Abstract: A multi-valved positive displacement pump design that employs a magnetostrictive fluid pump in combination with magnetostrictive gates. The pump generally comprises a pump housing defining an internal fluid chamber, an inlet port to the fluid chamber, an outlet port from the fluid chamber, a magnetostrictive positive displacement pump in the fluid chamber, and magnetostrictive gates (valves) selectably blocking the inlet port to the fluid chamber and the outlet port from the fluid chamber. All pump and gate actuators include rods formed of magnetostrictive material (seated in the housing), and coil windings for electrical excitation to vary the length of the rods.

Abstract: A system for making dynamic measurement of viscosity or density of a fluid using magnetostrictive particles. Magnetostrictive particles are placed in contact or proximity with a fluid where they can experience stress caused by the viscosity of the fluid when they expand, contract or otherwise move. A alternating or otherwise changing magnetic field is applied to the system causing the particles to expand and contract. A sense coil detects a total magnetic field that is a superposition of the applied field and a field generated in the magnetostrictive particles as they expand and contract. The amplitude of this sensor is related to the viscosity. The applied magnetic field can also be swept in frequency with the location of a resonance also indicating viscosity or density.

Abstract: A precision fluid dispensing system containing a two-piece pump and a precision closed loop controller drive system to address the small volume precision dispensing requirements of bioscience applications. A multiple diameter pump can be combined with a pump having multiple inlet and outlet ports to allow for precision multiple outlet dispenses in a single pump that finds use with microtiter plate pipetting and other precision dispensing. Inlet ports can be located on the smaller diameter of the cylinder with outlet ports on the larger diameter of the cylinder. A dual piston, dual cylinder pump can be used where the upper and lower parts are different diameters and the two pistons are coupled with a fluid layer.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a rotary pump where a rotary pump can be coupled to a stepper motor, and the stepper motor can be controlled with micro- or nano-stepping accuracy using a processor controlled drive system. The processor controlled drive system moves the stepper motor according to a predetermined move profile; this causes the rotary pump to dispense a precision amount of fluid. The rotary pump can be a peristaltic pump or any other type of pump. The rotary pump can be coupled to the stepper motor through a reduction gear with a reduction ratio of 2:1 or similar. The stepper motor can be mechanically coupled to a rotational position encoder so that a measure of the rotation position can be fed back to the processor. The processor can cause the stepper motor to interpolate between pulse positions of the encoder.

Abstract: A system for dispensing exact quantities of fluid into containers without dripping or foaming can be made from the combination of a controllable pump, a tube (preferably hydrophobic), and a nozzle usually made of elastomeric material with an orifice or slit such a duck bill valves commercially available. Forward pressure causes the slit to open, while elastic force causes it to close when pumping stops. An alternative embodiment is to use slits backed by small diameter screen to achieve a back pressure.

Abstract: A multiple port, dual diameter piston fluid dispensing pump which includes multiple input and output ports accessed by rotating at least one of the pistons and a dual or multiple diameter piston or set of pistons that cooperate so that they follow each other. The dispensing piston is of smaller diameter than the pushing piston. This diameter difference permits a longer, controllable stroke to dispense micro-liters of fluid accurately.

Abstract: A precision fluid dispensing system containing at least one two-piece pump and a precision closed loop controller drive system to address the small volume precision dispensing requirements of bioscience applications. A multiple diameter pump can be combined with a pump having multiple inlet and outlet ports to allow for precision multiple outlet dispenses in a single pump that finds use with microtiter plate pipetting and other precision dispensing. Inlet ports can be located on the smaller diameter of the cylinder with outlet ports on the larger diameter of the cylinder. A microcontroller with closed loop feedback provides exact linear positioning and motion of the pump piston as well as optional control of a nozzle to provide exact micro-dispensing of fluids. A dual piston pump can be used to provide greater accuracy.

Abstract: An optical channel switching element routes optical signals between optical waveguides or optical fibers by creating a transmit or reflect state in a polymer waveguide crossing junction by utilizing Total Internal Reflection (TIR) off a trench placed between the waveguide paths. The presence of a fluid or gel (usually selected to match the waveguide refractive index) within the trench creates a transmit state (no light is reflected) allowing light to continue along the initial waveguide path. The lack of index matching fluid at the waveguide junction, or presence of an air bubble, creates a TIR state (all light is reflected and none is transmitted) causing the light to reflect off of the trench and continue along the path of the crossing guide.

Abstract: Novel nanowell microarrays are disclosed in optical contact with polymer waveguides wherein evanescent field associated with lightwaves propagated in the waveguide excite target substances in the nanowells either by a common waveguide or by individual waveguides. Fluid samples are conveyed to the nanowells by means of microfluidics. The presence of the target substances in fluid samples is detected by sensing fluorescent radiation generated by fluorescent tag bound to the target substances. The fluorescent tags generate fluorescent radiation as a result of their excitation by the evanescent field. One or more PMT detectors or a CCD detector are located at the side of the waveguide opposite to the nanowells. Fluorescent radiation is detected due to its coupling with the waveguide or its emission through the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering excitation radiation to a sample and collecting radiation emanating from the sample. The sample is placed in a deep well which consists of a wall and a bottom end closed by a membrane to form a sample recepticle. A GRIN lens is provided that has a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being inserted into the deep well. A point source of light on the first surface of the GRIN lens is conditioned by the lens and, subsequently, emanates from the second surface of the lens towards the membrane. Reflected, luminescent of fluorescent radiation from the sample is incident on the second surface of the lens, passes through the lens to emanate from the first surface toward collection means, a detector and any desired processing.

Abstract: In a grain elevator, grain mixed with dust is delivered near the top of a grain silo to the receiving orifice of a grain chute. The chute includes an enclosed conduit which extends from the top of the grain silo to its floor and deposits the grain in the silo without freely falling in the interior of the silo. The conduit has a tandem column series of vertically extending doors which are counter-balanced to be normally closed and which are opened by the weight of the grain in the conduit. The fall of the grain within the conduit separates the grain from the dust and the dust is removed by an exhaust fan connected to the conduit, the air flow being through the open bottom doors of the conduit, through the conduit, and out of the silo to a tube connected to a dust separator. In addition, the grain falls within the conduit and flows out of the doors which the grain column opens and which are immediately above the level of the grain already delivered into the silo, the other doors remaining closed.