Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: A deceased notification system utilizing hub and spoke architecture to facilitate notifications to multiple organizations. By having all disparate and disjointed company deceased notification processes and their corresponding required documentation self-contained in one system, the invention provides a means for those settling estates to utilize a “hub and spoke” model to provide deceased notifications, whereby they register someone's death at the hub, and have the system proactively push deceased notifications to all pertinent organizations at the earliest time. This will save all parties time, provide quicker notifications to prevent deceased identity theft, as well as the stoppage of charges for services that are no longer needed, by the decedent.

Abstract: Decoding methods are provided for identifying populations in assays, particularly multiplexing assays and those associated with fluidic devices.

Abstract: Provided are compounds, compositions, kits, systems, devices, and methods for improving an assay such as, for example, a multiplexed PCR assay (e.g., a multiplexed immuno-PCR assay). A solid support (e.g., a bead) may be provided according to some embodiments of the present invention. The solid support may comprise an encoding agent (e.g., a dye), a nucleic acid sequence (e.g., an oligonucleotide and/or primer); and a molecular recognition element (e.g., an antibody). A detection reagent may be provided according to some embodiments of the present invention. The detection reagent may comprise a molecular recognition element (e.g., an antibody) and a nucleic acid tag. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of the solid support and at least a portion of the nucleic acid target tag of the detection reagent are configured to participate in a nucleic acid amplification process. A solid support and detection reagent may bind to the same target, thereby forming a reagent pair.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, devices, and methods for improving a surface property of a substrate. In some embodiments, the hydrophobicity and/or fluorocarbon-phobicity of the surface is increased. Some embodiments include compositions, devices and methods for improving bead loading and/or immiscible oil sealing of microwell array reactions on plastic microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Analysis systems with a housing having a chamber sized and configured to receive at least one microfluidic device. The systems also include an optic system coupled to the housing in optical communication with the at least one microfluidic device, a controller coupled to the optic system, a heat source coupled to the optic system and thermally coupled to the at least one microfluidic device held in the housing, and a sub-array selection module in communication with the controller. The sub-array selection module is configured to select a sub-set of sets of microwells of at least one fluid channel of the microfluidic device for imaging by the optic system after a reaction step (e.g., one thermocycle) during an assay.

Abstract: Decoding methods are provided for identifying populations in assays, particularly multiplexing assays and those associated with fluidic devices.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fluidic devices such as, but not limited to, microfluidic chips, with one or more freeze thaw valves (FTVs) employing one or more ice-nucleating agents (INAs), that can reliably operate to freeze at relatively higher temperatures and/or at faster rates than conventional microfluidic devices with FTV systems.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fluidic devices such as, but not limited to, microfluidic chips, with one or more freeze thaw valves (FTVs) employing one or more ice-nucleating agents (INAs), that can reliably operate to freeze at relatively higher temperatures and/or at faster rates than conventional microfluidic devices with FTV systems.

Abstract: A winch for a power generating system using a tethered airborne device, the winch comprising a drum rotatable about its main axis a guiding apparatus arranged to guide an airborne device tether to wind and unwind around the drum; wherein the drum is rotatable relative to a pivot point to move in a first plane and the guiding apparatus is disposed relative to the drum to move along part of an orbital path around the drum in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the drum, thereby allowing alignment of the winch with respect to an unwound length of the tether.

Abstract: Decoding methods are provided for identifying populations in assays, particularly multiplexing assays and those associated with fluidic devices.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fluidic devices such as, but not limited to, microfluidic chips, with one or more freeze thaw valves (FTVs) employing one or more ice-nucleating agents (INAs), that can reliably operate to freeze at relatively higher temperatures and/or at faster rates than conventional microfluidic devices with FTV systems.

Abstract: A winch for a power generating system using a tethered airborne device, the winch comprising a drum rotatable about its main axis a guiding apparatus arranged to guide an airborne device tether to wind and unwind around the drum; wherein the drum is rotatable relative to a pivot point to move in a first plane and the guiding apparatus is disposed relative to the drum to move along part of an orbital path around the drum in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the drum, thereby allowing alignment of the winch with respect to an unwound length of the tether.

Abstract: A kite comprises: a wing; upper and lower flaps located along at least a portion of an edge of the wing that forms the trailing edge of the wing when the wing is active; a controller configured to generate control signals; and an actuator arrangement configured to change orientations of the upper and lower flaps relative to the wing based on the control signals generated by the controller.

Abstract: A deceased notification system utilizing hub and spoke architecture to facilitate notifications to multiple organizations. By having all disparate and disjointed company deceased notification processes and their corresponding required documentation self-contained in one system, the invention provides a means for those settling estates to utilize a “hub and spoke” model to provide deceased notifications, whereby they register someone's death at the hub, and have the system proactively push deceased notifications to all pertinent organizations at the earliest time. This will save all parties time, provide quicker notifications to prevent deceased identity theft, as well as the stoppage of charges for services that are no longer needed, by the decedent.