Abstract: A microfabricated silicon chip with a separation material, such as in situ prepared porous polymer monoliths in its microchannels is disclosed. The polymer monoliths are liquid-permeable and serve as microcolumns for liquid chromatography, which are prepared by in situ radical polymerization of a mixture containing vinyl monomers and solvents (porogen) in the microchannels. A method and system are disclosed to generate one or more electrospray plumes from one or more nozzles that provide an ion intensity as measured by a mass spectrometer that is approximately proportional to the number of electrospray plumes formed for analyses contained within the fluid. A plurality of electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized separate electrospray devices for the purpose of generating multiple electrospray plumes from multiple nozzles for the same fluid for analysis.

Abstract: A microchip-based electrospray device, system, and method of fabrication thereof are disclosed. The electrospray device includes a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electric field generating source for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray. A method and system are disclosed to generate multiple electrospray plumes from a single fluid stream that provides an ion intensity as measured by a mass spectrometer that is approximately proportional to the number of electrospray plumes formed for analytes contained within the fluid. A plurality of electrospray nozzle devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized nozzles for the purpose of generating multiple electrospray plumes from multiple nozzles for the same fluid stream.

Abstract: This invention pertains to papermaking felts, methods of making such felts, methods of using the felts, and methods of making paper using such felts. A felt of the invention contains at least one substrate web having a fuse-bonded joint extending across the width of the felt. The joint is preferably formed by superposing, onto each other, end portions of a flat-woven substrate web element, with the end portions extending away from the ends in a common direction, and concurrently severing the ends from the end portions, and fuse bonding the end portions to each other, along a common cut line.

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolyzing a sample prior to analysis by a gas chromatograph or a mass spectrometer comprising an insertion probe for bearing said sample, a reaction chamber which is mounted to the insertion probe so as to encompass the sample, said insertion probe having a ribbon for depositing said sample and maintaining said sample during a pyrolysis, said insertion probe being removable from said reaction chamber, means for rapidly heating said sample so as to pyrolyze said sample, and an outlet from said reaction chamber to a gas chromatograph or a mass spectrometer; the improvement comprising: means for automatically depositing said sample onto said ribbon while said insertion probe is in said reaction chamber. A method for pyrolyzing samples using said apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated hydraulic switch unit is provided by an armature plunger which reciprocally shuttles between partially overlapping magnetic paths and operating a hydraulic valve circuit through bistable snap blade means. Snap blades open and close entry ports, exit ports and vent ports to connect various passages in a housing and perform given hydraulic functions. The ratio of the permeances of the two magnetic paths, created by dedicated coaxial coils, is controlled such that one path always overpowers the other by an amount greater than the mechanical gradients of a pair of snap blades in hydraulic fluid filled cavities, to insure plunger movement in either direction.