Abstract: A fluid injection device includes a housing and a valve stem. The housing includes an inlet arm having an inlet orifice for receiving a feeder fluid. An outlet arm has an outlet orifice to discharge a mixed fluid. A venturi tube is between the inlet and outlet arms. The inlet arm, veturi tube and outlet arm define a nonlinear fluid pathway where the venturi tube redefines a portion of the nonlinear fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is used to divert a portion of the feeder fluid from the inlet arm into the container and an injection port is used to receive product from the container. A valve arm is collinearly aligned with the venturi tube and the valve stem is positioned within the valve arm and adjusts the volume of the constricted fluid pathway.

Abstract: A dilution device may include a first component and a second component. The first component may define a groove including an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The second component may define an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet portion of the first component and an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the first component. Relative rotation between the first component and the second component may cause relative movement between the outlet and the outlet portion that changes the effective length of the groove fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet of the second component. The cross-sectional area of the groove may vary along a length of the groove to provide different flow characteristics depending on the effective length of the groove.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an applicator having an agricultural product mechanical and/or pneumatic conveying system which transfers particulate material from one or more source containers to application equipment on demand, and meters the material at the application equipment. The conveying system includes a static distributor interconnecting the supply lines of the conveying system with the distribution lines connected to the individual nozzles. The static distributor includes internal structures that effectively divert the incoming particulate material evenly across the interior of the static distributor such that the particulate material is evenly distributed into each of the distribution lines. The static distributor accomplishes this without the need for any moving parts or control systems/devices.

Abstract: A mixer structure includes a helical fluid passage includes a first partition and a second partition. The first partition extends intersecting with a cross-sectional center line of the passage, and divides the helical passage into first sub-passages in parallel. The second partition is disposed downstream of the first partition, extends intersecting with the cross-sectional center line, and divides the helical passage into second sub-passages in parallel. A rear or downstream end of the first partition and a front or upstream end of the second partition intersect with each other or are at skew position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device 51 for mixing at least two components, characterised by the fact that the mixing device 51 comprises two containers 52 and 53 each provided with: a. at least one opening 110 connected by a conduit 55 and provided with a device allowing the available volume of the containers 52 and 53 to be varied alternately, pistons 50 that are able to be moved in opposing directions, so as to transfer the content from one of the containers 52 or 53 into the other container 52 or 53 through the openings 110 and the conduit 55; and b. at least one inlet opening X allowing the at least two components to enter; said mixing device not comprising an additional outlet opening, one of the inlet openings X allowing both at least one component to enter, and the mixture of the at least two components obtained to leave.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for coating and mixing granular products, in particular food products, more in particular peanuts, the device comprising a compartment defined by a rotary bottom part and a stationary circumferential side wall, the device further comprising: a product supply for supplying the products into the compartment, a substance supply for supplying a substance into the compartment, a drive for rotating the rotary bottom part about its substantially vertical axis, wherein the rotary bottom part and the stationary circumferential side wall comprise non-stick parts which define a substantial part of an inner surface of the compartment and which are manufactured from a non-stick material, wherein said non-stick parts are mechanically connected to the device via detachable connectors, allowing fast replacement of worn-out non-stick parts by new, same non-stick parts.

Abstract: A method of mixing liquids in a tank includes inputting a first liquid into the tank through a first inlet, inputting a second liquid into the tank through a second inlet near the bottom of the tank and directing the second liquid towards a mixing paddle within the tank, and rotating the mixing paddle, thereby forming a mixture within the tank.

Abstract: A device and related method for producing a ready-to-use solution from a concentrate and a diluent includes an inlet for the diluent; an inlet for the concentrate; an outlet for the solution; a line extending from the inlet for the diluent via a confluence where diluent and concentrate meet, to the outlet; a mixing container arranged in the line between the confluence and the outlet and having a larger cross-section than parts of the line, which are arranged upstream and downstream of the mixing container; and a metering pump for the concentrate, which is connected on the suction side to the inlet for the concentrate and on the pressure side to the confluence and which operates in a pulsed manner. The metering pump works with a clock frequency, in which a plurality of pump surges are attributable to the dwell time of the liquid in the mixing container.

