Abstract: Described are pro-coelenterazine analogues, methods for making the analogues, kits comprising the analogues, and methods of using the compounds for the detection of luminescence in luciferase-based assays or fragment complementary luciferase. The disclosed pro-coelenterazine analogues provide increased serum stability for live cell assays, and are capable of tuning the brightness and assay windows as needed for the applications.

Abstract: Described are pro-coelenterazine analogues, methods for making the analogues, kits comprising the analogues, and methods of using the compounds for the detection of luminescence in luciferase-based assays or fragment complementary luciferase. The disclosed pro-coelenterazine analogues provide increased serum stability for live cell assays, and are capable of tuning the brightness and assay windows as needed for the applications.

Abstract: A switching controller for coupling one of a plurality of voltage sources to a load. The switching controller is configured to receive a characteristic of one of the plurality of voltage sources; for each of the plurality of voltage sources, set a proportion of a switching period of a control signal during which the voltage source is connected to the load, wherein the proportion of the switching period is set based on the received characteristic of one of the plurality of voltage sources; and control which of the plurality of voltage sources is connected to the load in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a stack of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an air flow conduit with an input/output ventilation aperture disposed on a ventilation face of the stack, the ventilation apertures forming an array over said ventilation face of the stack. A membrane is moveable between a first configuration in which the ventilation face is occluded and a second configuration in which the ventilation face is not occluded. The membrane is rollable between the first configuration and the second configuration. Ventilation of the fuel cell stack is thereby controlled by the position of the membrane, e.g. during fuel cell start up and/or shut down procedures or for hydration control of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells connected together for collectively providing power to a load, each fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, the method comprising selectively providing an electrical connection between the anode and the cathode of at least one of the fuel cells of the assembly for lowering the voltage across the fuel cell independent of the load.

Abstract: A portable speaker incorporates a fuel cell that may be used to supply power to a computer device or audio coupled to the portable speaker. The portable speaker comprises a housing and speaker circuitry within the housing for providing an audible output. A data interface provides for data transfer to and/or from the computer device or audio. A fuel cell power source is incorporated into the portable speaker. A power interface provides power transfer to the computer device when connected thereto. A power controller is configured to supply power from the fuel cell power source to the power interface for supplying said power to said computer device or audio when connected thereto.

Abstract: A switching controller for coupling one of a plurality of voltage sources to a load. The switching controller is configured to receive a characteristic of one of the plurality of voltage sources; for each of the plurality of voltage sources, set a proportion of a switching period of a control signal during which the voltage source is connected to the load, wherein the proportion of the switching period is set based on the received characteristic of one of the plurality of voltage sources; and control which of the plurality of voltage sources is connected to the load in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A computer peripheral device incorporates a fuel cell that may be used to supply power to a computer device coupled to the peripheral device. The peripheral device comprises a housing and circuitry within the housing to provide at least one computer peripheral function. A data interface provides for data transfer to and/or from a computer device. A fuel cell power source is incorporated into the peripheral device. A power interface provides power transfer to the computer device when connected thereto. A power controller is configured to supply power from the fuel cell power source to the power interface for supplying said power to said computer device when connected thereto.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a stack of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an air flow conduit with an input/output ventilation aperture disposed on a ventilation face of the stack, the ventilation apertures forming an array over said ventilation face of the stack. A membrane is moveable between a first configuration in which the ventilation face is occluded and a second configuration in which the ventilation face is not occluded. The membrane is rollable between the first configuration and the second configuration. Ventilation of the fuel cell stack is thereby controlled by the position of the membrane, e.g. during fuel cell start up and/or shut down procedures or for hydration control of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprising an electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring is described. The fuel cell stack (80) has a plurality of fuel cells disposed in a stacked configuration, each cell having a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between an anode flow field plate and a cathode flow field plate. The flow field plates (21) each extend to a lateral face of the fuel cell stack and each has an exposed portion generally coplanar with the lateral face of the fuel cell stack surface. A connector assembly has an array of contacts (83) each configured to bias against, and form electrical contact with, a respective one of selected flow field plates (21) at a contact zone thereof and each contact is biased against its respective flow plate (21) in a direction in the plane of the respective flow field plate. The exposed portion may be an exposed edge of the respective flow field plate and each contact is biased against the exposed edge of its respective flow plate.

Abstract: A computer peripheral device incorporates a fuel cell that may be used to supply power to a computer device coupled to the peripheral device. The peripheral device comprises a housing and circuitry within the housing to provide at least one computer peripheral function. A data interface provides for data transfer to and/or from a computer device. A fuel cell power source is incorporated into the peripheral device. A power interface provides power transfer to the computer device when connected thereto. A power controller is configured to supply power from the fuel cell power source to the power interface for supplying said power to said computer device when connected thereto.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and kits for detecting and monitoring post-translational modification activities, including kinase or phosphatase activities, are described. The compositions typically include a peptide, a first detectable moiety, a first binding member, and a protease cleavage site. Modification of a composition by a post-translational modification enzyme, such as a kinase or phosphatase, alters the proteolytic sensitivity of the peptide, resulting in a change of a detectable property of the composition when it is associated noncovalently with a probe composition that includes a second binding member and a second detectable moiety. Panel assays for determining substrates or modulators of enzymatic activities are also described.