Abstract: A bathwater circulating system has a pump operable to draw fluid in at an intake port and expel it under pressure at an output port. Water- and air-supply conduits feed water and air to the intake port at a rate determined by a flow-restricting air-intake valve so that the pump mixes the water and the air, pressurizes the mixture and thereby dissolves the air in the water, and expels the air/water mixture at the output port. A pressure-reducing valve is connected by an output conduit that extends from the output port to the pressure relief valve and conducts the water/air-bubble mixture from the pump to the pressure-reducing valve without separation of the air from the water and such that the mixture is at least partially depressurized at the pressure-reducing valve such that the air forms microbubbles in the water.

Abstract: Molecular sieve beads, such as zeolite, used to adsorb and release gas for carbonating a beverage are coated with fumed and/or precipitated silica. Such coating may reduce dust otherwise produced by the beads without inhibiting the beads' ability to adsorb and release gas.

Abstract: In a method of carbonating a beverage using a carbon dioxide diffusing stone, temperature is measured in a flow of that beverage immediately before the flow changes from laminar to effervescent, thereby obtaining a true temperature at which carbon dioxide is diffused into the beverage. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable controller having connectors joinable to a gas pressure regulator of a gas cylinder and to any one of several beverage carbonation containers. The portable controller has instruments therein for controlling a flow of carbon dioxide gas to the beverage in any one of the containers and for controlling a pressure gradient of the carbon dioxide gas in the beverage over a period of time. There is also provided an elongated carbon dioxide diffusing stone assembly having an elongated temperature probe well extending parallel to and immediately below a diffusing stone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emulsification device for continuously producing emulsions, nano-emulsions, and/or dispersions having a liquid crystalline structure, comprising a) at least one mixing system, b) at least one drive for the stirring element, and c) at least one delivery unit for each component or each component mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a static mixer for mixing together at least two components. The static mixer comprises a mixer housing; a mixing element having an upstream end with at least two entry openings and a downstream end, the mixing element being arranged at least partly within the mixer housing; a mixing head having at least two inlets provided at an input side and at least two outlets provided at an output surface, wherein each of the at least two inlets is in fluid communication with one of the at least two outlets; and a separating wall disposed between the output surface and the upstream end of the mixing element for separating the components leaving the outlets. The separating wall comprises a free downstream edge which is disposed with respect to at least one of the entry openings so as to allow at least partial flows of the components separated by the separating wall to combine after exceeding the downstream edge and to jointly enter said at least one of the entry openings.

Abstract: A valve for a plumbing system has a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a valve body movable in the housing between a throttle position with a decreased a flow cross section and reduced flow between the inlet and outlet and an open position with a large flow cross section and free flow between the inlet and outlet. Structure in the valve body applies hydraulic pressure from the inlet or outlet to the valve body to shift same into the throttle position when a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet exceeds a specified value and into the open position in the absence of a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A control panel for a blender assembly is shown and described. The control panel may include a body integrated with controls. The body may also be integrated with circuitry, such as a printed circuit board. The controls may interact with the printed circuit board to control operation of the blender assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a carbonated water producing apparatus which guides a replacement of a cylinder using sound generated when carbon dioxide is supplied from the cylinder, and a refrigerator having the same.

Abstract: A reactor for preparing granular polysilicon by deposition of polycrystalline silicon on silicon seed particles has a reaction vessel, an inner reactor tube for a fluidized bed comprising granular polysilicon and a reactor bottom within the reactor vessel, a heating device for heating the fluidized bed in the inner reactor tube, at least one bottom gas nozzle for introduction of fluidizing gas and at least one reaction gas nozzle for introduction of reaction gas, a feed device to introduce silicon seed particles, an offtake line for granular polysilicon, and a device for discharging reactor offgas from the reactor vessel, and has a cylindrical component which has openings on its cylindrical surface, with at least 5% and not more than 95% of the cylindrical surface being open located between the inner reactor tube and the heating device.