Abstract: A device (1) for producing a solution of at least one liquid first medium and at least one second medium has a first container (2) for the first medium and a second container (3) for the second medium. Each container (2, 3) is connected to a supply line of a static mixer (9) via a pump (4, 5) that can be regulated by a controller (6). A sensor (10) is connected to the controller (6) downstream of the static mixer (9) in the flow direction. A branching valve (17) is downstream of the static mixer (9) in the flow direction and is controlled by the controller (6). A sterile filter (11) is downstream of the static mixer (9) and has an RFID tag (15) that stores process-relevant data to at least be read by the controller (6). A method also is provided for producing a solution using the device.

Abstract: A mixer/heat exchanger insert or mixer/heat exchanger having a geometry which leads to less fouling of a fluid to be temperature-controlled.

Abstract: A particle disengagements device comprising a baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate comprises one or more guide baffles and one or more separation baffles, wherein the one or more guide baffles and the one or more separation baffles define one or more air flow paths and one or more solid flow paths and associated systems and methods.

Abstract: Gas-filled microbubbles can be synthesized using a continuous flow chamber and a sonicator. The resulting microbubble solution can be size-sorted for a particular application, such as injection into a patient for gas delivery thereto. The microbubble solution may be concentrated to have greater than 50% volume gas while maintaining microbubble sizes below 10 ?m. Control of the microbubble generation process can yield highly stable microbubbles. The microbubbles may retain over half of their original gas payload for over three weeks while exhibiting minimal change in microbubble size. The systems, methods, and devices described herein thus allow for continuous or batch-wise continuous production of gas-filled microbubbles that readily release their gas payload when introduced into an under-saturated or de-saturated solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices comprising treated lipid multilayer arrays. The devices can include a support, a discrete lipid multilayer array on a surface of the support, wherein the lipid multilayer array comprises one or more lipid multilayer dots, a material encapsulated in the one or more lipid multilayer dots, and a silicon containing compound present on a surface of one or more of the lipid multilayer dots. In some embodiments, the encapsulated material is a hydrophilic small molecule. The devices disclosed herein exhibit increased stability in cell-based applications, such as under high protein cell culture media, as well as allow for viable cell adhesion. Methods for making the disclosed devices are also provided.

Abstract: A reactor system for high throughput applications includes a plurality of reactor assemblies, each reactor assembly including: a fluid source, which fluid source is adapted to provide a pressurized fluid to the flow-through reactors, a flow splitter which flow splitter includes a planar microfluidic chip, which microfluidic chip has a chip inlet channel and a plurality of chip outlet channels, which microfluidic chip further includes a plurality of flow restrictor channels, where each flow restrictor channel extends from said chip inlet channel to an associated chip outlet channel, where the chip inlet channel and the chip outlet channels each have a diameter, where the diameter of the chip inlet channel is the same or less than the length of said chip inlet channel and where the diameter of each chip outlet channel is the same or less than the length of said chip outlet channel.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a microreactor features a corrosion-resistant microchannel network encased within a thermally conductive matrix material that may define therewithin one or more hollow heat-exchange conduits.

Abstract: A powdery calcium-magnesium compound, sorbent composition is shown which is based on calcium-magnesium. The compound is used in flue gas treatment and has characteristics which make it particularly compatible with electrostatic precipitators used in flue gas treatment installations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method of an organic-inorganic nanoporous material-metal chloride hybrid moisture adsorption composition, and the moisture adsorption composition prepared by the preparation method.

Abstract: A range of carbon materials can be produced using lignin in combination with synthetic phenolic resins or naturally occurring lingo-cellulosic materials. The lignin, which is essentially a naturally occurring phenolic resin, has a carbon yield on pyrolysis similar to that of the synthetic resins, which aids processing. The lignin can be used as a binder phase for synthetic resin or lignocellulosic materials allowing the production of monolithic carbons from a wide range of precursors, as the primary structural material where the thermal processing is modified by the addition of small quantities of synthetic resin materials or as structure modified in the production of meso/macro porous carbons in either bead, granular or monolithic form. A carbonised monolith is provided comprising mesoporous and/or macroporous carbon particles dispersed in a matrix of microporous carbon particles with voids between the particles defining paths for fluid to flow into and through the structure.

