Abstract: A process is described in which biological cells are separated from a material sample, such as blood or soil, in which the material sample is formed as a suspension in a fluid and introduced into a chamber. One or more acoustic pressure nodes aggregate the material sample, and a flow of fluid removes soluble matter from the aggregate leaving the biological cells and other inert materials at the node(s). In one aspect of the invention the biological materials are separated from inhibitors that might render their subsequent analysis in, for example, a PCR system difficult. In another aspect of the invention a method is described to extract a clean DNA sample for such biological cells.

Abstract: A sensor format is based on impedance analysis of polymer coatings of electrodes. A detectable signal is produced by the effect of a reactive or catalytic species at or very near the polymer coated electrode. The reactive or catalytic species directly or indirectly effects a reaction with the polymer layers, whereby the polymer layer becomes porous and thus causes a measurable change in electrical properties of the electrode surface.

Abstract: A protective liner article for wet scrubbers and the like consists of a cellulated glass block of corrosion-resistant material, such as PENNGUARD.RTM. Block, a cellulated borosilicate glass, and a sheet of glassy, corrosion-resistant material which can be and preferably is corrosion-resistant glass such as 7740 Pyrex.RTM. bonded to a face of the block. The sheet is fused to the cellulated borosilicate glass block by applying radiant heat to an outer surface of the sheet while keeping the body of the block at a temperature below the degradation temperature of the block until the sheet bonds to the face of the block. Preferably, a finely-divided frit is applied to the surface to which the glass is bonded, filling interstices of the surface of the block, before the sheet is placed on the block.