Abstract: Installation for membrane permeation treatment of feed gas containing methane and carbon dioxide that includes first, second, and third membrane separation units. The permeate from the first membrane separation unit is fed to the third membrane separation unit and the retentate from the first membrane separation unit is fed to the second membrane separation unit. The aspiration pressure of the second permeate is adjusted with a compressor according to the aspiration pressure of the second permeate before recycling thereof to the feed gas flow fed to the first membrane separation unit.

Abstract: A process is provided of making facilitated transport membrane comprising a relatively hydrophilic, very small pore, nanoporous support membrane, a hydrophilic polymer inside the very small nanopores on the skin layer surface of the support membrane, a thin, nonporous, hydrophilic polymer layer coated on the surface of the support membrane, and metal salts incorporated in the hydrophilic polymer layer coated on the surface of the support membrane and the hydrophilic polymer inside the very small nanopores. In addition, the process provides a new method of making facilitated transport membrane spiral wound elements or hollow fiber modules for olefin/paraffin separations, particularly for C3=/C3 and C2=/C2 separations.

Abstract: The invention relates to isotope separation methods, and methods for separating isotopes with low energy consumption, demonstrated using hydrogen isotopes. Also described are methods for enriching or depleting the isotope present in the hydrogen gas/vapour feed e.g. for tritium removal, tritium enrichment and deuterium enrichment, by arranging a series of cells in a cascaded configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon gas stream including sulfurous components and carbon dioxide. The hydrocarbon gas stream is separated into a sweetened gas stream and an acid gas stream. The acid gas stream and an air stream, enriched with oxygen such that the air stream comprises between 22% and 100% oxygen, are combusted in a sulfur recovery unit to separate the acid gas stream into a liquid stream of elemental sulfur and a tail gas stream comprising acid gas impurities. The tail gas stream and an air flow are sub-stoichiometrically combusted to produce an outlet stream comprising hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. The outlet stream is hydrogenated to convert sulfur species to a gaseous catalytic output stream comprising hydrogen sulfide. Water is removed from the gaseous catalytic output stream to produce a partially-dehydrated acid gas stream, which is pressurized and injected into a subsurface reservoir.

Abstract: A process to treat/clean a gas, containing SO2, CO2 and O2 comprising the steps of: bringing the gas in contact with an activated carbon catalyst, converting SO2 to SO3/H2SO4 on the activated carbon catalyst, washing the SO3/H2SO4 from the activated carbon catalyst to obtain a sulfuric acid solution and a SO2 depleted gas; bringing the SO2 depleted gas in contact with an aqueous ammonia solution wherein CO2 is converted to obtain a SO2 and CO2 depleted gas containing ammonia; and bringing the SO2 and CO2 depleted gas containing ammonia in contact with the sulfuric acid solution obtained in step a. to form a solution containing ammonium sulfate and a treated, clean gas.

Abstract: In one aspect, catalyst modules are described herein comprises structural catalyst bodies having cross-sectional flow channel geometries and surface features for enhanced catalytic activity. In some embodiments, the catalyst modules and associated structural catalyst bodies are suitable for use in high particulate matter environments. Briefly, a catalyst module comprises a framework and a plurality of structural catalyst bodies positioned in the framework, a structural catalyst body comprising an outer peripheral wall and a plurality of inner partition walls forming individual flow channels of rectangular cross-section, the outer peripheral wall resistant to localized flexural failures induced by material between adjacent structural catalyst bodies of the module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements for spiral wound elements that prevent nesting of adjacent spacer layers and occlusion of feed space during element rolling.

