Abstract: A liquid dispensing element is provided. The element comprising; a dispensing plate comprising a plurality of orifices; the dispensing plate at least partially defining a fluid flow path; a plurality of piezoelectric transducers each comprising a piston configured to move perpendicular to the dispensing plate between a first position wherein the piston is close to the dispensing plate and a second position wherein the piston is further from the dispensing plate. The movement between the first and second positions results in the ejection of a droplet of fluid via a surface cavitation droplet ejection process such that the diameter of the droplet is less than a diameter of the orifice.

Abstract: A removable filter is provided. The filter comprises a porous substrate; and an anti-pathogenic coating provided on at least part of the porous substrate. The concentration of the coating varies across the substrate to provide a coating pattern.

Abstract: A mask and air pressure control system for use in coating deposition is disclosed. A method is provided for controlling liquid coating droplets during deposition onto a substrate by directing atomized liquid coating droplets in a flow path toward the substrate, and applying a vacuum or pressurized air from an air pressure control system to at least a portion of the atomized liquid coating droplets in the flow path. The air pressure control mask comprises an air pressure control fixture structured and arranged for connection to a source of vacuum or pressurized air, and a nozzle opening structured and arranged to at least partially surround a flow path of the liquid coating droplets and to selectively allow at least a portion of the liquid coating droplets to pass through the air pressure control mask, wherein the vacuum or pressurized air prevents at least a portion of oversprayed liquid coating droplets from being deposited on the substrate outside an intended edge of the coating.

Abstract: A production line for powder coating items, such as food pieces, having a conveyor and a powder depositor arranged having a powder reservoir, a screen, a vibratory actuator to apply intermittent vibrations to the screen to cause powder to pass through apertures in the screen; and a controller to control the interval between the intermittent vibrations so that powder is deposited predominantly onto the items as they pass below the screen.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing element is provided. The element comprising; a dispensing plate comprising a plurality of orifices; the dispensing plate at least partially defining a fluid flow path; a plurality of piezoelectric transducers each comprising a piston configured to move perpendicular to the dispensing plate between a first position wherein the piston is close to the dispensing plate and a second position wherein the piston is further from the dispensing plate. The movement between the first and second positions results in the ejection of a droplet of fluid via a surface cavitation droplet ejection process such that the diameter of the droplet is less than a diameter of the orifice.

Abstract: A method of digitally controlled application and fixation of dyestuff to a textile on a processing line is provided. The method comprising the steps of: determining one or more parameters of a textile; determining, by a processor, at least one dose setting for an array of flow channel dispensers of the processing line, wherein determining the at least one dose setting is based on the one or more parameters; dispensing, by the array of flow channel dispensers, dyestuff onto the textile according to the at least one dose setting and delivering energy to the substrate to fix the dyestuff in the textile.

Abstract: A printhead for dispensing a fluid is provided. The printhead comprises at least one chamber; an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in the at least one chamber; a multi-orifice dispensing plate; and an air dispensing element comprising a source of compressed air and an air flow controller configured to direct a flow of air.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are provided for digitally controlled powder deposition. The apparatus comprises a supply chamber configured to maintain a reservoir of powder in a fluidised state, and one or more dispenser elements. The supply chamber is further configured to direct a flow of the fluidised powder from the reservoir to an orifice, causing it to be dispensed from the orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible format for diagnostic tests that is applicable to measuring a wide range of properties of fluids, particularly physiological fluids, by creating a concentration gradient of an indicator in the sample under analysis and measuring a flux of the indicator through the sample which is used to determine a property of the sample. Aspects of the invention include a method of testing a property of a physiological fluid in a portable test device, a portable test device and a kit including a portable test device and a processor.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process for fabricating a biomaterial, comprising: a) joining a porous collagen based-material with a non-porous collagen based-material by applying a controlled amount of a bonding layer of a gel comprising collagen to a bonding surface of the non-porous collagen based-material, and contacting a surface of the porous collagen based-material with the gel applied to the bonding surface to partially hydrate a section of the porous material at the interface between the materials; b) drying the gel to dry to bond the materials together; and c) cross-linking the collagens in the bonding layer. Also disclosed are biomaterials and implants produced using the fabrication process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible format for diagnostic tests that is applicable to measuring a wide range of properties of fluids, particularly physiological fluids, by creating a concentration gradient of an indicator in the sample under analysis and measuring a flux of the indicator through the sample which is used to determine a property of the sample. Aspects of the invention include a method of testing a property of a physiological fluid in a portable test device, a portable test device and a kit including a portable test device and a processor.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process for fabricating a biomaterial, comprising: a) joining a porous collagen based-material with a non-porous collagen based-material by applying a controlled amount of a bonding layer of a gel comprising collagen to a bonding surface of the non-porous collagen based-material, and contacting a surface of the porous collagen based-material with the gel applied to the bonding surface to partially hydrate a section of the porous material at the interface between the materials; b) drying the gel to dry to bond the materials together; and c) cross-linking the collagens in the bonding layer. Also disclosed are biomaterials and implants produced using the fabrication process.

Abstract: A method of making a holographic device (4) comprises the steps of: forming a heterogeneous support medium (2) having at least two regions (1) which are heterogeneous; placing the heterogeneous support medium under recording conditions, e.g. in a liquid X, which are selected to change one or more physical properties of the heterogeneous support medium, wherein the extent or nature of the change in the physical property or physical properties is different in at least two of the heterogeneous regions; recording a holographic image in the heterogeneous support medium while it is under recording conditions; and removing the heterogeneous support medium from recording conditions. Such a device can be used for security and authentication.

Abstract: A method of measuring the amount of an analyte in a sample, comprises (a) passing the sample through a flow channel in or on a holographic sensor, wherein the analyte interacts with and is retained by the sensor and wherein the interaction of the analyte changes an optical property of the sensor, and (b) monitoring analyte interaction, wherein the distance along the flow channel at which analyte interaction occurs or the area of the channel over which analyte interaction occurs, indicates the amount of analyte in the sample. Further, a method of detecting an analyte in a sample, comprises (a) passing the sample through a flow channel in or on a holographic sensor, wherein the analyte interacts with the sensor, thereby changing an optical property of the sensor, and wherein the flow channel defines a symbol; and (b) detecting the analyte by observing the appearance, disappearance or change in appearance of the symbol.