Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation element for the introduction of a gas into a liquid, having at least one gas port, having at least one carrier plate and having at least one elastically deformable diaphragm which is connected to the at least one gas port and/or to the at least one carrier plate. A space that can be formed between the at least one diaphragm and the at least one carrier plate is connected in terms of flow to the gas port. The at least one carrier plate has a multiplicity of gas outlet openings, and at least one diaphragm is composed at least in sections of a material with a lower density than water, or is equipped with at least one float body which has a lower density than water.

Abstract: A material wetting system for wetting a powder material includes a liquid supply system, a material mixing unit, a material supply system, and a shroud assembly. The liquid supply system includes a supply line. The material mixing unit is in fluid communication with the supply line and includes a central cavity having an open upper end configured to receive a supply of powder material. The material mixing unit is configured to receive liquid from the supply line and is operatively connected to a reduced pressure source to draw air into the central cavity. The material supply system includes an orifice and is configured to feed powder material through the orifice, with the orifice disposed above the central cavity of the material mixing unit. The shroud assembly is disposed about the open upper end of the central cavity of the material mixing unit and the orifice of the material supply system.

Abstract: A receptacle comprises opposed members, a plurality of chambers having perimeter walls defined by seals formed between the opposed members and portals interconnecting the chambers, and a rigid frame supporting the opposed members at their peripheral edges. The frame comprises a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, and the peripheral edges of the opposed members are retained between the front and rear frame portions. An inlet port extends between the front and rear frame portions and is in fluid communication with one of the chambers.

Abstract: A method of processing a sample in a receptacle comprising a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers is connected to at least one other chamber by a portal and at least a first one of the chambers is formed of a flexible material. The method includes the steps of causing gas bubbles contained in the first chamber to accumulate in a portion of the first chamber, applying a compressive external force to the first chamber to cause some or all of the liquid contents of the first chamber to flow into an interconnected second chamber through a portal connecting the first and second chambers; and preventing the gas bubbles accumulated in a portion of the first chamber from flowing through the portal into the second chamber.

Abstract: A method of mixing a liquid composition that includes microparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid carrier may involve a first premixing step and a second premixing step. During the first premixing step a receptacle is oscillated about a longitudinal axis clockwise and counter-clockwise from a first reference point through a first angle of rotation for a first period of time and at a first angular velocity. During the second premixing step the receptacle is oscillated about the longitudinal axis clockwise and counter-clockwise from a second reference point through a second angle of rotation for a second period of time and at a second angular velocity. In examples, the first angle of rotation is smaller than said second angle of rotation, and the first period of time is shorter than the second period of time.

Abstract: A food recycler can include a housing defining an interior and an access opening to the interior. A mixing bin can be located within the interior and can have an inlet and an outlet. The food recycler can further include an output bin, the output bin having an inlet. The outlet of the mixing bin can couple or connect to the inlet of the output bin.

Abstract: A blending system and method are described for preparing a blended mixture. The blending system includes a control system having at least a processor, and a computer-readable memory, wherein the memory contains software configured to receive a formula defining instructions for preparing a blended mixture. The blending system further includes: a plurality of receptacles to organize and store blending dye containers, the blending dye containers containing blending materials; a pumping system that pumps blending materials into a mixing bowl, wherein the pumping system is controlled by the control system; and a user input device that receives input regarding the preparation of the blended mixture. The control system monitors a weight on the scale as blending materials are added to a mixing bowl on the scale, wherein a desired batch size of the blended mixture is prepared and added to the mixing bowl on the scale.

Abstract: A system forms a cosmetic composition. The system includes a dispensing arrangement in selective fluid communication with a plurality of dispensing dosing receptacles mounted on a movable carousel. The dispensing arrangement is configured to selectively dispense a plurality of the booster compositions together with a base composition corresponding to a formulation corresponding to a compatibility profile and consumer skin conditions to form a stable composition having efficacious concentrations of active ingredients into a receiving receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pretreatment process for improving the filling of a chamber with solid particles, in which said solid particles are mixed before loading of said solid particles into the chamber with at least one lubricant that is solid at ambient temperature chosen from saturated fatty acids having 14 or more carbon atoms, metal salts of saturated fatty acids having 14 or more carbon atoms, esters of fatty acids having 14 or more carbon atoms, fatty alcohols having 14 or more carbon atoms, linear N-alkanes having 16 or more carbon atoms in solid form, fumaric acid, talc, sodium stearoyl fumarate, the lubricant being introduced at a content of between 0.01% and 1% relative to the total weight of the mixture of solid particles and lubricant. The invention also relates to the use of the process for the pretreatment of particles of adsorbents for the separation of xylenes.

