Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer including the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and a combination amine-reactive compounds to a surface of the porous support and reacting the constituents to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the amine-reactive compounds include: i) a polyfunctional amine-reactive monomer including two to three amine-reactive moieties selected from acyl halide, sulfonyl halide and anhydride, ii) a polyfunctional amine-reactive monomer including at least four amine-reactive moieties selected from acyl halide, sulfonyl halide and anhydride, and iii) an acid compound including at least on carboxylic acid moiety or salt thereof and at least one amine-reactive moiety selected from acyl halide and sulfonyl halide.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A flow device for an exhaust system includes a body that defines an interior cavity. An exhaust inlet passage is disposed in the interior cavity. An exhaust outlet passage is disposed in the interior cavity so that at least a portion of the exhaust inlet passage circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the exhaust outlet passage. A doser is adapted to inject reductants into the interior cavity of the body such that the reductants are injected in the same general direction as the direction of flow of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A stirring-processing apparatus and a processing method are provided to realize excellent processing of a fluid regardless of the properties of the fluid. The stirring-processing apparatus is provided with the stirring blade and the stirring chamber provided with the screen, wherein the apparatus performs, under a state in which the stirring chamber is disposed in a fluid to be processed, a process of applying a shear force to the fluid by a relative rotation between the screen and the stirring blade. The stirring chamber is provided with the suction opening to suck the fluid from outside to inside and the ejecting opening to eject the fluid from inside to outside; these openings being disposed above and below. The suppressing body to control a flow of the fluid is disposed between the suction opening and the ejecting opening.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalized into the microcapsules.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a material handling device to perform the tasks of mixing and dispensing a mixture of materials, either simultaneously or sequentially. The material handling device may comprise an enclosure, a mixing component, a dispensing orifice, a dispensing component, and a material storage region, wherein the mixing component is positioned within the material storage region and configured to mix, stir, agitate, loosen, grind, shred, or otherwise reposition a mixture of materials within the material storage region.

Abstract: A pouring shield for a stand mixer includes an upper collar for mounting to a mixer head of the stand mixer in a friction-fit manner without the need for clamps or other mounting accessories. The stand mixer is configured to receive a mixing bowl with an open top, and the pouring shield is configured to cover the open top of the mixing bowl at an upper rim of the mixing bowl using a seal member which is disposed around an outer perimeter of the pouring shield. The seal member is a flexibly resilient member configured to close the open top of the mixing bowl when the stand mixer is in a closed position, and includes a wide surface for accommodating mixing bowls of various sizes.

Abstract: The invention relates to equalizing and distributing vapor more evenly across the interior space of a reactor vessel utilizing an equalizing section and distributor section at the inlet end and a fixed valve tray at the bottom of the reactor to equalize and distribute the flow.

Abstract: A gas assisted spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body in the form of a hollow tubular member, such as a single cylindrical pipe section, which defines a mixing zone and a downstream barrel extension zone. A liquid inlet and an impingement pin are supported by the tubular member in opposed relation to each other at the mixing zone, and a pressurized gas inlet is provided at an upstream end of the tubular member. An annular dispersion ring is fixedly supported within the tubular member downstream of the impingement pin for defining an annular ledge for directing a peripheral portion of pressurized gas stream and liquid atomized in the mixing zone radially inwardly for facilitating continued intermixing of the liquid and pressurized gas stream as they proceed through the barrel zone for discharge from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combinatorial particle manipulation for producing high-density molecule arrays, and to the high-density molecule arrays obtained therefrom. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing high-density molecule arrays, in particular peptide or oligonucleotide arrays, by combinatorial patterning of particles, wherein the patterning is achieved by the selective and direct action of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to the synthesis of high fidelity polynucleotides and to the reduction of sequence errors generated during synthesis of nucleic acids on a solid support. Specifically, design of support-bound template oligonucleotides is disclosed. Assembly methods include cycles of annealing, stringent wash and extension of polynucleotides comprising a sequence region complementary to immobilized template oligonucleotides. The error free synthetic nucleic acids generated therefrom can be used for a variety of applications, including synthesis of biofuels and value-added pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing droplets of a monomer solution for production of poly(meth)acrylate into a reactor for droplet polymerization, comprising at least one channel or a dropletizer head, the channel or the dropletizer head being sealed at its base by a dropletizer plate, the dropletizer plate having holes through which the monomer solution is introduced into the reactor, and the dropletizer plate being configured such that holes that, in an axially symmetric dropletizer plate or in an annular dropletizer plate or in one configured as a ring segment, are not on a center line of the dropletizer plate or, in the case of a circular dropletizer plate, are not at the center of the dropletizer plate are aligned such that monomer solution is introduced through the holes into the reactor at an angle to the vertical, and the holes in the case of a radial alignment of axially symmetric dropletizer plates being aligned such that the angle at which the monomer solution is introduced into the reactor decreases in t

