Abstract: A self-contained biomass generator configured for use in growing and discharging bacteria at or near an intended use site and having a housing containing a bacteria growth chamber; water and air inlets; receptacles and solenoid pumps for liquids containing bacteria spores, nutrient, defoamer and disinfectant; a recirculation pump; air pump; water heater; manifold; a dosing pump configured to dispense controlled amounts of bacteria; and a programmable electronic controller configured to operate the device through a plurality of bacteria growth cycles and to disinfect the wetted internal surfaces between growth cycles without requiring service or operator intervention. A process for using the biomass generator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid sample having microbiological target species therein to concentrate the species and collect lysate is disclosed. The liquid sample comprises non-target microbiological particles, inorganic particles, and microbiological target species. The liquid is passed through a prefilter medium to allow the target species to pass through as filtrate and retain non-target microbiological products and inorganic particles thereon. The filtrate is contacted with a main filtration medium adapted to retain the target species thereon as retentate. The retentate is lysed to form a lysate containing target material that was enveloped within the microbiological target species. The microbiological species may comprise cell containing or viral material. Target materials comprise intracellular nucleic acids, or in the case of viral sampling, nucleic acids encased within the protein sheath or coating of the virus.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid sample having microbiological target species therein to concentrate the species and collect lysate is disclosed. The liquid sample comprises non-target microbiological particles, inorganic particles, and microbiological target species. The liquid is passed through a prefilter medium to allow the target species to pass through as filtrate and retain non-target microbiological products and inorganic particles thereon. The filtrate is contacted with a main filtration medium adapted to retain the target species thereon as retentate. The retentate is lysed to form a lysate containing target material that was enveloped within the microbiological target species. The microbiological species may comprise cell containing or viral material. Target materials comprise intracellular nucleic acids, or in the case of viral sampling, nucleic acids encased within the protein sheath or coating of the virus.

Abstract: A filtration system is disclosed that uses a combination of dead end filtration across opposing membranes with a sample take-off in the middle and cross-flow to prevent cake formation on these opposing filters. In one embodiment is a system that uses opposing filters with a central collection chamber that flips flow back and forth between the sides at a frequency that minimizes filter cake formation. In another embodiment, a combination flip-flip, cross flow system is disclosed. An additional embodiment discloses an actuator valve driven sampling system, in which valves collect the cross flow/counter flow filter cake samples as they are liberated from a filter surface and a quick through filter fluid pulse loosens the sample cake from the filter material. The invention increases effective operation time, allows for continuous filtration operation without interruption, and provides filtered samples that accurately represent the concentration of macromolecular species in industrial systems.

Abstract: system and method employing a substrate for supporting a highly reproducible sensor array for producing a prerecorded standard response for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters are provided. The system includes a substrate for supporting a highly reproducible sensor array, a light source for directing light onto the sensor spot, at least one optical pickup for detecting light transmitted through or reflected from a sensor spot, the transmitted or reflected light being indicative of a concentration of a compound, and an analog-to-digital converter for quantifying an intensity of the detected light.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation.

Abstract: A method for making a microfluidic device comprises providing a processing substrate, forming a negative stamp on the processing substrate using a direct write process, disposing a coating material on the processing substrate, curing the coating material to produce a cured coating material, and separating the processing substrate and the negative stamp from the cured coating material, wherein a plurality of channels are formed in the cured coating material corresponding to a location of the negative stamp.

Abstract: Methods for making multifunctional microfluidic systems, and apparatuses prepared thereby are disclosed comprising an environmentally responsive component integrated into the substrate and exposed to the channels of a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A portable system and method for measuring the concentration of multiple chemical or biological substances where an onsite analysis of such substances is needed. The new and original handheld sensor system uses a disposable optical test element and a spectroscopic detector that measures the test element response to specific analytes through a change in light absorbance, luminescence, and other forms of light-based response. In this way, reflection light intensities indicative of the test element response can be used to measure the concentration of the target analytes. The sensor system is also capable of being interfaced to an information processing unit or computer so that analytical data can be manipulated or stored electronically.

Abstract: A system and method employing optical disc drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters are provided. The system includes a robotic arm for transmitting a disc including at least one sensor spot through a variety of stations that include dipping the disc into a source of a compound, removing excess amounts of the source, optically scanning the disc, and discarding the disc. The optical drive may be a stand-alone reader in communication with an external computing device. The output of the optical scan may be transmitted from the optical scanner to the computing device via universal serial bus, Ethernet interface, or wireless connection.

Abstract: Methods for applying sensor materials to optical storage media substrates are disclosed. After exposure to a sample of interest, the resulting sensors may be read in optical storage media drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biological parameters of the sample.

Abstract: A system and method employing optical disc drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters are provided. The system including a disc drive for supporting and rotating an optical disc including at least one sensor spot; a light source for directing light onto the sensor spot; at least one optical pickup for detecting light transmitted from the sensor spot, the transmitted light being indicative of a concentration of a compound; and an analog-to-digital converter for quantifying an intensity of the transmitted light. The method comprising the steps of preparing the optical disc with a plurality of sensor spots, the sensor spots being responsive to a compound; exposing the optical disc to a fluid; measuring intensity of transmitted light from at least one of the plurality of sensor spots; and correlating the measured intensity of transmitted light to an amount of compound exposed to the optical disc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the monitoring and measurement of chemical and/or biological deposition in heat exchangers and other fluid processing vessels. The new and original sensing system includes at least two hollow fluid vessels conductively mounted across a constant heat transfer path. Thin film heat flux sensors are attached to a heat transfer surface of the vessels in order to measure changes in differential heat flux that occur when deposition begins to accumulate in the vessel. In this way, it is shown that differential heat flux measurements can be used to detect and measure the early onset of chemical and/or biological deposition.