Abstract: An electrophoretic apparatus comprising:

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus, comprises a cartridge configured to be removably mounted in the apparatus, and a separation membrane positioned in the cartridge. The separation membrane has a first side along which a first flow path defined in a first grid element and a second side along which a second flow path defined in a second grid element is provided. Restriction membranes separate buffer flow from the first flow path and the second flow path. The apparatus includes connection blocks which house electrodes and inlets and outlets for buffer flow and sample flows. The cartridge is removable from the connection blocks for replacement with another cartridge.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing heat stable amine salts using an electrodialysis process. The process of the present invention can be used to reduce the level of heat stable salts in a lean solvent stream in an acid gas removal process. A base is added to the electrodialysis unit in order to permit the recovery of the heat stable amine salts as salts corresponding to the base added. The purified amine solution can be used again to remove acid gases from a gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing compounds in small volumes by electrophoresis, the apparatus comprising: (a) a cathode in a static cathode buffer zone or compartment; (b) an anode in a static anode buffer zone or compartment, the anode disposed relative to the cathode so as to be adapted to generate an electric field in an electric field area therebetween upon application of a voltage potential between the cathode and anode; (c) a first separation barrier disposed in the electric field area; (d) a second separation barrier disposed between a selected one of the cathode buffer zone and the anode buffer zone and the first barrier so as to define a first interstitial volume or chamber therebetween; wherein in use, electrophoretic buffer is disposed in the cathode buffer zone and the anode buffer zone, a sample constituent is provided to the first interstitial volume; wherein upon application of the voltage potential, a selected separation product is removed from the sample constituent through a selected one of the f

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for separating nucleic acids from other cellular debris, especially substances that carry a net positive charge at low pH, by electrophoresis under acid conditions. In the purification method of the present invention, nucleic acids are separated from proteins found in the same biological sample by applying the sample to an electrophesis gel and subjecting the sample to electrophoresis under acid conditions to separate the nucleic acids from the proteins. The optimum pH may differ for different sample types but can be readily determined by those skilled in the art. Preferably, the separation is performed at a pH of about 2 to about 4. More preferably, electrophoresis is carried out at a pH of 2.

Abstract: A relatively concentrated and a relatively dilute aqueous salt solution are respectively passed through the anode and cathode chambers of a flow-through electrochemical cell having a porous membrane separating the two chambers. The fluid pressure in the cathode chamber is maintained at less than atmospheric pressure and at less than the fluid pressure in the anode chamber while a potential difference is applied across the anode and cathode. In this way, dangerous build-up of gaseous electrolysis products in the chambers, especially the anode chamber, is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for in-line flow-through sample treatment includes a sample channel that has a sample inlet and a sample outlet and is defined in part by inner surfaces of walls of a solid material and in part by an inner surface of a first membrane, and a first flushing channel that has an inlet port and an outlet port and is defined in part by inner surfaces of walls of a solid material and in part by an outer surface of the first membrane. An electric field is applied across the first membrane in liquids carried within the sample channel and the first flushing channel. The analytical stream flows from an upstream liquid analysis device, such as a liquid chromatographic column, into the sample inlet and through the sample channel and out from the sample outlet, and a flushing liquid flows into the inlet port and through the flushing channel and out from the outlet port. Charged particles (such as ions of inorganic salts) in the analytical stream move in a direction generally away from or toward the membrane.

Abstract: Single-channel thin film devices and methods for using the same are provided. The subject devices comprise cis and trans chambers connected by an electrical communication means. At the cis end of the electrical communication means is a horizontal conical aperture sealed with a thin film that includes a single nanopore or channel. The devices further include a means for applying an electric field between the cis and trans chambers. The subject devices find use in applications in which the ionic current through a nanopore or channel is monitored where such applications include the characterization of naturally occurring ion channels, the characterization of polymeric compounds, and the like.

