Abstract: As described herein, a method for measuring air quality comprises operating a real-time air quality sensor to continually measure a parameter of environmental air quality; automatically determining if the parameter indicates that a select environmental condition has been reached and providing an output signal responsive thereto; communicating the output signal to an air-quality sampling system; automatically operating the air-quality sampling system responsive to the output signal to collect an air sample for a pre-determined time; and providing laboratory analysis of the collected air sample.

Abstract: A simplified system for air sample collection and analysis for the presence of airborne pathogen is disclosed. An extraction device is used for extracting biomaterial previously deposited on the surface of a capture element of a sampling device, the capture element being of a select cross section and size. The extraction device comprises an upwardly opening head being wider at a top and narrower at a central opening at a bottom. An elongate cavity is attached to the enlarged head at the bottom extending downward from the head and closed at a bottom end to define an interior space, the cavity having a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the capture element and of a slightly larger size than the size of the capture element. An extraction fluid is in the cavity interior space.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. Actively growing mold releases the carbohydrate cell wall component (1?3)-?-D-Glucan into the air. The invention recognizes that the airborne fraction is that which affects respiratory health and selectively tests for a free form which is soluble in aqueous medium. The sample to be analysed is preferably collected by the electrokinetic propulsion method described, but any air sampling method such as filtration, impactor or impingement may be applicable.

Abstract: There is a need for routine radon screening of homes, especially in states which require radon screening prior to sale, that are compact, inexpensive, do not require a professional to operate, and which, further, can yield a significant measurement in hours or minutes rather than days. The present invention provides for a combination of control of entry of radon by adjusting the separation between and the area of a multi-element shell, into a measuring chamber while excluding light and extraneous particulate material. This permits a design with a faster response time and also provides for the accurate measurement of individual scintillation events in a scintillating medium by imaging of, and discriminating specific energy levels related to the known energies of alpha particles emitted in the decay pathway of radon. This discrimination functions as an alpha-particle spectrometer and will. Thus, other background radioactive disintegrations or cosmic ray events will be filtered out of the signal.

Abstract: There is a need for routine radon screening of homes, especially in states which require radon screening prior to sale, that are compact, inexpensive, do not require a professional to operate, and which, further, can yield a significant measurement in hours or minutes rather than days. The present invention provides for a combination of control of entry of radon by adjusting the separation between and the area of a multi-element shell, into a measuring chamber while excluding light and extraneous particulate material. This permits a design with a faster response time and also provides for the accurate measurement of individual scintillation events in a scintillating medium by imaging of, and discriminating specific energy levels related to the known energies of alpha particles emitted in the decay pathway of radon. This discrimination functions as an alpha-particle spectrometer and will. Thus, other background radioactive disintegrations or cosmic ray events will be filtered out of the signal.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of propelling a dielectric fluid medium, usually air, and optionally collecting assayable agents from the medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. The generation of electrokinetic flow has the disadvantage that certain amounts of ozone may be formed in the process. Methods and devices are described herein where suitable catalysts can be combined with the electrokinetic device in such a way that ozone is effectively destroyed in the effluent flow without compromising the amount of flow.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of propelling a dielectric fluid medium, usually air, and optionally collecting assayable agents from the medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. The generation of electrokinetic flow has the disadvantage that certain amounts of ozone may be formed in the process. Methods and devices are described herein where suitable catalysts can be combined with the electrokinetic device in such a way that ozone is effectively destroyed in the effluent flow without compromising the amount of flow.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of propelling a dielectric fluid medium, usually air, and optionally collecting assayable agents from the medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. The generation of electrokinetic flow has the disadvantage that certain amounts of ozone may be formed in the process. Methods and devices are described herein where suitable catalysts can be combined with the electrokinetic device in such a way that ozone is effectively destroyed in the effluent flow without compromising the amount of flow.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. Actively growing mold releases the carbohydrate cell wall component (1?3)-?-D-Glucan into the air. The invention recognizes that the airborne fraction is that which affects respiratory health and selectively tests for a free form which is soluble in aqueous medium. The sample to be analysed is preferably collected by the electrokinetic propulsion method described, but any air sampling method such as filtration, impactor or impingement may be applicable.

