Abstract: A biosensor using a decoupled microfluidic device, which has a capture chamber and a detection chamber separate from and in fluid communication with each other. The sensing method is based on particle aggregation via homogeneous reactions, by employing microparticles having antibodies on their surfaces which can form aggregates through antigen mediation. Either size-separation or magnetic based separation is used to separate aggregates from single microparticles; the aggregates are later dissociated and the resulting single microparticles are counted to measure the amount of the antigen. Another biosensor uses a decoupled microfluidic device with a capture chamber and a detection chamber, and a 3-D structure in the capture camber to increase immobilized antibody concentration. Immunoreaction efficiency is improved by increasing the number of antibody per reaction volume in the capture chamber.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting and assessing the quantity of a biological, biochemical, or chemical analyte in a test sample using a simple light source and the naked eye are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a nanohole sensor chip with two sections, the first of which is a test section, upon which capture agents for a particular analyte are immobilized, and the second of which is a reference section, upon which capture agents conjugated with known quantities of the analyte are immobilized. In another embodiment of the invention, a nanohole sensor chip with a test section and a plurality of reference sections is disclosed. The sensor utilizes light intensity changes exhibited by Fano resonances in the nanoholes for detection of analytes, and allows comparison between the light intensity changes between the reference sections and the test sections for assessing the quantity of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A nucleic acid (NA) detection method combines ultra-specific probe, on-chip isotachophoresis (ITP) which can separate single strand and double strand NAs, and enzyme amplification. The ITP device has a sieving matrix between the LE (leading electrolyte) and TE (trailing electrolyte) reservoirs, for separating double-strand and single-strand NAs. The LE or TE reservoir also contains a spacer ion having a mobility between the LE and the TE. The sample and a double-strand NA probe is added to the TE reservoir, the probe being formed of a protector strand modified with a fluorescent molecule and a complement strand, where the protector strand is released in the presence of the target NA. Fluorescent signal is detected downstream of the sieving matrix. Alternatively, the protector strand is modified with an enzyme and a single-strand NA modified with a substrate of the enzyme is added to the reaction mixture downstream of the sieving matrix.

Abstract: A DNA ligand capable of structural changes upon binding to a target is used as a molecular switch with a SPFS (surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy) biosensor to realize one-step SPFS biosensing with rapid turnaround time. The SPFS biosensor has a thin metal film on a prism; when a light of a certain wavelength irradiates on the prism at a certain angle, a strong electrical field is generated at the surface of the metal film. The DNA is immobilized on the metal film surface with its free terminal modified with a fluorescent marker. Without the target, the DNA is folded and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of metal quenching near the metal surface. Upon binding to the target, the DNA is extended and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of enhanced electric field near the metal surface and emits a strong fluorescent signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating assembly steps and an assembly sequence for sequentially assembling a product is provided with: a part detecting section for detecting designated characteristic shapes from the 3D CAD model, detecting a part present in a radial direction of each characteristic shape, and detecting a part present in an axial direction of the detected part; a section for generating a directed graph where a node denotes a part and a directed edge denotes a connection precedence relationship between parts; an assembly graph generating section for generating, an assembly graph where a node denotes a part and an edge denotes an adjacency relationship; a work order adding section for adding work contents and work orders to a list of the detected unconnected parts; and a generating section for generating the assembly sequence and an assembly direction by generating and reversely converting a disassemblable direction and a disassembly sequence.

Abstract: A nucleic acid (NA) detection method combines ultra-specific probe, on-chip isotachophoresis (ITP) which can separate single strand and double strand NAs, and enzyme amplification. The ITP device has a sieving matrix between the LE (leading electrolyte) and TE (trailing electrolyte) reservoirs, for separating double-strand and single-strand NAs. The LE or TE reservoir also contains a spacer ion having a mobility between the LE and the TE. The sample and a double-strand NA probe is added to the TE reservoir, the probe being formed of a protector strand modified with a fluorescent molecule and a complement strand, where the protector strand is released in the presence of the target NA. Fluorescent signal is detected downstream of the sieving matrix. Alternatively, the protector strand is modified with an enzyme and a single-strand NA modified with a substrate of the enzyme is added to the reaction mixture downstream of the sieving matrix.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes an impeller, a motor portion, and a housing. The housing includes an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion arranged to have the motor portion fixed thereto; and a side wall portion. A flow control member is arranged to extend in a line along a boundary between an inside surface of the side wall portion and one of a lower surface of the upper plate portion and an upper surface of the lower plate portion. The flow control member includes a flow control surface arranged to extend radially outward from the one of the lower surface of the upper plate portion and the upper surface of the lower plate portion to the inside surface of the side wall portion while becoming more distant from the one of the lower surface of the upper plate portion and the upper surface of the lower plate portion.