Abstract: A corrugated membrane plate and frame module for use in fluid treatment applications is disclosed, where the corrugated design increases production capacity of a module by more than 200% as compared to conventional modules. The increase is achieved by tripling the membrane packing density per module using an optimized corrugated design. The disclosed corrugated membrane plate and frame also reduces the inactive membrane area per module, which is caused by deactivation of membranes edges attached to the plate and frame core in order to prevent leakage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of an asymmetric membranes. More particularly, the new method relates to the use of a crosslinker contacted via vapour or liquid phase with the surface layer of a cast polymer film, followed by the immersion of said film in a coagulation bath. The formation of a crosslinked skin layer and the solidification of the membrane bulk can thus be decoupled in time.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method of making a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane in which a polyimide precursor polymer is pyrolyzed to form a carbon molecular sieve membrane by heating, in a furnace, said polyimide precursor polymer to a final pyrolysis temperature of 600 C to 700 C at a pyrolysis heating rate of 3 to 7 C/minute from 400 C to the final pyrolysis temperature, the final pyrolysis temperature being held for a pyrolysis time of at most 60 minutes in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. In a particular embodiment, the cooling rate from the pyrolysis temperature is accelerated by methods to remove heat. The CMS membranes have shown an improved combination of selectivity and permeance as well as being particularly suitable to separate gases in gas streams such methane from natural gas, oxygen from air and ethylene or propylene from light hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: Disclosed are selectively-permeable membranes and components configured for selective permeation of a specified gas, such as oxygen, therethrough, methods for making the same and methods for using the same, for example, to implement fuel cells and electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are fouling resistant filtration membranes comprising a polymeric thin-film membrane comprising a surface. Also disclosed are methods of modifying thin-film filtration membranes, thereby improving, for example, the anti-fouling properties of the membranes. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrafine bubble generation device for aquaculture or wastewater treatment with which it is possible to efficiently cause ultrafine bubbles to be dissolved or to coexist, and to increase the concentration of a gas in the liquid. An ultrafine bubble generation device for aquaculture or wastewater treatment provided with a channel for channeling a liquid, a compression device for pumping a gas into the channel, and a bubble generation medium for releasing the gas pumped by the compression device as ultrafine bubbles into the liquid in the channel, wherein the bubble generation medium is formed from a carbon-based porous material and is disposed so as to be horizontal or below horizontal with respect to the direction of flow of the liquid in the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for preparing a water/diesel oil micro-emulsion including a diesel oil feeding unit, an emulsifying composition feeding unit, a water feeding unit, and a mixing tank in fluid communication therewith. A duct extends along main direction (X-X) and presents an inlet opening, outlet nozzle, and a cone shaped septum coaxial with respect to the main direction (X-X) and tapers towards the outlet nozzle. A plurality of holes is in the conical wall of the septum and a plurality of lamellae is arranged in the duct downstream of the septum. The plurality of lamellae creates a plurality of small chambers. Holes and the small chambers delimit a labyrinth passageway for liquid flowing through the duct towards the outlet nozzle. A batch is recirculated through the mixing tank and a conduit including a mixing device and then the fuel micro-emulsion batch is discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for attaching to a conventional cooler and mixing the contents therein, the apparatus including a lid assembly integrated with a mixing assembly. The lid assembly includes a lid having both a hole and an opening to allow the addition of contents to the container and a cover that can be positioned over the opening and secured to the lid. The mixing assembly is integrated with the lid assembly through the hole and includes a centering guide positioned at the bottom of the container, a mixing paddle coupled to the top portion of the centering guide, and a handle operatively coupled to the mixing paddle through the hole. After contents are added to the container through the opening, the cover is positioned over the opening and securely coupled to the lid. The handle is operated to cause the mixing paddle to stir the contents of the container.

Abstract: A mud mixer comprises a housing defining a battery mounting portion, an electric motor supported by the housing, a mixing element that selectively receives torque from the motor, causing the mixing element to rotate about a rotation axis, and a battery pack removably coupled to the battery mounting portion for providing power to the electric motor when coupled to the battery mounting portion. When the battery pack is coupled to the battery mounting portion, the rotation axis intersects the battery pack.

Abstract: A mixing device with a stirring element includes a container (3) for receiving fluids and/or solids, at least one rotatable stirring element (100) for mixing the fluids and/or solids, at least one bearing element for the support of the stirring element (100). The stirring element (100) has at least one non-permanently magnetized element (118) so that the stirring element (100) can be put in a rotational movement by externally induced reluctance forces. A drive device having at least two pair of coils (208) through which current flows also is provided. A mixing device system includes the mixing device and the drive device. A method also is provided for driving a stirring element in a mixing device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, devices and systems for mixing and dispensing multi-component materials. The mixing and dispensing may be performed using a mobile, enclosed dispenser that can be used to supply a mixed multi-component material at the point of use. In some embodiments, the components to be mixed into the multi-component material may be supplied in cartridges.