Abstract: A solidified porous carbon material uses a plant-derived material as a raw material, a bulk density of the solidified porous carbon material is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 grams/cm3, preferably, 0.3 to 0.4 grams/cm3. A value of a cumulative pore volume in the range of 0.05 to 5 ?m in pore size based on a mercury press-in method is in the range of 0.4 to 1.2 cm3, preferably, 0.5 to 1.0 cm3 per 1 gram of the solidified porous carbon material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an exhaust gas comprising methane and NO. The exhaust gas is contacted with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen to oxidize at least part of the methane in the gas stream to carbon dioxide and water and at least part of the NO into NO2 obtaining a treated gas stream. The catalyst comprises one or more noble metals supported on non-modified zirconia, wherein the zirconia comprises tetragonal zirconia and monoclinic zirconia, and wherein the weight ratio of tetragonal zirconia to monoclinic zirconia is in the range of from 1:1 to 31:1.

Abstract: Heterogeneous catalysts with optional dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2+ hydrocarbons. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoporous gold nanoparticle catalysts formed by exposure of nanoporous gold to ozone at elevated temperatures, as well as methods for production of esters and other compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the preparation of silver-based HSCs. During preparation of the catalyst a selected carrier is co-impregnated with a solution containing a catalytically effective amount of silver and a promoting amount of rhenium and other promoters. After co-impregnation, the carrier is subjected to a separate heat treatment prior to calcination. Such heat treatment is conducted for between about 1 minute and about 120 minutes at temperatures between about 40° C. and about 300° C. Catalysts prepared by the present methodology evidence improved selectivity, activity and/or stability resulting in an increase in the useful life of the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a composite material and also the composite material itself. The composite material contains a bismuth-molybdenum-nickel mixed oxide or a bismuth-molybdenum-cobalt mixed oxide and a specific SiO2 as pore former. The present invention also relates to the use of the composite material according to the invention for producing a washcoat suspension and also a process for producing a coated catalyst using the composite material according to the invention. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a coated catalyst which has a catalytically active shell comprising the composite material according to the invention on a support body. The coated catalyst according to the invention is used for preparing [alpha],[beta]-unsaturated aldehydes from olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrocracking catalyst for hydrocarbon oil comprising a support containing a framework-substituted zeolite-1 in which zirconium atoms and/or hafnium atoms form a part of a framework of an ultrastable y-type zeolite and a hydrogenative metal component carried thereon and a method for producing the same. The hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention makes it easy to diffuse heavy hydrocarbon oils such as VGO, DAO and the like into mesopores, is improved in a cracking activity and makes it possible to obtain a middle distillate at a high yield as compared with catalysts prepared by using zeolite comprising titanium and/or zirconium carried thereon.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions with improved alkylation activity and corresponding methods for making such catalyst compositions are provided. The catalyst(s) correspond to solid acid catalysts formed by exposing a catalyst precursor with a zeolitic framework structure to a molten metal salt that includes fluorine, such as a molten metal fluoride. The resulting fluorinated solid acid catalysts can have improved alkylation activity while having a reduced or minimized amount of structural change due to the exposure to the molten metal fluoride. This is in contrast to fluorinated solid acid catalysts that are exposed to higher severity forms of fluorination, such as exposure to ammonium fluoride or HF. SnF2 is an example of a suitable molten metal fluoride.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to solid catalysts that convert lignocellulosic material to monomer sugars that are suitable for fermentation. The solid catalysts include a transition metal complex attached to a magnetic bead, and can be physically separated from a fermentation mixture and reused several times.

Abstract: A method of producing propylene and ethylene from a butene-containing hydrocarbon stream by cracking olefin compounds in the butene-containing hydrocarbon stream in the presence of a core-shell ZSM catalyst, wherein the core-shell ZSM catalyst comprises a ZSM-5 core and a silica shell disposed thereon. Various embodiments of the method of producing propylene and ethylene, and the method of making the core-shell ZSM catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ion exchange membrane is provided. The method for manufacturing an ion exchange membrane, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the step of electrospinning a support fiber producing solution and an ion exchange fiber producing solution respectively to prepare a laminate in which a support fiber mat consisting of a support fiber and an ion exchange fiber mat consisting of an ion exchange fiber are alternatively laminated. According to the present invention, it is possible to simply control factors, such as the thickness, electroconductivity and mechanical strength of the membrane, and the diameter/ratio of a pore, etc. to be suitable for the use of ion exchange membrane during the manufacturing process, to simplify the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipette dispensing block with an improved design for the piston chambers. In a multichannel pipetting block with a grid or array of pipetting piston of any order, the individual piston chambers are individually manufactured using the injection molding process. The individual piston chambers are assembled into a grid or single line array and held together by upper and lower plates in combination with either stabilizing posts or walls. The piston chambers are designed and assembled with a dual O-ring design at the tip and a tip sealing gasket at the bottom to provide the air-tight seal that is required for optimum pipetting performance. When combined with pistons and a motor-driven lifting plate for the pistons, the entire assembly forms a forms a multichannel pipetting block.

