Abstract: A method of pumping a fluid including providing a pump including a disposable component and a reusable component; connecting the disposable component and the reusable component; receiving a fluid medium from a fluid medium source into a first disposable conduit; drawing the fluid medium into a disposable piston pump assembly of a first disposable conduit; flowing the fluid medium through a disposable flow meter; measuring a flow rate of the fluid medium; discharging the fluid medium into a reusable bubble detector; and discharging the fluid medium from the reusable bubble detector if less than a preselected amount of gas is detected.

Abstract: A pump including a disposable component including a disposable component inlet port coupled to a first disposable conduit in fluid communication with a fluid medium source, wherein the first disposable conduit includes a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, and the first disposable conduit is in fluid communication with a disposable component outlet port, wherein the disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium; wherein the disposable piston pump assembly is operable to pump the fluid medium from the disposable component inlet port, through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator, to the disposable component outlet port; and a reusable component including a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly; and a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage.

Abstract: A pump including a disposable component including a disposable component inlet port coupled to a first disposable conduit in fluid communication with a fluid medium source, wherein the first disposable conduit includes a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, and the first disposable conduit is in fluid communication with a disposable component outlet port, wherein the disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium; wherein the disposable piston pump assembly is operable to pump the fluid medium from the disposable component inlet port, through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator, to the disposable component outlet port; and a reusable component including a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly; and a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage.

Abstract: A pump including a disposable component including a disposable component inlet port coupled to a first disposable conduit in fluid communication with a fluid medium source, wherein the first disposable conduit includes a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, and the first disposable conduit is in fluid communication with a disposable component outlet port, wherein the disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium; wherein the disposable piston pump assembly is operable to pump the fluid medium from the disposable component inlet port, through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator, to the disposable component outlet port; and a reusable component including a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly; and a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training comprising: one or more electrochemical cells each comprising: a cathode and an anode separated by a proton exchange membrane, each of the anode and cathode in communication with an input and an output, wherein the input of the cathode is in fluid communication with ambient air, and wherein the input of the anode is in fluid communication with a source of liquid water; a power supply connected to the one or more electrochemical cells; and a mask in fluid communication with the output from the cathode of the one or more electrochemical cells, wherein oxygen is removed from the ambient air during contact with the cathode when hydrogen ions separated from liquid water by a catalyst on the anode convert oxygen in the ambient air into water.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training including a breathable gas source; a mask in fluid communication with the breathable gas source; a mask-state detector that uses one or more criteria to determine if the mask is being worn by a subject, wherein the mask-state detector is capable of communicating an indication of a mask-off state or a mask-on state; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the mask and coupled to the mask-state detector; and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the mask and with the breathable gas source, and coupled to the mask-state detector, wherein the pressure regulator sets a first pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-off state or a second pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-on state.

Abstract: The present invention includes an electrochemical actuator pump and method of making the same, comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an ion exchange membrane, a first and a second catalyzed porous electrode in contact with opposing sides of the ion exchange membrane; a first gas chamber in fluid communication with the first electrode, and a second gas chamber in fluid communication with the second electrode; and a controller for controllably reversing the polarity of a voltage source electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes, wherein the controller causes a first polarity at the first electrode to function as an anode and the second electrode to function as a cathode, wherein the first polarity simultaneously decreases the hydrogen gas pressure in the first hydrogen gas chamber and increases the hydrogen gas pressure in the second hydrogen gas chamber, with additional embodiment using MOF or Ni—H batteries.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training comprising: one or more electrochemical cells each comprising: a cathode and an anode separated by a proton exchange membrane, each of the anode and cathode in communication with an input and an output, wherein the input of the cathode is in fluid communication with ambient air, and wherein the input of the anode is in fluid communication with a source of liquid water; a power supply connected to the one or more electrochemical cells; and a mask in fluid communication with the output from the cathode of the one or more electrochemical cells, wherein oxygen is removed from the ambient air during contact with the cathode when hydrogen ions separated from liquid water by a catalyst on the anode convert oxygen in the ambient air into water.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training including a breathable gas source; a mask in fluid communication with the breathable gas source; a mask-state detector that uses one or more criteria to determine if the mask is being worn by a subject, wherein the mask-state detector is capable of communicating an indication of a mask-off state or a mask-on state; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the mask and coupled to the mask-state detector; and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the mask and with the breathable gas source, and coupled to the mask-state detector, wherein the pressure regulator sets a first pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-off state or a second pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-on state.

