Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detection and quantification of trimethylamine (TMA) or trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) comprising passing a sample over a sensor comprising a substrate having a plurality of chemically responsive dyes selected from the following classes of chemically responsive dyes: metal-containing dyes, pH indicators, or solvatochromic/vapochromic dyes. The disclosure also provides devices and sensors for the detection and quantification of TMA, and methods of diagnosing a subject having trimethylaminuria (TMAU).

Abstract: In an aspect, a method for forming a microcolumn comprises steps of: (a) providing a sacrificial fiber; (b) forming a microcolumn body around said sacrificial fiber; and (c) removing said sacrificial fiber from said microcolumn body such that a hollow channel is formed within said microcolumn body via removal of said sacrificial fiber. In any embodiment of the methods disclosed herein for forming a microcolumn, said hollow channel extends through said microcolumn body and is continuous between a first end and a second end. The first end may be an inlet and the second end may be an outlet, for example, allowing for a mobile phase to enter the hollow channel via the first end and exit via the second end.

Abstract: A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.

Abstract: A colorimetric array includes a substrate, a first spot on the substrate, and a second spot on the substrate. The first spot includes a first nanoporous pigment that includes a first nanoporous material and a first immobilized, chemoresponsive colorant. The second spot includes a second nanoporous pigment that includes a second nanoporous material and a second immobilized, chemoresponsive colorant. The first nanoporous pigment is different from the second nanoporous pigment.

Abstract: A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.

Abstract: A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.

Abstract: In an aspect, a method for forming a microcolumn comprises steps of: (a) providing a sacrificial fiber; (b) forming a microcolumn body around said sacrificial fiber; and (c) removing said sacrificial fiber from said microcolumn body such that a hollow channel is formed within said microcolumn body via removal of said sacrificial fiber. In any embodiment of the methods disclosed herein for forming a microcolumn, said hollow channel extends through said microcolumn body and is continuous between a first end and a second end. The first end may be an inlet and the second end may be an outlet, for example, allowing for a mobile phase to enter the hollow channel via the first end and exit via the second end.

Abstract: A colorimetric array includes a substrate, a first spot on the substrate, and a second spot on the substrate. The first spot includes a first nanoporous pigment that includes a first nanoporous material and a first immobilized, chemoresponsive colorant. The second spot includes a second nanoporous pigment that includes a second nanoporous material and a second immobilized, chemoresponsive colorant. The first nanoporous pigment is different from the second nanoporous pigment.

Abstract: A method of making silicone microspheres comprises nebulizing a silicone precursor solution comprising one or more oligomeric dimethylsiloxanes, a catalyst and a solvent into an aerosol comprising a plurality of droplets. Each droplet comprises the silicone precursor solution. The droplets are entrained in a gas which is flowed through a reaction zone comprising light energy and/or heat energy. Upon exposure of the droplets to the light energy and/or the heat energy, the solvent evaporates and the one or more oligomeric dimethylsiloxanes are polymerized. Thus, silicone microspheres are formed from the droplets of the aerosol.

Abstract: A colorimetric array includes a substrate, a first spot on the substrate, and a second spot on the substrate. The first spot includes a first nanoporous pigment that includes a first nanoporous material and a first immobilized, chemoresponsive colorant. The second spot includes a second nanoporous pigment that includes a second nanoporous material and a second immobilized, chemoresponsive colorant. The first nanoporous pigment is different from the second nanoporous pigment.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the presence, quantity and identity of one or more microorganisms in a sample and a method for using the same. The apparatus is composed of one or more chambers and a sensing element for sensing microorganisms. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is an array of chemoresponsive dyes deposited on a substrate in a predetermined pattern combination, wherein the combination of the dyes have a distinct and direct spectroscopic, transmission, or reflectance response to distinct analytes produced by the microorganism which is indicative of the presence, quantity and identity of the microorganism.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus for producing particles of a pharmaceutical agent or other material comprises a flow-through ultrasonic horn comprising an inlet, an outlet, and an interior channel that connects the inlet to the outlet for flow of a fluid therethrough. The ultrasonic horn is connectable to a transducer, and a crystallization tube is adjacent to the ultrasonic horn. The crystallization tube comprises an inlet port and outlet port for flow of an antisolvent therethrough, and it further includes a side access port. The outlet of the ultrasonic horn is inserted into the side access port so as to be in fluid communication with the crystallization tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detection and quantification of trimethylamine (TMA) or trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) comprising passing a sample over a sensor comprising a substrate having a plurality of chemically responsive dyes selected from the following classes of chemically responsive dyes: metal-containing dyes, pH indicators, or solvatochromic/vapochromic dyes. The disclosure also provides devices and sensors for the detection and quantification of TMA, and methods of diagnosing a subject having trimethylaminuria (TMAU).

Abstract: A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.

Abstract: A method of making silicone microspheres comprises nebulizing a silicone precursor solution comprising one or more oligomeric dimethylsiloxanes, a catalyst and a solvent into an aerosol comprising a plurality of droplets. Each droplet comprises the silicone precursor solution. The droplets are entrained in a gas which is flowed through a reaction zone comprising light energy and/or heat energy. Upon exposure of the droplets to the light energy and/or the heat energy, the solvent evaporates and the one or more oligomeric dimethylsiloxanes are polymerized. Thus, silicone microspheres are formed from the droplets of the aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the presence, quantity and identity of one or more microorganisms in a sample and a method for using the same. The apparatus is composed of one or more chambers and a sensing element for sensing microorganisms. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is an array of chemoresponsive dyes deposited on a substrate in a predetermined pattern combination, wherein the combination of the dyes have a distinct and direct spectroscopic, transmission, or reflectance response to distinct analytes produced by the microorganism which is indicative of the presence, quantity and identity of the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the presence, quantity and identity of one or more microorganisms in a sample and a method for using the same. The apparatus is composed of one or more chambers and a sensing element for sensing microorganisms. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is an array of chemoresponsive dyes deposited on a substrate in a predetermined pattern combination, wherein the combination of the dyes have a distinct and direct spectroscopic, transmission, or reflectance response to distinct analytes produced by the microorganism which is indicative of the presence, quantity and identity of the microorganism.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus for producing particles of a pharmaceutical agent or other material comprises a flow-through ultrasonic horn comprising an inlet, an outlet, and an interior channel that connects the inlet to the outlet for flow of a fluid therethrough. The ultrasonic horn is connectable to a transducer, and a crystallization tube is adjacent to the ultrasonic horn. The crystallization tube comprises an inlet port and outlet port for flow of an antisolvent therethrough, and it further includes a side access port. The outlet of the ultrasonic horn is inserted into the side access port so as to be in fluid communication with the crystallization tube.

Abstract: A microcolumn for use in gas chromatography comprises a self-supporting polymer body that functions as a stationary phase and a structural support. The polymer body comprises an enclosed channel having a length L, height h and width w extending therethrough and one or more channel walls surrounding the enclosed channel. The one or more channel walls are integrally formed with the polymer body. The polymer body and the one or more channel walls may comprise a phase-separated polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the presence, quantity and identity of one or more microorganisms in a sample and a method for using the same. The apparatus is composed of one or more chambers and a sensing element for sensing microorganisms. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is an array of chemoresponsive dyes deposited on a substrate in a predetermined pattern combination, wherein the combination of the dyes have a distinct and direct spectroscopic, transmission, or reflectance response to distinct analytes produced by the microorganism which is indicative of the presence, quantity and identity of the microorganism.