Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an advanced control system for steam hydrocarbon reformer furnaces, especially steam methane reformer furnaces. As described herein, the advanced control system may improve the control quality and efficiency of adjusting steam hydrocarbon reformer furnaces operating coefficients. As a result, the steam hydrocarbon reformer furnace operations become more stable, resulting in energy savings and improved furnace yield.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing run-time quality control and monitoring of a single or multiple sequencing runs are provided herein. In some embodiments, the run-time system includes or is in communication with a processor capable of determining various types of run-time information relating to the quality, progress, etc. of various sequencing runs. In some embodiments, the system can also be in communication with a user interface, for example, a GUI, capable of representing and communicating various types of information to a user regarding the quality of the individual or multiple runs, the functioning of the instrument, an error event, etc. Additionally, the system can capable of receiving actionable information from a user via the GUI thereby allowing the user to terminate or repeat various sequencing steps in a particular run, terminate a entire run, terminate all runs, allow a run to proceed, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for software-reconfigurable chemical process systems useful in a wide range of applications. Embodiments may include software control of internal processes, automated provisions for cleaning internal elements with solvents, provisions for clearing and drying gasses, and multitasking operation. In one family of embodiments, a flexible software-reconfigurable multipurpose reusable “Lab-on-a-Chip” or “embedded chemical processor” is realized that can facilitate a wide range of applications, instruments, and appliances. Through use of a general architecture, a single design can be economically manufactured in large scale and readily adapted to diverse specialized applications. Clearing and cleaning provisions may be used to facilitate reuse of the device, or may be used for decontamination prior to recycling or non-reclaimed disposal.

Abstract: When a problematic reagent is identified while operating an automatic analyzer, it is required to have a plurality of screens displayed, and it is difficult for inexperienced operators to identify a problematic position of a reagent. With the present invention, control information for reagents and a calibrator required for analysis with an automatic analyzer are displayed concurrently, so that all necessary information can be referred to one screen. In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, screen switching as required in the conventional technology is not necessary, and improved operability and visibility are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluids in microfluidic systems are generally described. In some embodiments, control of fluids involves the use of feedback from one or more processes or events taking place in the microfluidic system. For instance, a detector may detect one or more fluids at a measurement zone of a microfluidic system and one or more signals, or a pattern of signals, may be generated corresponding to the fluid(s). In some cases, the signal or pattern of signals may correspond to an intensity, a duration, a position in time relative to a second position in time or relative to another process, and/or an average time period between events. Using this data, a control system may determine whether to modulate subsequent fluid flow in the microfluidic system. In some embodiments, these and other methods can be used to conduct quality control to determine abnormalities in operation of the microfluidic system.

Abstract: In a control method for a computer-controlled liquid handling workstation with a work surface, a motorized pipetting robot with at least one pipette, and a control computer, to which the pipetting robot is connected, a control program activated in the control computer enables the pipetting robot to position the pipette at specific positions on the work surface and to execute a specific action using the pipette. The interface includes an input mechanism, visualization mechanism, interface software, and an electronic memory. The visualization mechanism visualizes the positions at which containers are situated on the work surface of the liquid handling workstation and a selection of the specific actions executable using the pipettes.

Abstract: A fuel processing apparatus includes a reformer, raw material supply section, moisture supply section, heating section, reforming temperature detection section, shift converter, shift temperature detection section, and control section. When the apparatus is booted, the control section activates the raw material supply section to begin supplying a raw material to the reformer, and activates the heating section to begin supplying heat to the reforming catalyst.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided for enhancing throughput in the manufacture of semiconductor wafers and/or liquid crystal substrates, by reducing the time required for performing a rinsing process. A position of an object to be processed is controlled, such that a distance between the surface position of a rinsing liquid upon the rinsing process and a top end position of the object to be processed becomes shorter than a distance between the surface position of a chemical liquid upon a chemical liquid process and the top end position of the object to be processed. Alternatively, the position of the object to be processed is controlled, such that the distance between the surface position of the rinsing liquid upon the rinsing process and the top end position of the object to be processed becomes shorter than a distance between the bottom face position of the rinsing liquid and a bottom end position of the object to be processed.