Abstract: Electrodeionization apparatus for purifying water that includes a cathode, an anode, and a plurality of alternating anion permeable membranes and cation permeable membranes between the cathode and anode that define concentrating and diluting flow channels between adjacent pairs of membranes. The diluting channels include cation exchange materials and anion exchange materials that are fixed in close contacting position with respect to each other and provide conductive paths for cations and anions to the adjacent membranes and provide flow passages for water between the materials. The anion exchange materials and cation exchange materials each have a characteristic dimension that is smaller than the characteristic dimensions of the flow passages.

Abstract: A solvent purification system and method of reducing the contamination level thereof are provided. Contaminated solvent is directed under pressure across at least one cross-flow membrane unit, and the waste stream therefrom is conveyed through at least one membrane precipitator unit to precipitate out contaminant, or selectively precipitate out solutes.

Abstract: A system for separating nucleated cells from a blood sample includes a charge-flow separator (CFS), which separates blood into fractions according to the surface charge density characteristics coupled with an affinity-filtration separator which either outputs a separated blood fraction to the CFS or receives a separated blood fraction from the CFS. The system permits separation of nucleated fetal red blood cells, erythroid progenitor cells and other nucleated cells found in blood samples.

Abstract: A process for purifying and concentrating a gluconic acid derivative, such as 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, comprising introducing a non-viable and/or acidified fermentation medium or an in-vitro reactor medium comprising at least the gluconic acid derivative and/or salt thereof to electrodialysis thereby purifying and concentrating the gluconic acid derivative.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the electronic sample preparation of biological materials utilize the differential charge-to-mass ratio and/or the differential affinity of sample constituents to separation materials for sample preparation. An integrated system is provided for performing some or all of the processes of: receipt of biological materials, cell selection, sample purification, sample concentration, buffer exchange, complexity reduction and/or diagnosis and analysis. In one embodiment, one or more sample chambers adapted to receive a buffer solution are formed adjacent to a spacer region which may include a trap or other affinity material, electrophoretic motion of the materials to be prepared being effected through operation of electrodes. In another aspect of this invention, a transporter or dipstick serves to collect and permit transport of materials, such as nucleic acids, most preferably DNA and/or RNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for concentrating an aqueous PTFE emulsion in which a raw, aqueous PTFE emulsion containing fluorinated surfactants is concentrated by an electrodialysis technique using at least one nonionic surfactant as an anti-flocculation agent and a volatile electrolyte such that the formation of floccules is prevented.

Abstract: A method for enriching rare cell populations from a whole blood sample by separating rare cell fractions from whole blood sample according to the relative charge density and/or the relative binding affinity for a leukocyte depletion solid phase matrix is described. The enrichment method may be operated stand alone, or as a pre or post-processing step in conjunction with a charge-flow separation method.

Abstract: An assembly consisting of at least one seal layer and a solid polymer ion exchange layer wherein the seal layer covers essentially only the region of the ion exchange layer which is to be sealed. The seal layer is made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film having one surface coated and partially impregnated with a solid polymer ion exchange material. The seal layer provides support and masking functions for the solid polymer ion exchange layer during intermediate manufacturing steps, and reinforcement and effective sealing when assembled in an electrochemical apparatus.

Abstract: A charge-flow separation apparatus (CFS) for enriching rare cell populations, particularly fetal cells, from a whole blood sample by separating the rare cell fractions from whole fractions according to the relative-charge density and/or the relative binding affinity for a leukocyte depletion solid phase matrix is described. The apparatus having an internal cooling system allows for dissipating heat generated by the electric field of the apparatus. The internal cooling system, consisting of a plurality of cooling tubes to circulate coolant material, prevents cellular degradation typically associated with the high heat generated by the electric field and permits the use of a higher voltage gradient to shorten separation times.

Abstract: A capillary, interface and holder for a capillary electrophoresis system are provided herein. The capillary is disposed in a substantially planar housing having side surfaces. The capillary includes at least two, substantially coplanar capillary openings which extend through an interface surface located on one of the side surfaces. The interface includes at least two spaced apart receptacles for receiving an ionic fluid. Each receptacle includes a liquid permeable medium having a capillary area and a conductor area. Each capillary area is in fluid communication with one of the capillary openings and each conductor area is in contact with at least one electrical conductor. At least two of the capillary areas are substantially coplanar. The ionic fluid is disposed in each receptacle to create an electrical path between the capillary area and conductor area of each receptacle.

