Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that biological and non-biological materials can be sterilized, decontaminated, or disinfected by repeatedly cycling between relatively high and low pressures. Pressure cycling can be carried out at low, ambient, or elevated temperatures (e.g., from about −40° C. to about 95° C., or intermediate ranges). New methods based on this discovery can have applications in, for example, the preparation of vaccines, the sterilization of blood plasma or serum, plant, animal, and human tissue, sputum, urine, feces, water, and ascites, the decontamination of military devices, food and beverage production, and the disinfection of medical equipment. The new methods can also be incorporated into production processes or research procedures.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: A system and method for high throughput screening of fluid samples. A reduced pressure is applied, via an injection valve, to a sample aspiration tube. A first fluid and a second fluid are alternatively aspirated, via the sample aspiration tube, the first fluid for filling a sample loop with samples, the second fluid for flushing the sample aspiration tube. Excess fluid aspirated from the first fluid source and all fluid aspirated from the second fluid source is captured in an inline trap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray tube whose cathode arrangement includes a flat electron emitter that is provided with openings. An electrode is arranged on the side of the electron emitter that is remote from the anode of the X-ray tube; this electrode carries a negative potential relative to the electron emitter, which negative potential straightens the electron paths in front of the emitter. These steps result in a favorable ratio of the dimensions of the electron emitter to the dimensions of the focal spot formed on the anode by the emitted electrons.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that biological and non-biological materials can be sterilized, decontaminated, or disinfected by repeatedly cycling between relatively high and low pressures. Pressure cycling can be carried out at low, ambient, or elevated temperatures (e.g., from about −40° C. to about 95° C., or intermediate ranges). New methods based on this discovery can have applications in, for example, the preparation of vaccines, the sterilization of blood plasma or serum, plant, animal, and human tissue, sputum, urine, feces, water, and ascites, the decontamination of military devices, food and beverage production, and the disinfection of medical equipment. The new methods can also be incorporated into production processes or research procedures.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the sequence of monomers in a polymeric biomolecule can be determined in a self-contained, high pressure reaction and detection apparatus, without the need for fluid flow into or out from the apparatus. The pressure is used to control the activity of enzymes that digest the polymeric biomolecule to yield the individual monomers in the sequence in which they existed in the polymer. High pressures modulate enzyme kinetics by reversibly inhibiting those enzymatic processes which result in a higher average activation volume, when compared to the ground state, and reversibly accelerating those processes which have lower activation volumes than the ground state. Modulating the pressure allows the experimenter to precisely control the activity of the enzyme. Conditions can be found, for example, where the enzyme removes only one monomer (e.g., a nucleotide or amino acid) from the biomolecule before the pressure is again raised to a prohibitive level.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of biomolecules between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray tube whose cathode arrangement includes a flat electron emitter that is provided with openings. An electrode is arranged on the side of the electron emitter that is remote from the anode of the X-ray tube; this electrode carries a negative potential relative to the electron emitter, which negative potential straightens the electron paths in front of the emitter. These steps result in a favorable ratio of the dimensions of the electron emitter to the dimensions of the focal spot formed on the anode by the emitted electrons.

Abstract: A method for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets. The droplets are dispensed onto a moving surface and delayed in a delay line in which the droplets hang from the moving surface for at least a specified minimum period of time. A laminate may be spooled onto the moving surface and each droplet may be dispensed onto the laminate. At least one operation is performed on each droplet from the group of operations consisting of mixing, diluting, concentration, heating, cooling, humidifying, filtering, and analyzing. The laminate may then, in certain embodiments, be spooled off the moving surface, processed, and reused.

