Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of manganese, iron, cobalt, or nickel complexes containing tridentate pyridine di-imine ligands as hydrosilylation catalysts. These complexes are effective for efficiently catalyzing hydrosilylation reactions, as well as offering improved selectivity and yield over existing catalyst systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for regenerating a hydrogenation catalyst for a phthalate compound. More specifically, the present invention regenerates a hydrogenation catalyst for a phthalate compound by using an alcohol, and thereby provides a method for regenerating a hydrogenation catalyst for a phthalate compound that is capable of continuously hydrogenating a phthalate compound without replacing a catalyst in a catalytic reactor, and is also capable of improving operational stability and the lifetime of a catalyst and increasing economic efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting pipette head travel with respect to a ground surface, and for limiting insertion of a pipette into a tube, has a top surface including at least one aperture. Each aperture selectively and concurrently accepts a corresponding pipette head of a pipette device therethrough. A bottom surface extends substantially parallel to the top surface and selectively contacts the ground surface. A plurality of side surfaces extends transversely between the top and bottom surfaces. The side surfaces each have a predetermined height correlated with a desired minimum approach distance of each pipette head toward the ground surface. The top, bottom, and side surfaces collectively enclose and define a spacer volume, at least partially through which each pipette corresponding to a pipette head extends. Methods of limiting pipette head travel with respect to a ground surface, and of limiting insertion of a pipette into a tube, are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting a droplet.

Abstract: A single-use, consumable diagnostic cartridge and method of performing a diagnostic test are provided. The cartridge has a sample inlet opening, an inlet port, a sample receiving chamber, an analysis chamber and a fluid channel extending between the sample receiving chamber and analysis chamber. A rupturable blister contains a fluid for selective mixing with a sample selectively disposed in the sample receiving chamber. A valve member, having a sample through port and a fluid passage, is selectively moveable between closed and open states. In the closed state, the fluid passage is out of fluid communication with the sample, and the sample through port is registered with the sample inlet opening and the sample receiving chamber. In the open state, the fluid passage extends between the inlet port and the sample receiving chamber to allow fluid dispelled from the blister to transport the sample to the analysis chamber.

Abstract: A diagnostic cartridge and method of performing a diagnostic test are provided. The cartridge includes a body having a sample chamber for receipt of a sample, an analysis chamber, and a reagent-containing dispensing member. A valve member is coupled to the body for selective movement between first and second states. The valve member has a fluid passage with a hydroscopic, gas permeable vent. In the first state, the fluid passage is out of fluid communication with the sample chamber and is registered for fluid communication with the reagent-containing dispensing member. The vent prevents fluid from passing therethrough and allows air to vent therefrom as reagent flows into and fills the fluid passage. In the second state, the fluid passage remains in fluid communication with the reagent-containing dispensing member and is brought into fluid communication with the sample chamber to facilitate transporting the sample to the analysis chamber.

Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for preventing, reducing, controlling or delaying adhesion, adsorption, surface-mediated clot formation, or coagulation in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, blood (or other fluid with blood components) that contains anticoagulant is introduced into a microfluidic device comprising one or more additive channels containing one or more reagents that will re-activate the native coagulation cascade in the blood that makes contact with it “on-chip” before moving into the experimental region of the chip.

Abstract: In one aspect, optofluidic lasers are described herein. In some embodiments, an optofluidic laser described herein comprises a first liquid having a first refractive index, a second liquid having a second refractive index that is different than the first refractive index, and a liquid-liquid interface defined by the first and second liquids and disposed between the first and second liquids. Moreover, the first and second liquids are immiscible. Additionally, the optofluidic laser further comprises a layer of gain material disposed at the liquid-liquid interface between the first and second liquids.