Abstract: A method for determining or predicting the adequacy parameters that will be achieved at the end of a kidney substitution treatment during said kidney substitution treatment wherein the kidney substitution treatment is provided by a machine, which has an extracorporeal blood system pumping the patient blood through the blood chamber of a dialyzer, wherein the dialyzing fluid collects the waste products from the patient after flowing through the dialyzing fluid chamber of the dialyzer and wherein a device able to measure a adequacy parameter is coupled with the kidney substitution treatment machine and wherein the slope of a preferable linear guideline for the adequacy parameter is compared to the slope of the delivered adequacy parameter and if the slope of both are equal a linearization is performed to determine or predict the adequacy parameter at the end of the kidney substitution treatment.

Abstract: A gas analysis device according to the present invention includes a flue-gas extraction pipe for extracting flue gas from a flue gas duct to which flue gas including both of NH4Cl and SO3 is fed, a collector that is provided in the flue-gas extraction pipe, for removing soot dust contained in the extracted flue gas, a roll filter that is provided in the flue-gas extraction pipe, for depositing both of NH4Cl and SO3 contained in the flue gas, and a measurement device for measuring both of NH4Cl and SO3 contained in the flue gas by irradiating a sample including both of NH4Cl and SO3 deposited by the roll filter with X-rays and detecting fluorescent X-rays generated from the sample.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling injection of a reducing agent in an exhaust line of a combustion engine (1): An injection system (8-12) injects the reducing agent into the exhaust line (3). A first catalyst (13) reduces the amount of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases in the exhaust line (3) using the reducing agent. A second catalyst (14) downstream of the first catalyst (13) in the exhaust line (3) converts ammonia in the exhaust gases to nitrogen gas and nitrous oxide. A nitrous oxide sensor (17) monitors the amount of nitrous oxide in the exhaust line (3) downstream of the second catalyst (14). A control unit (10) of the injection system (8-12) adjusts the amount (q) of reducing agent injected into the exhaust line (3) if the sensor (17) detects that the amount of nitrous oxide is not within a selected range (A).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the quantity of pollutant in waste gases, in particular for reducing the quantity of nitrogen oxide in the flue gas of a coal-fired power plant is provided. The process includes the steps of, introducing the waste gas into a catalyzer, to which a quantity of catalytic reduction agent is supplied, measuring the quantity of pollutant at the outlet of the catalyzer, and setting the quantity of pollutant to a setpoint value smaller than a limit value to be complied with, by varying the quantity of reduction agent supplied, wherein the setting of the quantity of pollutant is dynamically regulated as a function of mean values over time, for example half-hour or quarter-hour mean values, of the measured quantity of pollutant determined regularly beforehand.

Abstract: A method for injecting ammonia into an exhaust gas stream downstream of a diesel engine includes providing an exhaust gas passageway (11) from the diesel engine to an ambient (14). The exhaust gas passageway (11) includes an NOx Slip Catalyst (NSC) 20 downstream of an NOx Particulate Filter (NPF) 18. The method includes emitting exhaust gas (EG) through the exhaust gas passageway (11), and selectively injecting ammonia (NH3) upstream of the NPF 18, upstream of the NSC (20), both upstream of the NPF and the NSC, or not injecting ammonia, depending on the temperature of the exhaust gas at the NPF and at the NSC.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring and analyzing energy consumption of a chemical plant in operation. Plant type specific theoretical energy consumption optimum value based on a corresponding modeled plant are determined, parameters contributing to increased energy consumption are identified and grouped. Energy consumption of a plant is periodically graphed starting from the theoretical energy consumption optimum value and getting up as an energy cascade to a current energy consumption, by adding the provided, partly retrieved single energy consumption rates of the respective parameters in groups such that the resulting energy cascade allows to monitor at least a part of the individual parameters and to automatically compare the current energy consumption of the at least one plant with an energy consumption of another plant and/or with a previous energy consumption of the at least one plant with respect to the individual parameters. Furthermore, an appropriate system is provided.