Abstract: An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.

Abstract: An integrated process simultaneously removes the diluent and reduces the TAN, resulting in cost savings from the diluent recovery and increasing the value of the produced heavy crude stream by removing the acids and other contaminants, while reducing the overall energy requirements when compared to performing the two processes separately.

Abstract: An adsorbent having a composition comprising at least 90% chabazite where the chabazite is a single phase chabazite having an Si/Al ratio of 1.2 to 1.8, the chabazite includes a mixture of at least two types of cations, and each of the at least two types of cations are in a molar ratio relative to Al of at least 0.05.

Abstract: A chromatographic stationary phase or solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent are sol-gel metal oxide particles comprising metal oxide network units with organic functionality bonded to the metal of the metal oxide and possess a higher performance or capacity than that of conventional ligand coated silica particles. The organic functionality is distributed throughout the metal oxide particle and wherein the mole percent of metals of the metal oxides with bonded organic functionality is in excess of nine mole percent of the particle. The particles are prepared from sol-gel processing employing an acid catalyst or an acid catalyst followed by a base catalyst to metal oxide precursors, at least nine mole percent of which have organic functionality. The particles are processed from a sol-gel condensation product into a size depending on the intended use.

Abstract: A metal-organic framework (MOF) structure comprising at least one metal ion and at least one multidentate organic ligand which is coordinately bonded to said metal ion, and a scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a selective adsorption process aimed at reducing the content of nitrogen organic compounds (NOC's) that is present in hydrotreating loads (HDT) for the production of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD below 15 ppm), which is carried out at ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, without hydrogen, using adsorbing materials with organic metal structure MIL-101-Cr-MX+ (MOF MIL-101-Cr-MX+), where MX+ can be any metal cation such as Mg2+, Al3+ or Ti4+. Likewise, the present invention considers the preparation of extrudates and the regeneration of the employed MOF adsorbent materials. In this sense, it is worth noting that the diesel HDT loads to which the present invention is referred to are hydrocarbon currents with distillation temperatures ranging from 150 to 400° C.

Abstract: A sol-gel sorbent or chromatography stationary phase is a particulate metal oxide gel containing polymeric segments uniformly distributed throughout the metal oxide gel. The metal oxide gel is an oxide from silicone or other metal oxide that can have one of the valence bonds attached to an organic group and the remainder occupied by oxygens that can be provided as an oxide or an alkoxide or aryl oxide of the polymeric segments. The particles are used for an SPE sorbent or as a packing for a reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), a normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC) column or a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column.

Abstract: A method and composition of matter for detecting and decontaminating hazardous chemicals, the composition of matter including: a magnetic material for any of chemisorbing, molecularly dissociating, or decomposing a hazardous chemical, wherein the magnetic material changes its magnetic moment upon any of chemisorption, decomposition, and molecular dissociation of the hazardous chemical and the change in magnetic moment is used to detect the presence of the hazardous chemical, and wherein the hazardous chemical includes any of toxic industrial chemicals, chemical warfare agents, and chemical warfare agent related compounds.