Abstract: A combination of surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and isotachophoresis (ITP) technologies for detecting biomolecules is disclosed. It uses ITP to preconcentrate the reactants and accelerate the reaction, and then delivers the reacted sample to an SPFS sensor for detection. A microfluidic device with a T-junction is provided, which has two reservoirs respectively containing a low-mobility trailing electrolyte buffer and a high-mobility leading electrolyte buffer, and a main fluid channel between the two reservoirs, where the SPFS sensor is located on a side channel joined to the main channel. A two-step technique is employed, including a step of sample loading and ITP extraction, and a step of delivery of concentrated sample to the detector chamber by pressure-driven flow. In another embodiment, the SPFS sensor is located on the main fluid channel between the two reservoirs. In a particular example, the technique is used in a DNAzyme assay.

Abstract: A method for detecting biological molecules that combines surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and Isotachophoresis (ITP). An ITP setup, including a TE reservoir, an LE reservoir, and a fluid channel connecting the two, is equipped on the SPFS sensor, such that the solution in the fluid channel passes the SPFS sensor surface between the TE reservoir and the LE reservoir. Target analytes and fluorescent labeled probes loaded into the TE reservoir are focused in a region of fluid channel upstream from the SPFS sensor region, and they are reacted. The focused sample travels downstream to reach the SPFS sensor region, and the analyte-probe complexes are captured by capture molecules immobilized on the sensor surface. After the focused sample completely passes through the SPFS sensor region, captured fluorescent molecules on the sensor surface are detected using the SPFS mechanism.

Abstract: An assay method with use of a sensor chip which includes a metal member, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and ligands on a support, and is configured to be used for a fluorescence measuring apparatus with utilization of a surface plasmon-field enhanced Fluorescence Spectrometry, including the steps of: forming a hydrophilic high molecule layer on the self-assembled monolayer in the sensor chip; immobilizing the ligands at least one of in the hydrophilic high molecule layer and on the surface of the hydrophilic high molecule layer; and bringing a moisturizer in contact with the hydrophilic high molecule layer.

Abstract: An assembly order generation device includes a radial/axial direction component detector which detects a component existing in a radial direction of a featured shape and a component existing in an axial direction of the component in a 3D CAD model. A directed graph expresses a connection precedence relationship in which the component is depicted by a node and a connection precedence relationship between the components which is depicted by a directed edge based on the detection result. A unit of disassembling and a disassembling order proposal based on the connection precedence relationship is generated, and an assembling order/direction/motion generation unit generates a disassemble direction based on the unit of disassembling and the disassembling order proposal and an assembly graph to generate a disassembling direction and a disassembling order, and reversely converts the generated disassembling direction and the generated disassembling order to derive an assembling order and an assembling direction.

Abstract: A biosensor using a decoupled microfluidic device, which has a capture chamber and a detection chamber separate from and in fluid communication with each other. The sensing method is based on particle aggregation via homogeneous reactions, by employing microparticles having antibodies on their surfaces which can form aggregates through antigen mediation. Either size-separation or magnetic based separation is used to separate aggregates from single microparticles; the aggregates are later dissociated and the resulting single microparticles are counted to measure the amount of the antigen. Another biosensor uses a decoupled microfluidic device with a capture chamber and a detection chamber, and a 3-D structure in the capture camber to increase immobilized antibody concentration. Immunoreaction efficiency is improved by increasing the number of antibody per reaction volume in the capture chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured including an information obtaining unit that extracts information on plural parts' attributes, locations, and adjoining relations with other parts; a unit that sorts parts by part type and detects a distinctive shape from 3D CAD model; a unit that represents adjoining relations between parts in an assembly graph; a unit that creates disassembling directions and a disassembling sequence based on the assembly graph and, by reversing them, derives an assembling sequence and assembling directions; a unit that computes an index indicating a quality of easiness of assembling a part by subtracting the sum of deficiency points per part from a reference score; a unit that creates virtual worker positions, postures, and viewpoints according to assembling sequence and evaluates workability; and a unit that computes an evaluation value per part by the index of easiness of assembling the part and a total evaluation value of assembly workability.