Abstract: A microfluidic diagnostic device may comprise a fluid inlet to receive a fluid from a fluidic slot, a main microfluidic channel fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet, and a main microfluidic pump interposed between the fluid inlet and the main microfluidic channel to continuously circulate a fluid through the fluidic slot, fluid inlet, and main microfluidic channel wherein the width of the fluid inlet is different from the width of the main microfluidic channel. A diagnostic device, comprising a fluidic slot, a fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the fluidic slot, a main channel fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet, and an inlet pump interposed between the fluid inlet and channel wherein the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet is relatively larger at least one point than the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: A portable, disposable in-vitro diagnostic apparatus and method of performing a point-of-care in vitro-diagnostic test is provided. The method includes disposing a specimen to be analyzed in a disposable diagnostic apparatus. Then, channeling a first fluid through a first channel into a first chamber and causing an actuator member to expand upon contact with the fluid from a compressed, deactivated state to an expanded, activated state, thereby causing a second fluid to be pumped outwardly from the first chamber under bias of the actuator to a second chamber for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable device for performing a plurality of identical and simultaneous microfluidic experiments according to a set of consecutive steps. Another object of the invention is the machine which is adapted to act on the disposable device, allowing performance of the plurality of experiments. The particular configuration of the disposable device allows that different experiments require redesigning only one of the portions of the device, maintaining the remaining components without necessarily being modified.

Abstract: A device includes a microfluidic channel structure on a substrate with a first fluid actuator and a second fluid actuator within the microfluidic channel structure. One of the fluid actuators is selectively employable to at least partially reverse fluid flow within at least a portion of the microfluidic channel structure in response to a blockage or to prevent a blockage.

Abstract: A system may comprise a voltage upconverter, a universal serial bus (USB) connector to receive an input voltage from a USB port on a computing device, and a microfluidic diagnostic chip communication link to electrically couple the voltage upconverter to a microfluidic diagnostic chip wherein the voltage upconverter is to convert the input voltage to be received by the USB connector to an output voltage sufficient to drive a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip. A diagnostic system may comprise a microfluidic diagnostic chip comprising a pump and a voltage upconverter to receive an input voltage from a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device and to convert the input voltage into an output voltage that powers activation of the pump.

Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for preventing, reducing, controlling or delaying adhesion, adsorption, surface-mediated clot formation, or coagulation in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, blood (or other fluid with blood components) that contains anticoagulant is introduced into a microfluidic device comprising one or more additive channels containing one or more reagents that will re-activate the native coagulation cascade in the blood that makes contact with it “on-chip” before moving into the experimental region of the chip.

Abstract: A modular laboratory-style computer-controlled system for multistep chemical processing for use in laboratory automation or chemical production is disclosed. The system comprised a plurality of interconnectable electrically-powered controllable chemical process modules having chemical input and output ports and at least one communications interface. Interconnections among the chemical process modules include both chemical flow interconnections for the transport of chemical materials and network interconnections for the transport of communications signals. The controllable chemical process modules have distinct network addresses and are controlled by an algorithm executed by the data processor. In some implementations chemical flow interconnections are software controllable. In some implementations the system further comprises feedback control. In some implementations some chemical process modules comprise sensors responsive to sense physical quantities.

Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Abstract: An integrated fluidic module includes a fluid manifold, a valve stator, a valve rotor and a valve housing. The fluid manifold includes microchannels connected to a sample reaction unit, and fluid input channels connected to fluid sources. The valve stator includes at least one groove and plural through holes, at least one groove is connected with at least one of the plural through holes, and parts of the groove and through holes are communicated with the microchannels and the fluid input channels. The valve rotor includes at least one groove. The valve housing accommodates the valve rotor and the valve stator. When the valve rotor is rotated to different positions, at least one groove of the valve rotor is connected with at least one through hole or groove of the valve stator to provide at least one fluid path and enable fluids provided by the fluid sources to be directed to corresponding chambers of the sample reaction unit through the fluid path.

Abstract: A blister assembly comprises at least one collapsible blister adapted, as it is collapsed, to eject a liquid contained therein. The blister assembly comprises a first layer (130) having at least one blister chamber (150) and a second layer (131) sealed to the first layer at least around a periphery of the at least one blister chamber such that a liquid is contained between the first layer and the second layer. The seal between the first and second layers comprises a first planar portion having a first peel strength and a second planar portion having a second peel strength, wherein the first peel strength is greater than the second peel strength, such that when pressure is applied to the blister, the second portion of the seal breaks to release the liquid contained within the chamber into the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow controller comprising a substrate having formations defining two or more fluid channels having channel fluid ports which are open at an outer surface of the substrate; and a flexible layer having formations defining a fluid channel which, when the flexible layer is positioned over the substrate so as to cover at least the channel fluid ports, provides a fluid communication path between the channel fluid ports but which, when a force is applied to press the flexible layer towards the substrate, deforms so as to inhibit fluid communication between the channel fluid ports.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provides methods for isolation of fetal cells for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis, comprising: providing a maternal blood sample; applying the maternal blood sample to a filter integrated on a microfluidic device to thereby enrich the nucleated blood cells from the maternal blood sample; labeling the enriched nucleated blood cells, within the microfluidic device, with a fluorescent binding moiety or affinity molecule that specifically binds to a fetal cell-specific antigen or a non-fetal cell-specific antigen; and isolating the fetal cells. Embodiments disclosed herein provide integrated microfluidic devices for non-invasive isolation of fetal cells, comprising: a filter; a binding moiety or affinity molecule that specifically binds to a fetal cell-specific antigen or a non-fetal cell-specific antigen; and a microscopy-visualizable chamber.

Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by branched channels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). The chip comes in various types, including a bMA Chip T1, bMA Chip T2, bMA Chip T3, and an rMA Chip. The branched channel improvement provides for a greater distance between neighboring channels and a decreased density near the center well. Design improvements including an injection mold design for an insert and a base and a multiplex hole punch allow for rapid fabrication of the MA chip.

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for the generation of encapsulated reagents and the partitioning of encapsulated reagents for use in subsequent analyses and/or processing, such as in the field of biological analyses and characterization.

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for the generation of encapsulated reagents and the partitioning of encapsulated reagents for use in subsequent analyses and/or processing, such as in the field of biological analyses and characterization.

Abstract: A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween. First, second and third blister actuators are mounted on the upper clamp, for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.

Abstract: A cartridge reader controlled by processing means for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge comprises a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge. A system for actuating the mechanical valve comprises an actuation member configured to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position and an armature connected to the actuation member. The armature is configured to engage an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet can be switched between an active state in which it electromagnetically holds the armature and an inactive state in which it does not electromagnetically hold the armature. First biasing means are disposed between the actuation member and a bearing surface, wherein the first biasing means is configured to bias the actuation member into a first position in which it actuates a mechanical valve in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.

Abstract: A thermal cycler for analyzing a biological material is provided that provides excellent temperature control in biological material reaction cycles. A thermal cycler for biological material is provided, including a heating/cooling unit capable of heating and/or cooling a biological material reaction region, and a control unit that controls an output power of the heating/cooling unit, in which the control unit controls the output power of the heating/cooling unit on the basis of a rate of temperature change of the biological material reaction region.

Abstract: A bottle shredder is disclosed. The bottle shredder features a bottle holder, sized to receive a plastic bottle, a wire cutter and bottle support, both of which are located below the bottle holder. The bottle holder is attached to a linear slide, which is capable of moving the bottle holder directly above a shredding apparatus. The shredding apparatus contains at least one feed roller operatively connected to a first motor, a spur gear, a bearing block, featuring at least one bearing, and at least one shredding blade operatively connected to a second motor via the spur gear and bearing block. Below the shredding apparatus is a finished shreds chute, which collects the post-shredded bottle parts.

Abstract: A mill includes a generally vertical, rotatable shaft having at least one set of cutter blades driven thereby and a fan assembly mounted on the shaft below the cutter blades in position to receive output therefrom. The fan assembly includes a fan disc secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith. A plurality of fan blades is secured to the fan disc in a generally radial orientation. A terminal portion of the mill includes a gradually, radially expanding outer wall configured in a volute form. The expanded outer wall decreases wear and increases efficiency of discharge and airflow through the mill.

Abstract: An innovative compact high efficiency hydraulic particle separator is disclosed. Featured embodiments of the innovative separator comprise a cylindrical main body having an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a partition. A liquid fluid flow upwelling through the partition from the lower chamber is caused to mix with tangential jet of fluid flowing introduced above the partition in the upper chamber produces a spiral flow within the upper chamber and flows upward to the top of the apparatus. Particle mixtures containing low density and high specific gravity particles and other solids are introduced into the upper chamber are immediately contacted by the upward spiral flow, where low-density particles are immediately entrained in the spiral flow and separated from the high-density particles, swept upward and exit the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for filtering air includes: passing air through a prefilter disposed in a housing to remove at least a portion of particulates suspended in the air to thereby create prefiltered air; passing the prefiltered air by an ionizer disposed in the housing to ionize at least a portion of the particulates suspended in the air to thereby create ionized particulates in the prefiltered air, the ionizer downstream from the prefilter and upstream from the fan positioned to create an airflow within the housing; and prior to the prefiltered air exiting the housing with ionized particulates, causing the ionized particulates to pass through an electrostatically charged main filter disposed within the housing downstream from each of the ionizer and the fan.

