Abstract: An apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column wherein the insulating member is formed from a vacuum chamber surrounding the chromatography column. Another apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column, wherein the insulating member includes aerogel. Also described is a method of insulating a chromatography column comprising forming a jacket surrounding the chromatography column, and creating a vacuum chamber in an area between the jacket and the chromatography column.

Abstract: A solvent delivery system for a liquid chromatography system may include a first gradient proportioning valve in fluidic communication with a first plurality of sources of solvent and producing therefrom a first low-pressure gradient stream. The solvent delivery system may further include a second gradient proportioning valve in direct fluidic communication with an inlet of the first gradient proportioning valve and with a second plurality of sources of solvent, the second gradient proportioning valve producing a second low-pressure gradient stream from the second plurality of sources of solvent, wherein one solvent source of the first plurality of sources of solvent used by the first gradient proportioning valve to produce the first low-pressure gradient stream comprises the second low-pressure gradient stream. The solvent delivery system may also include a first pump in direct fluidic communication with the first gradient proportioning valve to receive and pressurize the first low-pressure gradient stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column wherein the insulating member is formed from a vacuum chamber surrounding the chromatography column. Another apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column, wherein the insulating member includes aerogel. Also described is a method of insulating a chromatography column comprising forming a jacket surrounding the chromatography column, and creating a vacuum chamber in an area between the jacket and the chromatography column.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column wherein the insulating member is formed from a vacuum chamber surrounding the chromatography column. Another apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column, wherein the insulating member includes aerogel. Also described is a method of insulating a chromatography column comprising forming a jacket surrounding the chromatography column, and creating a vacuum chamber in an area between the jacket and the chromatography column.

Abstract: Described is a coupling seal that includes a polymeric body having a bore extending from a first end to an internal sealing surface and a fluid channel extending from the internal sealing surface to a second end. The bore is configured to receive a tube having a fluid channel so that an endface of the tube engages the internal sealing surface. The second end of the polymeric body is configured to contact a sealing surface of a coupling body that has a fluid channel extending from the sealing surface. A fluidic seal occurs when the coupling seal is compressed between the endface and the sealing surface. A void between an outer surface of the polymeric body and an inner surface of the coupling body receives the deformation of the coupling seal while under compression to thereby prevent the fluid channel of the tube from being crushed or obstructed.

Abstract: A solvent delivery system for a liquid chromatography system may include a first gradient proportioning valve in fluidic communication with a first plurality of sources of solvent and producing therefrom a first low-pressure gradient stream. The solvent delivery system may further include a second gradient proportioning valve in direct fluidic communication with an inlet of the first gradient proportioning valve and with a second plurality of sources of solvent, the second gradient proportioning valve producing a second low-pressure gradient stream from the second plurality of sources of solvent, wherein one solvent source of the first plurality of sources of solvent used by the first gradient proportioning valve to produce the first low-pressure gradient stream comprises the second low-pressure gradient stream. The solvent delivery system may also include a first pump in direct fluidic communication with the first gradient proportioning valve to receive and pressurize the first low-pressure gradient stream.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system includes a gradient proportioning valve in fluidic communication with sources of solvent. From the solvent sources, the gradient proportioning valve produces a low-pressure gradient stream. A first pump is in fluidic communication with the gradient proportioning valve to receive, pressurize, and move the pressurized low-pressure gradient stream to a flow-combining device. A second pump operates in parallel with the first pump and moves a pressurized solvent stream to the flow-combining device where the pressurized solvent stream combines with the low-pressure gradient stream to produce a high-pressure gradient stream. A second gradient proportioning valve can produce, from a second plurality of sources of solvent, a second low-pressure gradient stream, wherein the solvent stream moved by the second pump to the flow-combining device and combined with the other low-pressure gradient stream comprises the second low-pressure gradient stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a liquid chromatography system includes a chromatography port and a tubing assembly having a chromatography tube coupled at one end to the chromatography port. The end of the tube has an end face covered with a corrosion-resistant material, for example, gold. The corrosion-resistant nature of the material protects the end of the tube from corrosion or erosion, which improves the quality and reliability of a seal between the end face of the tube and a sealing surface of the port. Alternatively, or in addition to covering the end face of the tube with the corrosion-resistant material, a gasket covered with or made of the corrosion-resistant material can be disposed between the end face of the tube and the port. This gasket extends the reach of the tube to facilitate bottoming out the tube within the port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling nano-scale flow rate of fluid in the operating flow path of a HPLC system provide fluid flow without relying on complex calibration routines to compensate for solvent composition gradients typically used in HPLC. The apparatus and method are used to correct the flow output of a typical, analytical-scale (0.1-5 mL/min) HPLC pump to enable accurate and precise flow delivery at capillary (<0.1 mL/min) and nano-scale (<1 ?L/min) HPLC flow rates.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of a pump that can be used, for example, in liquid chromatography applications. The pump includes a seal wash housing, pump head and seal assembly. A wear-resistant coating applied to a sealing surface or gland of the pump head or seal wash housing improves the hardness and chemical compatibility of the sealing surface. Oxidation of the sealing surface is reduced so that the sealing surface is less abrasive to the seal assembly and the lifetime of the seal assembly is increased.