Abstract: A method and composition of matter for detecting and decontaminating hazardous chemicals, the composition of matter including: a magnetic material for any of chemisorbing, molecularly dissociating, or decomposing a hazardous chemical, wherein the magnetic material changes its magnetic moment upon any of chemisorption, decomposition, and molecular dissociation of the hazardous chemical and the change in magnetic moment is used to detect the presence of the hazardous chemical, and wherein the hazardous chemical includes any of toxic industrial chemicals, chemical warfare agents, and chemical warfare agent related compounds.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a chromatographic stationary phase material for various different modes of chromatography represented by Formula 1: [X](W)a(Q)b(T)c (Formula 1). X can be a high purity chromatographic core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, metal oxide core material, an inorganic-organic hybrid material or a group of block copolymers thereof. W can be absent and/or can include hydrogen and/or can include a hydroxyl on the surface of X. Q can be a functional group that minimizes retention variation over time (drift) under chromatographic conditions utilizing low water concentrations. T can include one or more hydrophilic, polar, ionizable, and/or charged functional groups that chromatographically interact with the analyte. Additionally, b and c can be positive numbers, with the ratio 0.05?(b/c)?100, and a?0.

Abstract: A material for reverse phase chromatography comprises surface modifying apolar and charged groups bound to a solid support, said charged groups being present in amounts of about 0.25 to about 22% of the surface modifying groups, or in amounts of about 0.01 ?mol/m2 to 0.8 ?mol/m2 referred to the surface of the solid support for a material with a total amount of surface modifying groups of 3.6 ?mol/m2. Such material and suitable purification conditions for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) like peptides can be evaluated by (a) determining the isoelectric point (pI) of the API of interest, (b) choosing a pH in a range where the solid phase material is stable, (c) determining the difference pI?pH and (d) if the difference pI?pH is positive, choosing an anion exchange (AIEX) material, or if the difference pI?pH is negative, choosing an cation exchange (CIEX) material.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a self-powered piezoelectric structure is provided which includes a base material that can be bent by an externally applied force, and a catalyst layer formed on the base material, wherein the catalyst layer is formed by using a mixture of a catalytic material, which can be activated when the energy is applied thereto from an outside, and a piezoelectric material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an exhaust gas purification catalyst having improved performance for purifying an exhaust gas, in particular, an exhaust gas containing NOx. The exhaust gas purification catalyst of the present disclosure includes Rh-supporting composite oxide support particles containing Al, Zr, and Ti and Rh-supporting aluminum phosphate-based support particles. Furthermore, in the exhaust gas purification catalyst of the present disclosure, the ratio of the moles of metals constituting the aluminum phosphate-based support particles, relative to the total moles of metals constituting the composite oxide support particles and the aluminum phosphate-based support particles is 7.5% or more and 15.0% or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bismuth molybdate-based composite oxide catalyst having a microporous zeolite coating layer on the surface thereof and thus having high selectivity for 1,3-butadiene, a method of preparing the same, and a method of preparing 1,3-butadiene using the same. The catalyst has a microporous zeolite coating layer, and thus enables only gaseous products (light) to selectively pass through the zeolite coating layer, improving selectivity for 1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxidation catalyst comprising at least one inorganic, oxidic or ceramic, shaped support body having a BET surface area of less than 0.5 m2/g, based on the support, which is at least partly coated with a catalytically active multielement oxide, the catalyst being precious metal-free and the shaped support body having the form of a saddle whose saddle surface is curved oppositely in the two principal directions, to a process for producing it, to its use in various catalytic gas phase oxidations, and to corresponding processes for catalytic gas phase oxidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytically active porous element and to a method of manufacturing same. The element is formed with at least 40% by mass cobalt and at least one further chemical element and/or at least one chemical compound which form a matrix into which particles of pure cobalt, of a cobalt alloy or of an intermetallic phase formed with cobalt are embedded. In this respect, the at least one chemical element and/or the at least one chemical compound have a lower sintering temperature and/or melting temperature than cobalt, the respective cobalt alloy or the intermetallic phase. Solely for this purpose or in addition thereto, cobalt can be partially soluble therein and/or can form a eutectic and/or a peritectic together with cobalt.

