Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, especially a stream obtained on the industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a hydrogenation in an at least three-stage reactor cascade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, especially a stream obtained on the industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a hydrogenation in a two-stage reactor cascade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, in particular a stream obtained on an industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a hydrogenation.

Abstract: The present invention includes a container and a method of separating one or more components of interest bound to magnetic particles using centrifugal forces.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device comprising a lid and a vessel forming an interface that allows transfer of waste from a purification chamber to a waste chamber and method for purification of an analyte are disclosed wherein a supernatant is separated from a solid phase to which an analyte is bound by centrifugation via the lid of the device. The present invention also includes methods for use of the device.

Abstract: A sealing cap for a body fluid container, and a body fluid collection device and system are disclosed. The sealing cap includes an inner cap placeable on an opening in the body fluid container forming a mouth, the inner cap has a shielding member which seals the mouth of the body fluid container, an outer cap resting on the inner cap, the outer cap being movable relative to the inner cap, and a channel member, wherein by a rotational movement the outer cap is movable between an first position in which the channel member is located separated from the shielding member and a second position in which the channel member extends through the shielding member, thereby establishing an open state of the shielding member, and wherein the shielding member returns to a closed state when the outer cap is moved back from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A pipette tip and a method for pipetting a congealed blood sample utilizing the pipette tip are disclosed. The pipette tip includes an attachment section configured to be attached to a dispensing device, a liquid containing section configured to receive at least part of an aspired liquid sample, and a liquid aspiration section that is connected to the liquid containing section. The liquid aspiration section has a distal end aspiration opening and at least one further aspiration opening in a side wall.

Abstract: A device for separating at least part of the liquid component of a blood sample and methods thereof are disclosed. Generally, the device includes a container body for receiving the blood sample, a layer of retaining porous material, a layer of separating permeable material. The retaining porous material retains non-liquid components of the blood sample after the non-liquid components have been subjected to centrifugal force which forces them through the separating permeable material into the retaining porous material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a disposable sample holding and processing device (1) dimensioned for being operated in a nucleic acid amplification apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample containing a nucleic acid by a nucleic acid amplification technique. The device (1) comprises chambers (15, 16) and channels (44) designed to perform the steps of capturing, amplification and detection of the nucleic acid within the device (1), and optionally also a lysis chamber (3). The binding chamber (15) contains a solid phase (14) for immobilization of a component of the sample to be analyzed, and the amplification chamber (16) is connected to the binding chamber (15) by a fluid channel (44).

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automatic apparatus (55), which is designed for performing nucleic acid analysis, optionally including sample preparation, with integrated disposable sample holding and processing devices (1), which devices (1) comprise a sample to be analyzed with the apparatus (55). The apparatus (55) comprises workstations (17, 40) for receiving, holding and processing such integrated disposable devices (1), a reagents station (56) for reagents (25), transfer means (36) for performing movements of an actuator, fluid actuation means for processing the sample (32) and reagents in said disposable devices (1), temperature control means (37) for heating or cooling, detection means for measuring a property of the processed samples (32), and control means for controlling the sample (32) preparation, the handling of the disposable devices (1) and the sample analysis performed by the apparatus (55).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, in particular a stream obtained on an industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a hydrogenation.

Abstract: For fast ethernet switches, a modular and scalable structure using programmable one-port communication modules is disclosed. The forwarding process is sequential and operates in a store-and-forward mode. The design follows a strictly predictable scheme. The forwarding process, the distribution logic, maximum latency and programmable functions, i.e. traffic monitoring capabilities, traffic filtering/policing capabilities and network management function capabilities are described and explained with reference to typical examples.

Abstract: In the case of a disposable lancing element for collecting body fluid through the skin comprising a support and a lancing member which distally projects therefrom and can pierce the skin in a lancing movement, it is proposed that a pretensioning means which tightens the skin in the area of the puncture site is arranged on the support and has a contact member which impacts the skin laterally from the lancing member during the lancing movement.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for at least partially fractioning or separating fluid from higher density and/or solid particles contained in liquid samples are disclosed. The present invention provides a movable or drivable device having a flow path defined by inner and outer wall surfaces and arranged such that the flow velocity of the liquid sample along the outer wall surface is higher than the flow velocity along the opposite inner wall surface. The flow path provides elements to at least delay the flow of the liquid sample along the outer wall surface. The device is, e.g., suitable for the separation of blood, e.g., of plasma from at least red blood cells, and from red and white blood cells to achieve blood plasma with high purity for analytical reasons.

Abstract: A microfluidic system having a microchannel for the capillary transport of a liquid, in particular a body fluid for analytical purposes. The microchannel is provided with a surface coating comprising at least one hydrophilic substance selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The invention also concerns a coating method that is suitable for this.

Abstract: A analytical device comprising a body comprising a fluidic unit comprising a first chamber having an outlet opening and a first channel exiting said outlet opening, wherein said first chamber further contains an insert comprising recesses between ribs touching the walls of said first chamber and a second channel, said insert being located in a first position wherein said insert is not engaged with said outlet opening, said insert being moveable from said first position to a second position within said first chamber, wherein said insert is engaged with said outlet opening such that said second channel extends said first channel into said first chamber and in the part pointing towards said outlet opening resembles the shape of said first chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical circuit arrangement (3) having electrical and/or electronic components (4). The components (4) are arranged on a mount substrate (5). The conductor tracks (6) for electrical connection of the components (4) are also located on the mount substrate (5). The mount substrate (5) comprises a metal part (7). An electrically insulating coating (9) is applied to one surface (8) of the metal part (7), to be precise in particular to that surface (8) which faces the components (4) and the conductor tracks (6). At least one component (4) and/or at least one conductor track (6) are/is located on the coating (9).

Abstract: An electrical switch for an electric device is provided, including a contact system including at least one electrical power supply line, an electronic control circuit and an electrical connection element arranged between at least one contact face of the control circuit and the power supply line. The electrical connection element has at least one metal pin that is fixed in an electrically non-conductive fixing element such that the pin is aligned with respect to the contact face and the power supply line, and such that the pin protrudes from the fixing element on both sides thereof to contact the contact face and the power supply line.

Abstract: A guide rod assembly for a Jacquard loom is described which is narrower (10 mm or less), instead of 13 mm of conventional guide rods. This reduction in width is attained reducing the overall height of the magnet system integrated in the guide rod. The magnet system has a support member in the form of an iron core with an elongated or oval cross-section, with an excitation coil wound around the iron core. Pole strips are in contact with both front faces of the iron core. The respective top surfaces of the pole strips are spaced apart by less than 13 mm.

Abstract: An electrical switch for an electric device is provided, including a contact system including at least one electrical power supply line, an electronic control circuit and an electrical connection element arranged between at least one contact face of the control circuit and the power supply line. The electrical connection element has at least one metal pin that is fixed in an electrically non-conductive fixing element such that the pin is aligned with respect to the contact face and the power supply line, and such that the pin protrudes from the fixing element on both sides thereof to contact the contact face and the power supply line.