Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect disease-specific antigens assists in disease diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) micro biochip incorporates at least one hydrophilic microchannel for controlled and self-driven flow of body fluid. Metallic nano-interdigitated electrodes disposed within the channels give enhanced sensitivity detection. Microchannel controls flow and amplifies a capillary effect. Electrodes are fabricated on microchannel surface to detect biomolecular interactions. When a sample flows through microchannel, disease-specific antigens from the sample form antigen-antibody complex with antibodies immobilized on electrodes. Antigen-antibody interaction is detected via an electrical change in the biochip's nano circuit. Each electrode may include a different antibody to detect different antigens. Capacitance during antigen-antibody interaction without microfluidic flow is higher than with microfluidic flow due to immobilized antibodies instability on sensing surface caused by shear stress.

Abstract: A microfluidic biochip for detecting disease antigens using gold nano interdigitated electrode circuit under a controlled self-driven flow condition is disclosed. The biochip incorporates hydrophilic microchannels for controlled self-driven flow and gold nano interdigitated electrodes for capacitive sensing with enhanced sensitivity. The biochip's microchannel has a surface treated with oxygen plasma to control microchannel surface hydrophilicity and flow rate of the biofluid sample. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are utilized as an intermediate layer to enhance the binding capability to nano electrodes to enhance sensitivity. Due to the carboxylic groups of the CNTs, covalent bond binding between the antibodies and the CNTs allows the antibodies to adhere more readily on the surface of the electrodes. The quantity of antibodies attaching to the surface is increased due to the high surface to area ratio in CNTs.

Abstract: Improved diagnostic assemblies are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved and highly advantageous chip based diagnostic assemblies configured to detect human diseases (e.g., cancer) and/or pathogens, and related methods of use. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for consumable micro- or nano-fluidic chip based diagnostic assemblies having visual biosensors, with the diagnostic assemblies using continuous flow-based micro- or nano-fluidic channels and antibody-based immuno-complex designs. In certain embodiments, the diagnostic assembly includes a self-sustainable and operable chip (e.g., thumb-sized chip) that is configured to be deployed as a single use consumable with a direct all-or-none readout as an output to satisfy a point of screening method to screen a population.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect disease-specific antigens assists in disease diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) micro biochip incorporates at least one hydrophilic microchannel for controlled and self-driven flow of body fluid. Metallic nano-interdigitated electrodes disposed within the channels give enhanced sensitivity detection. Microchannel controls flow and amplifies a capillary effect. Electrodes are fabricated on microchannel surface to detect biomolecular interactions. When a sample flows through microchannel, disease-specific antigens from the sample form antigen-antibody complex with antibodies immobilized on electrodes. Antigen-antibody interaction is detected via an electrical change in the biochip's nano circuit. Each electrode may include a different antibody to detect different antigens. Capacitance during antigen-antibody interaction without microfluidic flow is higher than with microfluidic flow due to immobilized antibodies instability on sensing surface caused by shear stress.

Abstract: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are utilized to detect diseases and minimize false negative/positive scenarios. MIPs are implemented on a nano-electric circuit in a biochip where interactions of MIPs and an Antigen/Antibody (AG/AB) are detected, and disease specific biomarkers diagnosed. Biomarker detection is achieved with interdigitated gold electrodes in a biochip's microchannel. Capacitance changes due to biomarker interaction with AG/AB electrode coating diagnose diseases in a microfluidic environment. Biofluid passes through the microchannel and exposed to the nanocircuit to generate a capacitance difference and diagnose any specific disease in the biofluid sample. Blood capillary flow in a microchannel curved section experience centrifugal forces that separate liquid from solid. Various blood densities and segments experience different centrifugal effects while flowing through the curved section so serum is separated from various solid matter without using external devices.

Abstract: Improved diagnostic assemblies are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved and highly advantageous chip based diagnostic assemblies configured to detect human diseases (e.g., cancer) and/or pathogens, and related methods of use. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for consumable micro- or nano-fluidic chip based diagnostic assemblies having visual biosensors, with the diagnostic assemblies using continuous flow-based micro- or nano-fluidic channels and antibody-based immuno-complex designs. In certain embodiments, the diagnostic assembly includes a self-sustainable and operable chip (e.g., thumb-sized chip) that is configured to be deployed as a single use consumable with a direct all-or-none readout as an output to satisfy a point of screening method to screen a population.

Abstract: A microfluidic biochip for detecting disease antigens using gold nano interdigitated electrode circuit under a controlled self-driven flow condition is disclosed. The biochip incorporates hydrophilic microchannels for controlled self-driven flow and gold nano interdigitated electrodes for capacitive sensing with enhanced sensitivity. The biochip's microchannel has a surface treated with oxygen plasma to control microchannel surface hydrophilicity and flow rate of the biofluid sample. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are utilized as an intermediate layer to enhance the binding capability to nano electrodes to enhance sensitivity. Due to the carboxylic groups of the CNTs, covalent bond binding between the antibodies and the CNTs allows the antibodies to adhere more readily on the surface of the electrodes. The quantity of antibodies attaching to the surface is increased due to the high surface to area ratio in CNTs.

