Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a collaborative building network are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of operating a building management system includes acquiring, by a first computing system, data using one or more sensors of a first building of a first entity, providing, by the first computing system, a set of sharing rules for the acquired data, determining, by the first computing system by applying the set of sharing rules, whether to share the acquired data with a second computing system associated with a second building of a second entity, and providing, by the first computing system, the acquired data to the second computing system responsive to the determination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a transfer pipette; a platform adapted to provide at least one receiving chamber and configured to receive said transfer pipette, and a distal output chamber wherein a biological sample from the transfer pipette is dispensed into the output chamber when a centrifugal force is applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a rotary motor; a means for controlling said motor; a platform coupled to the rotary motor and adapted to provide at least one particle-washing structure and one particle receiving structure for receiving washed particles; and a detection zone for detection of particles of the sample in the particle receiving structure while the platform rotates. The invention provides a sample processing system that is both automated and prone to fewer errors than manual processing. This is accomplished using a centrifugal microfluidic platform that can process raw biological samples (e.g., blood, sputum, urine,) in order to perform high-quality bead-based immunofluorescent assays. The invention uses a simple rotary motor and custom-designed plastic disc to perform the sample preparation steps outlined above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a transfer pipette; a platform adapted to provide at least one receiving chamber and configured to receive said transfer pipette, and a distal output chamber wherein a biological sample from the transfer pipette is dispensed into the output chamber when a centrifugal force is applied.

Abstract: The invention provides a high resolution, wide dynamic range, multi-color detection platform for microfluidic analyzers/instruments and methods. The detection platform uses multiple high gain semiconductor optical sensors for the detection of luminescence from cellular or biological samples. The digitized outputs from these sensors are combined and weighted in a signal processing unit, using pre-determined algorithms for each color, which optimize the resolution in each of these high gain semiconductor optical sensors while extending the dynamic range of the detection platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a high resolution, wide dynamic range, multi-colour detection platform for microfluidic analysers/instruments and methods. The detection platform uses multiple high gain semiconductor optical sensors for the detection of luminescence from cellular or biological samples. The digitized outputs from these sensors are combined and weighted in a signal processing unit, using pre-determined algorithms for each colour, which optimise the resolution in each of these high gain semiconductor optical sensors while extending the dynamic range of the detection platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a rotary motor; a means for controlling said motor; a platform coupled to the rotary motor and adapted to provide at least one particle-washing structure and one particle receiving structure for receiving washed particles; and a detection zone for detection of particles of the sample in the particle receiving structure while the platform rotates. The invention provides a sample processing system that is both automated and prone to fewer errors than manual processing. This is accomplished using a centrifugal microfluidic platform that can process raw biological samples (e.g., blood, sputum, urine,) in order to perform high-quality bead-based immunofluorescent assays. The invention uses a simple rotary motor and custom-designed plastic disc to perform the sample preparation steps outlined above.

Abstract: This invention describes an electromechanical sound apparatus which can be utilized as part of a sound system such as an intercom or as an acoustic repeater. The apparatus includes a loudspeaker having a diaphragm and a coil. The coil receives variations of electric energy and causes the diaphragm to vibrate. An electromechanical sound (sensor/microphone) transducer is connected to the loudspeaker. The transducer includes conductive supports mounted onto the loudspeaker diaphragm and a weighted conductive bar loosely coupled to the supports. Electric energy is connected across the conductive supports. As the diaphragm vibrates, the vibrations are transmitted through the conductive supports to the bar, which interrupts the electrical energy and converts the vibrations into electrical energy variations. The loudspeaker diaphragm can be utilized to directly receive acoustic energy for the transducer, or as a standard loudspeaker output unit.

Abstract: This invention describes an electromechanical amplifying sound transducer including a diaphragm which responds to input energy, such as acoustical waves and mechanical pulses, and vibrates in response thereto. Conductive supports mounted onto the diaphragm are adapted to be interconnected to a source of electrical energy. A weighted conductive bar is loosely coupled to the supports and interconnects them. The supports transmit the vibrations to the bar whereby the bar can control the electrical energy delivered from the source of electrical energy so that the acoustic waves or mechanical pulses are converted into amplified electrical waves.