Abstract: A method for forming filtration members using an electric potential to control the migration of electrically charged particles and hence to control the formation of a membrane layer on a substrate. In one embodiment, electrophoresis and electrodialysis processes are used to control the migration of sol particles and the deposition of the sol particles to provide a desired pore size associated with the membrane layer. In another embodiment, the substrate pores are impregnated with a reagent and, subsequently, electrophoresis and "reverse" electrophoresis processes are utilized to control the diffusion of ions in connection with the formation of the membrane layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for inducing the mono-directional transport of ions across a conducting polymer membrane which separates electrolyte solutions, by creating a potential gradient across the conducting polymer membrane.

Abstract: A method for enriching rare cell populations from a whole blood sample by separating rare cell fractions from whole according to the relative charge density and/or the relative binding affinity for a leukocyte depletion solid phase matrix. The enrichment method may be operated stand alone, or as a pre or post-processing step in conjunction with a charge-flow separation method.

Abstract: A charge-flow separation apparatus (CFS) and method for enriching rare cell populations, particularly fetal cells, from a whole blood sample by separating the rare cell fractions from whole according to the relative charge density and/or the relative binding affinity for a leukocyte depletion solid phase matrix. The enrichment method may be operated stand alone, or as a pre- or post-processing step in conjunction with a charge-flow separation method.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for preparative electrophoresis is especially useful for proteins. An electrophoretic potential with an initial polarity is applied across an electrophoretic medium (13) to induce at least two species of macromolecules (1,2) in a mixture (3) with a first electrolyte solution to move into the medium (13) and towards a second electrolyte solution on an opposite side of the medium (13). The at least two species of macromolecules (1,2) have similar transport properties, although at least one (1) of the species moves through the medium (13) at a faster rate than the other species (2). The initial polarity is maintained until just before any of the other species of macromolecules have emerged into the second electrolyte solution whereupon the polarity of the electrophoretic potential is reversed while preventing the proportion of the at least one species of macromolecules (1) which has already emerged into the second electrolyte solution from being drawn back into the medium (13).

Abstract: The invention provides fittings for the ends of electrochromatography cols. Each fitting includes an annular electrode surrounding one end of the passage electrical fields to be applied. The fitting also contains a passageway for eluant flowing into or out of the column, an annular chamber for the electrode and a membrane separating the passageway from the annular electrode chamber. The membrane prevents gases and electrolytic products from entering the column eluent going through the chromatographic column. The membrane also isolate the electrodes from the compounds such as proteins and macromolecules being separated. A buffer solution was pumped through the electrode chamber to remove the gases and electrode products. The buffer flow through the electrode chamber maintains a constant pH and conductivity so that the electrical field applied by each electrode is constant. The buffer flow also serves to remove the heat generated in the electrode chamber.

Abstract: Devices are useful to capture or dispense target molecules and include an electric field-responsive valve unit. The valve unit includes an active control structure having at least one monomolecular layer and being up to about 10 nm thick. The active control structure is formed by a majority of molecular species with a dipolar moment greater than about 5 Debye, and operable in response to an electric field at a threshold value. A particularly preferred embodiment has the active control structure carried on a microporous membrane with pores in the nanometer range. Applications for inventive embodiments include drug delivery and target molecule capture during electrophoresis separations.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a flow-through, electric, double-layer capacitor providing for a high, steady rate of removal of ionic substances and amenable to commercial scale application and a method of treating fluids using the flow-through electric double-layer capacitor. The invention is a planar, flow-through, electric, double-layer capacitor comprising a separator (1) consisting in an electrically-insulating, porous, flow-through sheet, activated carbon layers (2, 2), each comprising a high specific surface area activated carbon as a main component, collectors (3, 3) disposed externally of the active carbon layers (2, 2), and retaining plates (4, 4) disposed externally of the collectors (3, 3).