Abstract: A magnetic spinner device using an impeller system to disperse heat and stir contents there-above is disclosed herein. A motor turning the impeller is offset from a center line extending vertically through the device. The impeller, however, is centered with fan blades pushing air downwards as heat rises from a heat source placed there-below, such as between legs which support the impeller and bowl of the device, the bowl being used to hold a flask and/or substances to be heated. In this manner, the electric parts (the motor) and spared the brunt of the heat by being off-center while the heat rises upwards. The simplification of parts leaves less points of potential failure compared to the prior art as does the movement of electric parts away from being above a heat source.

Abstract: A system that provides for simultaneous thermal regulation of both components of a two-component system, while maintaining their separation prior to introduction into a conventional static mixer element, in order to assure that the mixed fluid, when dispensed, is at the optimal temperature and viscosity. The thermal capacity can be adjusted by altering the configuration to increase or decrease the thermal transfer area as required for each specific application.

Abstract: An annealing method is provided. The annealing method includes preparing a metal oxide structure, annealing the metal oxide structure in a gas atmosphere including nitrogen to fabricate a metal compound structure, an oxygen content of which is lower than that of the metal oxide structure, from the metal oxide structure, and annealing the metal compound structure in a gas atmosphere including oxygen to fabricate a nitrogen-doped metal oxide structure, which has a specific surface area greater than that of the metal oxide structure, from the metal compound structure.

Abstract: An ammonia decomposition apparatus comprises a casing, a heating zone, a heat exchange zone, a reaction section and a heat exchange coil. The heat exchange coil is spirally wound on an outer wall of the reaction section to efficiently heat ammonia gas. The reaction section has a first reaction zone and a second reaction zone communicated successively, the ammonia gas decomposed into a nitrogen-hydrogen mixture after entering the first reaction zone, with the second reaction zone decomposing for the second time the residual ammonia gas in the nitrogen-hydrogen mixture produced in the first reaction zone, so that the ammonia gas is decomposed more thoroughly. The conversion rate of ammonia gas can reach 99.9% or more, and the residual amount of ammonia gas in the nitrogen-hydrogen mixture can be less than 1000 ppm.

Abstract: A metal-free catalytic oxidation system, an oxygenation method and a method for producing benzoic acid derivatives. The system includes a feed device; a tubular reactor; a plurality of venturi nozzles mounted on the tubular reactor at intervals; a tubular filter; a discharge device for a solid phase product; and an intermediate tank for reaction mixture. A low-pressure zone is formed at an output end of each of the plurality of venturi nozzles, and an oxygen inlet corresponds to the low-pressure zone; the tubular filter comprises an inner tube and an outer tube connected to each other, where the inner tube is provided with small holes for solid-liquid separation; the discharge device for the solid phase product is located at an end of the inner tube; and the intermediate tank for reaction mixture is connected to the outer tube of the tubular filter through a pipeline.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to the synthesis of polynucleotides having a predefined sequence on a support. Assembly methods include primer extension to generate overlapping construction oligonucleotides and assembly of the polynucleotides of interest onto an anchor support-bound oligonucleotides. Methods and apparatus for selection of polynucleotides having the predefined sequence and/or length are disclosed.

Abstract: An array of membranes comprising amphipathic molecules is formed using an apparatus comprising a support defining an array of compartments. Volumes comprising polar medium are provided within respective compartments and a layer comprising apolar medium is provided extending across the openings with the volumes. Polar medium is flowed across the support to displace apolar medium and form a layer in contact with the volumes, forming membranes comprising amphipathic molecules at the interfaces. In one construction of the apparatus, the support that comprises partitions which comprise inner portions and outer portions. The inner portions define inner recesses without gaps therebetween that are capable of constraining the volumes comprising polar medium contained in neighbouring inner recesses from contacting each other. The outer portions extend outwardly from the inner portions and have gaps allowing the flow of an apolar medium across the substrate.

