Abstract: Methods for the automated template-free synthesis of user-defined sequence controlled biopolymers using microfluidic devices are described. The methods facilitate simultaneous synthesis of up to thousands of uniquely addressed biopolymers from the controlled movement and combination of regents as fluid droplets using microfluidic and EWOD-based systems. In some forms, biopolymers including nucleic acids, peptides, carbohydrates, and lipids are synthesized from step-wise assembly of building blocks based on a user-defined sequence of droplet movements. In some forms, the methods synthesize uniquely addressed nucleic acids of up to 1,000 nucleotides in length. Methods for adding, removing and changing barcodes on biopolymers are also provided. Biopolymers synthesized according to the methods, and libraries and databases thereof are also described. Modified biopolymers, including chemically modified nucleotides and biopolymers conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to detect a density and/or a concentration of a brine solution or any other solution flowing in a conduit. A diverted portion of the brine solution may be received from the conduit at a vertical pipe. The vertical pipe has a top and a bottom, where the diverted portion of the brine solution is received at the bottom of the vertical pipe and the top of the vertical pipe is at atmospheric pressure. A pressure sensor may detect a pressure of the brine solution in the vertical pipe. A processor may determine the density and/or the concentration of the brine solution based on the detected pressure of the brine solution and a property of a reference solution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.

Abstract: A liquid amount control device includes a position detector, a pump, a driver and a controller. The pump is connected with a first tip and configured to suck up the liquid out of the test tube. The driver is connected with the pump and configured to drive the pump to move. The controller is configured to: (1) control the driver to drive a first suction end of the first tip to enter a detection region of the position detector to obtain an end height position of the first suction end; (2) control the driver to drive the first suction end of the first tip to enter the liquid by a first entering depth according to the end height position; and (3) control the pump to suck up the liquid in the test tube through the first tip.

Abstract: The level of cleanliness of a hollow fiber membrane device is evaluated before it is installed in an ultrapure water production system. A method of evaluating the level of cleanliness of the hollow fiber membrane device includes capturing fine particles in permeating water by means of a first filter membrane, wherein the permeating water is ultrapure water that permeates through the hollow fiber membrane device before the hollow fiber membrane device is installed in an ultrapure water production system; and analyzing the fine particles that are captured by the filter membrane.

Abstract: An animal feeder refilling assembly for refilling elevated animal feeders includes a shaft. The shaft has a first end, a second end and an outer surface. A container is pivotably attached adjacent to the second end of the shaft. The container has a bottom wall with a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall has a top edge defining an opening. The container is pivotable between a load position wherein the perimeter wall rests parallel to the shaft with the bottom wall adjacent to the shaft, and an unload position wherein the opening pivots over the second end. A handle is slidingly engaged with the outer surface of the shaft and positioned adjacent to the first end. A linkage is attached to the handle and extends to pivotably couple to an exterior surface of the container. The linkage moves the container between the load position and the unload position.

Abstract: A vehicle particulate matter contamination recovery system includes a particulate matter filter receiving exhaust gas from an engine. A particulate matter sensor is positioned downstream of the particulate matter filter, the particulate matter sensor collecting a non-combustible contaminant on a circuit of the particulate matter sensor and generating a current indicating presence of the non-combustible contaminant. A total volume of water collected during multiple cold start operations of the engine is passed onto the sensor acting to at least partially dissolve the non-combustible contaminant. The particulate matter sensor is operated in a remedial action mode of operation having no voltage applied to the circuit of the particulate matter sensor until a quantity of the cold start operations corresponding to the total volume of water is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for moving a droplet from a first location to a second location, which droplet comprises a magnetic material disposed in an aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a droplet assembly comprising a droplet, which droplet comprises a magnetic material disposed in an aqueous medium. Various uses of the droplet assembly are also described.

Abstract: A device and method for separating serum or plasma from blood cells in a whole blood specimen. The present invention uses a cap with a reservoir, such that blood cells are packed into the cap when the specimen container is centrifuged. When the cap is removed, the blood cells are also removed, and the serum or plasma is left in the specimen tube where it can be readily extracted by a pipette which is able to reach all the way to the bottom of the specimen tube minimizing the dead volume.