Abstract: A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.

Abstract: A SCR catalyst system, comprising a first SCR catalyst (1) and a second SCR catalyst (2) which is disposed in the exhaust gas tract downstream of the first SCR catalyst (1). At least one metering device (12) for metering in a reducing agent solution is disposed in the exhaust gas tract upstream of a first SCR catalysis element (13) of said first SCR catalyst (1). The SCR catalyst system does not require a device for metering a reducing agent solution into a second SCR catalysis element (21) of the second SCR catalyst (2).

Abstract: A system and/or method formulates a chemical solution using both volumetric and weight based measurements of components of the chemical solution. The components of the chemical solution include water and at least one other component, which may take any form, such as, without limitation, liquid, solid, powder or gaseous form. Formulation of the chemical solution is administered by combining water with the one or more other components at an output port, from which this combination is dispensed to a solution storage tank. In response to a user's request to formulate a specified amount of the chemical solution, the volume of water provided to the output port is monitored by a flow meter and the weight of the other component(s) provided to the output port is monitored by one or more load cells. Based on such monitoring, appropriate amounts of water and the other component(s) are combined together to formulate the specified amount of the chemical solution in the solution storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polyolefin production and to reducing volatile organic content (VOC) associated with the polyolefin. Techniques include the construction and implementation of a purge column model to calculate or estimate the VOC content in the polyolefin exiting the purge column. The techniques facilitate the design and operation of the polyolefin manufacturing process.

Abstract: Utilizing the finding that the state of adsorption of NH3 on a selective reduction type NOx catalyst includes a weakly adsorbed state in which the adsorbed NH3 is useful for a reduction reaction of NOx and a strongly adsorbed state in which the adsorbed NH3 is not useful for the reduction reaction of NOx unless the state of adsorption is changed into the weakly adsorbed state, the apparatus of the invention includes an actual weakly-adsorbed amount-calculation NH3 that is adsorbed on the selective reduction type NOx catalyst in the weakly adsorbed state, and a dispensation control portion that performs a dispensation control of the reductant dispensed by a reductant-dispensation portion, according to the actual weakly adsorbed amount calculated by the actual weakly adsorbed amount calculation portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. A sensor system interacts with the bioreactor to receive information related to a condition of the bioreactor and/or receive a sample from the bioreactor, which it analyzes. The sensor system sends data signals related to the information and/or the sample to a controller, which determines a control signal based on the received information. The controller sends the control signal to the sensor system which, based on the control signal, performs an action that affects a condition of the bioreactor or affects the sensor system itself.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to the present invention generates post-mercury oxidation exhaust gas by denitrating exhaust gas of a combustion apparatus, generates desulfurization drainage by desulfurizing the post-mercury oxidation exhaust gas, supplies the desulfurization drainage to the combustion apparatus, and controls a return amount, which is the amount of the desulfurization drainage reused for the desulfurization, based on a concentration of halogens in the desulfurization drainage. Such exhaust gas treatment apparatus can appropriately remove mercury from the exhaust gas, and can desulfurize the post-mercury oxidation exhaust gas more appropriately.

Abstract: A method of early detection of scaling on internal surfaces of conduits of water processing equipment, is provided herein. The method includes: transmitting ultrasonic signals through the wall of the conduits; deriving data samples from received ultrasonic signals or reflections thereof; calculating a moving average of the scatter of the ultrasonic signals, over time, based on the data samples; applying a statistical operand to the moving average, to yield a statistical distribution metric; determining a dynamic window defined by: (i) an upper boundary being the moving average plus at least a fraction of the statistical distribution metric and (ii) a lower boundary being the moving average minus the at least a fraction of the statistical distribution metric; generating a trend line being a smooth fitting of the derived samples; and monitoring the trend line within the window to detect a crossover of the trend line at either of the boundaries.