Abstract: [Object] It is an object of the invention to provide a sensor area which can suppress a decrease in assay signal and an increase in assay blank in an SPFS measurement. [Solution] An SPFS sensor chip of the invention includes a purification area and a sensor area arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to each other along a flow direction in a channel for surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy [SPFS].

Abstract: A DNA detection method combines DNAzyme reactions and on-chip isotachophoresis (ITP). A mixture of sample containing a target DNA and a DNAzyme sensor which is either (1) a catalytic molecular beacon or (2) a binary DNAzyme and a probe is loaded into a trailing electrolyte (TE) reservoir of a microfluidic chip. In the presence of the target DNA, the catalytic molecular beacon or the probe is cleaved to generate a fluorescent fragment. Enhanced DNAzyme reaction occurs at the TE-to-LE interface. Fluorescent signal from cleaved catalytic molecular beacon or probe is detected either at the location where DNAzyme reaction occurs or at a separate location. In the latter case, the microfluidic chip has a separation region containing a capture gel or a sieving matrix which allows the fluorescent fragment to pass through but captures or traps the uncleaved catalytic molecular beacon or probe.

Abstract: Provided is a technology for efficiently extracting from sub-assemblies designed in the past a sub-assembly similar to a newly designed sub-assembly. A system is adopted where information about an assembly model created by 3D-CAD is stored in a database, and an assembly portion to be searched for is also input as a 3D assembly model. A feature value and shape similarity of components of a sub-assembly as the object of search, and the degree of partial correspondence in adjacency relationship of the components are determined, and the similar sub-assembly is extracted from the entire assembly model. By a search system such that a component requiring shape similarity consideration and a component not requiring shape similarity consideration are mixed and the similarity of the adjacency relationship of the components is inquired, the entire assembly model is searched for a sub-assembly portion similar to a predetermined sub-assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for quickly detecting a defect of a portion welded by laser beam welding. Specifically disclosed is a welding step in which a welding device is used, the welding device welding an object to be welded with a pulsed laser. In the welding step, a first photodetector receives only infrared rays having a wavelength allowing detection of a keyhole formed in a molten pool from among infrared rays radiating from a welded portion during the welding of the object, and an analyzer determines quality of the welded portion on the basis of intensity of the infrared rays received by the first photodetector.

Abstract: Success or failure of unmethylated cytosine conversion treatment is determined by using a first primer set comprising plural primers that hybridize with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence not containing cytosine in the nucleotide sequence of biological DNA that is subject to an unmethylated cytosine conversion treatment and a second primer set comprising plural primers that hybridize with a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence in which cytosine in a nucleotide sequence containing cytosine and not containing a CpG site is converted into a base other than cytosine, in the nucleotide sequence of biological DNA.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting and assessing the quantity of a biological, biochemical, or chemical analyte in a test sample using a simple light source and the naked eye are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a nanohole sensor chip with two sections, the first of which is a test section, upon which capture agents for a particular analyte are immobilized, and the second of which is a reference section, upon which capture agents conjugated with known quantities of the analyte are immobilized. In another embodiment of the invention, a nanohole sensor chip with a test section and a plurality of reference sections is disclosed. The sensor utilizes light intensity changes exhibited by Fano resonances in the nanoholes for detection of analytes, and allows comparison between the light intensity changes between the reference sections and the test sections for assessing the quantity of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Provided is design assistance technology capable of performing filtered detection on the basis of similar assembly structures when referencing past defect information and design improvement information at a design stage. In a similar design structure search device for an assembly configured by a plurality of components, the device has means for: acquiring component features of each component and adjacency relationships among components on the basis of 3D CAD data of an assembly configured by a plurality of components in order to store the same, as assembly structure data, together with past defect cases, design improvement cases, and manufacture instruction cases; and generating the assembly structure data on the basis of the 3D CAD data to be evaluated so that, when retrieving assembly structures similar to the stored case data, filtered detection is performed on the basis of a similarity assessment of two steps for component features and adjacency relationships.