Abstract: A reactor comprises an outer sidewall and a bottom wall enclosing a hollow chamber comprising a lower fluidized bed zone and an upper freeboard zone. A plurality of inlets is provided for injecting at least one fluidizing medium into the fluidized bed zone and creating a swirling flow. At least one feed inlet communicates with the fluidized bed zone; and at least one product outlet is provided for removing a product from the chamber, the outlet(s) communicating with either the fluidized bed zone or the freeboard zone. The reactor has at least one internal barrier located inside the hollow chamber, and at least partly located in the fluidized bed zone. The internal barrier(s) have at least one opening within the fluidized bed zone, such as an underflow opening, to permit internal recirculation of material from the product zone to the feed zone, thereby simplifying reactor structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for assessing a synthetic peptide population including interrogating a population of peptide features in the presence of a receptor having an affinity for a binder sequence. The population of peptide features is synthesized over a plurality of synthesis periods and includes a plurality of control peptide features synthesized to have an amino acid sequence including the binder sequence. The control peptide features include a first feature synthesized beginning with a first one of the synthesis periods, and a second feature synthesized beginning after the first one of the synthesis periods such that synthesis of the second control peptide feature is delayed by at least one synthesis period. The method further includes detecting a signal output characteristic of an interaction of the receptor with the control peptide features, the signal output indicative of the fidelity of synthesis of the population of peptide features.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for long fragment read sequencing. The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for preparing long fragments of genomic DNA, for processing genomic DNA for long fragment read sequencing methods, as well as software and algorithms for processing and analyzing sequence data.

Abstract: A mixer and a reactor including the same are provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the mixer includes a first piping part into which a first fluid flows, an elbow piping part having an inlet connected to the first piping part and an outlet provided at a location rotated by a predetermined angle from the inlet in a flow direction of the first fluid to have a curved flow path, and a second piping part connected to the elbow piping part to have a central axis perpendicular to a central axis of the first piping part so that a second fluid flows in a tangential direction of the elbow piping part when the second fluid flows into the elbow piping part.

Abstract: A reaction chamber contains catalytic material(s). Tunable microwave source(s) each emit microwave radiation at corresponding time-varying microwave frequency(ies) or at simultaneous multiple different microwave frequencies. Microwave transmission element(s) irradiate the interior volume of the reaction chamber with the microwave radiation, emitted by the microwave source(s), that propagates along the transmission element(s) into the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is characterized by a maximum temperature variation of a fixed-frequency, steady-state temperature spatial profile that results from irradiation of the reaction chamber by microwave radiation at a substantially fixed microwave frequency and at a reference microwave power level.

Abstract: A process for the chemical conversion of a reactive feedstock mixture is provided, the process comprising providing an annular reaction chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end; charging to the annular reaction chamber a reactive feedstock to be converted; detonating the reactive feedstock mixture; allowing a detonation wave to propagate around the annular reaction chamber; introducing into the inlet end of the annular reaction chamber the reactive feedstock to maintain propagation of the detonation wave around the annular reaction chamber; allowing components within the reaction chamber to move from the inlet end towards the outlet end; and recovering from the outlet end of the annular reaction chamber the products of chemical conversion of the feedstock by the action of the detonation wave. An apparatus for the conversion of a reactive feedstock is also provided.

Abstract: Hygroscopic particles including a crosslinked polymer containing 6.0 to 12.0 meq/g of carboxyl groups and 0.1 to 2.0 meq/g of sulfonic acid groups and/or sulfonate groups, 80% or more of the carboxyl groups being neutralized to a potassium salt.

Abstract: Direct polymerization of lipid monomers or polymer scaffolding of non-lipid monomers coupled with irradiation or redox polymerization performed at neutral pH resulted in stabilized lipid assemblies. An initiator-buffer component and NaHS03 redox mixture polymerizes reactive lipid monomers at near neutral pH conditions to preserve functionality of reconstituted membrane proteins. Improved stability of black lipid membranes (BLMs) is attained by chemical cross-linking of polymerizable, hydrophobic and commercially available non-lipid monomers partitioned into the suspended lipid membranes, and by suspending the BLMs across low surface energy apertures. Substrate apertures having low surface energy modifiers with amphiphobic properties facilitated a reproducible formation of BLMs by promoting interactions between the lipid tail and the substrate material.

Abstract: Shaped porous carbon products and processes for preparing these products are provided. The shaped porous carbon products can be used, for example, as catalyst supports and adsorbents. Catalyst compositions including these shaped porous carbon products, processes of preparing the catalyst compositions, and various processes of using the shaped porous carbon products and catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An optical member related to the present application includes a metal substrate or inorganic carbon substrate having a rough surface on at least a part, and the metal substrate or inorganic carbon substrate does not melt at a growth temperature of a carbon nanostructure, an inorganic material layer containing inorganic fine particles comprised from a metal oxide and the inorganic material layer being formed on the rough surface of the metal substrate or the inorganic carbon substrate; a catalyst metal fine particle layer supported on the inorganic material layer; and a carbon nanostructure formed on the catalyst metal fine particle layer. The material of the metal substrate may be a metal selected from a group comprising of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au and Ag or an alloy of these as a main component, an isotropic graphite or glassy carbon.