Abstract: A manhole for a polymerization unit having a through-hole formed with a shoulder matching a corresponding shoulder of a plug of a closure member operatively inserted in the through-hole. The through-hole can be closed with a minimum clearance, such that polymer particles do not deposit in the gap between the wall of the unit and the plug of the closure member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides device comprising a cylindrical reaction vessel having one or more permeable cylindrical membranes disposed therein separating the cylindrical reaction vessel into at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the one or more permeable cylindrical membranes are configured to permit first reactants from a first solution in the first portion or reactants from a second solution in the second portion to percolate or seep to a reaction zone proximate a surface of the one or more cylindrical membranes. A lifting device (mechanism) located above the first portion of the cylindrical reaction vessel configured to continuously draw a preform two-dimensional polymer tube formed by continuous reaction of the first and second reactants out from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor includes: a reaction-side flow channel in which a reaction fluid flows; structured catalysts accommodated in the reaction-side flow channel. Each structured catalyst includes inclined surfaces in at least part of each of two surfaces facing other structured catalysts. The inclined surfaces are inclined in the same direction with respect to an arrangement direction of the structured catalysts.

Abstract: The invention includes a reactor installation device comprising a flexible band, a first tab, a second tab, and a mechanical stop. The flexible band has a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first tab is attached at or near the first end, the second tab is attached at or near the second end, and the both tabs are attached at or near the top edge of the flexible band. The mechanical stop is attached to the flexible band, the first tab, and/or the second tab, between the top edge and the bottom edge of the flexible band. The flexible band is capable of being bent into the shape of a circle by bringing the first and second tabs into contact. The invention also includes a method of inserting a skirt seal into a stackable structural reactor using the reactor installation device.

Abstract: A water-absorbent resin that exhibits a high liquid-retention capacity under a load and a small amount of re-wet, even when it is used in an absorbent material having a low proportion of hydrophilic fibers. The water-absorbent resin includes a polymer of a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein when a cross-sectional image of the water-absorbent resin is observed using X-ray computed tomography, the water-absorbent resin has cavity area percentage in the cross-sectional image of 10% or less.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst comprises coating substantial internal surfaces of porous inorganic powders with titanium oxide to form titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders. After the coating, an extrudate comprising the titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders is formed and calcined to form a catalyst support. Then, the catalyst support is impregnated with a solution containing one or more salts of metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel.

Abstract: A Pd-supporting Zr-based composite oxide wherein by having a Zr-containing composite oxide support and Pd supported thereon and by showing, upon XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) analysis, a maximum peak in a Pd bond distance range of 2.500-3.500 ?, the maximum peak being located in a position of 3.050-3.110 ?.

Abstract: An oligomerization catalyst, oligomer products, methods for making and using same. The catalyst can include a supported nickel phosphate compound. The catalyst is stable at oligomerization temperatures of 500° C. or higher and particularly useful for making oligomer products containing C4 to C26 olefins having a boiling point in the range of 170° C. to 360° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve modification method and a catalytic cracking catalyst containing a molecular sieve. The method comprises: mixing a solution containing an ion of a Group MB metal in the periodic table, an organic complexing agent, and/or a dispersant and a precipitation agent, and stirring the same to form a suspension containing a precipitant of a Group IIIB element; and mixing the resulting precipitant and a molecular sieve slurry, stirring the same to obtain a mixed slurry containing the precipitant of the Group MB element and a molecular sieve, and performing spray drying and optional calcination, to obtain a modified molecular sieve. The catalyst comprises, as calculated based on the catalyst mass being 100%, 10-55% of a modified molecular sieve (on a dry basis), 10-80% of clay (on a dry basis), 0-40% of an inorganic oxide (on an oxide basis), and 5-40% of a binding agent (on an oxide basis). The catalyst has good activity stability and heavy metal contamination resistance.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing an inexpensive, high-performance AEI type zeolite and an AEI type zeolite having a Si/Al ratio of 6.5 or less and an acidity of 1.2 mmol/g or more and 3.0 mmol/g or less, by using neither an expensive Y type zeolite as a raw material nor dangerous hydrofluoric acid. The method for producing an AEI type zeolite having a Si/Al ratio of 50 or less includes: preparing a mixture including a silicon atom material, an aluminum atom material, an alkali metal atom material, an organic structure-directing agent, and water; and performing hydrothermal synthesis of the obtained mixture, in which a compound having a Si content of 20% by weight or less and containing aluminum is used as the aluminum atom material; and the mixture includes a zeolite having a framework density of 14 T/1000 ?3 or more in an amount of 0.1% by weight or more with respect to SiO2 assuming that all Si atoms in the mixture are formed in SiO2.