Abstract: A flexible instrument control and data storage/management system and method for representing and processing assay plates having one or more predefined plate locations is disclosed. The system utilizes a graph data structure, layer objects and data objects. The layer objects map the graph data structure to the data objects. The graph data structure can comprise one node for each of the one or more predefined plate locations, wherein the nodes can be hierarchically defined according to a predefined plate location hierarchy. Each node can be given a unique node identifier, a node type and a node association that implements the predefined plate location hierarchy. The layer objects can include an index that maps the node identifiers to the data objects.

Abstract: A tool for optimizing a mixing order among various water soluble agricultural chemicals uses a table of mixing sequence by formulation type and another table of formulation type by the brand name or generic name of a number of chemicals from various manufacturers. The tool matches selected chemicals to their formulation type and orders the selected chemicals in a sequence according to the table of mixing sequence. Additional features include retrieval of label data, bar code recognition of chemicals and storing application data using GPS information and downloaded weather data for a day of chemical application.

Abstract: In a clinical laboratory of a hospital, an enormous amount of effort has been required to maintain the quality of an analyzer, standard solution and control samples. An object of the present invention is to provide a control method for controlling a clinical laboratory with reduced cost, and a control apparatus using the same. In order to control data of an analyzer, standard solution, and a control sample, a support center is connected to each analyzer located in each hospital through a network line. Various kinds of analysis parameters and the result of measurements are exchanged so as to provide each clinical laboratory with a control situation in real time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing rates of in situ carbonation of peridotite are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: fracturing a volume of peridotite in situ; heating the volume of peridotite in situ; injecting carbon dioxide into the volume of peridotite in situ; and forming carbonate in situ with the volume of peridotite and the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Scaling is controlled in a cooling water system with CO2 based upon measurements of the cooling water's pH, alkalinity and Ca2+concentration.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for monitoring and control of soil conditions. In one example, among others, a method includes obtaining aqueous samples from suction probes within a soil substrate and analyzing the aqueous samples to determine a chemical composition of the soil substrate. Amounts of an additive may be determined to adjust the chemical composition of the soil substrate. In another example, a method includes installing a suction probe within a soil substrate; drawing a vacuum to induce hydraulic conduction of aqueous solutions from the soil substrate; extracting an aqueous sample; and analyzing the aqueous sample to determine a chemical composition of the soil substrate. In another example, a method includes obtaining a composition of a fertilizer solution (FS) supplied to a soil substrate and a chemical composition within the soil substrate; determining nutrient utilization, and providing an amount of additive to produce a subsequent FS for supply.

Abstract: An improved method and system for flue gas recirculation (FGR) from the ID Fan located downstream of a scrubber (or other Air Quality Control Equipment including cyclones, baghouses, etc., hereafter “AQC equipment”) back to the scrubber (or other AQC Equipment) inlet to maintain the minimum required flue gas throughput during low-load conditions, thereby eliminating the need for a separate booster fan. A flue gas recirculation duct is connected from downstream of the ID Fan to the inlet of the scrubber (or other AQC Equipment). A variable flow restrictor is placed in the duct downstream of the ID Fan for controlling pressure of the recirculated flue gas. The flow restrictor is controlled in accordance to a function of boiler load or flue gas flow to produce the required backpressure that enables the flue gas to flow through the recirculation duct back to the inlet of the scrubber (or other AQC Equipment) at low loads.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems and apparatus for identifying agents with desired biological activity. Specifically, the methods, systems, and apparatus identify functional relationships between multiple agents and/or between one or more agents and a condition of interest. Data of multiple experimental batches are normalized, batch effects accounted for, and the adjusted data used to create a projection matrix or function. The projection matrix is used to project the data into a projection space, in which the distance between a query agent or a query condition and various candidate agents may be determined.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cleaning solvents is provided. The method includes selecting a small plurality of test solvents from a large plurality of perspective solvents. The equilibrium composition of a multi-component solution is preferably described by the Hansen solubility model. A small plurality of test solvents is applied to solute samples and the degree of dissolution or swelling recorded. Based on the degree of dissolution or swelling, at least one solvent is selected from the large plurality of perspective solvents based on the Hansen parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatic dose control of chemicals in liquid treatment, particularly for automatic dose control of chemicals in water treatment. The present invention also relates to a device arrangement for automatic dose control of chemicals. The invention utilizes adaptive linguistic equation controllers for dosing the chemicals.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an operation mode of a device, wherein the device is capable of adjusting a physical condition at a source position to correspondingly influence a physical condition at a destination position, the apparatus comprising a determining unit adapted for determining the operation mode by defining a time dependency of the physical condition at the source position so that a target time-dependency of the physical condition is obtained for the destination position, the target time-dependency representing a resultant variation of the physical condition over time.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of chemical analysis entail acquiring a chromatogram, median filtering the chromatogram to produce a model baseline, smoothing the model baseline to reduce noise, and subtracting the smoothed model baseline from the acquired chromatogram to produce a modified chromatogram having a substantially flat baseline.

