Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a conical plug configured to nest within the housing. The plug is not in contact with the housing during centrifugation, but comes into position post-centrifugation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a conical plug configured to nest within the housing. The plug is not in contact with the housing during centrifugation, but comes into position post-centrifugation.

Abstract: There is provided a panel for use in the construction of a structure. The panel includes a panel body defining a panel body periphery. The panel body additionally includes a panel body front surface and an opposing panel body back surface. A flange extends along the panel body periphery. The panel further includes an elongate rib having first and second rib walls and a rib channel. The first and second ribs walls extend from and along the panel body back surface. The rib channel is disposed between and along the first and second ribs walls and extends toward the panel body back surface. The rib channel defines a rib longitudinal axis generally parallel to the adjacent panel body back surface. The panel is cuttable along the rib channel to form a structural element. A plurality of structural elements may be combined to form the structure.

Abstract: An improved multi-modular waste container formed at least in part from molded structural-foam. Per conventional waste containers, the improved waste container includes a housing for receiving trash, which will preferably be disposed upon one or more casters. One or more lids are hingeingly engaged to the top perimeter of the housing to provided selective access to the trash receptacle. Detachably fastenable slots may be affixed to opposed sides of the housing to facilitate engagement with and emptying by front-loading garbage trucks. The improved waste containers are substantially lighter, easier to maintain, stronger, chemical and corrosion resistant and possess substantially greater sound deadening characteristics than prior art waste containers fabricated from metal. The container housings are further preferably configured to be stacked within one another to facilitate shipping and handling thereof.

Abstract: An improved water generating device is provided for extracting water vapor from ambient air circulated therethrough. The device comprises an air pathway, a fan, a peltier module, a collection reservoir, and a heat sink. The air pathway defines first and second sections. A cold side of the peltier module is disposed in the first section and a hot side of the peltier module, whereto the heat sink is attached, is disposed in the second section of the peltier module. The fan draws the ambient air into the air pathway, and the cold side of the peltier module extracts water vapor out of the ambient air, which collects as water in the collection reservoir. The heat sink is partially disposable in the water and also includes a capillary tube which draws the water thereinto. Additional water vapor is extracted from the air, creating substantially dry air.

Abstract: There is provided a panel for use in the construction of a structure. The panel includes a panel body defining a panel body periphery. The panel body additionally includes a panel body front surface and an opposing panel body back surface. A flange extends along the panel body periphery. The panel further includes an elongate rib having first and second rib walls and a rib channel. The first and second ribs walls extend from and along the panel body back surface. The rib channel is disposed between and along the first and second ribs walls and extends toward the panel body back surface. The rib channel defines a rib longitudinal axis generally parallel to the adjacent panel body back surface. The panel is cuttable along the rib channel to form a structural element. A plurality of structural elements may be combined to form the structure.

Abstract: An improved multi-modular waste container formed at least in part from molded structural-foam. Per conventional waste containers, the improved waste container includes a housing for receiving trash, which will preferably be disposed upon one or more casters. One or more lids are hingeingly engaged to the top perimeter of the housing to provided selective access to the trash receptacle. Detachably fastenable slots may be affixed to opposed sides of the housing to facilitate engagement with and emptying by front-loading garbage trucks. The improved waste containers are substantially lighter, easier to maintain, stronger, chemical and corrosion resistant and possess substantially greater sound deadening characteristics than prior art waste containers fabricated from metal. The container housings are further preferably configured to be stacked within one another to facilitate shipping and handling thereof.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a conical plug configured to nest within the housing. The plug is not in contact with the housing during centrifugation, but comes into position post-centrifugation.

Abstract: An improved heat sink that provides for the dissipation of heat via transfer to both air and liquids. The improved heat sink comprises an elongate structure defining a base for receiving heat from a heat-dissipating source. Extending from the base are a plurality of heat-dissipating structures, such as fins, that are operative to transfer heat to the surrounding air. The heat sink further comprises at least one channel extending therethrough, preferably intermediate the base and heat-dissipating structures extending therefrom, through which a liquid substance can pass to yet further absorb heat transferred thereabout via the base. The improved heat may further include structures disposed within the passageway for facilitating the flow of a fluid thereinto, preferably via capillary action.

Abstract: An improved water generating device is provided for extracting water vapor from ambient air circulated therethrough. The device comprises an air pathway, a fan, a peltier module, a collection reservoir, and a heat sink. The air pathway defines first and second sections. A cold side of the peltier module is disposed in the first section and a hot side of the peltier module, whereto the heat sink is attached, is disposed in the second section of the peltier module. The fan draws the ambient air into the air pathway, and the cold side of the peltier module extracts water vapor out of the ambient air, which collects as water in the collection reservoir. The heat sink is partially disposable in the water and also includes a capillary tube which draws the water thereinto. Additional water vapor is extracted from the air, creating substantially dry air.

Abstract: Recirculating water purification system and method for use with conventional water coolers and the like having a water temperature control device, such as a refrigeration unit or heating element. The invention utilizes a peltier module operative to define a recirculating flow of water within a water reservoir used with the water cooler. Conventional water purification means, such as a water filter, ultraviolet (UV) light, and the like are operatively interconnected with the peltier module so that the water flowing therethrough is continuously purified. Energy to operate the peltier module, and optionally the water purification devices, is provided by-product heat or energy emanating from the water temperature control device. The systems and methods can be used in virtually all types of closed systems.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions provide for improvements to data storage that is integral to sample containers such as test tubes. Systems and methods for enclosing radio frequency read/writeable chips within sample containers are described, as well as systems and methods for gathering data to be stored. Examples of useful medical contexts for the technology are presented, including for physician and lab blood testing data. Some embodiments disclose systems and methods that can track data and process samples with the help of a portable unit. Some embodiments of the portable units not only assist in entering, storing, and transmitting medical data, they also comprise novel systems that can process and or analyze whole blood. Accordingly, centrifuge portions are described, including two novel types of test tube valves that function in concert with the described centrifuge portions.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a valve positioned within a test tube to maintain a separation between components of liquid with different densities after centrifugation. The valve preferably includes a cylindrically shaped housing with a spherical plug configured to nest within the housing. The valve permits varying amounts of fluid flow depending upon the angular velocity of centrifugation applied to the test tube.

Abstract: In some embodiments, there is provided an apparatus for affecting the temperature of a bodily organ using a bodily fluid as a thermic medium; other embodiments provide a method of using the apparatus. The apparatus can include a fluid-drawing device such as a needle, an extra-bodily fluid pathway that can comprise a flexible medical tube, a temperature-affecting device such as a Peltier cooler or resistive heater a pump such as a peristaltic pump, and a fluid-insertion device. The temperature affecting device can be in thermal contact with the extra-bodily fluid pathway.

Abstract: An improved pet walking device with their systems and methods are disclosed herein. More particularly, a pet walking device is disclosed with a detachable or built in flashlight, an attachable pet waste sack holder, a dynamo for recharging a flashlight, and an improved gear system to be used in connection with a retractable leash.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a magnetically activated separation valve selectively permits fluid to flow before and during centrifugation, and obstructs fluid flow after centrifugation. The valve can be disposed in a sample container such as a test tube. In some embodiments, a centrifuge induces a magnetic field to open or close the valve. A portable embodiment of a centrifuge system allows samples to be processed more quickly outside of a traditional laboratory setting.