the arc, thereby increasing the speed of rotation and centrifugal force on the sample. The device also preferable includes a brake to prevent the member from contacting the handheld centrifuge body. The centrifuge body may have a storage cavity for storing the pull handle when not in use, wherein the member serves to seal the storage cavity when not in use.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of uncooled infrared (IR) detector technology, and it particularly demonstrates the use of thin film structures on oxidized silicon consisting of Guanine Cytosine (GC)—rich double-stranded DNAs and peptide nucleic acid (PNAs) helices and the current CMOS electronic circuits for optimizing the IR detector performance of uncooled microbolometer technology. PNAs are a new class of DNA mimics in which the regular nucleotide bases of adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine are connected via a peptide-like backbone (Ref. 1). PNA molecules retain the same Watson-Crick base pairing as regular oligonucleotides, with the added benefits of resistance to enzyme digestion.