Abstract: A system that generates brewed beverages may receive requests to produce specified brewed beverages. The system may include a scheduler that initiates and controls the performance of one or more chemical or mechanical processes to produce the beverages. While one chemical or mechanical process for producing a beverage is being performed, other processes may be performed for production of the beverage or another beverage. The scheduler may determine the time at which to perform each process, the time at which a beverage should be presented, the resources to be used to perform the processes, or the time at which to perform a cleaning process, dependent on an actual or expected demand for beverages, or dependent on a target time for beverage retrieval. Shared resources may be applied to the production of beverages for high priority orders, while partially completed beverages for lower priority orders are staged for subsequent advancement.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus has a master communication interface for sequentially transmitting an operation command issued by a CPU to a plurality of mechanism units used for measurement of an analyte. The measuring apparatus also has a slave communication interface, provided for each mechanism unit, for receiving the operation command and a plurality of driving circuits for deriving the mechanism units in accordance with the received operation command. The master communication interface broadcasts an operation start instructing signal to the plurality of mechanism units after sequentially transmitting operation commands respectively to the plurality of mechanism units, and triggered by the operation start instructing signal, the driving units of the plurality of mechanism units concurrently initiate execution of the operation commands.

Abstract: Process for evaluating the effect of a refinery feedstock on a refinery process by (i) providing a refinery feedstock (ii) treating the refinery feedstock to produce a plurality of fractions each representative of a feedstock for the refinery process, the plurality of fractions having at least two fractions with different properties; (iii) treating each of the plurality of fractions under experimental conditions representative of those in the refinery process, the treatments being carried out in an essentially parallel manner; and (iv) determining one or more performance criteria for each fraction for the refinery process by analyzing the respective product streams produced from each fraction at least partially in parallel.

Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating RF power applied to a plurality of RF coils are provided. In some embodiments, a method of calibrating RF power applied to a first and second RF coil of a process chamber having a power divider to control a first ratio equal to a first magnitude of RF power provided to the first RF coil divided by a second magnitude of RF power provided to the second RF coil, may include measuring a plurality of first ratios over a range of setpoint values of the power divider, comparing the plurality of measured first ratios to a plurality of reference first ratios, and adjusting an actual value of the power divider at a given setpoint value such that the first ratio of the power divider at the given setpoint matches the corresponding reference first ratio to within a first tolerance level.

Abstract: Modern steel production processes require precise knowledge of the current composition and temperature of the liquid metal being processed. In particular during steel production in a converter, high match rates for final carbon content and bath temperature are required. Quantitatively precise blowing of oxygen corresponding to the final target carbon content, and the metal temperature, are decisive factors affecting the economic efficiency of the process and the quality of the steel produced. In order to allow relatively precise process monitoring, various processes and procedures are known, the application thereof being based on measuring exhaust gas composition and on mass flow balances. All models work at an exactness that depends on the precision of the input data, particularly with respect to the weight data of the raw materials and the chemical properties of the metal used.

Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for controlling on-line the steam output of a waste incineration plant that is fed with waste of varying composition. Process or system quantities (u2, u3, xGC, xLL, w0) can be measured repeatedly, at different times during operation of the plant, and a relation with linear parameters (?i) as coefficients of non-linear expressions (?i) of the process quantities can be established by evaluating the measurements. From this relation, an optimal waste feed rate to obtain a desired steam output ({dot over (M)}steam) can be determined and applied to a waste feed actuator of the waste incineration plant.

Abstract: A control system for industrial water systems that utilizes multiple measurements of information and models to decide optimal control actions to maximize corrosion/scaling/fouling inhibition and particulate dispersancy performance and minimize cost of water and treatment chemicals. This system is capable of automatic operation for a wide range of process conditions, ensures multiple performance objectives, achieves robust operation under a variety or un-measurable disturbances and achieves the least costly solution delivery.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus can properly determine a quality of an analysis supporting liquid, after being supplied to the automatic analyzing apparatus, which supports an analysis performed in the automatic analyzing apparatus and can properly maintain an accuracy of the analysis. The analysis supporting liquid which supports an analysis of a specimen is dispensed into a reaction vessel by using a specimen dispensing unit which dispenses the specimen, a reagent dispensing unit which dispenses a reagent, a cleaning unit which cleans the reaction vessel, or a diluted solution dispensing unit which dispenses a diluted solution. An optical measurement is performed with respect to a liquid including the dispensed analysis supporting liquid in the reaction vessel. Analysis data of the analysis supporting liquid is generated by using the measured result. The quality of the analysis supporting liquid is determined by comparing the generated analysis data with reference data.

Abstract: A method of configuration of combustion process control. The method includes providing a combustion system having a plurality of burner elements, a plurality of gas injection points and a controller. The gas injection points are configured to provide a support gas. One or more tasks for operation of the combustion system are determined. A plurality of groupings of the gas injection points are determined for each of the one or more tasks. An individual ranking for each of the plurality of groupings is determined in response to the one or more tasks. A composite ranking of injection points in response to the individual rankings and the controller is configured to operate the plurality of gas injection points in response to the composite ranking. A combustion system and a method for operating a combustion system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one measurement of a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of a mixture of fluid containing an autotrophic organism. The method also includes determining an adjustment to one or more manipulated variables using the at least one measurement. The method further includes generating one or more signals to modify the one or more manipulated variables based on the determined adjustment. The one or more manipulated variables could include a carbon dioxide flow rate, an air flow rate, a water temperature, and an agitation level for the mixture. At least one model relates the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to one or more manipulated variables, and the adjustment could be determined by using the at least one model to drive the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to at least one target that optimize a goal function. The goal function could be to optimize biomass growth rate, nutrient removal and/or lipid production.

Abstract: A method for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid-containing system such as a natural gas or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below pipeline pressure. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline. Flow-control apparatus located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline is either (a) drip-style metering valve adjustable between a drop-wise setting and a steady-flow setting or (b) a pair of valves one of which is a flow valve allowing larger volumes to be injected and the other which is a drop-wise flow valve for metering smaller volumes of the chemical.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-throughput combinatorial synthesis of organic molecules including a reaction vessel for containing a combinatorial chemistry synthetic reaction, a liquid dispenser for dispensing the liquid, a liquid aspirator and an adjustment mechanism. The reaction vessel includes an ingress aperture allowing a liquid to enter into an interior of the vessel and an egress aperture for aspirating the liquid from the vessel. The liquid dispenser dispenses liquid through the ingress aperture. The liquid aspirator aspirates liquid through the egress aperture and includes a rotor for carrying the vessel and orbiting the vessel about an axis of rotation. The rotor is oriented generally in a horizontal plane and includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the vessel relative to the horizontal plane in response to the centrifugal force generated by orbiting the vessel about the axis or rotation. A method of combinatorial synthesis of organic molecules is also disclosed.