Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: A system for controlling custody of a sample can include a cartridge comprising a sample receptacle configured to receive an article configured to deliver a sample to the cartridge, a cartridge module having a cartridge receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; a housing enclosing the cartridge module and the cartridge. The housing can include a closable door; at least one sensor configured to produce a signal indicating: insertion or removal of an article into or from the sample receptacle; whether the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle; or whether the door is open or closed. The system can further include a computer programmed to record a signal from the at least one sensor for a recording period of time and to display a signal history to a user.

Abstract: A cold worked and spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi, is used to form a sucker rod coupling or subcoupling. Each coupling is formed from a core having two ends, each end having an internal thread. These box ends engage the pin of a sucker rod or other rod. The exterior surface of the core includes grooves running between the two ends.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a downhole pump to a sucker rod string is disclosed. The coupling includes a core having a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end and the second end each have an end surface. The first end tapers linearly inwards from the central portion to the first end surface. The second end has a rounded edge along the second end surface. The coupling is made from a spinodally-hardened copper-nickel-tin alloy and has a sliding coefficient of friction of less than 0.4 when measured against carbon steel.

Abstract: A sucker rod string is formed from sucker rods and sucker rod couplings. The sucker rod couplings are formed from a spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a sliding coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less when measured against carbon steel. The sucker rod string has low friction and improved pumping stroke, enhanced pumping capacity, and less load in the overall system.

Abstract: A sucker rod guide having low friction and high wear resistance is disclosed herein, along with a fluid extraction system comprising the same. At least a part of the exterior surface of the sucker rod guide is formed from a cold worked and spinodally-hardenable or spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 5 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 10 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi. The guide includes a smoothbore adapted to surround and engage the surface of a sucker rod. The exterior surface of the guide can include grooves miming between the two ends. In particular embodiments, the guide is made by joining together two identical guide segments. In other embodiments, the guide is a single integral piece molded around a sucker rod.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: Provided herein are instruments and cartridges for processing samples. The cartridges include fluidic circuits in which fluid movement can be regulated by diaphragm valves. In certain cartridges, deformable material providing a diaphragm contacts an interface in the instrument that actuates the diaphragm directly, without intervening actuation layer. Certain cartridges have a plurality of fluidic circuits and fluid distribution channels or pneumatic distribution channels configured to deliver fluids or pneumatic pressure to any of the fluidic circuits, selectively. Certain cartridges have compartments containing on-board reagents. Compartments can be closed by a film attached to a body the cartridge through a heat seal.

Abstract: A cold worked and spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi, is used to form a sucker rod coupling or subcoupling. Each coupling is formed from a core having two ends, each end having an internal thread. These box ends engage the pin of a sucker rod or other rod. The exterior surface of the core includes grooves running between the two ends.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of applying a wear-resistant copper-nickel-tin coating to a substrate using a thermal spray process. Briefly, a copper-nickel-tin alloy feedstock is converted into a powder or droplet form, then sprayed onto a substrate to form a coating thereon.

Abstract: A cold worked and spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi, is used to form a sucker rod coupling or subcoupling. Each coupling is formed from a core having two ends, each end having an internal thread. These box ends engage the pin of a sucker rod or other rod. The exterior surface of the core includes grooves running between the two ends.

Abstract: Provided herein are instruments and cartridges for processing samples. The cartridges include fluidic circuits in which fluid movement can be regulated by diaphragm valves. In certain cartridges, deformable material providing a diaphragm contacts an interface in the instrument that actuates the diaphragm directly, without intervening actuation layer. Certain cartridges have a plurality of fluidic circuits and fluid distribution channels or pneumatic distribution channels configured to deliver fluids or pneumatic pressure to any of the fluidic circuits, selectively. Certain cartridges have compartments containing on-board reagents. Compartments can be closed by a film attached to a body the cartridge through a heat seal.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a downhole pump to a sucker rod string is disclosed. The coupling includes a core having a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end and the second end each have an end surface. The first end tapers linearly inwards from the central portion to the first end surface. The second end has a rounded edge along the second end surface. The coupling is made from a spinodally-hardened copper-nickel-tin alloy and has a sliding coefficient of friction of less than 0.4 when measured against carbon steel.

Abstract: A sucker rod string is formed from sucker rods and sucker rod couplings. The sucker rod couplings are formed from a spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a sliding coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less when measured against carbon steel. The sucker rod string has low friction and improved pumping stroke, enhanced pumping capacity, and less load in the overall system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: A sucker rod string is formed from sucker rods and sucker rod couplings. The sucker rod couplings are formed from a spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a sliding coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less when measured against carbon steel. The sucker rod string has low friction and improved pumping stroke, enhanced pumping capacity, and less load in the overall system.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a downhole pump to a sucker rod string is disclosed. The coupling includes a core having a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end and the second end each have an end surface. The first end tapers linearly inwards from the central portion to the first end surface. The second end has a rounded edge along the second end surface. The coupling is made from a spinodally-hardened copper-nickel-tin alloy and has a sliding coefficient of friction of less than 0.4 when measured against carbon steel.