Abstract: The exhaust gas purification catalyst carrier of the invention includes a modified aluminum borate which contains aluminum borate and at least one addition element selected from the group consisting of a rare earth element and an alkaline earth metal and which has an electronegativity of 2.732 or lower.

Abstract: Disclosed are a complex oxide catalyst for dehydrogenation, a method of preparing the same, and use thereof, wherein the catalyst includes a first transition metal selected from the group consisting of gallium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc, a hydrogen-activating metal including at least one selected from the group consisting of Groups 8, 9, 10, and 11 elements in a periodic table, and alumina, the amount of the first transition metal being 0.1 wt % to 20 wt %, the amount of the hydrogen-activating metal being 0.01 wt % to 2 wt %, based on the amount of the alumina, the first transition metal being loaded on the alumina, and the hydrogen-activating metal being surrounded by the alumina.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous metal-containing carbon-based material that is stable at high temperatures under aqueous conditions. The porous metal-containing carbon-based materials are particularly useful in catalytic applications. Also provided, are methods for making and using porous shaped metal-carbon products prepared from these materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns a catalyst comprising a calcined oxide matrix which is mainly alumina and an active phase comprising nickel, said active phase being at least partially co-mixed within said calcined oxide matrix which is mainly alumina, the nickel content being in the range 5% to 65% by weight of said element with respect to the total mass of catalyst, said active phase not comprising metal from group VIB, the nickel particles having a diameter of less than 15 nm, said catalyst having a median mesopore diameter in the range 8 nm to 25 nm, a median macropore diameter of more than 300 nm, a mesopore volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, of 0.30 mL/g or more and a total pore volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, of 0.34 mL/g or more. The invention also concerns the process for the preparation of said catalyst, and its use in a hydrogenation process.

Abstract: A nickel-supported catalyst for combined steam and carbon dioxide reforming, as a catalyst which is used in a process of preparing a synthesis gas by combined steam and carbon dioxide reforming with natural gas, is provided. More particularly, in the nickel-supported catalyst, nickel is supported as an active metal on a lanthanum oxide support.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sulfur tolerant carbon monoxide shift conversion catalyst, prepared by the following materials: magnesium source, aluminum source, oxide flux, crystal growth agent, rare earth additive, CoO, MoO3 and an acidic aqueous solution. A preparation method of the catalyst is provided, comprising the steps of: S1, Adding an aqueous acidic solution and a specific amount of rare earth additive to a specific amount of magnesium source, aluminum source, oxide flux and crystal growth agent, followed by kneading to produce a mixture; S2, Extruding the mixture to obtain an extruded strip product; S3, Drying the extruded strip product to give a semi-finished product; S4, Calcining the semi-finished product to obtain a catalyst carrier; S5, Impregnating the catalyst carrier with the active components CoO and MoO3 by an incipient-wetness impregnation method to obtain an impregnated product; and S6, Calcining the impregnated product to obtain the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide catalysts, and methods for their use, that includes a bulk metal oxide catalyst composed of at least two metals and nesosilicate. The catalyst is capable of catalyzing the carbon dioxide reforming of methane to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of a catalyst containing: a mainly aluminium oxide calcined support; a hydro-dehydrogenating active phase containing at least one metal of group VIB, the process including: a) a first precipitation step of at least one basic precursor and at least one acidic precursor, b) a heating step, c) a second precipitation step by addition to the suspension of at least one basic precursor and at least one acidic precursor, d) a filtration step; e) a drying step, f) a moulding step, g) a heat treatment step; h) an impregnation step of the hydro-dehydrogenating active phase on the support obtained in the step g).

Abstract: A hydroconversion catalyst with a bimodal pore structure: an oxide matrix predominantly of calcined aluminium; a hydro-dehydrogenative active phase of at least one group VIII metal being at least partly commixed within the said oxide matrix mainly made up of calcined aluminium, an SBET specific surface greater than 100 m2/g, a mesoporous median diameter in volume between 12 and 25 nm inclusive, a macroporous median diameter in volume between 250 and 1500 nm inclusive, a mesoporous volume as measured by mercury intrusion porosimeter greater than or equal to 0.55 ml/g and a total measured pore volume by mercury porosimetry greater than or equal to 0.70 ml/g; a method for preparing a residue catalyst for hydroconversion/hydroprocessing by commixing the active phase with a particular alumina, the use of the catalyst in hydroproces sing, including hydroproces sing heavy feeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use, in a method for in-situ activation of at least one hydrotreating, in particular hydrocracking, catalyst, of at least one nitrogen compound having at least one of the following characteristics: a) a nitrogen content by weight in the range from 15 to 35 wt %, relative to the total weight of the nitrogen compound; b) a number of nitrogen atoms in the range from 2 to 20; c) a boiling point in the range from 140° C. to 300° C.; and d) said nitrogen compound being in liquid form at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The present invention also relates to the method for in-situ activation of at least one hydrotreating catalyst comprising at least one step of sulphiding said hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of a sulphiding agent, and a step of passivation of said hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of said at least one nitrogen compound.