Abstract: The invention provides simple small molecule, non-heme iron catalyst systems with broad substrate scope that can predictably enhance or overturn a substrate's inherent reactivity preference for sp3-hybridized C—H bond oxidation. The invention also provides methods for selective aliphatic C—H bond oxidation. Furthermore, a structure-based catalyst reactivity model is disclosed that quantitatively correlates the innate physical properties of the substrate to the site-selectivities observed as a function of the catalyst. The catalyst systems can be used in combination with oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide to effect highly selective oxidations of unactivated sp3 C—H bonds over a broad range of substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the purification and disinfection of air and water. A photocatalytic element consists of sintered glass beads with a pore volume fraction from 20% to 40% and a pore size from 0.1 to 0.5 mm, the surface of which is coated with a titanium dioxide powder, having a specific surface area of 150-400 m2/g, at the rate of 0.5-2% relative to the total mass of the photocatalytic element. The surface of the glass beads has a relief shape with a relief depression of 0.5-10 ?m. The method for producing the photocatalytic element comprises sintering the glass beads at a temperature that is 5-20° C. higher than the glass softening temperature, modifying the bead surface with chemical etching agents, and coating the bead surface with the titanium dioxide powder from a water suspension at a pH of 2.9±0.1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoporous thin film and a method for fabricating the same. The nanoporous thin film fabricating method for fabricating a nanoporous thin film with a composite photocatalyst structure for a photodegradation and a water purification includes providing a porous substrate with a plurality of through-nanopores therein, each of which through-nanopores have an inner tube wall; forming an oxide-based photocatalyst layer over the porous substrate and the inner tube wall by using a first chemical-based deposition process; and forming a metal-based photocatalyst layer on a part of the oxide-based photocatalyst layer by using a second chemical-based deposition process.

Abstract: A method for producing a photocatalyst-carrying structure includes coating a carrier with a composition for forming an adhesive layer, followed by drying, to form the adhesive layer; and coating the adhesive layer with a composition for forming a photocatalyst layer. The composition for forming the adhesive layer is formed by mixing an aqueous silicone-modified resin, 2% by weight to 15% by weight of a deposition assistant, 10% by weight to 40% by weight of an organic solvent, and water. The aqueous silicone-modified resin is formed by emulsion polymerization of a monomer in the presence of an emulsifier in an aqueous medium, and by further modification with silicone using a compound having a silicone structure.

Abstract: There is provided a process of treating a heavy hydrocarbon-comprising material, comprising: contacting a feed material with at least a catalyst material within a contacting zone to effect generation of a total product such that a contacting zone material is disposed within the contacting zone and consists of the catalyst material and a feed/product-comprising mixture comprising the feed material and the total product, wherein the feed/product-comprising mixture includes a Conradson carbon residue content of at least 12 weight percent, based on the total weight of the feed/product-comprising mixture, and also includes an asphaltene content of less than two (2) weight percent, based on the total weight of the feed/product-comprising mixture, and wherein the feed material includes deasphalted heavy hydrocarbon-comprising material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a catalyst comprising a) preparation of a support comprising 0.2 to 30 wt % of zeolite NU-86 and from 70 to 99.8 wt % of a porous mineral matrix, the percentages by weight being expressed relative to the total weight of said support, b) impregnation of the support prepared according to step a) with at least one solution containing at least one precursor of at least one metal selected from group VIII metals and group VIB metals, used alone or as a mixture, c) at least one ripening step, and d) at least one drying step carried out at a temperature below 150° C., without a subsequent calcining step. The present invention also relates to a process for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feeds using the catalyst prepared according to the method of preparation according to the invention.

Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.

