Abstract: A chemical analysis apparatus comprises a motor, a holding disk that can be rotated by the motor, a plurality of examination cartridges arranged on the holding disk, a perforator that perforates the examination cartridges, a heating device, and a detection device. The examination cartridge comprises a substrate including a vessel and a flow channel, which are defined by recesses, and a cover that covers the vessel and the flow channel. A centrifugal force generated by rotation of the holding disk is made use of to move a solution from a vessel on an inner peripheral side relative to an axis of rotation to a vessel on an outer peripheral side relative to the axis of rotation through the flow channel.

Abstract: A cassette for preparing a sample is disclosed herein. The cassette includes a housing, which encloses the structures and the processes used to prepare the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure for a reagent container (7) with a screw-cap or lid (6), comprising a conical insert (4), reaching in the direction of the contents. The conical insert (4) is cut at least once, such that said insert may be bent apart in the lower region thereof and further comprises, for example, an annular step (3) in the middle region thereof. In the rest state the cone completely seals the reagent container. For the removal of liquid, a pipette with a release sleeve (2), in other words, a broadening (2) at a particular separation from the needle end (1), is introduced. The release sleeve contacts the step of the conical insert (3) and produces a separation of the divided walls of the cone. The pipette needle enters the container without making contact with the cone, in other words with the closure. As the pipette needle, complete with release sleeve (2), is withdrawn, the walls of the cone close back together, as the release sleeve (2) is no longer pressing on the step (3).

Abstract: In a micro chemical apparatus, guide walls as physical barriers are provided at a region where fluid A and fluid B as unmixed raw materials and a product are discharged so that, when the fluid A and the fluid B as raw materials are charged, only the portion in which the fluid A and the fluid B are mixed and allowed to react with each other by molecular diffusion of the raw materials is discharged. As a result, only the product is in the range between the two guide walls, and the product can be selectively taken out of the outlet.

Abstract: A device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples comprising a pump that comprises a cylindrical chamber, a piston movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive that engages the piston. The device further comprises a tip connected to the cylindrical chamber with a line, and a channel system that discharges into the cylindrical chamber for flushing or rinsing the latter. The device is characterized in that the piston entirely seals this cylindrical chamber from the channel system, if the piston is positioned in the cylindrical chamber in such a way that a free piston end comes to rest between the channel system and the line. Preferably, the cylindrical chamber is located in a cylinder block, which comprises two parts that are separated by and enclosing an intermediate channel system. The channel system most preferably is implemented as a coherent cavity. According to a first embodiment, the cylindrical chamber is implemented as a sleeve that is inserted in a boring located in a cylinder block.

Abstract: A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.

Abstract: A system including an inspection chip equipped with at least a pump connection having a flow path opening for interconnecting to a micro-pump, a flow path through which a fluid flows, and a fluid mixing section for joining and mixing two or more fluids, and including a system body equipped with at least a base body, a chip connection having a flow path opening for interconnecting to the inspection chip, a micro-pump unit in the base body including micro-pumps in substantially the same shape, a detection processor and a controller for controlling at least the functions of the micro-pump unit and the detection processor, and the joining amount ratio is adjusted to set the mixing ratio of two fluids to be joined in the fluid mixing section to be approximately m:n (not 1:1) by making the drive voltages of the micro-pumps substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterized by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction vessel, a reaction vessel liquid introducing device, a liquid introducing and reaction measuring device, and a liquid introducing device, and is directed to being able to perform temperature control of a liquid stored within the reaction vessel with a high accuracy and faithful responsiveness. The reaction vessel comprises: a storage chamber in which a liquid is storable, that has an opening part; a reaction chamber that is formed thinner or narrower than the storage chamber; and at least one flow passage that communicates between the storage chamber or the exterior and the reaction chamber. The reaction vessel is formed such that it is connectable to a liquid introducing section provided externally, and the liquid can be introduced into the reaction chamber by connecting to the liquid introducing section.

Abstract: A specimen holder (10) is proposed in order to create a capability for preparing, in a cutting device, in particular a microtome or ultramicrotome, a specimen that is to examined in an AFM. The specimen holder (10) is embodied in several parts. It comprises an insert (12) in which the specimen is secured. Also provided is a receiving ring (14) in which the insert (12) can be received. The insert together with the receiving ring (14) is mounted, in particular thread-joined, on a base element (16). As a result of the mounting of the receiving ring (14) on the base element (16), the insert together with the specimen is fixed in its position.

Abstract: Method for controlling the reaction temperature in a catalytic bed (24) of a reactor (1) in which a chemical reaction takes place in pseudo-isothermal conditions by means of at least one heat exchanger (12), crossed by a respective operating fluid, immersed in the catalytic bed (24).