Abstract: A check cassette according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a cassette which is used in a measurement device which allows an analyte of a biopsy sample to be measured on the basis of reaction properties of light irradiated from a light source including at least one of reflection, absorption, and transmission of the light (the measurement device provides an inner space into which a measurement cassette, in which the biopsy sample and at least one reagent react with each other, is inserted, and after the measurement cassette is inserted into the inner space, the analyte of the biopsy sample is measured on the basis of pieces of reaction property information of the light irradiated from the light source regarding a substance that results from the reaction between the biopsy sample and the at least one reagent) so that a change in light intensity of the light source in accordance with use of the measurement device is compensated for.

Abstract: A cartridge can comprise a first elastomeric membrane and a second elastomeric membrane, and portions of the elastomeric membranes which are sealed to each other can circumscribe unsealed portions of the membranes. In a resting state, the unsealed portion of the first elastomeric membrane abuts or is proximate to the unsealed portion of the second elastomeric membrane. One or more reagents can be injected between the unsealed portions of the first and second elastomeric membranes to push the unsealed portions apart from each other in this region of the membranes. The unsealed portions can be sequentially pushed apart in downstream regions to form a channel between the elastomeric membranes. Positively displaced fluid pushes the unsealed membrane portions apart to a volume that conforms to the volume of the fluid to minimize or prevent dead volume in the channel and thus minimize or prevent air bubbles in the fluid.

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 multiple molecular diagnosis chip structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a reaction pad; a channel pad; and a transfer pad.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for processing a surface with a vertical microfluidic probe head. The method includes positioning the microfluidic probe head so as for the edge surface to face a surface to be processed. Next, the method dispenses processing liquid via each orifice of the first one of the sets of n orifices, so as for the dispensed processing liquid to process the surface; and aspirates liquid via each orifice of the second one of the sets of n orifices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are evacuated blood collection tubes comprising protease inhibitor cocktails in liquid form and uses thereof for assessing features associated with the contact system in a subject, including the endogenous level of contact system activation, the endogenous level of a drug that targets a component of contact system during treatment, and/or the immunogenicity of such a drug.

Abstract: A microfluidic centrifuge is provided that includes a microfluidic disc having a pair of through holes that include a first through hole and a second through hole, where the pair of through holes are disposed symmetric and proximal to a central axis of the microfluidics disc, where the microfluidics disc includes a sealable input port and a sealable output port, where the sealable input port and the sealable output port are connected by a microfluidics channel, and a pair of tethers disposed through the pair of through holes that are disposed to twist about each other for unwinding where the tether unwinding is disposed to interact with the through holes, where the microfluidics disc rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: A hand-held molecular diagnostic test device includes a housing, an amplification (or PCR) module, and a detection module. The amplification module is configured to receive an input sample, and defines a reaction volume. The amplification module includes a heater such that the amplification module can perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the input sample. The detection module is configured to receive an output from the amplification module and a reagent formulated to produce a signal that indicates a presence of a target amplicon within the input sample. The amplification module and the detection module are integrated within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time nucleic acid amplification measurement apparatus using a surface measurement technique, the apparatus including: a microfluidic chip having a closed loop shaped-microfluidic channel; a sample injecting and closing part communicating with the microfluidic channel, and operating in an injecting mode in which a reaction sample is injected to the microfluidic channel or operating in a closed mode in which the microfluidic channel forms a closed-loop in a state that the reaction sample has been injected to the microfluidic channel; a fluid movement generating part inducing the reaction sample to circulate inside the microfluidic channel; a plurality of heating parts individually heating a plurality of heating areas with different temperatures to amplify nucleic acid in the reaction sample; and a surface measurement part detecting the nucleic acid in the reaction sample at a predetermined area inside the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microfluidics and in particular to analysing the gene expression of a cell in response to a ligand expressed in the same microfluidic compartment. By barcoding the transcriptome of the cell and of the expression system generating the ligand, the effect of the ligand on the cell expression can be discerned. The invention provides microfluidic compartments and methods for this purpose.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell including an electrode or sensor device which is located inside the flow cell and from which at least one connecting conductor leads to an externally accessible terminal contact. The electrode or sensor device is arranged on an insulated substrate member. The connecting conductor is embedded in the substrate member. The substrate member can be inserted into an opening in the flow cell such that the electrode or sensor device is placed in the flow cell.