Abstract: A process for direct synthesis of light olefins uses syngas as the feed raw material. This catalytic conversion process is conducted in a fixed bed or a moving bed using a composite catalyst containing components A and B (A+B). The active ingredient of catalyst A is metal oxide; and catalyst B is an oxide supported zeolite. A carrier is one or more of Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, MgO and Ga2O3 having hierarchical pores; the zeolite is one or more of CHA and AEI structures. The loading of the zeolite is 4%-45% wt. A weight ratio of the active ingredients in the catalyst A and the catalyst B is within a range of 0.1-20, and preferably 0.3-5. The total selectivity of the light olefins comprising ethylene, propylene and butylene can reach 50-90%, while the selectivity of a methane byproduct is less than 15%.

Abstract: A method of preparing a three-dimensional composite material includes the following steps: preparing polystyrene by soap-free emulsion polymerizing, obtaining polystyrene opal by a vertical deposition method, synthesizing MoP IO (molybdenum phosphide inverse opal), and compounding with quantum points CdS, so as to obtain a novel inorganic composite material, namely cadmium sulfide quantum dot-compounded MoP IO. The preparation method has the advantages that the MoP IO is prepared first, and the MoP IO is of a three-dimensional cyclic pore structure and has the photonic band gap feature, so that the MoP IO has better catalysis effect in light catalysis in comparison with that of common porous material; the MoP IO is compounded with the cadmium sulfide quantum dots, so that the light absorbing ability is enhanced, and the composite material capable of absorbing the visible light is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel magnetic BiOCl—Bi24O31Cl10/MnFe2O4—Fe2O3 semiconductor photocatalyst as a staggered multi-heterojunction nano-photocatalyst for pharmaceutical effluents remediation, and preparation method and use thereof. The semiconductor photocatalysts are at weighted ratios 9:1 4:1, 7:3 and 3:2 of BiOCl—Bi24O31Cl10 and MnFe2O4—Fe2O3 semiconductor. The BiOCl—Bi24O31Cl10/MnFe2O4—Fe2O3 semiconductor photocatalyst with 10% MnFe2O4—Fe2O3 is a solar light activated photocatalyst for pharmaceutical effluents remediation. The pharmaceutical effluents include ofloxacin antibiotic.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst ensuring that in the case of causing gas-phase catalytic oxidation of an unsaturated aldehyde and an oxygen-containing gas with use of the catalyst to produce a corresponding unsaturated carboxylic acid, the pressure loss can be kept low and an unsaturated carboxylic acid can be produced with high selectivity. The present invention relates to a ring-shaped or columnar catalyst, which is used at the time of producing a corresponding unsaturated carboxylic acid by causing gas-phase catalytic oxidation of an unsaturated aldehyde and an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the outer peripheral edge part is inclined relative to the center line.

Abstract: A pipette for sampling an extended range of volumes of liquid includes a fixed pipette body. An operating rod is movable in translation relative to the pipette body, along a longitudinal axis of the pipette. The pipette includes a suction chamber and a set of N concentric pistons, wherein N corresponds to an integer greater than or equal to 2. Each of the pistons contributes to delimiting the suction chamber. A coupling module couples the operating rod with the set of N concentric pistons. The module is configured in such a way as to be able to be brought into N distinct configurations in which it respectively couples the operating rod with 1, 2, . . . , N pistons.

Abstract: The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip with a high volumetric flow rate is provided that includes at least two vertically stacked microfluidic channel layers, each microfluidic channel layer including an array of spaced apart pillars. Each microfluidic channel layer is interconnected by an inlet/outlet opening that extends through the microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip is created without wafer to wafer bonding thus circumventing the cost and yield issues associated with microfluidic chips that are created by wafer bonding.

Abstract: A drive circuit and its drive method, and a panel and its drive method are provided. The drive circuit includes a step-up unit, a plurality of signal input terminals and a signal output terminal, which are electrically connected with each other. The step-up unit includes a first module, a second module, a third module and a first capacitor, which are electrically connected with each other. The first module is configured to transmit a signal of a third signal input terminal to a first electrode of the first capacitor. The second module is configured to transmit a signal of a fourth signal input terminal to a second electrode of the first capacitor. The third module is configured to transmit a signal of the third signal input terminal to the second electrode of the first capacitor, which further increases the signal of the first electrode of the first capacitor.