Abstract: A cylinder tip mounting head includes: a shaft member; a first cylindrical rod having a cylindrical space, which is mounted to a lower end of the shaft member, which is configured to move in the up-down direction integrally with the shaft member; a stationary second cylindrical rod, which has a housing space for housing the first cylindrical rod so that the first cylindrical rod is movable in the up-down direction, the stationary second cylindrical rod including a syringe mounting portion; and a discharge rod housed in the cylindrical space in the first cylindrical rod, the discharge rod including a plunger mounting portion. The discharge rod is configured to coordinate with the movement of the shaft member in the up-down direction so that the plunger mounted to the discharge rod reciprocates in the tubular passage in the syringe to suck the object into the tubular passage and discharge the sucked object.

Abstract: A device comprising a rigid substrate, a flexible cover element at least partially covering the substrate, a first structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and adapted for releasing contents of one or more cells, spores, or viruses, the contents including the target molecules, a second structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and comprising at least one binding member adapted for capturing the target molecules and for determining a value indicative for the presence and/or amount of the target molecules, a microfluidic network interconnecting at least the first structure and the second structure, and an actuator member adapted for effecting a fluid flow between the first structure and the second structure by pressing the flexible cover element against the substrate to selectively close a portion of the microfluidic network.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is configured to analyze a sample of biological material. The microfluidic device includes a fluid guide structure constructed in order to divide a sample introduced into the microfluidic device into a plurality of subquantities. The microfluidic device further includes a plurality of reaction chambers each of which is fluidically connected to the fluid guide structure. Each of the reaction chambers has a filter configured to filter out target cells from the sample, and each of the reaction chambers is constructed to receive a sample subquantity. In each of the reaction chambers, a result of a reaction between a target-cell-specific active substance that is different for each of the reaction chambers and the target cells of the sample subquantity that is taken up is acquirable.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and analyzing cells comprising: a fluid delivery module; a reservoir configured to receive a biological sample including a target cell population and at least one fluid from the fluid delivery module; a manifold configured to receive and distribute the biological sample and at least one fluid from the reservoir into a cell capture device; a waste chamber configured to couple to the manifold; and a pump configured to couple to the waste chamber. In embodiments of the system configured to promote further purification of captured cells, the system can further comprise a magnet that enables further separation of captured cells from undesired sample materials. The system can additionally further comprise a heater configured to heat at least one fluid and/or biological sample, and a cell capture device configured to couple to the manifold, in order to facilitate capture of the target cell population.

Abstract: Disclosed is fluid rapid testing device, comprising: a box body having transparent side walls, a box cover cooperating with an opening of the box body, and a protection cover hinged to the box cover; wherein the testing device further comprises: a fluid sampling swab, a fluid collection chamber operable to accommodate the fluid sampling swab and collect a fluid on the fluid sampling swab, and a fluid collection groove in communication with a bottom of the fluid collection chamber; and a testing strip extending into the fluid collection groove is arranged on at least one inner wall of the box. The testing device according to the present invention has a simple structure and operation convenience. The box body of the testing device may be conveniently and quickly opened or closed, a small amount of fluid is needed, the sampling process is simplified, and the fluid may also be conveniently taken out for subsequently-desired tests.

Abstract: There is provided a nucleic acid analysis apparatus including a heating unit configured to apply heat by contacting a microchip, and a chip holding unit configured to change a position between a first holding position that holds the microchip in midair and a second holding position that holds the microchip in contact with the heating unit.

Abstract: A pretensioning cable assembly for a crusher in which the assembly is an anchor member having a tapered aperture, a cable having an end for being inserted into and through the tapered aperture of the anchor member, and an anchor wedge positioned on the end of the cable for securing the end of the cable in the tapered aperture, for assembly of a crusher.

Abstract: A crushing device (100) is suitable for crushing pills (703), tablets, or other ingestive objects. The crushing device (100) includes a base (101), an anvil (104), an end pillar (105), and a support pillar (106). A threaded shaft (108) is disposed between the anvil (104) and the end pillar (105), and passes through an aperture (107) in the support pillar (106). The threaded shaft (108) is coupled to a crushing head (109), which translates toward the anvil (104) when a lever (110) coupled to the threaded shaft (108) is rotated radially about an axis (301) of the threaded shaft (108). When a pill crushing pouch (500) having pills (703) therein is placed between the crushing head (109) and the anvil (104), rotation of the lever (110) crushes the pills (703).