Abstract: An electronic air filter containing a tubular collecting electrode and an ion emitting electrode located concentrically inside of the tube-like collecting electrode, the collecting electrode consists of outer electrically conductive shell and inner layer made of open cell porous material.

Abstract: An electronic air filter containing two separate parts: an inlet part and an outlet part; an ionizer located in the inlet part; a collector located in the outlet part; the inlet part is detachable from the outlet part. The inlet part is a door. The outlet part contains detachable set of collecting electrodes.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator is provided. The electrostatic precipitator includes an electrode part including a high voltage electrode with voltage applied thereto and a ground electrode coiled in a circumferential direction along with the high voltage electrode while being spaced apart from the high voltage electrode, and a plurality of turning flow paths inclined with respect to an axial direction of the electrode part between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A fuel and/or lubricant system for an engine can include an engine component configured to be in fluid communication with the fuel and/or lubricant, and an alternating current (AC) source electrically connected to the engine component to create an electric field of alternating polarity to subject particles within the fuel and/or lubricant to dielectrophoresis as the fuel and/or lubricant passes through the electric field to prevent deposits from forming on the engine component. In certain embodiments, the engine component can be a filter screen configured to filter the fuel and/or lubricant to subject particles within the fuel and/or lubricant to dielectrophoresis as the fuel and/or lubricant passes through the filter screen.

Abstract: A thimble assembly for a cyclone separator comprising a plurality of carrier brackets separately mountable on a shelf of the separator along the perimeter of a circular exhaust opening, a plurality of segments vertically successively suspended from the brackets, the segments of an upper row being joined to the brackets, the segments of each successive lower row being joined to the segments of a row immediately above, each bracket exclusively serving a chord of an arc concentric with the circular opening that is substantially the same in length as the chord of an arc that a segment spans, a center-to-center chordal spacing of adjacent brackets being the same as a center-to-center distance of an adjacent pair of segments.

Abstract: A hand held supersonic air knife with a supersonic variable flow nozzle yields a continuously variable power mass flow rate (CFM) and pressure over a selectable power range, responsive to rotations of the nozzle exterior sleeve or outer nozzle member. The maximum power position identified as one end position and a second end position as the lowest power. The exterior sleeve can be rotated to any axial or circumferential position between start (low) and end (high). The result will be an intermediate power position. Any intermediate position will also be a supersonic nozzle of varying parameters between the start and end positions. Thus, a variable flow supersonic nozzle is provided by the manual sleeve rotation by an operator or a remotely controlled positioning of the sleeve.

Abstract: A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in/hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.

Abstract: A hydrophobic finishing apparatus of a fabric is described. The hydrophobic finishing apparatus includes a first spray coating device, at least one first plasma device, a second spray coating device and at least one second plasma device. The first spray coating device is configured to spray a hydrophobic agent to a first side of the fabric. The first plasma device is disposed at the rear of the first spray coating device and is configured to perform a first plasma treatment on the first side of the fabric. The second spray coating device is disposed at the rear of the first plasma device and is configured to spray the hydrophobic agent to a second side of the fabric. The second plasma device is disposed at the rear of the second spray coating device and is configured to perform a second plasma treatment on the second side of the fabric.

Abstract: A piston pump with an improved arrangement by which a piston-forming element is movable relative to a piston chamber-forming element between locked and unlocked positions. The piston chamber-forming body has a collar member having an inner guide tube coaxially about an axis with a lug member extending radially inwardly therefrom and the piston-forming element has a slide tube coaxially radially inwardly of the collar member with the slide tube carrying motion control features for interaction and engagement with the lug member whereby relative axial and rotational movement of the piston-forming element relative to the piston chamber-forming body provides for the adoption of positions in which the pump is operable to dispense fluid and positions in which the pump is inoperative.