Abstract: In a reaction apparatus of the chlorosilanes for heating a reaction portion that is a section from the bottom end portion to a specified height in the carbon reaction vessel and that has an inside face to which silicon has deposited, and for reacting the chlorosilanes by making the chlorosilanes and hydrogen to come into contact with the inside face of the reaction portion, a gas penetration preventing processing for preventing the chlorosilanes supplied to the reaction vessel from penetrating a pipe wall of the non reaction portion in the reaction vessel is carried out to the inside face and/or the outside face of the non reaction portion on the side upper than the reaction portion in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A fluid bed apparatus module (1) comprises an outer wall enclosing a processing chamber (9) and has a lower flange connection (4) and an upper flange connection (5), the lower flange connection being adapted to connection with a flange connection (14) of a supply of fluidising gas, and the upper flange connection being adapted to connection with a flange connection (17) of a filter chamber (18) for gas discharge. At least one partition element (6) is arranged in the processing chamber, so that at least one elongated channel is formed in the processing chamber, thereby defining a plug-flow area, and at least one substantially continuous product inlet (10) and at least one substantially continuous product outlet (11) are arranged in the module. Furthermore, a method comprises changing a first module for a second module in a fluid bed apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing nitrate granules including a first fluidized bed which is supplied with air that has been conditioned to a relative humidity of less than 30% at 40° C. and heated to a temperature of 40° C. to 100° C. One or more spray nozzles are provided for spraying a nitrate melt into the first fluidized bed to form nitrate granules. The apparatus also includes a second fluidized bed which is in direct communication with the first fluidized bed. Nitrate granules formed in the first fluidized bed flow directly to the second fluidized bed where they are cooled to a temperature of less than 60° C. The nitrate granules produced by the apparatus and process of the invention are spherical in shape, hard and dry and do not break down easily during handling.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for combusting dry gas to heat the air fed to an FCC regenerator to increase its temperature and minimize production of undesirable combustion products. Preferably, the dry gas is a selected FCC product gas. Alternatively or additionally, dry gas from an FCC product stream is separated and delivered to an expander to recover power before combustion.

Abstract: In the plasma reaction vessel (1) of the invention, two or more laminate-structures (6) having ceramic formed bodies (3, 4) in which a plasma generating electrode (2) capable of generating plasma is formed in two-tape-form, and an electrically continuous film-like electrically conductive electrode (5) held between the two ceramic formed bodies (3, 4) are formed in such a manner as to form a plasma generating space (7) containing mutual laminate planes therein. Of the electrically conductive electrodes (5), adjacent ones are capable of having electric discharge produced therebetween so as to generate the plasma in the plasma generating space (7) and of generating uniform stabilized plasma at low electric power, it being possible to reduce a passage resistance to a gas passing therein.

Abstract: A plasma generating electrode 1 of the present invention includes two or more electrodes 2 disposed to face each other, and holding members 3 for holding electrodes 2 at a predetermined interval, and can generate plasma by applying voltage between electrodes 2. At least one of electrodes facing each other 2 has a plate-shaped ceramic body 6 serving as a dielectric body, and a conductive film 7 disposed inside the body 6, and the holding members 3 fix the opposite side end portions 5 (fixed end portions 5a) of electrodes facing each other 2 in the state of a cantilever in such a condition that electrodes 2 are held by holding members in the state of cantilevers of the different directions alternately at a predetermined interval as a whole. This relaxes the thermal stress and effectively prevents distortion and breakage of electrodes caused by to a temperature change.

Abstract: A plasma reactor is provided with two or more plasma generating electrodes which are installed in series inside a gas passage in a casing, with each plasma generating electrode being electrically controlled independently. The surface area of the conductor on each unit electrode forming the plasma generating electrode installed on the upstream side of the gas passage is smaller than the surface area of the conductor on the unit electrode forming the plasma generating electrode installed on the downstream side of the gas passage. Plasma can be generated between each of the unit electrodes by supplying each of the plasma generating electrodes with independently controlled electric power. The plasma reactor can efficiently react specific components contained in the gas passing through the gas passage.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include an aromatic production apparatus. The aromatic production apparatus can include a first fractionation zone, a second fractionation zone, and a third fractionation zone. Generally, the first fractionation zone can provide a stream rich in an aromatic C8? and a stream rich in an aromatic C9, the second fractionation zone can separate at least one of benzene and optionally toluene from a transalkylation zone effluent and provide a feed to the first fractionation zone, and the third fractionation zone can receive the stream rich in the aromatic C8? from the first fractionation zone. An effluent from the third fractionation zone can be directly comprised in a para-xylene-separation zone feed to a para-xylene-separation zone.