Abstract: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are utilized to detect diseases and minimize false negative/positive scenarios. MIPs are implemented on a nano-electric circuit in a biochip where interactions of MIPs and an Antigen/Antibody (AG/AB) are detected, and disease specific biomarkers diagnosed. Biomarker detection is achieved with interdigitated gold electrodes in a biochip's microchannel. Capacitance changes due to biomarker interaction with AG/AB electrode coating diagnose diseases in a microfluidic environment. Biofluid passes through the microchannel and exposed to the nanocircuit to generate a capacitance difference and diagnose any specific disease in the biofluid sample. Blood capillary flow in a microchannel curved section experience centrifugal forces that separate liquid from solid. Various blood densities and segments experience different centrifugal effects while flowing through the curved section so serum is separated from various solid matter without using external devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module according to preferred embodiments of the present invention includes: a first support part including a first body part surrounding one side of an outer peripheral surface of a fuel cell and a first connection part formed on one side of the first body part in a longitudinal direction; a second support part including a second body part surrounding the other side of the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell and the second connection part formed on one side of the second body part in a longitudinal direction; and a fixing part passing through the first connection part and the second connection part to connect and fix the first connection part and the second connection part to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing unit cells of a solid oxide fuel cell through a process of attaching a fuel electrode reaction layer/electrolyte layer film assembly, manufactured using a tape casting method, onto a fuel electrode support (sintered body) which consists of the unit cells of the solid oxide fuel cell and which is manufactured using a tape casting method, a pressure method, a discharge plasma method, or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell, including: a unit cell; a current collector formed in a flat shape having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a groove formed in a thickness direction so as to receive the unit cell therein; and a circular support member formed between the first surface and the second surface of the current collector, wherein the support member is provided in plural, and the support members for respective regions have different diameters.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cell unit and a manifold capable of collecting electric current. The cell unit includes a tube support composed of a conductive material, a unit cell laminated on an outer surface of the tube support, and a current collection layer laminated on an outer surface of the unit cell. The manifold includes an inner tube supplying gas into and electrically connected with the tube support, and an outer tube provided outside the inner tube and electrically connected with the current collection layer. By the provision of a current-collectable manifold, a separate metal form or metal wire for current collection is not required.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generating electricity and heat by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and air, a thermoelectric element converting heat, emitted from the fuel cell, into electrical energy, and a heat storage tank storing heat emitted from the thermoelectric element. The fuel cell system includes therein a configuration allowing for the conversion of heat, emitted from a fuel cell, into electricity or the utilization of heat, thereby minimizing the amount of heat that is released at the final stage. Therefore, a reduction in the size of a heat storage tank can be achieved, and the electricity conversion efficiency of a fuel cell can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gas-liquid separator, a hydrogen generating apparatus, and a fuel cell generation system, having the same. The gas-liquid separator can include an inflow path, into which a fluid material having a liquid and a gas flows; a centrifugal path, connected to the inflow path to receive the fluid material and formed spirally such that the fluid material is separated into the liquid and the gas by difference in centrifugal forces, an outer side of the centrifugal path having stronger affinity for the liquid than an inner side of the centrifugal path; and an outflow path, connected to the centrifugal path and discharging the liquid and the gas, which have been separated in the centrifugal path. With the present invention, it is possible to efficiently separate gas such as hydrogen and liquid such as a electrolyte solution without complex devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel cell apparatus including: a first electrode support having a tubular shape; an interconnector connected to one side of the first electrode support; an electrolyte membrane surrounding the interconnector and covering an outer surface of the first electrode support; a second electrode formed at the outer surface of the electrolyte membrane while being spaced apart from the interconnector; a first current collecting member surrounding an outer surface of the second electrode; and a second current collecting member engaged with an outer surface of the first current collecting member and having a bimetal structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for measuring performance of a solid oxide fuel cell, including: a heating furnace wrapping the solid oxide fuel cell, the heating furnace having a first opening part through which one lateral surface in a length direction of the solid oxide fuel cell outwardly protrudes and a fuel supply hole formed in one surface thereof; a first fuel storage unit; a second fuel storage unit; a first fuel supply control unit; a second fuel supply control unit; an electronic load measuring current or voltage outputted from the solid oxide fuel cell; and a control unit controlling the supply of fuel by using the first fuel supply control unit and the second fuel supply control unit, and controlling the measurement of current or voltage by using the electronic load.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tubular solid oxide fuel cell module including an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, a cathode layer divided into two parts or more, a conductive mesh structure and a conductive wire, and a method of manufacturing the same. The tubular solid oxide fuel cell is advantageous in that the cathode is divided into two parts or more, so that the moving distance of electric charges is decreased, with the result that resistance loss can be minimized, thereby increasing the efficiency of collecting electric charges.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including a cylindrical fuel cell and a current collector inserted with the cylindrical fuel cell and herein, the current collector is constituted by the semicircular mesh structure inserted with the cylindrical fuel cell and at least one metal connection plate connected with both ends of an opened part of the mesh structure and having an inner surface contacting a lower part of the mesh structure. According to the present invention, serial and parallel connections between cells of the fuel cell can be arbitrarily constructed with a metal connection plate and a current collector having a mesh structure as one unit module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell. The solid oxide fuel cell includes cylindrical fuel cells and a current collector. The fuel cells are inserted into the current collector so that the fuel cells are connected in parallel to each other. The current collector includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate includes protruding parts each having a slot. An upper connection part connects the protruding parts in parallel to each other. The lower plate has a mesh structure and has semicircular support parts corresponding to the respective protruding parts. A lower connection part connects the semicircular support parts in parallel to each other. The solid oxide fuel cell unitizes connection between the fuel cells and current collection, thus simplifying a current collecting process, and minimizing a connection loss that may be induced in connection between the fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell, including: a unit cell; a current collector formed in a flat shape having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a groove formed in a thickness direction so as to receive the unit cell therein; and a circular support member formed between the first surface and the second surface of the current collector, wherein the support member is provided in plural, and the support members for respective regions have different diameters.