Abstract: Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus, and agricultural fluid application systems and methods including the same are described. The fluid flow monitoring apparatus generally includes a housing, a sensor assembly, and a traveler. The housing defines an interior cavity, and includes an inlet for fluid to enter the interior cavity and an outlet for fluid to exit the interior cavity. The sensor assembly is disposed in the interior cavity, and extends longitudinally in the direction of fluid flow. The traveler is movably supported by the sensor assembly such that fluid flow through the interior cavity causes the traveler to move longitudinally along the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly detects a longitudinal position of the traveler relative to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus, and agricultural fluid application systems and methods including the same are described. The fluid flow monitoring apparatus generally includes an outer housing defining a cavity. The outer housing includes an inlet for fluid to enter the cavity and an outlet for fluid to exit the cavity. Fluid flows through the cavity from the inlet to the outlet. The flow monitoring apparatus also includes an inner housing defining an interior cavity and positioned within the outer housing cavity such that fluid flows through the interior cavity. The inner housing is removably connected to the outer housing such that the inner housing is interchangeable with another inner housing having a different cross-sectional profile. The flow monitoring apparatus further includes a traveler movably disposed within the interior cavity.

Abstract: A device for repelling pests includes a housing, a positioning mechanism to move the housing, at least three range-finding elements affixed to the housing along a common plane to detect a presence of a pest (e.g., an animate pest such as an animal, or an inanimate pest such as a drone) by obtaining a signal indicative of a location of the pest relative to the device, a projectile launcher affixed to the housing to fire one or more projectiles therefrom, and a controller electronically coupled to the range-finding elements, the positioning mechanism, and the projectile launcher. The controller may be configured to move the housing using the positioning mechanism until a strength of the signal obtained from each of the range-finding elements is substantially equal thereby indicating that the projectile launcher is directed toward the location of the pest, and to fire projectiles from the projectile launcher toward the pest.

Abstract: In plan view, a magnet plate (10) has a first magnetic domain (11) and a second magnetic domain (12), a magnetic domain boundary line (14) is inclined to an opening side (26) and is bent or curved, and the magnet plate has magnetic fields that are generated in a respective plurality of different directions.

Abstract: Nozzles (200) are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a panel (100), in some embodiments the cut edge of a panel such as a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion (210) and an application head (230), wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall (240), and b) a curved finish wall (250) joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of greater than 92 degrees and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a curve radius which remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the length of the curved finish wall. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a trailing edge profile which is smoothly curved and a leading edge profile which is scalloped. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a panel are presented.

Abstract: Nozzles are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a partial cut in a panel, in some embodiments a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall, and b) a finish wall joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of 90 degrees or greater and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the finish wall has a trailing edge which has a curved profile wherein the curve radius remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the curve. In some embodiments, the finish wall has a leading edge which comprises a block wall which at least partially blocks movement of applied resin beyond the leading edge of the finish wall. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a partial cut in a panel are provided.

Abstract: An application system is provided and includes a primer device configured to apply a primer, a sealer unit configured to apply a sealer and a change tool selectively connected to the primer device and the sealer unit. The application system further includes a connecting portion that is coupled to the primer device and the sealer unit, respectively to be selectively connected to the change tool. Accordingly, maintenance and repair costs may be reduced, and the required installation space may be minimized.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imprint template manufacturing apparatus includes a stage, a supply head, a moving mechanism, and a controller. The stage supports a template that includes a base having a main surface, and a convex portion provided on the main surface and having an end surface on a side opposite to the main surface. A concavo-convex pattern to be pressed against a liquid material to be transferred is formed on the end surface. The supply head supplies a liquid-repellent material in a liquid form to the template on the stage. The moving mechanism moves the stage and the supply head relative to each other in a direction along the stage. The controller controls the supply head and the moving mechanism such that the supply head applies the liquid-repellent material to at least the side surface of the convex portion so as to avoid the concavo-convex pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration on a predetermined surface of a metallic container body. The decoration may be registered with decorations previously applied to the container body. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a screen print unit with a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body rotationally applies a predetermined type or color of ink or other coating, such as a varnish, to the cylindrical body. In one embodiment, the apparatus applies a varnish to a selected portion of the cylindrical body without applying the varnish to all of the cylindrical body. Additionally, the apparatus may also include a foiling unit that applies a label to the cylindrical body.