Abstract: A magnetic particle separator (10) suitable for separating magnetic and non-magnetic particles from a thermal fluid flowing in a heating system. The magnetic particle separator (10) comprises a hollow body (10A, 10B) configured with an upper particle separation chamber (11) and for circulation of the thermal fluid between an inlet and an outlet port (12, 13), and a quieting chamber (15) beneath the particle separation chamber (11) for accumulation of the particles separated from the fluid: an annular support element (21) for permanent magnets (18) being removably fastened outside the quieting chamber (15) of the separator (10).

Abstract: An airborne particle collection system includes an airflow directing unit, register units, a fan unit, and a control system. The airflow directing unit includes a plurality of separately controlled air distribution segments. Each register unit includes a motorized damper and filter. The fan unit is connected to the airflow directing unit and to the register units through piping. The fan unit injects air into the airflow directing unit, and generates a vacuum force that causes exhaust air with airborne particles to be pulled into the register units and filtered by the filters within the register units. The control system selectively controls the air distribution segments of the airflow directing unit and the motorized dampers of the register units to generate alterable airflow patterns between the airflow directing unit and the register units in different zones within a room in which the airflow directing unit and the register units are disposed.

Abstract: One variation of a showerhead includes: a body defining a fluid circuit, a first region on a ventral side of the body, and a second region adjacent the first region on the ventral side of the body; a set of hollow cone nozzles distributed within the first region, fluidly coupled to the fluid circuit, and discharging sprays of fluid droplets within a first size range; a set of flat fan nozzles arranged within the second region, fluidly coupled to the fluid circuit, and discharging sprays of fluid droplets within a second size range; and a set of orifices fluidly coupled to the fluid circuit and discharging fluid drops between sprays discharged from the set of hollow cone nozzles and sprays discharged from the flat fan nozzles, fluid drops discharged from the set of orifices within a third size range exceeding the first size range and the second size range.

Abstract: A spray nozzle having a nozzle housing, at least one swirl chamber which is disposed in the nozzle housing, and at least one exit opening, wherein the exit opening is disposed at the end of an exit duct which emanates from the swirl chamber and widens in the direction towards the exit opening, wherein a constriction is disposed at the transition from the swirl chamber to the exit duct, and wherein the angle of the wall steadily increases in the direction towards the exit opening or in portions remains identical, in which an angle of the wall of the exit duct at the exit opening, when viewed in the circumferential direction of the exit opening, is not constant.

Abstract: The electrospray generator system described herein uses a soft X-ray source instead of a radioactive source to generate bipolar ions for the neutralization of the initially charged particles. In one example, the soft X-ray source is directed at an orifice from which the charged particles emanate, thereby allowing the neutralization of the particles to happen faster than in prior art configurations and, in some instances, even neutralization occurring immediately on a droplet before it passes through the electrospray orifice.

Abstract: A container for powder, a method for marking of the containers for the powder and an apparatus for use of a powder. There is at least one RFID Chip provided in the container, wherein the RFID chip stores at least one set of parameters for material characterization of the powder in the container. A unique key is assigned to every type of powder by means of which the data in the RFID chip located in the container are readable, writeable and updateable via an antenna arranged outside the container.

Abstract: Introduced herein are techniques for producing sensory stimuli that increase the realism of content experienced by a user. Several embodiments pertain to scent delivery system that are able to dispense scented material(s) to the user. A scent delivery system could be a self-contained unit that is attachable to a head-mounted display (HMD) or could be integrated into the HMD itself. The scent delivery system can be used to improve the realism of content (e.g., visual content and audio content) presented to the user. More specifically, the scent delivery system can be configured to dispense one or more scented materials in response to determining a particular scene is being shown. Different scented materials can be dispensed based on characteristics of the content. In some embodiments, the scented material(s) are held in capsules that are housed within the scent delivery system. The capsules may be readily replaceable by the user.