Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for solar-thermal microfluidic polymerase chain reaction. A device comprises a microfluidic chip including at least one PCR region, an energy absorption layer disposed adjacent to the microfluidic chip, a solar energy concentrator adapted to produce a plurality of temperature profiles on the microfluidic chip adapted to facilitate PCR, and a photomask disposed between the solar energy concentrator and the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a point-of-collection, selected quantitative indicia of an analyte on a test strip using a smartphone involves imaging a test strip on which a colorimetric reaction of a target sample has occurred due to test strip illumination by the smartphone. The smartphone includes a smartphone app and a smartphone accessory that provides an external environment-independent/internal light-free, imaging environment independent of the smartphone platform being used. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later use, and communicated to a location where practitioners can provide additional review. Additionally, social media integration can allow for device results to be broadcast to specific audiences, to compare healthy living with others, to compete in health based games, create mappings, and other applications.

Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus for biomolecular measurements, monitoring, and tracking uses a smartphone-based system. A biological sample, including, but not limited to blood, saliva, biopsy, or sweat, is collected on a modular diagnostic test platform, which is then inserted into a smartphone accessory. Optical, electrical, mechanical, or other means are used to transduce a biomolecular binding event, including antibody, aptamer, enzymatic, base-pair matching, or other biological recognition reaction and communicate the results with the smartphone. Some specific examples of targets include 25-hydroxyvitamin D, folic acid, DNA, or proteins from infectious agents, and zinc. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later comparison, and communicated to a central hub location where medical professionals can provide additional review.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a point-of-collection, selected quantitative indicia of an analyte on a test strip using a smartphone involves imaging a test strip on which a colorimetric reaction of a target sample has occurred due to test strip illumination by the smartphone. The smartphone includes a smartphone app and a smartphone accessory that provides an external environment-independent/internal light-free, imaging environment independent of the smartphone platform being used. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later use, and communicated to a location where practitioners can provide additional review. Additionally, social media integration can allow for device results to be broadcast to specific audiences, to compare healthy living with others, to compete in health based games, create mappings, and other applications.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a point-of-collection, selected quantitative indicia of an analyte on a test strip using a smartphone involves imaging a test strip on which a colorimetric reaction of a target sample has occurred due to test strip illumination by the smartphone. The smartphone includes a smartphone app and a smartphone accessory that provides an external environment-independent/internal light-free, imaging environment independent of the smartphone platform being used. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later use, and communicated to a location where practitioners can provide additional review. Additionally, social media integration can allow for device results to be broadcast to specific audiences, to compare healthy living with others, to compete in health based games, create mappings, and other applications.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a point-of-collection, selected quantitative indicia of an analyte on a test strip using a smartphone involves imaging a test strip on which a colorimetric reaction of a target sample has occurred due to test strip illumination by the smartphone. The smartphone includes a smartphone app and a smartphone accessory that provides an external environment-independent/internal light-free, imaging environment independent of the smartphone platform being used. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later use, and communicated to a location where practitioners can provide additional review. Additionally, social media integration can allow for device results to be broadcast to specific audiences, to compare healthy living with others, to compete in health based games, create mappings, and other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for solar-thermal microfluidic polymerase chain reaction. A device comprises a microfluidic chip including at least one PCR region, an energy absorption layer disposed adjacent to the microfluidic chip, a solar energy concentrator adapted to produce a plurality of temperature profiles on the microfluidic chip adapted to facilitate PCR, and a photomask disposed between the solar energy concentrator and the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus for biomolecular measurements, monitoring, and tracking uses a smartphone-based system. A biological sample, including, but not limited to blood, saliva, biopsy, or sweat, is collected on a modular diagnostic test platform, which is then inserted into a smartphone accessory. Optical, electrical, mechanical, or other means are used to transduce a biomolecular binding event, including antibody, aptamer, enzymatic, base-pair matching, or other biological recognition reaction and communicate the results with the smartphone. Some specific examples of targets include 25-hydroxyvitamin D, folic acid, DNA, or proteins from infectious agents, and zinc. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later comparison, and communicated to a central hub location where medical professionals can provide additional review.

Abstract: Methods and systems for colorimetric detection of a target. Nucleic acid is obtained from a sample potentially containing two pathogens of interest, and is contacted with a plurality of nanoparticles. A first portion of the plurality of nanoparticles are functionalized with oligonucleotides complementary to a first region of the first target and oligonucleotides complementary to a second region of the first target, and a second portion of the plurality of nanoparticles are functionalized with oligonucleotides complementary to a first region of the second target and oligonucleotides complementary to a second region of the second target. The presence of the target nucleic acid causes a detectable colorimetric change, thereby diagnosing the presence of the pathogen.

Abstract: A method of removing a solidified body of polyethylene from a Unipol reactor using a robotic apparatus extended through a porthole on top of the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the dross ridges which are formed on the lower surface of a metal workpiece during torch cutting of the workpiece. The apparatus includes a support beam having generally flat upper and lower surfaces, and a cutting edge extending longitudinally along each of its four corners. The beam is positioned to extend across and below the workpiece path of travel, and the beam is rotatable between a neutral position wherein one of the upper and lower surfaces is just below the pass line of the workpiece, and opposite tilted positions in which one of the cutting edges engages and removes a dross ridge on the lower surface of the workpiece. Each of the cutting edges comprises a plurality of separately pivotable cutting blades, so that the cutting edge formed by the blades is able to closely conform to a non-linear surface contour of the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing slag from a body of molten iron comprising the steps of providing a body of molten iron in a crucible, the body having a layer of slag on the surface thereof, the crucible having a side thereof for removing slag therefrom. Means is provided for removing the slag at the side from the surface of the molten iron. Gas is injected into the molten iron to concentrate the slag on the surface adjacent the side for removing the slag to facilitate removal thereof. The concentrated slag is removed over the side by the means for removing the slag.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing the dross ridges which may be formed on the sides and ends of a metal workpiece during torch cutting of the workpiece. The apparatus includes a workpiece support table and a pair of workpiece transport devices for moving the workpiece both transversely and longitudinally on the table. A plurality of aligned and pivotally mounted cutting blades extend along each side of the table, and a pair of pivotally mounted transverse cutting blades are mounted adjacent respective ends of the table. In operation, the workpiece is moved over the blades along each side of the table, and also over both of the transverse blades, and such that the blades engage and remove the dross ridges along the two sides and the two ends of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for removing the dross ridges which are formed on the lower surface of a metal workpiece during torch cutting of the workpiece. The apparatus includes a cutting blade having a generally flat outer surface and a cutting edge along each of its two opposite sides. The blade is positioned to extend across and below the workpiece path of travel, and the blade is rotatable between a neutral position wherein the blade is below the pass line of the workpiece, and opposite tilted positions in which one or the other of the cutting edges engages the lower dross carrying surface of the workpiece, and so that each cutting edge is adapted to engage and remove a dross ridge on the workpiece.