Abstract: Pseudo-isothermal chemical reactor for heterogeneous chemical reactions comprising a substantially cylindrical shell closed at the opposite ends by respective bottoms, upper and lower, a reaction zone containing at least one catalytic bed and at least one tubular heat exchanger, intended to be crossed, along a predetermined direction, by an operating heat exchange fluid and embedded in said catalytic bed.

Abstract: An onboard hydrogen storage unit for a hydrogen powered vehicle including one or more hydrogen storage vessels at least partially filled with a hydrogen storage material which stores hydrogen in metal hydride form. During operation of the hydrogen powered vehicle heat is provided to the hydrogen storage material within the one or more hydrogen storage vessels to aid in desorption of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage material. During hydrogen refueling, heat of hydride formation is removed from the hydrogen storage material within the one or more hydrogen storage vessels to aid in absorption of hydrogen into the hydrogen storage material. The heat of hydride formation is removed from the one or more hydrogen storage vessels via a heat transfer fluid circulated and/or cooled by a stream of compressed air.

Abstract: A plate-shaped heat exchanger (20, 120) for a heat exchange unit (40) of a chemical reactor (60), that advantageously presents a thermal insulation obtained in an unusually simple and reliable manner, has a substantially flattened box-like structure (22), with a substantially parallelepiped, rectangular configuration, defining an internal chamber (24), and comprises an inlet connection (28) and an outlet connection (29) of a heat exchange operating fluid into and from said chamber (24), and a distributor pipe (10, 110) of said operating fluid inside said chamber (24), extended in said structure (22) at a long side (22a) of it, said distributor pipe (10, 110) comprising a first tube (30, 130) and a second tube (32, 132), positioned one inside the other, between said tubes, respectively external tube (30) and internal tube (32, 132), an interspace (30a) being defined in fluid communication, on one side, with said chamber (24) through a plurality of openings (26) provided in the external tube (30, 130) of said d

Abstract: A child care storage having a steam sterilizing apparatus, wherein the steam sterilizing apparatus includes an outer tub defined by walls of a steam sterilizing compartment; a hollow upstanding coupling member installed on the center bottom of the outer tub and having an interlocking hole formed at its top; an inner tub inserted inside the outer tub for accommodating infant accessories therein, the inner tub having a reception hole formed at its bottom center and a latch part formed along the circumference of its bottom center; an evaporation vessel having a flange along its circumference, the flange being coupled to the latch part of the inner tub; a flat-type heater installed under a rear bottom surface of the evaporation vessel; and a supporting plate for placing the flat-type heater thereon.

Abstract: A catalyst conduit for a catalytic reactor of a turbine combustor, the conduit comprising a tube including an inlet and an outlet, and a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube contains a variation in its cross sectional area along at least a portion of its length to change a property of a fluid flowing adjacent the wall of the tube. An oxidation catalyst is deposited on at least a portion of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of extracting cobalt and other impurity metals from a concentrated nickel sulphate solution by a solvent extraction process whereby a cationic solvent extractant is separately pre-equilibrated with a portion of a purified nickel sulphate solution in such a manner that it is loaded with nickel without precipitating insoluble nickel double salts. The nickel loaded extracted is then transferred to an impure cobalt nickel solution where the cobalt and certain other impurity metals exchange with nickel leaving a purified concentrated nickel sulphate solution suitable for hydrogen reduction or electrowinning. The cobalt loaded extractant is stripped with dilute sulphuric acid before being recycled while an aqueous cobalt stripped solution is further processed to recover cobalt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a particle production method whereby spherical fine particles of a crystalline calcium phosphate-based compound can be efficiently produced at low cost, fine particles (especially, spherical particles) with good flowability produced by the particle production method, and a high-quality sintered body obtained by sintering a molded body of the particles.

Abstract: A method for removing soot particles from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, especially of a diesel engine, includes feeding the exhaust gas through a collecting element through which the exhaust gas can pass freely but which is provided with a plurality of deflections and/or zones of swirl and calming or stabilization. At least a proportion of the particles are held or swirled around in the collecting element until there is a sufficient probability of reaction with nitrogen dioxide and a majority of the collected particles have been removed. A collecting element has flow channels through which the exhaust gas can pass freely. However, the flow channels are configured in such a way as to form deflections or zones of swirl and calming or stabilization. A system having the collecting element is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removal by oxidation of the excess ammonia (NH3) gas (“ammonia slip”) resulting from flue gases that have been subjected to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) with ammonia. More specifically, the inventive method uses an ammonia oxidation catalyst consisting of a zeolite, one or more precious metals, and a base metal compound, to catalyze the oxidation of both ammonia and carbon monoxide (CO), while minimizing the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The present invention is useful in treating flue and exhaust gases.

Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive coating compositions containing a metal peroxide for producing clear colorless adhesive coatings on substrates, particularly micro particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment the nanoparticle coatings are chemically active and function at a high level of efficiency due to the high total surface area of the micro particulate substrate. Also disclosed are coated substrates and compositions having nanoparticles bound to a substrate by the coating compositions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of compacted granular potassium chloride with improved handling qualities. A binding ingredient such as sodium hexametaphosphate is blended with the potassium chloride feed material in advance of compaction. The product of this apparatus and method has improved handling, storage, strength and other qualities over compacted granular potassium produced using prior art methods.

Abstract: A process for purifying low-purity metallurgical grade silicon, contains at least one contaminant and obtains a higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon. The process includes containing a melt of low-purity metallurgical grade silicon in a mold having insulated bottom and side walls, and an open top; solidifying the melt by unidirectional solidification from the open top towards the bottom wall while electromagnetically stirring the melt; controlling a rate of the unidirectional solidification; stopping the unidirectional solidification when the melt has partially solidified to produce an ingot having an exterior shell including the higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon and a center including an impurity-enriched liquid silicon; and creating an opening in the exterior shell of the ingot to outflow the impurity-enriched liquid silicon and leave the exterior shell which has the higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of purifying silicon, methods for obtaining purified silicon, as well as methods for obtaining purified silicon crystals, purified granulized silicon and/or purified silicon ingots.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fibers of epitaxially grown single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and methods of making same. Such methods generally comprise the steps of: (a) providing a spun SWNT fiber; (b) cutting the fiber substantially perpendicular to the fiber axis to yield a cut fiber; (c) etching the cut fiber at its end with a plasma to yield an etched cut fiber; (d) depositing metal catalyst on the etched cut fiber end to form a continuous SWNT fiber precursor; and (e) introducing feedstock gases under SWNT growth conditions to grow the continuous SWNT fiber precursor into a continuous SWNT fiber.

Abstract: A method for separating carbon nanotubes comprises: providing a mixture of carbon nanotubes; introducing an organic molecule having an end group capable of being chelated by a metal ion to the mixture of carbon nanotubes to covalently bond the organic molecule to at least one of the mixture of carbon nanotubes; and introducing a metal salt to the mixture of carbon nanotubes to chelate the end group of the organic molecule with the metal ion of the metal salt; and centrifuging the mixture of carbon nanotubes to cause the separation of the carbon nanotubes based on a density differential of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Soluble chalcogenido clusters together with transition metal ions and main group elements are shown to provide gels having interconnected, open frameworks. Following supercritical drying with liquid carbon dioxide, the chalcogels may be converted to aerogels. The aerogels possess high internal surface areas with a broad pore size distribution that is dependent upon the precursors used and the aging conditions applied. Some of the gels are encompassed by formulas such as M4[M?4Qx]n, M4[M?2Qy]n, M4[M?Qx]n, M3[M?Qx]n, or Me2[M??Qx]n, where M is a divalent, trivalent, or tetravalent metal ion; M?, M?, and M?? are typically Ge, Sn, P, As, Sb, Mo, or W; and Q is typically S, Se, or Te. Methods of preparing the chalcogenido clusters are also provided.

Abstract: A process for treating a gas stream comprising H2S that includes the step of selectively oxidizing the H2S of the gas stream within a catalytic zone containing an oxidation catalyst and in the presence of an inert liquid medium and molecular oxygen to form elemental sulfur and a gas stream depleted of H2S. A liquid stream yielded from the catalytic zone and containing the inert liquid medium and liquid elemental sulfur undergoes a separation into a first liquid phase rich in the inert liquid medium and a second liquid phase rich in elemental sulfur. Either at least a part of the liquid stream or at least a part of the second liquid phase, or both, undergoes a combustion to form a fluid stream that comprises sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing powders of niobium suboxides or niobium, wherein the process comprising: mixing the niobium oxides as raw material with reducing agent, conducting a reaction at a temperature in the range of 600˜1300° C. in an atmosphere of vacuum or inert gas or hydrogen gas, leaching the reaction product to remove the residual reducing agent and the oxides of the reducing agent and other impurities, heat treating at a temperature of the range of 1000˜1600° C. in an atmosphere of vacuum or inert gas, and screening to obtain the powders of niobium suboxide or niobium of capacitor grade. According to the present invention, the niobium oxides were directly reduced into capacitor grade niobium suboxides or niobium with reducing agents which can be easily removed by mineral acids, wherein the speed of the reaction can be controlled and the reaction can directly reduce the niobium oxides into capacitor grade niobium suboxides or niobium powder.

