Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sample holder for use in an analytical method involving thermocycling, such as PCR. The sample holder includes a base plate made of a base plate material. The base plate includes a top surface and an array of wells, wherein each well is configured for receiving a sample. The sample holder includes a solid cover structure being made of a material having a melting point which is lower than the melting point of the base plate material. The solid cover structure is arranged on the top surface of the base plate such that at least some of the wells are uncovered. Further disclosed are a method for manufacturing a sample holder, an apparatus and the use of the sample holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to energy storage systems and reactors useful in such systems. Inventive reactors comprise a reaction vessel defining an inner volume and a compensation element, whereby said inner volume is filled with a fixed bed that is free of cavities and that comprises particles of formula (I), FeOx (I), where 0?x?1.5; said compensation element is adapted to adjust said inner volume. The reactors are inherently explosion proof and thus suited for domestic use. The systems are useful for compensating long-term fluctuations observed in production of renewable energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of antibodies useful in therapy and diagnosis. It specifically discloses bioconjugates comprising one or more antibodies bound to functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles. These bioconjugates are useful in cancer therapy, particularly for removing circulating tumor cells. The invention further pertains to specific functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles and to the manufacturing of such bioconjugates and such functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A metallic sample holder includes an array of wells, wherein each well of the array is adapted to capture a sample volume. A first sector of the array comprises wells that are loaded with a first reagent of a first dried or freeze-dried nucleic acid amplification test reagent. A second sector of the array comprises wells that are loaded with a second reagent of a second dried or freeze-dried nucleic acid amplification test reagent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to energy storage systems and reactors useful in such systems. Inventive reactors comprise a reaction vessel defining an inner volume and a compensation element, whereby said inner volume is filled with a fixed bed that is essentially free of cavities and that comprises particles of formula (I), FeOx (I), where 0?x?1.5; said compensation element is adapted to adjust said inner volume. The reactors are inherently explosion—proof and thus suited for large scale use. The systems are useful for compensating long-term fluctuations observed in production of renewable energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacturing of porous polymer membranes by (a) providing pellets comprising a polymer matrix and particles in the ratio 90:10 to 10:90, (b) converting said pellets into a non-porous film by a solvent-free process; (c) removing said particles from said film with an aqueous composition to thereby obtain said membrane. The invention further relates to pellets useful in such manufacturing process as well as porous polymer membranes obtainable or obtained by such manufacturing process as well as textile materials and articles containing such membranes; to the use of such pellets, membranes, and articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to plant protection agents in the form of a liquid formulation containing a dispersion medium and a particulate composition that comprises a specific mixture of calcium hydroxide, fatty acids and, optionally, additives. The invention also relates to non-aqueous concentrates for providing such plant protection agents, and to the production of such particulate compositions.

Abstract: The invention is notably directed to a method for encoding information. This method first comprises generating an encryption key according to polymorphic features of nucleic acids from one or more entities. Next, information is encrypted based on the generated key. Finally, the encrypted information is encoded into synthetic DNA. Another aspect concerns a method for retrieving information. Consistently with the above encoding scheme, synthetic DNA in provided, which encodes encrypted information. Such information is read by sequencing the synthetic DNA and by decrypting the information read using a decryption key. The latter is generated according to polymorphic features of nucleic acids from one or more entities (e.g., from the legitimate individual(s) requesting access to information). Thus, the encoded information cannot be interpreted unless a suitable decryption key is available. The invention is further directed to related DNA samples and systems, including DNA vaults.

Abstract: The present invention relates to energy storage systems and reactors useful in such systems. Inventive reactors comprise a reaction vessel defining an inner volume and a compensation element, whereby said inner volume is filled with a fixed bed that is free of cavities and that comprises particles of formula (I), FeOx (I), where 0?x?1.5; said compensation element is adapted to adjust said inner volume. The reactors are inherently explosion proof and thus suited for domestic use. The systems are useful for compensating long-term fluctuations observed in production of renewable energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacturing of metal organic framework (MOF) containing composite materials, particularly membranes. The inventive process comprises the steps of a phase inversion polymer formation containing pores of precursor materials and in situ formation of MOFs. The invention further relates to new MOF containing membranes; to the use of such membranes in gas separation processes and to devices comprising such membranes.