Abstract: A column-based device and method for retrieving cells of interest were enclosed. The said device comprises a column comprising (i) an inner wall defining an inner chamber with inlet and outlet openings, (ii) a perforated plug disposed adjacent to the outlet opening, (iii) a sleeve insert with a channel and disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the perforated plug, and (iv) a filtering means housed within sleeve insert sandwiched between two sealing means. In particular, Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) as characterized multiple nuclei, expression of endothelial markers (PECAM1, VWF and CDH5), and non-expression of leukocyte, megakaryocyte and platelets markers, may be retrieved using the disclosed device. Also encompassed are methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers by detecting for the presence of TECCs isolated from blood samples using the claimed device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for processing a blood sample, a device for cells preparation and a method thereof. The disclosure can be used for blood separation, cell culture and preparation of cells. The apparatus mainly uses a weight sensor to have the weight and some liquid sensors. By optimizing the connection relationship of each device in the whole equipment, simplifying the operation process of the equipment, coordinating each step of the device, reducing the production cost, integrating the steps of PBMC cell separation and magnetic bead separation, the method makes the cell preparation process more intelligently automated, the operation simpler, the cell pollution reduced and the success rate of cell preparation improved. It has broad application prospects and huge market value.

Abstract: Microfluidic channels networks and systems are provided. One network includes a first fluid channel having a first depth dimension; at least a second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection; at least a third channel in fluid communication with the first intersection, at least one of the first intersection and the third channel having a depth dimension that is greater than the first depth dimension. Also provided is a flow control system for directing fluids in the network. Systems are additionally provided for flowing disrupted particles into a droplet formation junction, whereby a portion of the disrupted particles or the contents thereof are encapsulated into one or more droplets. Further provided is a method for controlling filling of a microfluidic network by controlling passive valving microfluidic channel network features.

Abstract: This application provides a bead with a covalently attached chemical compound and a covalently attached DNA barcode and methods for using such beads. The bead has many substantially identical copies of the chemical compound and many substantially identical copies of the DNA barcode. The compound consists of one or more chemical monomers, where the DNA barcode takes the form of barcode modules, where each module corresponds to and allows identification of a corresponding chemical monomer. The nucleic acid barcode can have a concatenated structure or an orthogonal structure. Provided are method for sequencing the bead-bound nucleic acid barcode, for cleaving the compound from the bead, and for assessing biological activity of the released compound.

Abstract: Described is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device including a PCR thermal block including a first substrate and heating units, a PCR chip including a second substrate and reaction chambers, and an unidirectional sliding driver for sliding the PCR chip relative to the PCR thermal block while maintaining a contact between the second substrate of the PCR chip and the first substrate of the PCR thermal block. The first and second heaters of each of the plurality of heating units are spaced apart from each other along a sliding direction, and the unidirectional sliding driver causes any reaction chamber in the PCR chip to have a sequential thermal contact from a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at one end of the PCR thermal block to a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at another end of the PCR thermal block.

Abstract: A biological sample analysis system including a sample preparation system forming droplets of segmented sample separated by a carrier fluid immiscible with the sample. The droplets include reaction mixtures for amplification of at least one target nucleic acid. A thermal cycling device having a sample block having a plurality of controlled thermal zones, and a containment structure in thermal communication with the plurality of controlled thermal zones. The containment structure receives and contains the droplets of segmented sample separated by the immiscible carrier fluid from the sample preparation system. A controller for controlling a temperature in each thermal zone of the sample block. A detection system detects electromagnetic radiation emitted from each of the droplets individually from the queue of droplets as they flow past the detection system. A positioning system to facilitate moving a queue of the droplets in the thermal cycling device relative to the detection system.

Abstract: A grinder having a rotor and fan assembly mounted in a housing having one or more of the following features: a cutting shaft and a fan shaft which are concentric and are rotated by separate motors; a housing formed in two sections with a line of division passing through the axis of rotation of the shafts and mounted on rollers; ping pong shaped cutting hammers; and deflectors attached to the inside of the housing and to a deflector assembly on the outside of the housing. The deflectors are movable vertically and horizontally with first and second motion controllers for adjusting the spacing between the cutting hammers and the deflectors. A programmable logic controller is used for independently controlling the speed at which the cutting shaft and fan shaft are rotated and the spacing between the cutting hammers and the deflectors to produce a desired particle size reduction for a selected material.