Abstract: A palladium(II) complex of formula (1) or a palladium(II) complex of formula (3). Also, processes for the preparation of the complexes, and their use in carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom coupling reactions.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of separating a biomolecule from at least one other component in a liquid, comprising a step of contacting said liquid with a separation matrix comprising a solid support and polymer chains bound to said solid support. The polymer chains comprise units derived from a first monomer of structure CH2?CH-L-X, where L is a covalent bond or an alkyl ether or hydroxysubstituted alkyl ether chain comprising 2-6 carbon atoms, and X is a sulfonate or phosphonate group.

Abstract: An improved filter mounting mechanism for laboratory work cabinets, especially biological safety cabinets, enables simple and quick removal and replacement of a filter supported in the cabinet housing between a work chamber and a filtration chamber. The filter mounting mechanism comprises a stationary filter support surface between the work chamber and the filtration chamber, and a filter clamping surface movable toward and away from the filter support surface between a clamping position relatively proximal to the filter support surface for holding the filter in an operational disposition against the filter support surface and an installation position relatively distal to the filter support surface for permitting insertion and removal of the filter between the filter support and clamping surfaces. An extensible and retractable linkage mechanism, e.g.

Abstract: A pipetting device (2) for removing fluid from a sample vessel (52) includes a pipetting needle (4) and an auxiliary cannula (18) for piercing a septum, designed to guide the pipetting needle axially through the auxiliary cannula. The pipetting device has a guide arm (6), on the lower end (10) of which is arranged an end plate (12) that is axially displaceable along the guide arm against a resilient resistance. A centering device (14) inserts into the end plate of the guide arm, and at least three centering fingers (26) with conical bevels (34) are constructed on the radial outside of the centering device, distributed around the circumference thereof, and forming a holding-down device for the sample vessel. The disclosed construction makes possible to reliably pierce the septum of a sample vessel and to easily pull the pipetting needle out of the septum again even with thin pipetting needles.

Abstract: A pipette comprising a cylinder with a piston movable inside the cylinder for aspiring and dispensing liquid, and a handle portion for gripping the pipette, wherein the pipette further comprises an imaging device element for obtaining images that assist the use of the pipette.

Abstract: A fluidic sample test apparatus has a mounting part such that the temperature of a fluidic sample, which is inserted into the mounting part, is uniformly maintained. The fluidic sample test apparatus includes a main body having a mounting part into which a sample cartridge is inserted, a metal panel disposed on one surface of the mounting part, and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed on another surface of the mounting part facing the one surface. One side of the metal panel is in contact with the PCB.

Abstract: Filtration apparatuses, kits, and methods for rapid isolation of intact, viable mitochondria from tissues are described with mitochondria isolated by differential filtration through nylon mesh filters. Mitochondria can be isolated in less than 30 minutes using the filtration apparatuses, kits, and methods described.

Abstract: A splittable fluid sample collector for dividing a fluid sample into two or more portions, includes at least first and second fluid collector portions detachably connected to one another, each of the fluid collector portions including a handle and an absorbent sample pad affixed to an end of the handle. Further, a fluid sampling apparatus includes the aforementioned splittable fluid sample collector, at least one container and a closure for the container. Still further, a method for splitting a fluid sample including providing the aforementioned splittable fluid sample collector, collecting a fluid sample with the absorbent sample pads of the splittable fluid sample collector and splitting the first and second fluid collector portions of the splittable fluid sample collector from one another.

