Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-material fibers having one or more electrically-connectable devices disposed therein are described. In certain instances, the methods include the steps of: positioning the electrically-connectable device(s) within a corresponding pocket provided in a preform material; positioning a first electrical conductor longitudinally within a first conduit provided in the preform material; and drawing the multi-material fiber by causing the preform material to flow, such that the first electrical conductor extends within the multi-material fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and makes an electrical contact with a first electrode located on each electrically-connectable device. A metallurgical bond may be formed between the first electrical conductor and the first electrode while drawing the multi-material fiber and/or, after drawing the multi-material fiber, the first electrical conductor may be located substantially along a neutral axis of the multi-material fiber.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-material fibers having one or more electrically-connectable devices disposed therein are described. In certain instances, the methods include the steps of: positioning the electrically-connectable device(s) within a corresponding pocket provided in a preform material; positioning a first electrical conductor longitudinally within a first conduit provided in the preform material; and drawing the multi-material fiber by causing the preform material to flow, such that the first electrical conductor extends within the multi-material fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and makes an electrical contact with a first electrode located on each electrically-connectable device. A metallurgical bond may be formed between the first electrical conductor and the first electrode while drawing the multi-material fiber and/or, after drawing the multi-material fiber, the first electrical conductor may be located substantially along a neutral axis of the multi-material fiber.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-material fibers having one or more electrically-connectable devices disposed therein are described. In certain instances, the methods include the steps of: positioning the electrically-connectable device(s) within a corresponding pocket provided in a preform material; positioning a first electrical conductor longitudinally within a first conduit provided in the preform material; and drawing the multi-material fiber by causing the preform material to flow, such that the first electrical conductor extends within the multi-material fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and makes an electrical contact with a first electrode located on each electrically-connectable device. A metallurgical bond may be formed between the first electrical conductor and the first electrode while drawing the multi-material fiber and/or, after drawing the multi-material fiber, the first electrical conductor may be located substantially along a neutral axis of the multi-material fiber.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to virtual private network (“VPN”) resiliency over multiple transports. According to one aspect, a customer premises equipment can select, from a transport preference database, a transport from a plurality of transports available to support a VPN tunnel. The transport selected is associated with a highest priority value of the plurality of transports in the transport preference database. The customer premises equipment can initiate setup of the VPN tunnel through the transport and can determine whether setup of the VPN tunnel was successful. If setup was not successful, the customer premises equipment can select a further transport from the plurality of transports available to support the VPN tunnel. Additional details are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to virtual private network (“VPN”) resiliency over multiple transports. According to one aspect, a customer premises equipment can select, from a transport preference database, a transport from a plurality of transports available to support a VPN tunnel. The transport selected is associated with a highest priority value of the plurality of transports in the transport preference database. The customer premises equipment can initiate setup of the VPN tunnel through the transport and can determine whether setup of the VPN tunnel was successful. If setup was not successful, the customer premises equipment can select a further transport from the plurality of transports available to support the VPN tunnel. Additional details are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Surfaces that have both micrometer- and nanometer-scale features can have controllable wetting and adhesion properties. The surfaces can be reversibly switched between states of greater and lesser hydrophobicity, and between states of greater and lesser droplet adhesion.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes a porous support having an agent that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample. The apparatus further includes a housing with an opening and defining an interior. The interior of the housing is in fluid communication with the porous support, and at least a portion of a fluid directed through the opening is directed through at least a portion of the porous support. The apparatus also includes a magnetic substrate for separating nucleic acid from a sample.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification. The sample is separated from raw sample components through means that include a magnetic substrate. An apparatus suitable for conducting the method of the invention also is described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices for separating and/or detecting targets from biological, environmental, or chemical samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods, compositions, and devices for separating and/or detecting targets from biological, environmental, or chemical samples.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification. The sample is separated from raw sample components through means that include a magnetic substrate. An apparatus suitable for conducting the method of the invention also is described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing membranes is disclosed, and methods for making same.