Abstract: A downflow reactor, e.g. a downer reactor or system, includes an outer wall defining an interior reactor space. An elongated plug is within the outer wall having a first end and a second end, defining a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. A distribution baffle positioned at a vertical position between the first end and the second end of the elongated plug configured and adapted to direct hot down flowing catalyst towards a feedstock spray.

Abstract: A catalyst loading and unloading system for chemical reactors has an extendable catalyst transfer tube that is fed by a catalyst hopper and controlled by a tube displacement mechanism; more particularly, by a winch mechanism. As the reactor chamber fills with catalyst, a lower end of the extendable catalyst transfer tube is displaced upward by the tube displacement mechanism to correspond with the rising height of the catalyst bed within the chamber. The extendable catalyst transfer tube may further be used to vacuum old catalyst out of the reactor chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic spray drying process for encapsulating a core material, such as a volatile flavor oil, within a carrier or wall material. The process is achieved by atomizing a liquid emulsion comprising the core material and the wall material, applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization, and drying the atomized emulsion into an encapsulated, free-flowing powder. Applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization allows the spray drying to be accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures, in particular, inlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 110° C., and outlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 80° C. The low drying temperatures impart improvements in the resulting encapsulated powdered product, including better retention of volatile flavor components, a flavor profile comparable to that of the starting liquid formulation, and better hydration and dissolution in water-based applications.

Abstract: An object is to provide a novel flow reactor capable of measuring the internal temperature. The flow reactor including a tubular reaction line, wherein the flow reactor further includes an internal temperature measurement unit provided at one or more location of the tubular reaction line, the internal temperature measurement unit includes a thermometer with a temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is inserted into the tubular reaction line.

Abstract: A malic acid and KMnO4-based combined and modified cow dung biogas residue hydrochar preparation method, comprising: mixing a cow dung biogas residue with malic acid, and performing ultrasonic treatment to obtain a malic acid modified cow dung biogas residue; performing a hydrothermal reaction with KMnO4 in a high-temperature high-pressure reactor to obtain a combined and modified cow dung biogas residue hydrochar material.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymers made up of polymerized units of phenothiazine, pyrrole, and aldehyde. The crosslinked polymers are porous with a BET surface area in the range of 300-600 m2/g. A method of synthesizing the crosslinked polymers is described. Processes for using the crosslinked polymers as adsorbent materials for adsorbing gases (e.g. CO2 capturing), and separating fluid mixtures under dry and wet conditions are also introduced.

Abstract: A synergistic composition can be used to treat water containing nitrogen compounds and phosphorus compounds. The synergistic composition includes iron filings, clay particles, aluminum particles, and sand particles. The iron filings, clay particles, and aluminum particles act synergistically to remove nitrogen compounds and phosphorus compounds from water. Specifically, the clay particles attract the nitrogen compounds and the phosphorus compounds to be absorbed onto a surface of the iron filings and the clay particles. The aluminum particles react with the nitrogen compounds via an oxidation reaction to form ammonia compounds, and react with the phosphorus compounds to produce aluminum phosphate. As such, the synergistic relationship between the iron filings, clay particles, and aluminum particles remove nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from water and recover the compounds in usable forms, namely, ammonia and aluminum phosphate.

