Abstract: A centrifuge has a rotor for receiving a disposable processing unit. The centrifuge is configured such that the motor is attached to an enclosure and the enclosure is supported on a base. The connection between the base and the enclosure is a vibration isolator, and the isolator is positioned such that its effective line of action aligns with the effective plane of rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the processing units are held in a decanting position by a decant ring that moves vertically but does not rotate. The ring engages the top of the processing unit during decant and the abrasion is minimal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a headset that includes an element that generates energy in response to forces. The headset includes at least one vibratable piezoelectric element; a first circuit element in electrical communication with the at least one vibratable piezoelectric element; and a signal processing element, the signal processing element disposed within the headset and at least partially energized by mechanical changes in the vibratable piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained and expressed.

Abstract: Maps of a particular location are often generated with an inset area map, rendered in an inset region of the location map, of the general area including the location at a lower zoom level than the location map. However, this presentation may be disadvantageous in some scenarios (e.g., the where a user is interested in examining the extended area around the location, the area between two locations, or the spatial layout of the locations.) Instead, a composite map may be generated comprising an area map at an area map zoom level, and an inset location map rendered in an inset region of the location map and illustrating a location at a higher zoom level than the area map zoom level. Such composite maps may also be requested programmatically of a map generating service, and may be provided in an automated manner for use in an application.

Abstract: A centrifuge has a rotor for receiving a disposable processing unit. The centrifuge is configured such that the motor is attached to an enclosure and the enclosure is supported on a base. The connection between the base and the enclosure is a vibration isolator, and the isolator is positioned such that its effective line of action aligns with the effective plane of rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the processing units are held in a decanting position by a decant ring that moves vertically but does not rotate. The ring engages the top of the processing unit during decant and the abrasion is minimal.

Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained and expressed.

Abstract: A label-free biochemical assay, in which label-free interrogation of a target-receptor layer is performed while the target-receptor layer is subjected to a relatively strong flow of an analyte-containing fluid. The volumetric flow rate for the assay is selected based on calibration data corresponding to the target substance, which advantageously results in fewer and/or smaller false-positive signals corresponding to non-target substances compared to those produced with the fluid being stationary. In various embodiments, the label-free interrogation method can be electro-mechanical and/or optical.

Abstract: A centrifuge has a rotor for receiving a disposable processing unit. The centrifuge is configured such that the motor is attached to an enclosure and the enclosure is supported on a base. The connection between the base and the enclosure is a vibration isolator, and the isolator is positioned such that its effective line of action aligns with the effective plane of rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the processing units are held in a decanting position by a decant ring that moves vertically but does not rotate. The ring engages the top of the processing unit during decant and the abrasion is minimal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microcantilever for sensing compounds or molecules. The piezoelectric microcantilever, may include at least one electrode, an insulation layer, a receptor, an immobilization layer, a non-piezoelectric layer and a piezoelectric layer The sensor is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a highly piezoelectric thin lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate film, a highly piezoelectric thin zirconate titanate film, a highly piezoelectric lead-free film. Methods of using the sensors and flow cells and arrays including the sensors are also described.

Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained and expressed.

Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained and expressed.

Abstract: A container designed for use as a disposable processing unit in a centrifuge includes first and second chambers connected by a bridge that allows transfer of fluid between the chambers. One of the chambers has a sloped floor that directs fluids to a smaller bottom portion for providing greater depth in the collected fluids. The container also includes cam surfaces that facilitate insertion of the container in a centrifuge in the desired orientation. As well, a key may be provided to ensure that the container is used in the correct centrifuge.

Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained are expressed.

Abstract: A centrifuge has a rotor for receiving a disposable processing unit. The centrifuge is configured such that the motor is attached to an enclosure and the enclosure is supported on a base. The connection between the base and the enclosure is a vibration isolator, and the isolator is positioned such that its effective line of action aligns with the effective plane of rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the processing units are held in a decanting position by a decant ring that moves vertically but does not rotate. The ring engages the top of the processing unit during decant and the abrasion is minimal.

Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained are expressed.

Abstract: A container designed for use as a disposable processing unit in a centrifuge includes first and second chambers connected by a bridge that allows transfer of fluid between the chambers. One of the chambers has a sloped floor that directs fluids to a smaller bottom portion for providing greater depth in the collected fluids. The container also includes cam surfaces that facilitate insertion of the container in a centrifuge in the desired orientation. As well, a key may be provided to ensure that the container is used in the correct centrifuge.

Abstract: A centrifuge has a rotor for receiving a disposable processing unit. The centrifuge is configured such that the motor is attached to an enclosure and the enclosure is supported on a base. The connection between the base and the enclosure is a vibration isolator, and the isolator is positioned such that its effective line of action aligns with the effective plane of rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the processing units are held in a decanting position by a decant ring that moves vertically but does not rotate. The ring engages the top of the processing unit during decant and the abrasion is minimal.

Abstract: A survey of an airport runway or other large structure includes statistical correction of error caused by atmospheric turbulence. Visible grid markers are placed, e.g., at twenty foot centers, in rows and columns on the runway. Absolute vertical reference points are established, favorably by using floats in tubes joined to a common trough pipe, for each row of the grid markers. A holographic reference grid is reconstructed, preferably at a safe distance from the runway, so that the reconstructed reference grid is disposed in the vertical plane of a particular row of grid markers. Then the locations of the grid markers, the absolute reference points, and the reference grid are recorded a plurality of times, for example, by multiple-exposing photographic film. The statistical mean locations of the images of the grid markers and absolute reference points are determined, relative to the reconstructed reference grid.