Abstract: Described is a coupling seal that includes a polymeric body having a bore extending from a first end to an internal sealing surface and a fluid channel extending from the internal sealing surface to a second end. The bore is configured to receive a tube having a fluid channel so that an endface of the tube engages the internal sealing surface. The second end of the polymeric body is configured to contact a sealing surface of a coupling body that has a fluid channel extending from the sealing surface. A fluidic seal occurs when the coupling seal is compressed between the endface and the sealing surface. A void between an outer surface of the polymeric body and an inner surface of the coupling body receives the deformation of the coupling seal while under compression to thereby prevent the fluid channel of the tube from being crushed or obstructed.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column wherein the insulating member is formed from a vacuum chamber surrounding the chromatography column. Another apparatus for performing liquid chromatography includes a chromatography column, and an insulating member surrounding the chromatography column, wherein the insulating member includes aerogel. Also described is a method of insulating a chromatography column comprising forming a jacket surrounding the chromatography column, and creating a vacuum chamber in an area between the jacket and the chromatography column.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a liquid chromatography system includes a chromatography port and a tubing assembly having a chromatography tube coupled at one end to the chromatography port. The end of the tube has an end face covered with a corrosion-resistant material, for example, gold. The corrosion-resistant nature of the material protects the end of the tube from corrosion or erosion, which improves the quality and reliability of a seal between the end face of the tube and a sealing surface of the port. Alternatively, or in addition to covering the end face of the tube with the corrosion-resistant material, a gasket covered with or made of the corrosion-resistant material can be disposed between the end face of the tube and the port. This gasket extends the reach of the tube to facilitate bottoming out the tube within the port.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system includes a gradient proportioning valve in fluidic communication with sources of solvent. From the solvent sources, the gradient proportioning valve produces a low-pressure gradient stream. A first pump is in fluidic communication with the gradient proportioning valve to receive, pressurize, and move the pressurized low-pressure gradient stream to a flow-combining device. A second pump operates in parallel with the first pump and moves a pressurized solvent stream to the flow-combining device where the pressurized solvent stream combines with the low-pressure gradient stream to produce a high-pressure gradient stream. A second gradient proportioning valve can produce, from a second plurality of sources of solvent, a second low-pressure gradient stream, wherein the solvent stream moved by the second pump to the flow-combining device and combined with the other low-pressure gradient stream comprises the second low-pressure gradient stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for killing and removing ticks from the skin of mammals which includes an aerosol canister. An environmentally safe refrigerant HFO-1234yf is carried within the aerosol canister. A mechanism is for dispensing the environmentally safe refrigerant from the aerosol canister directly onto a tick to immobilize and kill the tick. Another mechanism is for safely removing the dead tick from the skin of a mammal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling nano-scale flow rate of fluid in the operating flow path of a HPLC system provide fluid flow without relying on complex calibration routines to compensate for solvent composition gradients typically used in HPLC. The apparatus and method are used to correct the flow output of a typical, analytical-scale (0.1-5 mL/min) HPLC pump to enable accurate and precise flow delivery at capillary (<0.1 mL/min) and nano-scale (<1 ?L/min) HPLC flow rates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling nano-scale flow rate of fluid in the operating flow path of a HPLC system provide fluid flow without relying on complex calibration routines to compensate for solvent composition gradients typically used in HPLC. The apparatus and method are used to correct the flow output of a typical, analytical-scale (0.1-5 mL/min) HPLC pump to enable accurate and precise flow delivery at capillary (<0.1 mL/min) and nano-scale (<1 ?L/min) HPLC flow rates.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of a pump that can be used, for example, in liquid chromatography applications. The pump includes a seal wash housing, pump head and seal assembly. A wear-resistant coating applied to a sealing surface or gland of the pump head or seal wash housing improves the hardness and chemical compatibility of the sealing surface. Oxidation of the sealing surface is reduced so that the sealing surface is less abrasive to the seal assembly and the lifetime of the seal assembly is increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to method and devices for measuring the pressure of a pump chamber in which no internal opening or connections are needed. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for pumping fluid. The apparatus comprises at least one housing having a transducer surface. The transducer surface has a thickness exhibiting measurable deformation upon the chamber holding a fluid under pressure such that the transducer surface has a first position at which the chamber is at one pressure and a second position at which the chamber is at a second pressure. A strain sensor is affixed to the transducer surface producing; at least one signal upon the transducer surface assuming the first position and at least one signal upon the transducer surface assuming the second position to function as an integrated pressure transducer.

Abstract: A valve including a linear positioning component operatively connected to a valve body and an actuating element.