Abstract: A method for reducing the interaction between carbon monoxide present in a heat exchange medium and metals on the shell side of heat exchange reformer apparatus used for reforming of hydrocarbons by treatment of the shell-side of said apparatus with an effective amount of at least one passivation compound containing at least one element selected from phosphorus, tin, antimony, arsenic, lead, bismuth, copper, germanium, silver or gold is described. Where volatile compounds are formed by the passivation compound, the method further comprises compound recovery to prevent contamination and deactivation of subsequent process steps. The method reduces side reactions, provides improved reformer tube lifetime and allows tubes to be treated in-situ without the need for process shutdown.

Abstract: A microbiological heap leaching simulation process wherein material, representative of ore in a heap, is microbiologically leached in a housing and the temperature of the material at a plurality of locations in the housing is monitored and controlled to reduce heat loss from the housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are agents that bind to soluble beta-amyloid. Also provided are in vivo and in vitro methods for detecting soluble beta-amyloid in a sample that may include brain tissue.

Abstract: Compounds useful for associating with nanoparticle or microparticle emulsions to obtain magnetic resonance images permit control of the relaxivity of the signal and readily associate with the particulate components.

Abstract: A method for rapidly detecting infectious conjunctivitis in a host is provided. The method includes contacting an ocular test sample with a chromogen (e.g., Reichardt's dye) that exhibits a color change in the presence of a microbe. The present inventors have discovered that the extent of the color change may vary depending on whether the microbe is a bacteria or virus. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the chromogen interacts with the peptidoglycan-based cell wall structure of bacteria to induce a color change that is even more apparent at infectious levels. It is believed that this interaction occurs to a much greater extent in bacteria than in viruses. Accordingly, although the chromogen may still undergo a color change in the presence of the viruses, it is typically to a much lesser extent.

Abstract: A chemical composition comprising a linker agent and a compound comprising at least one UV-absorbing chromophore, wherein the linker agent is characterized by the general formula: wherein X1 and X2 are the same or different, and at least one of X1 or X2 is a functional group that bonds with the compound comprising at least one UV-absorbing chromophore, and b+f?2, Y comprises an O, N, or S that is substituted or unsubstituted, each a, b, c, e and f is ?0 and a+b+c+e+f?2, d is 0 or 1, n1 and n2 represent the number of hydrogen atoms required to complete the undesignated valencies, and m ranges from 1 to about 100 and each individual m unit may be the same or different.

Abstract: A method for preventing the formation and/or for the removal of body odors, comprising priming the skin with a deodorant composition comprising an oil, for a period of time sufficient to allow binding of skin microorganisms and dissolution of odor into said composition, and thereafter washing off said composition with conventional detergents.

Abstract: A method of reducing hair growth includes topical application of a TRPM8 and/or a TRPA1 agonist, alone or in conjunction with heat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stabilized honey bee pheromone and methods of stabilizing the honey bee brood pheromone, thereby enabling the production and sustained use of commercial products based on that pheromone. The stabilized pheromone can be used to manipulate the behavior and improve the performance of worker honey bees, resulting in overall increased vigor of the hive. The pheromone composition comprises two or more of ethyl linoleate, ethyl linolenate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl stearate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, methyl oleate, methyl palmitate and methyl stearate and an antioxidant.

Abstract: Homogeneous preparations of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 have been produced by mutating one or more of the cysteine residues in the polynucleotide sequences encoding the mature proteins. The cysteine mutant proteins can be shown to either bind to their cognate receptor or exhibit biological activity. One type of biological activity that is shown is an antiviral activity.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of interferon-response disorders by administration of an interferon alone or in combination with adjunctive therapy are described. The invention encompasses providing to a patient both a formulation of an interferon that is suitable for short-term administration and a formulation of an interferon associated with a sustained release delivery system that is suitable for long-term administration. A principal advantage of the method is that responsiveness to treatment can be ascertained with short-term dosimetric techniques using one formulation of an interferon, which permits the appropriate selection of a dose that is both effective and safe for long-term administration using the second formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, comprising inhibitors and inhibiting IFN-?, together with compositions and methods for promoting the healing of chronic wounds, comprising stimulating and stimulators of IFN-?.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for prevention or treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury or multi-organ failure in an individual by administering to said individual an effective amount of an interferon beta.