Abstract: A pump including a disposable component including a disposable component inlet port coupled to a first disposable conduit in fluid communication with a fluid medium source, wherein the first disposable conduit includes a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, and the first disposable conduit is in fluid communication with a disposable component outlet port, wherein the disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium; wherein the disposable piston pump assembly is operable to pump the fluid medium from the disposable component inlet port, through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator, to the disposable component outlet port; and a reusable component including a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly; and a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device, a system, and a method for enhancing a particle separation efficiency, including a particle charging device adapted to impart predominately unipolar charging on a plurality of particles in a fluid stream, e.g. a gas stream; wherein the particle charging device is positioned upstream from and adapted to provide the plurality of particles charged by the particle charging device to a particle deflection device capable of separating the particles charged by the particle charging device from a core fluid flow that is substantially free of dust particles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training including a breathable gas source; a mask in fluid communication with the breathable gas source; a mask-state detector that uses one or more criteria to determine if the mask is being worn by a subject, wherein the mask-state detector is capable of communicating an indication of a mask-off state or a mask-on state; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the mask and coupled to the mask-state detector; and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the mask and with the breathable gas source, and coupled to the mask-state detector, wherein the pressure regulator sets a first pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-off state or a second pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-on state.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device, a system, and a method for enhancing a particle separation efficiency, including a particle charging device adapted to impart predominately unipolar charging on a plurality of particles in a fluid stream, e.g. a gas stream; wherein the particle charging device is positioned upstream from and adapted to provide the plurality of particles charged by the particle charging device to a particle deflection device capable of separating the particles charged by the particle charging device from a core fluid flow that is substantially free of dust particles.

Abstract: The present invention includes an electrochemical actuator pump and method of making the same, comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an ion exchange membrane, a first and a second catalyzed porous electrode in contact with opposing sides of the ion exchange membrane; a first gas chamber in fluid communication with the first electrode, and a second gas chamber in fluid communication with the second electrode; and a controller for controllably reversing the polarity of a voltage source electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes, wherein the controller causes a first polarity at the first electrode to function as an anode and the second electrode to function as a cathode, wherein the first polarity simultaneously decreases the hydrogen gas pressure in the first hydrogen gas chamber and increases the hydrogen gas pressure in the second hydrogen gas chamber, with additional embodiment using MOF or Ni—H batteries.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the discovery of high-affinity peptide ligands and the resulting compositions are described herein. The amino acid sequence of a target protein is used to identify one or more homologous proteins of the target protein. Publications and databases are textmined to retrieve the sequences of peptide ligands that bind to the homologues or the target protein. Complementary proteins, which are proteins that bind to the target or homologous proteins or to DNA, and their target protein- or DNA-binding regions may also be identified. These candidate ligands are predicted to have a high probability of binding to the target protein or the DNA. The library of candidate peptide ligands is modulated by substituting native amino acid residues with suitable amino acids, thus increasing the explored protein space in a knowledge-based manner.

Abstract: A method for securing an anode, a cathode and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode within a premolded thermoplastic frame. The frame both secures the anode the cathode and the ion exchange membrane within the frame and further maintain the anode, cathode and membrane in intimate contact. Additionally, injection molding around the premolded thermoplastic frame may be performed or alternatively, injection molding around a plurality of thermoplastic frames.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal decontamination formulation and method for detoxifying chemical warfare agents (CWA's) and biological warfare agents (BWA's) without producing any toxic by-products, as well as, decontaminating surfaces that have come into contact with these agents. The formulation includes a sorbent material or gel, a peroxide source, a peroxide activator, and a compound containing a mixture of KHSO5, KHSO4 and K2SO4. The formulation is self-decontaminating and once dried can easily be wiped from the surface being decontaminated. A method for decontaminating a surface exposed to chemical or biological agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of using ozone have been developed which sterilize instruments and medical wastes, oxidize organics found in wastewater, clean laundry, break down contaminants in soil into a form more readily digested by microbes, kill microorganisms present in food products, and destroy toxins present in food products. The preferred methods for killing microorganisms and destroying toxins use pressurized, humidified, and concentrated ozone produced by an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal decontamination formulation and method for detoxifying chemical warfare agents (CWA's) and biological warfare agents (BWA's) without producing any toxic by-products, as well as, decontaminating surfaces that have come into contact with these agents. The formulation includes a sorbent material or gel, a peroxide source, a peroxide activator, and a compound containing a mixture of KHSO5, KHSO4 and K2SO4. The formulation is self-decontaminating and once dried can easily be wiped from the surface being decontaminated. A method for decontaminating a surface exposed to chemical or biological agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the electrochemical generation of ozone for use in “point-of-use” applications. The electrochemical ozone generators or systems of the present invention may be used to provide disinfected water, ozone-containing water, and/or ozone gas. Disinfected water may be produced by introducing ozone gas into a potable or purified water source for the purpose of disinfecting or controlling the microorganisms in the water source. Ozonated water or ozone gas may be produced and provided for various anti-microbial and cleansing applications of the consumer, such as washing food, clothing, dishes, countertops, toys, sinks, bathroom surfaces, and the like. Furthermore, the ozone generator may be used to deliver a stream of ozone-containing water for the purpose of commercial or residential point-of-use washing, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical instruments and medical equipment.