Abstract: A process for treating aged oil by electron beam irradiation is disclosed, comprising the following steps: step 1, homogenizing the aged oil and then feeding the aged oil into a distributor; step 2, forming a liquid layer having a certain thickness on the distributor; step 3, installing and debugging an electron beam irradiation device on the distributor; step 4, installing and debugging a phased-array microwave emitter on the distributor after installing and debugging the electron beam irradiation device; step 5, turning on the electron beam irradiation device and the phased-array microwave emitter; and step 6, dividing the treated aged oil and then allowing the aged oil after dividing to enter an oil pool and a water pool for standing. Oil flows out from an upper layer of the oil pool, a lower layer of the oil pool flows back to an aged oil storage pool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for making repair decisions to improve resilience of a utility distribution network (UDN). A graph convolutional network (GCN) integrates reinforcement learning to provide an integrated model framework, in which the GCN encodes the information of the UDN, such as topology and operating characteristics. A neural network is connected to the GCN, and the framework trains the neural network to provide a recovery sequence based on the current state (e.g., a damaged state) of the UDN based one or more performance indicators.

Abstract: In a described example, a system for leak detection and localization is provided. The system includes a water distribution network (WDN) partition stage programmed to cluster a WDN model into partition zones based on applying a modified k-means clustering algorithm to leakage characteristic data and physical connectivity data. A leakage monitoring stage can be programmed to detect the occurrence of leakage in the WDN and provide leak detection data based on applying a trained unsupervised leakage detection machine-learning model to the partition zones and sensor data. The leakage monitoring stage can also provide localization data to identify a location of a leakage zone in the WDN based on feeding the leak detection data to a localization machine-learning model.

Abstract: An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Abstract: An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an imaging system. The imaging system may include a laser cavity that is configured to receive a biological sample, where the biological sample is treated with a dye; an excitation light source that is configured to direct energy at the laser cavity so as to cause an emission from the biological sample, where the emission includes a laser emission at a first spectral band and a fluorescence emission at a second spectral band; a first detector that is configured to measure the laser emission generated by the biological sample; a second detector that is configured to measure the fluorescence emission generated by the biological sample; a splitter that is configured to direct the laser emission to the first detector and the fluorescence emission to the second detector; and a controller interfaced with the excitation light source, the first detector, and the second detector.

Abstract: An assay plate assembly comprising a plurality of microfluidic modules arranged in a rectilinear matrix of rows and columns microfluidic channels. Each microfluidic module has an inlet well leading to a serpentine microfluidic channel that is set at a cant angle. The well is laterally offset from the detection area to avoid optical interference. The geometric center of each detection area is positioned according to ANSI/SLAS standards for well-centers. A drain from each microfluidic channel is located so that it does not interfere with any detection areas. An array of micro-posts are disposed within each microfluidic channel. The micro-posts extend perpendicularly from the top surface of the top plate toward the underside and are equally distributed throughout the entire detection area. The plate assembly provides reduced assay time and sample volume, and increased sensitivity and specificity in biological and chemical assays.

Abstract: An imaging system for cell-based therapies is provided. The imagining system includes one or more optical tags configured for insertion into a cell or biological tissue, an excitation light source configured to illuminate the one or more optical tags; a detector configured to measure optical emission of the one or more optical tags; an imaging subsystem configured to determine a three-dimensional location of each of the one or more optical tags in the cell or biological tissue; and a controller in electrical communication with the excitation light source, the detector, and the imaging subsystem. Each of the one or more optical tags has a contrasting feature and includes a fluorescent material. The contrasting feature may be defined by at least one of a refractive index, shape, color, and laser emission of each optical tag of the one or more optical tags.

Abstract: An automated microfluidic bioreactor device and methods to rapidly detect drugs of abuse from human sweat are provided. The bioreactor can perform either single-plexed measurements (detecting only one target analyte at a time) or multiplexed measurement (detecting multiple analytes simultaneously). The bioreactor device has a cartridge comprising a capillary array that employs competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of various drugs or metabolite compounds. For example, four common drugs, methadone, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and tetrahydrocannabinol, were detected rapidly and quantitatively in about 16 minutes with a low sweat sample volume (about 4 ?L per analyte) and a large dynamic range (methadone: 0.0016 ng/mL-1 ng/mL; METH: 0.016 ng/mL-25 ng/mL; amphetamine: 0.005 ng/mL-10 ng/mL; THC: 0.02 ng/mL-1000 ng/mL).

Abstract: An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Abstract: A gas chromatography device for peak focusing of one or more target analytes is provided that include a chromatographic column with an inlet and an outlet. A stationary phase is deposited inside the chromatographic column and has a positive thickness gradient. The stationary phase extends from the inlet to the outlet and has a first thickness at the inlet of the chromatographic column and a second thickness at the outlet of the chromatographic column. The second thickness is at least about 10% greater than the first thickness. Methods of peak focusing in a gas chromatography device, method of verifying peak focusing in a gas chromatography device and creating a gas chromatography device having a chromatographic column with a positive thickness gradient are also provided.