Abstract: Provided herein are stationary phase compositions comprising a chromatographic surface of porous or non-porous core material comprising a surface modifier for use in chromatographic separations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytically active material for the electrochemical oxidation of water, wherein the catalytically active material comprises an amorphous Ir-oxohydroxide, wherein the catalytically active material has a specific surface area (SBET) of ?50 m2.g?1; an electrode coated with the catalytically active material; a proton exchange membrane (PEM) based electrolyzer comprising the electrode; the use of the catalytically active material, the electrode or the electrolyzer the electrochemical oxidation of water; and a process for preparing the catalytically active material comprising the microwave-assisted thermal treatment of a basic solution of an Ir(III) or Ir(IV) complex.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a catalyst with which it is possible to obtain a supported metal ammonia synthesis catalyst, in which there are restrictions in terms of producing method and producing facility, and particularly large restrictions for industrial-scale producing, in a more simple manner and so that the obtained catalyst has a high activity. This method for manufacturing an ammonia synthesis catalyst includes: a first step for preparing 12CaO.7Al2O3 having a specific surface area of 5 m2/g or above; a second step for supporting a ruthenium compound on the 12CaO.7Al2O3; and a third step for performing a reduction process on the 12CaO.7Al2O3 supporting the ruthenium compound, obtained in the second step. This invention is characterized in that the reduction process is performed until the average particle diameter of the ruthenium after the reduction process has increased by at least 15% in relation to the average particle diameter of the ruthenium before the reduction process.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses: a bifunctional Cu/Ce—Zr-based catalyst suitable for reacting a ketone and alcohol which are contained in a fermented product of biomass and have a low molecular weight, and converting same into an aliphatic ketone having an increased carbon number; a method for producing the catalyst; and a method for producing a fuel-range aliphatic ketone, such as gasoline and air fuel, by using the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst containing an active cobalt phase, deposited on a support comprising alumina, silica or silica-alumina, said support containing a mixed oxide phase containing cobalt and/or nickel, said catalyst has been prepared by introducing at least one organic compound of the family of dilactones. The invention also relates to the process for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof in the field of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for stabilizing an antimony ammoxidation catalyst in an ammoxidation process. The process may comprise providing an antimony ammoxidation catalyst to a reactor; reacting propylene with ammonia and oxygen in the fluidized bed reactor in the presence of the antimony ammoxidation catalyst to form a crude acrylonitrile product; and adding an effective amount of an antimony-containing compound to the antimony ammoxidation catalyst to maintain catalyst conversion and selectivity; wherein the antimony-containing compound has a melting point less than 375° C. The present disclosure also relates to catalyst compositions and additional processes using the antimony ammoxidation catalyst stabilized by an antimony-containing compound.

Abstract: A catalyst for catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid, relating to the technical field of renewable energy. The catalyst is a mixture of a bromide and a base. A method for preparing the catalyst in catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid. The method includes: mixing the furfural, the bromide-base, an oxidant and a solvent to carry out a reaction to obtain the maleic acid. The present invention has the advantages that the method has a relatively high conversion rate of furfural and a relatively high yield of maleic acid, the conversion rate of furfural is up to 99%, the yield of maleic acid is up to 68.04%; and the catalyst has a high catalytic selectivity and reusability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligomerization catalyst including a transition metal or transition metal precursor, a halogen-substituted organic ligand, and a heteroatom ligand, and to a method for selectively preparing 1-hexene or 1-octene from ethylene using the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reaction mixtures comprising a water-surfactant mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises a compound with solubilizing groups. This technology improves the solubility of the reaction components in the water-surfactant mixture and thereby, greatly increases the productivity and selectivity of the chemical reaction.

Abstract: A collection pipette that collects a microscopic object includes a first tube part, a second tube part connected to an end of the first tube part, and a third tube part connected to the other end of the first tube part. The longitudinal direction of the third tube part intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first tube part, and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second tube part. For example, the length in the longitudinal direction of the third tube part is shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction of the first tube part.

Abstract: Pipette tip coupler and a disposable pipette tip for a pipette device comprises a stepped coupler shoulder complementary to an axially stepped pipette tip shoulder; a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments carried by the coupler at a location superior to the coupler shoulder; and a distal elastomeric element carried by the coupler at a location distal to the coupler shoulder wherein the plurality of elements or segments have a circumferential, radially translated state that provides an abutment with a first working surface formed in the interior surface of the tip while compressing the distal elastomeric element into sealing abutment with a second working surface formed in the interior surface of the tip and while abutting the proximally facing axial stop surface of the tip with the distally facing axial stop surface of the coupler to define an axial coupling position of the pipette tip on the pipette device.

Abstract: A compact device compact analytical device to perform main steps of analytical procedures comprises a driving part configured to be attached to a stirrer part or a centrifuge part, wherein the stirrer part is configured to mix at least one sample and the centrifuge part is configured to separate a component. Furthermore, an analyzer part is configured to produce analytical data.

Abstract: A system for manipulating electric fields within a microscopic fluid channel includes a fluid channel with an inlet and an outlet to support fluid flow, at least one controllable electric field producer that applies a non-uniform and adjustable electric field to one or more regions of the fluid channel, one or more sensors that measure one or more parameters of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel, and a controller with hardware and software components that receives signals from the one or more sensors representative of values of the one or more parameters and, based on the parameter values, drives one or more actuators to adjust the electric field produced by the plurality of electric field producers. A complex fluid including at least two components flows through the fluid channel, where at least one of the at least two components comprises particles controllable by the non-uniform and adjustable electric field.

