Abstract: A relatively fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for separation and isolation of biologically active nanoparticles is described. Methods include the use of solid phase separation medis such as channeled fibers in a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) protocol to isolate biologically active nanoparticles from other components of a mixture. Biologically active nanoparticles can include natural nanoparticles (e.g., exosomes, lysosomes, virus particles) as well as synthetic nanoparticles (liposomes, genetically modified virus particles, etc.

Abstract: A relatively fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for separation and isolation of biologically active nanoparticles is described. Methods include the use of solid phase separation medis such as channeled fibers in a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) protocol to isolate biologically active nanoparticles from other components of a mixture. Biologically active nanoparticles can include natural nanoparticles (e.g., exosomes, lysosomes, virus particles) as well as synthetic nanoparticles (liposomes, genetically modified virus particles, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A relatively fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for separation and isolation of biologically active nanoparticles is described. Methods include the use of solid phase separation medis such as channeled fibers in a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) protocol to isolate biologically active nanoparticles from other components of a mixture. Biologically active nanoparticles can include natural nanoparticles (e.g., exosomes, lysosomes, virus particles) as well as synthetic nanoparticles (liposomes, genetically modified virus particles, etc.

Abstract: Chromatography devices and methods for forming and using the devices are described. The devices include a polyimide-based support phase and a polymer grafted to a surface of the polyimide-based support phase. A microwave-assisted graft polymerization protocol is described to form the polymer at the surface of the support phase. Devices can be utilized in high-efficiency separation of macromolecules such as proteins.

Abstract: A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).

Abstract: A solid phase for use in separation has been modified using an aqueous phase adsorption of a headgroup-modified lipid to generate analyte specific surfaces for use as a stationary phase in separations such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or solid phase extraction (SPE). The aliphatic moiety of the lipid adsorbs strongly to a hydrophobic solid surface, with the hydrophilic and active headgroups orienting themselves toward the more polar mobile phase, thus allowing for interactions with the desired solutes. The surface modification approach is generally applicable to a diversity of selective immobilization applications such as protein immobilization clinical diagnostics and preparative scale HPLC as demonstrated on capillary-channeled fibers, though the general methodology could be implemented on any hydrophobic solid support material.

Abstract: A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).

Abstract: A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).

Abstract: Separation technologies and a support/separation phases for use therein. A surface of a support phase can be modified to include a crosslinked polymer network as stationary phase to perform separation of one or more species from a liquid in highly efficient separations based on chemical interactions, i.e., chromatography. Optionally, the support phase can employ polymer fibers having channels extending axially along their surfaces. The use of the support phase to support the crosslinked stationary phase can be used in one embodiment in the process of performing micro-scale separations.

Abstract: A solid phase for use in separation has been modified using an aqueous phase adsorption of a headgroup-modified lipid to generate analyte specific surfaces for use as a stationary phase in separations such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or solid phase extraction (SPE). The aliphatic moiety of the lipid adsorbs strongly to a hydrophobic solid surface, with the hydrophilic and active headgroups orienting themselves toward the more polar mobile phase, thus allowing for interactions with the desired solutes. The surface modification approach is generally applicable to a diversity of selective immobilization applications such as protein immobilization clinical diagnostics and preparative scale HPLC as demonstrated on capillary-channeled fibers, though the general methodology could be implemented on any hydrophobic solid support material.

Abstract: A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).

Abstract: A method of preparing a fiber or an article suitable for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, and the fiber or article resulting from the method thereof, is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a fiber such as a capillary-channeled fiber with a surface having grooves or channels thereon and modifying the surface of the fiber with an active agent so as to provide the fiber with the ability to defend against a biological or a chemical contaminant.

Abstract: Solid phase extraction devices including a plurality of packed nominally aligned capillary-channeled polymeric fibers for use as stationary phase materials are disclosed. A plurality of fibers are packed together in a casing so as to provide good flow characteristics through the fibers and high surface area contact between a sample and the fibers. Different polymer compositions of the fibers permit the “chemical tuning” of the extraction process. The fibers can be physically or chemically derivatized to target specific analytes for separation from a test sample. Use of the fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backpressures. The fibers are easily packed into a micropipette tip or a conduit for use with a fluid flow device such as an aspirator or a pump. The devices can be used for isolation and pre-concentration of analytes from samples, for instance for proteins from buffer solutions or extraction of pollutants from remote locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for counting, sorting, and manipulation of cells, organelles, and/or cellular material using capillary-channeled polymer films.

Abstract: Polymer fibers having a novel cross-sectional geometry are used as stationary phase materials for liquid chromatography separations. Fibers of 20 to 50 micrometer diameters have surface-channel structures extending their entire lengths. Bundles of fibers having this novel cross-sectional geometry are packed in columns. Different polymer compositions permit the “chemical tuning” of the separation process. Channeled fibers composed of polystyrene and polypropylene have been used to separate mixtures of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Pb-containing compounds and fatty acids. Use of channeled fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backing pressures.

Abstract: Surface-channeled fibers, either single fibers or a plurality of fibers, and surface-channeled films are useful in a variety of on-column detection systems, both those requiring detection by a spectroscopic detector and those for which a chemically selective indicator provides a visually distinguishable response.

Abstract: A glow discharge spectroscopy (GDS) source operates at atmospheric pressure. One of the discharge electrodes of the device is formed by an electrolytic solution 27 containing the analyte specimen. The passage of electrical current (either electrons or positive ions) across the solution/gas phase interface causes local heating and the volatilization of the analyte species. Collisions in the discharge region immediately above the surface of the solution results in optical emission and ionization that are characteristic of the analyte elements. As such, these analyte elements can be identified and quantified by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) or mass spectrometry (MS). The device uses the analyte solution as either the cathode or anode. Operating parameters depend on the electrolyte concentration (i.e. solution conductivity) and the gap 35 between the solution surface and the counter electrode.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods employ momentum separation to implement a particle beam (PB) sampling scheme for the introduction of particulate matter into low pressure (e.g., glow discharge) plasma sources for subsequent atomic emission and mass spectrometry chemical analysis in real time, whether the particles are provided in a continuous stream during the analysis or are collected in situ and analyzed periodically upon obtaining a suitable number of particles to be analyzed. The particulate matter in the particle beam (PB) is subjected to low-power laser scattering to effect particle size analysis. Gases removed by momentum separation are also analyzed.