Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for aerosolization of individual building blocks of medical microrobots and subsequent in situ assembly into microrobots capable of medical intervention deep within lung tissues of a subject. The methods and systems of the disclosure may allow for microrobot-based therapy of pulmonary diseases that have previously been difficult to effectively treat using conventional therapeutic approaches.

Abstract: An attendance tracking system including a memory storing commands and a processor is provided. The processor causes the system to receive class attendance data associated with a student from a personal computer device, including a course parameter and a student attendance parameter. The system verifies that the student is enrolled in the course associated with the course parameter and that the student attendance parameter includes a valid class time for the course. The system updates a course record for the course and a student record for the student based on the class attendance data. In some embodiments, the student record includes historical data representative of the student's attendance for the course. In some embodiments, the processor also causes the system to modify an access privilege of the student to a service provided by the institution based on the student record. A method for using the above system is also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus employing the laminar nature of fluid flows in microfluidic flow devices in separating, sorting or filtering colloidal and/or cellular particles from a suspension in a microfluidic flow device is disclosed. The microfluidic flow device provides for separating a particle within a suspension flow in a microfluidic flow chamber. The chamber includes a microfluidic channel comprising at least one inlet port for receiving a suspension flow under laminar conditions, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The chamber further includes an interface for translating a particle within the channel. The first outlet port receives a first portion of the suspension exiting the said channel and the second outlet port receives the particle in a second portion of the suspension exiting the channel.

Abstract: A support member for supporting a roof of a subsurface space. The support member may include a base portion for defining a surface area to contact a ceiling of the subsurface space. One or more sockets may extend from the base for defining openings for receiving roof bolts therethrough. Accordingly, the support member may be configured to function as a washer for the roof bolts to support the roof material above the ceiling. The sockets may include covers for preventing the roof bolts from extending out of the sockets. The sockets may be oriented at angles with respect to the base such that when roof bolts are placed in the sockets, the roof bolts may extend at angles with respect to each other in a splayed configuration.

Abstract: A support member for supporting a roof of a subsurface space. The support member may include a base portion for defining a surface area to contact a ceiling of the subsurface space. One or more sockets may extend from the base for defining openings for receiving roof bolts therethrough. Accordingly, the support member may be configured to function as a washer for the roof bolts to support the roof material above the ceiling. The sockets may include covers for preventing the roof bolts from extending out of the sockets. The sockets may be oriented at angles with respect to the base such that when roof bolts are placed in the sockets, the roof bolts may extend at angles with respect to each other in a splayed configuration.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus employing the laminar nature of fluid flows in microfluidic flow devices in separating, sorting or filtering colloidal and/or cellular particles from a suspension in a microfluidic flow device is disclosed. The microfluidic flow device provides for separating a particle within a suspension flow in a microfluidic flow chamber. The chamber includes a microfluidic channel comprising at least one inlet port for receiving a suspension flow under laminar conditions, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The chamber further includes an interface for translating a particle within the channel. The first outlet port receives a first portion of the suspension exiting the said channel and the second outlet port receives the particle in a second portion of the suspension exiting the channel.

Abstract: The invention provides microfluidic systems incorporating optical waveguides integrated, which can be used to optically interrogate particulate such as cells flowing through the system. The waveguides within these systems may be arranged to form optical traps, which may be used to power pumps and valves in the microfluidic systems, to trap and interrogate particles within these systems, and to sort trapped particles into different channels of microfluidic flow.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus employing the laminar nature of fluid flows in microfluidic flow devices in separating, sorting or filtering colloidal and/or cellular particles from a suspension in a microfluidic flow device is disclosed. The microfluidic flow device provides for separating a particle within a suspension flow in a microfluidic flow chamber. The chamber includes a microfluidic channel comprising at least one inlet port for receiving a suspension flow under laminar conditions, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The chamber further includes an interface for translating a particle within the channel. The first outlet port receives a first portion of the suspension exiting the said channel and the second outlet port receives the particle in a second portion of the suspension exiting the channel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of and an apparatus for preservation of the contents of a part filled beverage container, such as an opened wine bottle (2). The method comprises the steps of removing gas from the container (2) until a first predetermined pressure is achieved; and supplying an inert gas to the container until a second predetermined pressure is achieved. To preserve the contents of a sparkling wine bottle, it is possible to supply a pressurising gas to the container until a third predetermined pressure is reached.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic optical waveguides and waveguide switches providing capability for multiple outlet paths for the fluid waveguides and optical signals contained therein. A microfluidic structure comprises a core inlet channel, one or more cladding fluid inlet channels intersecting with the core inlet channel downstream of a core inlet, and at least two outlet channels coupled to the core inlet channel and downstream of the cladding fluid channel. An optical source providing an optical signal is aligned with the core inlet channel. A waveguiding fluid is supplied to the core inlet channel and a cladding fluid supplied to each of the cladding channels. The waveguiding fluid and cladding fluid form an optical waveguide operable to transmit the optical signal. The flow rate of the cladding fluid is selectable to switch the optical waveguide between at least the first and second outlet channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use colloidal particles to realize photonic and microfluidic devices. In particular embodiments, colloidal particles are used to realize microfluidic a two-way valve, three-way valve, check valve, three-dimensional valve, peristalsis pump, rotary pump, vane pump, and two-lobe gear pump. In certain embodiments, actuation of an active element in the microfluidic structure is accomplished by electrophoresis, the use of an optical trap or “tweezer”, or the application of an electric field or magnetic field. In other embodiments, the application of an electrical field to colloidal particles that are substantially constrained to two dimensional movement is used to realize wave guides, filters and switches for optical signals.

Abstract: The methods provided use external fields such as light and electricity as a means of directing the crystallization of concentrated colloidal systems. Not only can nucleation be directed, crystal melting can be carefully controlled and light-induced crystal diffraction used as a means of directing light propagation. A number of factors play a significant role on the crystallization rate and location, including the intensity of the light field, the magnitude of the electric field, the colloid concentration, the colloid size, and the colloid composition. In varying these parameters, kinetics in these processes are extremely fast when compared to traditional colloidal crystallization approaches.

Abstract: An animal treatment apparatus comprises a shallow trough (3) in which at last an injured leg (33) of the animal (5) an be located, a container (47) for containing water, a nozzle (53) for aiming the water at an injured area of an animal's body, attachment means (39, 41) for attachment of the nozzle (53) to the animal's body such that the nozzle (53) can remain correctly aligned even if the animal (5) moves, conveying means (31, 45) for conveying the water from the container (47) to the nozzle (53), the trough (3) being arranged to collect the water after it has been sprayed on to the animal's body and return means (15, 17) for returning the water from the trough (3) to the container (47).