Abstract: In some embodiments, electronic data may be automatically captured to provide a user with a universal Internet identity and e-mail address, comprehensive e-mail filtering and forwarding services, and e-receipt identification and data extraction. Detailed user e-mail preferences data stored at a central server may be selectively altered such that incoming correspondence is redirected in accordance with the user's preferences. Computer program code at the central server may parse incoming e-mail header information and data content, selectively extract data from identified types of correspondence, and forward the extracted data in accordance with the user's preferences. Additional computer program code may manipulate the extracted data in accordance with format requirements and display the manipulated data to a user in a desired format.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. In one embodiment, the agents are directed electrokinetically to the sample collection assay device with no intermediate transfer steps. The agents are directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well, which will effect their capture on to an assay device. Environmental agents such as biowarfare agents, pathogens, allergens or pollutants are collected autonomously on to the assay device, without any human intervention. The dielectric fluid medium, such as air, is sampled by electrokinetic propulsion with no moving parts or optionally, by transporting the dielectric fluid by a fan, pump or by breath.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of propelling a dielectric fluid medium, usually air, and optionally collecting assayable agents from the medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. The generation of electrokinetic flow has the disadvantage that certain amounts of ozone may be formed in the process. Methods and devices are described herein where suitable catalysts can be combined with the electrokinetic device in such a way that ozone is effectively destroyed in the effluent flow without compromising the amount of flow.

Abstract: Electrokinetic methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well. Environmental agents such as biowarfare agents, pathogens, allergens or pollutants are collected autonomously. The dielectric fluid medium, such as air, is sampled by electrokinetic propulsion. A further embodiment for collection of pathogen samples entails exposing the sample to an electric plasma in the neighborhood of a high voltage electrode or electrodes, further transported through a potential well created at a sample collection device conductive liquids, such as oils may be sampled for the presence of contaminants, contaminating organisms or bio-degrading organisms.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. In one embodiment, an ionic propulsion device for providing a sample for a bio-specific assay of aerosol particles comprises a housing receiving a sample of aerosol particles and enclosing a high voltage electrode to generate a plasma of electrically charged particles. A carrier assembly is removably receivable in the housing, the carrier assembly comprising a non-conductive carrier and an electrode removably secured to the carrier.

Abstract: In some embodiments, electronic data may be automatically captured to provide a user with a universal Internet identity and e-mail address, comprehensive e-mail filtering and forwarding services, and e-receipt identification and data extraction. Detailed user e-mail preferences data stored at a central server may be selectively altered such that incoming correspondence is redirected in accordance with the user's preferences. Computer program code at the central server may parse incoming e-mail header information and data content, selectively extract data from identified types of correspondence, and forward the extracted data in accordance with the user's preferences. Additional computer program code may manipulate the extracted data in accordance with format requirements and display the manipulated data to a user in a desired format.

Abstract: In some embodiments, electronic data may be automatically captured to provide a user with a universal Internet identity and e-mail address, comprehensive e-mail filtering and forwarding services, and e-receipt identification and data extraction. Detailed user e-mail preferences data stored at a central server may be selectively altered such that incoming correspondence is redirected in accordance with the user's preferences. Computer program code at the central server may parse incoming e-mail header information and data content, selectively extract data from identified types of correspondence, and forward the extracted data in accordance with the user's preferences. Additional computer program code may manipulate the extracted data in accordance with format requirements and display the manipulated data to a user in a desired format.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for determination of a sample from a dielectric fluid medium for a bio-specific assay device, comprising: a sampling device and a biosensor, wherein the sampling device concentrates a sample from dielectric medium by electrically focusing the sample on to a capture element and wherein said biosensor is fluidically linked to said capture element thus providing sampling and determination in a unitary device.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. In one embodiment, an ionic propulsion device for providing a sample for a bio-specific assay of aerosol particles comprises a housing receiving a sample of aerosol particles and enclosing a high voltage electrode to generate a plasma of electrically charged particles. A carrier assembly is removably receivable in the housing, the carrier assembly comprising a non-conductive carrier and an electrode removably secured to the carrier.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. Pulsed DC fields applied to electrodes result in enhanced flow by synchronizing the pulses between successive electrodes. The agents are directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well, which will effect their capture on to an assay device.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. The agents are directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well, which will affect their capture on to an assay device. The dielectric fluid medium, such as air, is sampled by electrokinetic propulsion with no moving parts or optionally, by transporting the dielectric fluid by a fan, pump or by breath.