Abstract: The novel compounds of this invention have the general structural formula Ia-d: The compounds of this invention relate to 8-mer, 7-mer, 6-mer and 5-mer peptides having the following amino acid sequences, and referred to collectively as having “Formula Ia-d”: 1 Cap-AA8-AA7-AA6-AA5-AA4*-AA3-AA2-AA1* 8-mer Ia Cap-AA7-AA6-AA5-AA4*-AA3-AA2-AA1* 7-mer Ib Cap-AA6-AA5-AA4*-AA3-AA2-AA1* 6-mer Ic Cap-AA5-AA4*-AA3-AA2-AA1* 5-mer Id

Abstract: A method for characterizing an individual protein contained in a complex mixture of proteins includes the steps of: providing a mixture containing different proteins; fragmenting at least one of the proteins contained in the mixture into a terminal peptide and a non-terminal peptide; separating the terminal peptide from the non-terminal peptide; and analyzing at least one chemical characteristic of the terminal peptide.

Abstract: A method of performing a lower temperature bonding technique to bond together two mating pieces of glass includes applying a sodium silicate aqueous solution between the two pieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.

Abstract: A method of performing a lower temperature bonding technique to bond together two mating pieces of glass includes applying a sodium silicate aqueous solution between the two pieces.

Abstract: A microchip apparatus and method provide fluidic manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip liquid chromatography. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolitographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis is performed in channels formed in the substrate. Injections are made by electro-osmotically pumping sample through the injection channel that crosses the separation channel, followed by a switching of the potentials to force a plug into the separation channel.

Abstract: A microchip apparatus and method provide fluidic manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip liquid chromatography. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis is performed in channels formed in the substrate. Injections are made by electro-osmotically pumping sample through the injection channel that crosses the separation channel, followed by a switching of the potentials to force a plug into the separation channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for forming and/or dispensing minute volume segments of a material is described. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a microfluidic device and method is provided for spatially confining the material in a focusing element. The device is also capable of segmenting the confined material into minute volume segments, and dispensing a volume segment to a waste or collection channel. The device further includes means for driving the respective streams of sample and focusing fluids through respective channels into a chamber, such that the focusing fluid streams spatially confine the sample material. The device may also include additional means for driving a minute volume segment of the spatially confined sample material into a collection channel in fluid communication with the waste reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.

Abstract: Fluorescent dichroic fibers randomly incorporated within a media provide an improved method for authentication and counterfeiting protection. The dichroism is provided by an alignment of fluorescent molecules along the length of the fibers. The fluorescent fibers provide an authentication mechanism of varying levels of capability. The authentication signature depends on four parameters, the x,y position, the dichroism and the local environment. The availability of so many non-deterministic variables makes production of counterfeit articles (e.g., currency, credit cards, etc.

Abstract: An electrospray apparatus uses a microchannel formed in a microchip. Fluid is pumped through the channel to an outlet orifice using either hydraulic or electrokinetic means. An electrospray is generated by establishing a sufficient potential difference between the fluid at the outlet orifice and a target electrode spaced from the outlet orifice. Electrokinetic pumping is also utilized to provide additional benefits to microchip devices.

Abstract: A microfabricated device and method for proportioning and mixing biological or chemical materials by pressure- or vacuum-driven flow is disclosed. The microfabricated device mixes a plurality of materials in volumetric proportions controlled by the flow resistances of tributary reagent channels through which the materials are transported. The microchip includes two or more tributary reagent channels combining at one or more junctions to form one or more mixing channels. By varying the geometries of the channels (length, cross section, etc.), a plurality of reagent materials can be mixed at a junction such that the proportions of the reagent materials in the mixing channel depend on a ratio of the channel geometries and material properties. Such an approach facilitates flow division on the microchip without relying on techniques external to the microchip.

Abstract: A socket for a ball grid array integrated circuit package (BGA) with an array of electrical contacts that extend through holes in a slidable plate. The arrangement of spacing the holes and the electrical contacts therein provides entry openings that allow the ball contacts of a BGA package to enter the openings. The contacts are cupped or angled to mate with the side and top of the ball contacts of the ball grid array package. The contact surface of the ball grid array package is inserted into the socket without any interfering structure, and there may be guide surfaces to align the ball contacts with the openings. A manually rotatable cam actuated in one direction by an arm drives the plate parallel to the plane of the ball contacts to widen the openings to allow easy entry of the balls into the holes. Rotating the arm in the other directions drives the plate in the opposite direction reducing the openings.

Abstract: A method of performing a lower temperature bonding technique to bond together two mating pieces of glass includes applying a sodium silicate aqueous solution between the two pieces.

Abstract: A microfabricated device and method for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material is described. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a microchip that is adapted for the simultaneous spatial confinement of electrokinetically driven fluidic material streams on a substrate. The apparatus includes a focusing chamber formed in a surface of the substrate and in fluid communication with two sample fluid channels and three focusing fluid channels. The device further includes electromotive means operatively connected to the sources of the sample fluid and the source of focusing fluid for electrokinetically driving the respective streams of the sample and focusing fluids through the respective channels into the focusing chamber such that the focusing fluid streams spatially confine the first and second sample fluid streams within the focusing chamber.

Abstract: An electrospray apparatus uses a microchannel formed in a microchip. Fluid is pumped through the channel to an outlet orifice using either hydraulic or electrokinetic means. An electrospray is generated by establishing a sufficient potential difference between the fluid at the outlet orifice and a target electrode spaced from the outlet orifice. Electrokinetic pumping is also utilized to provide additional benefits to microchip devices.

Abstract: Dielectric heating is used to assist with the cleaning of sorbent materials contaminated with oils and the like and the recovery of the solvent. In particular, a pressurized system is used such that a pressurized solvent is circulated to remove the contaminants from the sorbent materials. The RF radiation is directed into the vessel to vaporize residual solvents associated with the sorbent materials. Solvent is separated from the removed contaminants for reuse. RF radiation can be used to complete the removal of volatile compounds from the reclaimed oil/contaminants.

Abstract: A microfabricated device and method for proportioning and mixing electrokinetically manipulated biological or chemical materials is disclosed. The microfabricated device mixes a plurality of materials in volumetric proportions controlled by the electrical resistances of tributary reagent channels through which the materials are transported. The microchip includes two or more tributary reagent channels combining at one or more junctions to form one or more mixing channels. By varying the geometries of the channels (length, cross section, etc.), a plurality of reagent materials can be mixed at a junction such that the proportions of the reagent materials in the mixing channel depend on a ratio of the channel geometries and material properties. Such an approach facilitates voltage division on the microchip without relying on external wiring schemes and voltage division techniques external to the microchip.

Abstract: A method for staining immobilized nucleic acids includes the steps of affixing DNA probes to a solid substrate, moving target DNA material into proximity with the DNA probes, whereby the target DNA hybridized with specific ones of the DNA probes, and moving a fluorescent dye into proximity with the hybridized target DNA, whereby the fluorescent dye binds to the hybridized DNA to enable subsequent detection of fluorescence.