Abstract: A microfluidic product pouch assembly may be used in a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic product pouch may include a pouch surrounding an inner chamber and having a rupturing portion and an inner membrane positioned within the inner chamber. The inner membrane may separate the inner chamber into a first cavity and a second cavity. A reagent may be positioned within the first cavity and/or the second cavity. The microfluidic product pouch assembly may also include a rupturing structure. The rupturing structure may be configured to selectively break the rupturing portion of the microfluidic product pouch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an analytical system with at least three components: a multiwell plate on which the wells are included in an optically transparent area; a frame holding the multiwell plate close to its edge while permitting the plate a certain extent of freedom of movement; a baseplate to which the multiwell plate, but not the frame is firmly fixed via a docking mechanism, such that different expansion of plate and frame can be compensated. A second aspect described herein relates to a method of docking a corresponding multiwell plate held by a frame to a baseplate and subjecting the multiwell plate to a step of a biological or chemical assay within this arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, apparatuses and methods for automated bioprocessing. Examples of protocols and bioprocessing procedures suitable for the present invention include but are not limited to: immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, recombinant protein isolation, nucleic acid separation and isolation, protein labeling, separation and isolation, cell separation and isolation, food safety analysis and automatic bead based separation. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods of western blot processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to temperature-cycling microfluidic devices. In one example, a temperature-cycling microfluidic device can include a driver chip having a top surface and a heat exchange substrate having a top surface coplanar with the top surface of the driver chip. A fluid chamber can be located on the top surface of the driver chip. A first and second microfluidic loop can have fluid driving ends and fluid outlet ends connected to the fluid chamber and can include portions thereof located on the top surface of the heat exchange substrate. A first and second fluid actuator can be on the driver chip. The first and second fluid actuators can be associated with the fluid driving ends of the first and second microfluidic loops, respectively, to circulate fluid through the first and second microfluidic loops.

Abstract: A microfluidic control system for controlling an EWOD device has an enhanced thermal control system for generating a temperature profile within an EWOD device that is inserted into the microfluidic control system. The microfluidic control system includes a housing that defines an aperture for receiving an EWOD device; an active heating component located within the housing at a base of the aperture; and a lid attached to the housing that is moveable between a closed position and an open position, the lid including a thermal control component. When the lid is in the closed position, the thermal control component is positioned at the aperture and aligned oppositely from the active heating component. The active heating component may include a plurality of independently controllable individual heating elements, and the thermal control component may include a respective plurality of individual thermal control elements.

Abstract: The disclosed method of manufacturing may include positioning a membrane on top of a channeled layer where the channeled layer includes a shim portion that is dimensioned to limit the amount of compression appliable to the membrane. The membrane may be positioned at a juncture in the channeled layer. The method may next include positioning a transmission housing layer membrane and the channeled layer. The method may also include fastening the channeled layer, the membrane, and the transmission housing layer together. The channeled layer, the membrane, and the transmission housing layer may be held together with at least one fastening member. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A test cartridge for evaluating biological fluids can have a sensor flow cell defining a flow path for selectively passing a test fluid or biological fluid across a sensor to evaluate the sensor or the biological fluid. The test cartridge can include a sample port and at least one deformable reservoir, both formed as part of the test cartridge and fluidly connected to the flow path upstream of the sensor. A biological fluid can be manually fed into the flow path through the sample port for evaluation by the sensor. Before the biological fluid is fed through the sample port, the deformable reservoir can be manually ruptured to pass the test fluid contained within the reservoir across the sensor to first evaluate the sensor. In an example, the deformable reservoir can include a first reservoir containing a liquid quality control (LQC) fluid and a second reservoir containing a calibration fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a polymer base layer having a surface. A die that includes a fluid manipulation surface that is substantially coplanar with the surface of the polymer base layer. The die includes a control electrode to generate an electric field to perform microfluidic manipulation of fluid across the fluid manipulation surface of the die.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a substance of interest. The methods and systems include collecting the substance of interest on a collection device comprising an inert fiber material and a siloxane resin. The systems and methods further include heating the collection device in a desorber, wherein heating the device releases the substance of interest from the device, performing an analysis of the substance of interest, and detecting the substance of interest.

Abstract: Polymer hydrogels and methods for selective retrieval of microbial targets from microwells and other cell culture devices. The methods use semi-permeable, photodegradable hydrogel membranes that permit exchange of nutrients and waste products but seals motile bacteria and other microbes within microwells. Light exposure can be used to degrade the hydrogel membrane in a targeted manner and release the microbes from targeted microwells for further study.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device may include a blank cassette that includes a substrate, a die coupled to the substrate, a number of assigned electrical traces formed on the substrate, and a number of unassigned electrical traces formed on the substrate. At least one wirebond may couple at least one of the unassigned electrical traces to the die thereby assigning at least one function to the fluid ejection device.