Abstract: The invention is notably directed to a method for encoding information. This method first comprises generating an encryption key according to polymorphic features of nucleic acids from one or more entities. Next, information is encrypted based on the generated key. Finally, the encrypted information is encoded into synthetic DNA. Another aspect concerns a method for retrieving information. Consistently with the above encoding scheme, synthetic DNA in provided, which encodes encrypted information. Such information is read by sequencing the synthetic DNA and by decrypting the information read using a decryption key. The latter is generated according to polymorphic features of nucleic acids from one or more entities (e.g., from the legitimate individual(s) requesting access to information). Thus, the encoded information cannot be interpreted unless a suitable decryption key is available. The invention is further directed to related DNA samples and systems, including DNA vaults.

Abstract: The present invention relates in a first aspect to a metallic sample holder (1), in particular for capturing sample volumes for digital polymerase chain detection. The sample holder (1) comprises an array of indentations (10), wherein each indentation (11) is adapted to capture a maximal sample volume vmax, with vmax=2 nl, in particular with vmax=1 nl, in particular with vmax=0.8 nl. Each indentation (11) of the array (10) has an area cross-section section a, with a ?8*10?3 mm2, in particular with a ?5*10?3 mm2. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the sample holder (1). A third aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus (200), in particular for polymerase chain reaction detection, adapted for receiving the metallic sample holder (1). A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of the sample holder (1) by means of the apparatus (200).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of antibodies useful in therapy and diagnosis. It specifically discloses bioconjugates comprising one or more antibodies bound to functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles. These bioconjugates are useful in cancer therapy, particularly for removing circulating tumor cells. The invention further pertains to specific functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles and to the manufacturing of such bioconjugates and such functionalized, magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing processes for waterproof and breathable porous polymer membranes by coating a substrate with a dispersion comprising polymer, coated particles and diluent and removing the particles by dissolution, wherein the particles are made of organic salts, metal salts or metal oxides and the coating material is selected from carboxylic acids and alkoxy silanes. The invention further relates to dispersions to obtain such membranes, to polymer membranes obtained, to shaped articles containing such membranes; to the use of such membranes, shaped articles and intermediates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component (1, 1?, 1?, 1??, 2) for a fire protection system, in particular a fire extinguishing system having a housing (11, 21). In accordance with the invention, at least one nozzle (10, 20, 3, 3?) for dispensing extinguishing fluid onto the component (1, 1?, 1?, 1??, 2) is arranged on the housing (11, 21) or in the vicinity of the housing (11, 21), the nozzle (10, 20, 3, 3?) being connectable to a supply of extinguishing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacturing of metal organic framework (MOF) containing composite materials, particularly membranes. The inventive process comprises the steps of a phase inversion polymer formation containing pores of precursor materials and in situ formation of MOFs. The invention further relates to new MOF containing membranes; to the use of such membranes in gas separation processes and to devices comprising such membranes.

Abstract: A threadlike metallic or metallized reinforcer, for example a thread, film, tape or cord made of carbon steel, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of metal referred to as “surface metal” chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, is characterized in that this surface metal layer is itself coated, at least in part, with at least one layer of graphene; preferably, there is grafted, to this graphene, at least one functional group which can crosslink to a polymer matrix. This reinforcer of the invention is effectively protected from corrosion by virtue of the graphene present at the surface; advantageously, it can be adhesively bonded directly, without adhesion primer or addition of metal salt, to an unsaturated rubber matrix, such as natural rubber, by virtue of the possible functionalization of this graphene.

Abstract: The invention relates to plant protection agents in the form of a liquid formulation containing a dispersion medium and a particulate composition that comprises a specific mixture of calcium hydroxide, fatty acids and, optionally, additives. The invention also relates to non-aqueous concentrates for providing such plant protection agents, and to the production of such particulate compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to core-shell particles comprising encapsulated nucleic acids—a sensing sequence and a control sequence; the invention further relates to the use of such particles as a sensing element; to methods for measuring a property of interest in a setting employing such particles; to measuring systems and analytical kits comprising such particles.

Abstract: A pump having at least a fluid pump chamber (11) and a first driver chamber (12) separated from the fluid pump chamber (11) by an elastic wall (13, 13-1, 13-2) is described with the first driver chamber (12) expanding after a chemical reaction between fuel and oxidant and driving through deformation of the elastic wall fluid out of the fluid pump chamber (11), with the main parts of the pump being made of an elastic material to be used for example as a body implant.