Abstract: A membrane-based device for multi-step assays including one or more reagents pre-dried on the device, and one or more one fluid storage zones intended to enable the automated sequential delivery of the reagents to a test zone from addition of a fluid to the device. Addition of the fluid to the device may include a single addition of the fluid to the device. The fluid storage zones may fill with the fluid when the fluid with a sample is added to the device, and then the fluid may be released to the device at a later time. In some cases, the fluid from the sample zone is wicked into both the test zone and the fluid storage zones. Preferably, the device includes multiple layers. At least one porous membrane may be disposed between at least two of the layers. Also, associated methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip comprising a microchannel fillable with a liquid, the microchannel comprises a pair of electrodes, and a liquid flow path defined between the electrodes, wherein each of the electrodes extends along the flow path and parallel to a direction of a liquid filling the microchannel, in operation, and an electrical circuitry connected to each of the electrodes and configured to continuously measure, via the electrodes, a capacitance of the electrodes being wet by a liquid continuously filling the flow path, as a function of time, in operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge (10) for processing of a liquid sample, for example for the detection of components in a sample of blood. The cartridge comprises a fluidic system with an intake port (12) leading via an intake capillary channel (13) to a storage chamber (14). Moreover, a feeding capillary channel (15) leads from the storage chamber (14) to a detection chamber (16). The design of the cartridge (10) is such that the intake capillary channel (13) that connects the intake port (12) to the storage chamber (14), has a capillary suction pressure sufficiently high to drive some sample from the intake port to the storage chamber without need of any additional pressure. Furthermore the cartridge a flow control element (18, 20) adapted to be externally controllable such that the sample can be drawn from the storage chamber (14) towards the processing chamber (16) without any active pumping.

Abstract: A fluidic device incorporating a substrate, at least one bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure, and a fluidic channel bound at least in part by the at least one BAW resonator structure. The fluidic device further includes at least one fluidic via defined through at least a portion of the substrate, thereby permitting fluidic connections and electrical connections to be provided on opposing upper and lower surfaces of the fluidic device. The at least one BAW resonator structure may include a piezoelectric material comprising a c-axis having an orientation distribution that is predominantly non-parallel to normal of a face of the substrate, and may be overlaid with a functionalization material (e.g., a specific binding material overlying a self-assembled monolayer) to enable detection of a target species in a sample supplied to the fluidic device.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, comprising: a top layer comprising a set of cartridge-aligning indentations, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of Detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a Detection chamber, comprises a turnabout portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

Abstract: A filter plate with a flexible modular design. The filter plate has removable and completely closable rows and columns of wells, as well as removable and completely closable single or groups of wells.

Abstract: A technique relates to a fluidic cell configured to hold a nanofluidic chip. A first plate is configured to hold the nanofluidic chip. A second plate is configured to fit on top of the first plate, such that the nanofluidic chip is held in place. The second plate has at least one first port and at least one second port. The second plate has an entrance hole configured to communicate with an inlet hole of the nanofluidic chip. The second port is angled above the first port, such that the first port and second port intersect to form a junction. The second port is formed to have a line-of-sight to the entrance hole, such that the second port is configured to receive input for extracting air trapped at a vicinity of the entrance hole.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: A technique relates to a fluidic cell configured to hold a nanofluidic chip. A first plate is configured to hold the nanofluidic chip. A second plate is configured to fit on top of the first plate, such that the nanofluidic chip is held in place. The second plate has at least one first port and at least one second port. The second plate has an entrance hole configured to communicate with an inlet hole of the nanofluidic chip. The second port is angled above the first port, such that the first port and second port intersect to form a junction. The second port is formed to have a line-of-sight to the entrance hole, such that the second port is configured to receive input for extracting air trapped at a vicinity of the entrance hole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses comprising, for example, a microfluidic channel device comprising a main body comprising a channel configured to provide for helical fluid motion of material within the channel; and a temperature control system that applies a temperature gradient to the channel. Methods of making and using the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of simultaneously levitating a droplet above a nominally rigid surface and controlling its position and motion in a direction along the nominally rigid surface generally for use in microfluidics.

Abstract: Complete nucleic acid library preparation devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include: a thermal chip module comprising multiple CLC reaction wells; one or more plate locations; a robotically controlled liquid handler configured to transfer liquid between the one or more plate locations and the thermal chip module; and a bulk reagent dispenser configured to access each CLC reaction well of the thermal chip module.

Abstract: A ferrule 10 is pressed by a pressing plate 35, and the ferrule 10 is thereby sandwiched and fixed between a ferrule receiving part 20 and ferrule pressing part 30. The pressing plate 35 is displaced by a displacing mechanism 350, whereby the pressing plate 35 is switched between a contacting state in which the pressing plate 35 is in contact with the ferrule 10 and a non-contacting state in which the pressing plate 35 is not in contact with the ferrule 10 and the ferrule 10 can pass thorough the inside of the ferrule pressing part 30. By displacement of the pressing plate 35 to the non-contacting state, the ferrule pressing part 30 can be extracted from the ferrule 10 side, and the ferrule pressing part 30 can therefore be removed from a column 2 in a state in which the ferrule 10 is attached in a swaged fashion.