Abstract: A novel in vitro system and method for predicting the in vivo behavior, such as absorption time or mechanical strength retention, of biodegradable polymeric implants and medical devices. Data from this in vitro method are correlated to in vivo absorption data, allowing for the prediction of accurate in vivo behaviors, such as absorption times. The system uses a novel bypass loop to maintain the integrity of pH measuring devices to improve the reproducibility of data collected during in vitro testing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise microfluidic devices, instrumentation interfacing with those devices, processes for fabricating that device, and methods of employing that device to perform PCR amplification. Embodiments of the invention are also compatible with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (“qPCR”) processes. Microfluidic devices in accordance with the invention may contain a plurality of parallel processing channels. Fully independent reactions can take place in each of the plurality of parallel processing channels. The availability of independent processing channels allows a microfluidic device in accordance with the invention to be used in a number of ways. For example, separate samples could be processed in each of the independent processing channels. Alternatively, different loci on a single sample could be processed in multiple processing channels.

Abstract: Provided is an automated analysis device with which sufficient reaction process data can be acquired irrespective of the scale of the device, and with which it is possible to ensure freedom of the device configuration. An automated analysis device 100 is provided with: a reaction disk 1 which circumferentially accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels 2; a specimen dispensing mechanism 11 which dispenses a specimen into the reaction vessels 2; a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 which dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessels 2; a measuring unit 4 which measures a reaction process of a mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessels 2; and a cleaning mechanism 3 which cleans the reaction vessels 2 after measurement.

Abstract: A method and crushing device for coarse-grained material. The crushing device includes one first axially rotatable grinding mechanism and a second grinding mechanism which is fixed with respect to the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism. The second grinding mechanism accommodates the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism and is in operative connection with the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism for the purpose of crushing the coarse-grained material. The axially rotatable grinding mechanism has one transport channel for the respective material to be crushed. The transport channel includes a first section extending axially and a second section which adjoins the first section at an angle and passes through an outer lateral surface of the axially rotatable grinding mechanism.

Abstract: An agitator ball mill including an in particular horizontal grinding container, which has a first end area having a grinding material inlet and a second end area having a grinding material outlet, and a method for operating an agitator ball mill. The agitator ball mill includes a shaft, which can be rotated in the grinding container or in the grinding chamber, respectively, by means of a drive unit and which is formed as agitator shaft at least in sections and which is equipped with agitator elements, as well as a separating device. The separating device includes a classifier rotor, which is arranged on the agitator shaft axially spaced apart from the grinding material outlet and has a rotatable rotor cage, as well as a screen unit, which is arranged within the rotor cage and which is fastened to the classifier rotor.

Abstract: A grinding, separating, and discharging of hard to grind parts of a material mixture of components with different grindability from a spiral jet mill, wherein the hard to grind parts are discharged from the process chamber via at least one additional discharge nozzle. A spiral jet mill for comminuting and classifying grinding material, including at least one process chamber, wherein this at least one process chamber is enclosed by a housing, at least one grinding material feeding, which leads into the at least one process chamber, at least two grinding nozzles, a fine material outlet, which is radially enclosed by a separator wheel, wherein at least one discharge nozzle is assigned to the process chamber.

Abstract: Black powder flowing with hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon pipeline is converted into a magnetorheological slurry by implementing wet scrubbing in the hydrocarbon pipeline. A flow of the magnetorheological slurry through the hydrocarbon pipeline is controlled.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has an upstream air treatment stage having an upstream air treatment member and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends of the downstream air treatment stage, and a downstream air treatment stage a downstream air treatment member and a downstream dirt collection chamber that is exterior to the downstream air treatment member. The downstream air treatment member is positioned rearward of the upstream air treatment member. The downstream dirt collection chamber extends forward of the downstream air treatment member to a location that is forward of the rear end of the upstream air treatment stage.

Abstract: In the case of a sanitary outlet unit (1, 10), it is therefore provided to form throughflow channels (4) in a jet former (3) in such a manner that an outflow direction (14) predetermined by each throughflow channel (4) is oriented in a manner tilted in relation to a longitudinal housing axis (12) in two planes perpendicular to each other and/or about two directions perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A hose nozzle assembly which is capable of heating water comprising an internal heating chamber with at least one heating element. The hose nozzle assembly is able to heat water from a common garden hose with the ability to control both flow rates and temperature.