Abstract: A biological sample analysis chip including a first substrate, a membrane disposed on the first substrate, a first liquid tank which is provided with a first electrode, a plurality of second liquid tanks each of which is provided with at least one flow path and a second electrode; and a second substrate disposed below the first substrate, in which the plurality of second liquid tanks are substantially insulated from each other, the membrane disposed on the first substrate is disposed between the first liquid tank and the plurality of second liquid tanks so as to form a portion of the first liquid tank and a portion of the plurality of second liquid tanks, and the second substrate is provided with the at least one flow path and the second electrode so as to form a portion of the plurality of second liquid tanks.

Abstract: Provided is an in-vitro diagnostic apparatus having a cartridge. The cartridge includes a body to which a biochip is detachably coupled, and the body includes a plurality of sample accommodating chambers. The disc member includes a cylinder portion and a sample mixing chamber, wherein the cylinder portion has a hollow tube form and is coupled to the body, and the sample mixing chamber is disposed under the cylinder portion. A fluid input/output port is provided in a bottom portion of each of the sample accommodating chambers. The sample mixing chamber includes a fluid path and an injection path, the fluid path selectively connectable to the fluid input/output port, and the injection path connecting the sample mixing chambers with the biochip. A syringe piston is coupled to the cylinder portion and configured to slidably elevate along the cylinder portion.

Abstract: A substrate for use in manufacture of a production master plate for production of a detection disc for carrying samples in an apparatus for detection of microscopic objects in a fluid, the substrate having a channel and separate focus structure, wherein the focus structure is a groove.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip may include a substrate, chamber supported by the substrate, a sacrificial material in the chamber, a spectroscopically active nano particle assembly anchored within the chamber by the sacrificial material and a fluid supply port connected to the chamber. Each spectroscopically active nano particle assembly may include a cluster of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for dispensing a particle-laden fluid from a fluid holding and dispensing micro-feature and/or multiple lysing channel structures. In some implementations, the apparatus includes: a chamber having one or more surfaces that define a volume to receive fluid containing particulate matter, a soluble surface coating on a portion of the one or more surfaces of the chamber, and an outlet port to dispense at least a portion of the fluid from the chamber. In some implementations, the particle-laden fluid may be whole blood, and the soluble surface coating may include reagents and/or dyes that are diffused into the whole blood received within the chamber to generate signals to visualize various cellular components. In some implementations, the apparatus may also include a second soluble surface coating on portions of surfaces of the multiple lysing channel structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of detecting and quantifying the number of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and/or tumour cells (TCs) from a liquid biopsy by using a hyperoxic environment and incubation with a fluorophore-labelled metabolic indicator (fluorophore-labelled 2-D-glucose derivative) and microfluidic chips.

Abstract: The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability, surface characteristics (e.g., cell surface receptors or antigens and membrane permeability), or intracellular properties (e.g., expression of a particular enzyme).

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for incubating liquids, to a method for preparing a biopharmaceutical drug, and to a device for the preparation of a biopharmaceutical drug.

Abstract: In order to expand capabilities of anisotropic ratchet conveyor (ARC) systems beyond those of the simple systems that include only a single track of consistent rung spacing, disclosed herein are ARC devices, systems, and methods related to ARC gates that can selectively pause droplet transport; ARC switches that can select the direction of droplet transport between two tracks, each moving away from an intersection between the two tracks; and ARC junctions that can move a droplet towards, and then through, an intersection between two tracks.