Abstract: Laser emission based microscope devices and methods of using such devices for detecting laser emissions from a tissue sample are provided. The scanning microscope has first and second reflection surfaces and a scanning cavity holding a stationary tissue sample with at least one fluorophore/lasing energy responsive species. At least a portion of the scanning cavity corresponds to a high quality factor (Q) Fabry-Pérot resonator cavity. A lasing pump source directs energy at the scanning cavity while a detector receives and detects emissions generated by the fluorophore(s) or lasing energy responsive species. The second reflection surface and/or the lasing pump source are translatable with respect to the stationary tissue sample for generating a two-dimensional scan of the tissue sample. Methods for detecting multiplexed emissions or quantifying one or more biomarkers in a histological tissue sample, for example for detection and diagnosis of cancer, or other disorders/diseases are provided.

Abstract: A laser whose emission is modulated by ultrasound is presented. The laser is usually micron-sized. In response to ultra-sound modulation, the laser emission increases and decreases. Such a change in emission can be detected by external optical detectors. This type of laser can be used as a new type of imaging modality, in which laser emission in combination with sound waves or ultra-sound waves, is used for imaging Laser emission has a much narrower spectral linewidth and stronger intensity than fluorescence and therefore is able to achieve higher sensitivity, whereas sound waves are used to provide a better spatial resolution of the laser emission from the laser. In ultrasound modulated laser based imaging, multiple lasers can be placed inside cells or tissues.

Abstract: An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Abstract: An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Abstract: An integrated microfluidic photoionization detector (PID) is provided including a microfluidic ionization chamber a microfluidic ultraviolet radiation chamber that is configured to generate ultraviolet photons. An ultrathin transmissive window is disposed between the microfluidic ionization chamber and the microfluidic ultraviolet radiation chamber that permits the ultraviolet photons to pass from the microfluidic ultraviolet radiation chamber into the microfluidic ionization chamber. Detection systems for one or more VOC analytes are also provided that include a gas chromatography (GC) unit including at least one gas chromatography column and an integrated microfluidic photoionization detector (PID) disposed downstream of the gas chromatography (GC) unit.

Abstract: An ultra-thin Schroeder diffuser comprises a backing-plate, wherein the backing-plate is provided with 7×p rows and 7×q columns of unit cells, p and q are integers greater than or equal to 1, a side length of the unit cell is 0.48?, a depth of the square unit cell is 0.04?, the unit cell is provided with a square neck, a side length of the square neck is less than the side length of the unit cell, a depth of the neck is 0.01?, ? is a wavelength of the diffuser corresponding to the design at a center frequency center f0, the neck widths w of different unit cells are different, and a distribution of the widths satisfies a certain sequence.

Abstract: A multi-modal biosensor system includes a vibrating plate orientated along a plane. An actuator is interfaced with the vibrating plate and operable to vibrate the vibrating plate along the plane. The actuator includes two electrodes rigidly affixed to the vibrating plate. An optical support structure is rigidly affixed to the vibrating plate, and provides an outwardly facing surface to receive a measurement sample. A light source is configured to project light onto the outwardly facing surface of the optical support structure. A light detector is configured to capture light reflected from the outwardly facing surface of the optical support structure. A controller interfaces with the two electrodes and the light detector. The controller operates to detect changes in the vibrating motion of the vibrating plate concurrently with detecting changes in the light captured by the light detector.

Abstract: A drainage system and method for diagnostic systems and the like. The system comprises a base with a hinged lid. A plenum chamber is formed either in the base or the lid. When formed in the lid, the plenum chamber is configured to receive a positive pressure from a pneumatic pump. When formed in the base, the plenum chamber is configured to receive a negative pressure from a pneumatic pump. The base has an elevated table, from which an array of posts project. A semipermeable layer is placed on the truncated tips of the posts, and a microfluidic plate is set over the semipermeable layer. The lid is then closed to apply compression against the sandwiched plate and semipermeable layer. The pump is activated to establish a differential pressure through the plenum chamber, however the semipermeable layer provides pneumatic resistance to air flowing through the microfluidic channel(s) in the plate.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors for the detection of select analytes are provided. The electrochemical sensors include a barrier layer having a substantially uniformed thickness disposed between a sensing layer and an ion exchange membrane. The barrier layer includes a two-dimensional nanomaterial. The barrier layer has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 nm. The sensing layer has a thickness of less than or equal to about 10 nm. The sensing layer generates ions in response to select analytes. The barrier layer allows the generation ions to pass therethrough and travel into the ion exchange membrane. The barrier layer acts as a physical barrier to contaminants and larger molecules.