Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor chip for detecting a target molecule in a sample. The sensor chip includes a substrate having a surface and a layer of hydrogel particles immobilized on the substrate surface at two or more locations on the surface, wherein the hydrogel particles at a first location comprise a plurality of first probe molecules bound to the particles and the hydrogel particles at a second location comprise a plurality of second probe molecules bound to the particles. Systems that include the sensor chip, as well as methods of preparing and using the sensor chip, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a biosensor that involves providing a substrate including a surface having a topographical pattern formed at one or more sites on or in the surface, coating the substrate with a solution including hydrogel particles, wherein the hydrogel particles self-assemble on the surface to mask the surface except at the one or more sites, and binding one or more capture molecules to the one or more sites to form the biosensor. Systems that include the biosensor, as well as methods of using the biosensor, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a biosensor that involves providing a substrate including a surface having a topographical pattern formed at one or more sites on or in the surface, coating the substrate with a solution including hydrogel particles, wherein the hydrogel particles self-assemble on the surface to mask the surface except at the one or more sites, and binding one or more capture molecules to the one or more sites to form the biosensor. Systems that include the biosensor, as well as methods of using the biosensor, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor chip for detecting a target molecule in a sample. The sensor chip includes a substrate having a surface and a layer of hydrogel particles immobilized on the substrate surface at two or more locations on the surface, wherein the hydrogel particles at a first location comprise a plurality of first probe molecules bound to the particles and the hydrogel particles at a second location comprise a plurality of second probe molecules bound to the particles. Systems that include the sensor chip, as well as methods of preparing and using the sensor chip, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a biosensor that involves providing a substrate including a surface having a topographical pattern formed at one or more sites on or in the surface, coating the substrate with a solution including hydrogel particles, wherein the hydrogel particles self-assemble on the surface to mask the surface except at the one or more sites, and binding one or more capture molecules to the one or more sites to form the biosensor. Systems that include the biosensor, as well as methods of using the biosensor, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with pulse width modulation control to adjust the amount of refrigerant compressed by a compressor. In one embodiment, a pulse width modulation control controls a suction modulation valve cycled between open and closed positions. In a second embodiment, the compressor itself is cycled between a position at which it compresses refrigerant and a position at which the compression elements are disengaged. In either embodiment, the control also cycles the expansion device in concert with cycling the pulse width modulation valve or the compressor. In this manner, pressure fluctuations in the refrigerant system do not exceed desirable levels. Typical cycle time for pulse width modulation control is between 5 and 30 seconds, and typical offset (delay) time for an expansion device may be between 0 and 3 seconds.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with a compressor having a motor that is operable at least at two distinct speeds. The pulse width modulation control is provided to cycle a compressor motor operation between its at least two speeds at a specific rate to exactly match thermal load demands in a conditioned space. The present invention reduces cycling and other efficiency losses as have been experienced in the prior art, as well as minimizes cost and may improve reliability. Also, the present invention can be utilized in conjunction with other known unloading techniques.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with tandem compressors. A tandem compressor arrangement includes at least two compressors operating in parallel and having at least one common manifold. A control may operate the compressors either simultaneously, or in some predetermined sequence to provide control over refrigerant system capacity. At least one of the tandem compressors is provided with a pulse width modulation control on a suction line. In this manner, the amount of refrigerant, compressed by the compressor, can be precisely controlled to exactly meet thermal load demands in the conditioned space.