Abstract: A method of hybridizing a first nucleic acid to a second nucleic acid at least partially complementary to the first nucleic acid by (1) providing a sample vessel and pressure controller for the vessel; and (2) contacting the first and second nucleic acids within the vessel at a pressure above ambient pressure that is effective to enhance hybridization of the first and second nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the sequence of monomers in a polymeric biomolecule can be determined in a self-contained, high pressure reaction and detection apparatus, without the need for fluid flow into or out from the apparatus. The pressure is used to control the activity of enzymes that digest the polymeric biomolecule to yield the individual monomers in the sequence in which they existed in the polymer. High pressures modulate enzyme kinetics by reversibly inhibiting those enzymatic processes which result in a higher average activation volume, when compared to the ground state, and reversibly accelerating those processes which have lower activation volumes than the ground state. Modulating the pressure allows the experimenter to precisely control the activity of the enzyme. Conditions can be found, for example, where the enzyme removes only one monomer (e.g., a nucleotide or amino acid) from the biomolecule before the pressure is again raised to a prohibitive level.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of biomolecules between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells. In one embodiment, the invention features a pressure-modulation apparatus. The apparatus includes an electrode array system having at least two (i.e., two, three, four, or more) electrodes; and a conduit interconnecting the electrodes. The conduit contains an electrically conductive fluid in contact with a phase positioned in a pressure chamber. The phase can be, for example, a binding medium or stationary phase.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that biological and non-biological materials can be sterilized, decontaminated, or disinfected by repeatedly cycling between relatively high and low pressures. Pressure cycling can be carried out at low, ambient, or elevated temperatures (e.g., from about −20° C. to about 95° C.). New methods based on this discovery can have applications in, for example, the preparation of vaccines, the sterilization of blood plasma or serum, the decontamination of military devices, and the disinfection of medical equipment. The new methods can also be incorporated into production processes or research procedures.

Abstract: A method of hybridizing a first nucleic acid to a second nucleic acid at least partially complementary to the first nucleic acid by (1) providing a sample vessel and pressure controller for the vessel; and (2) contacting the first and second nucleic acids within the vessel at a pressure above ambient pressure that is effective to enhance hybridization of the first and second nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the sequence of monomers in a polymeric biomolecule can be determined in a self-contained, high pressure reaction and detection apparatus, without the need for fluid flow into or out from the apparatus. The pressure is used to control the activity of enzymes that digest the polymeric biomolecule to yield the individual monomers in the sequence in which they existed in the polymer. High pressures modulate enzyme kinetics by reversibly inhibiting those enzymatic processes which result in a higher average activation volume, when compared to the ground state, and reversibly accelerating those processes which have lower activation volumes than the ground state. Modulating the pressure allows the experimenter to precisely control the activity of the enzyme. Conditions can be found, for example, where the enzyme removes only one monomer (e.g., a nucleotide or amino acid) from the biomolecule before the pressure is again raised to a prohibitive level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for simply, efficiently and effectively reducing or eliminating décor damaging fragrant candle emissions while permitting the fragrance to pass into a room by depositing the décor damaging emissions on the interior surface of a channel containing a filter.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that pressure-induced changes in the free ion activity of a solution can be used to reversibly modulate the rate or the equilibrium position of chemical reactions, including catalytic reactions and associating/dissociating reactions. Pressure-induced changes in free-ion activity can also be used to improve separation processes.

Abstract: Methods for cell lysis and purification of biological materials, involving subjecting a sample maintained at a subzero temperature to high pressure, are disclosed. Apparatus for practicing the methods are also disclosed. The cell or cells that are lysed may be in suspension or part of a tissue. They are lysed by a method that includes: (i) providing a frozen cell or cells under atmospheric pressure; (ii) while maintaining the cell or cells at a subzero temperature, exposing the cell or cells to an elevated pressure in a pressure chamber, the elevated pressure being sufficient to thaw the frozen cell or cells at the subzero temperature; (iii) depressurizing the pressure chamber to freeze the cell or cells at the subzero temperature; and (iv) repeating the exposing and depressurizing steps until the cell or cells are lysed. This method can lyse a cell or cells with or without cell walls; such cells include, but are not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungal cells (e.g, yeast cells), plant cells (e.