Abstract: A device for sampling, preparing and analysing a sample, for example a suspension, comprises: a sampling device adapted to sampling a fluid sample, at least one sample preparation unit adapted to prepare the sample, and at least one analysing unit. By adapting the device for sampling and analysing a sample for placement in direct vicinity to a process pipe and adapting the sampling device to sample a fluid sample directly from a gate, a compact and cost-efficient device is provided, which also provides fast feedback to a process to be controlled.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a particle analyzer and a particle test control method and device thereof. A method comprises, after acquiring a diluted sample, preserving a part of the diluted sample, and monitoring whether a pore blocking event occurs during a counting process; when the pore blocking event occurs, suspending the test of the sample, and performing an unblocking operation; and after the unblocking operation is completed, controlling a liquid addition system to again acquire the preserved part of the sample from a reaction cell or a tube of the liquid addition system and inject it into a counting cell, and then re-counting the sample in the counting cell by an impedance method.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a particle inspection system includes a voltage driving circuit which applies a driving voltage for a particle inspection to a particle inspection chip, a current-voltage conversion circuit which converts, into a voltage signal, a current signal output from the particle inspection chip when the driving voltage is applied to the particle inspection chip, a detection circuit which detects, based on the voltage signal, whether the sample liquid is introduced into a detection region of the particle inspection chip, and an analysis circuit which analyzes the fine particle, in the sample liquid based on the voltage signal. The voltage driving circuit varies the driving voltage based on the detection result of the detection circuit.

Abstract: A sensing tip including a pipette tip having a cavity which communicates with an external environment of the pipette tip through an aperture located at a distal end of the pipette tip, and an impedance sensor having a sensing area including at least two electrodes located respectively outside and inside the pipette tip, wherein the sensing area is arranged within the aperture.

Abstract: Use of high throughput methods to analyze samples for toxic elements originating from industrial hygiene and environmental sampling are described. These methods utilize optical detection methods using plates with arrays and microwells. Methods to fabricate samples in such plates are described. The invention is particularly illustrated by demonstrating its applicability for analysis of beryllium by fluorescence and uranium by phosphorescence. This invention also discloses the use of improved filtration method and use of reagents with low background signals.

Abstract: A milk sampling device includes a housing forming an inner space, an inlet opening to the inner space, a deflector member with an upper surface mounted in the inner space of the housing in a position vertically below the inlet opening, a flow passage formed between a periphery edge portion of the deflector member and an inner surface of the housing, and a milk sampling passage provided with an opening which constitutes a part of the flow passage. The upper surface of the deflector member comprises a plurality of a upwardly extending members arranged at a distance from each other in the vicinity of the periphery edge portion of the deflector member such that flow channels are formed between adjacent upwardly extending members.

Abstract: A method of obtaining or maintaining optical transference into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium is disclosed. The method comprises applying ultrasonic energy at a wavelength (?) into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium. The ultrasonic energy at wavelength (?) originates at a distance (d) from an optical signal transmitted into the light transference medium. The distance (d) may be defined by a formula based on the wavelength (?) of the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are highly luminescent nanostructures, particularly highly luminescent quantum dots, comprising a nanocrystal core of InP and shell layers of GaP and AlP. The nanostructures may have an additional shell layer. Also provided are methods of preparing the nanostructures, films comprising the nanostructure and devices comprising the nanostructures.

Abstract: A method and particle analyzer for measuring a low concentration particles sample disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods adapted to calibrate a liquid transfer system. The methods include providing a probe having a fluidly-coupled pressure sensor, the pressure sensor adapted to sense an aspiration pressure associated with the probe, performing one or more air aspirations and taking one or more pressure readings with the pressure sensor, and using one or more of the pressure readings to calibrate the pressure sensor. A novel liquid transfer system is also disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods for improving measurements of bacterial growth, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Methods include techniques to provide for bacterial growth over time in response to changing fluid environment to aid in determining parameters such as drug resistance and drug susceptibility. In particular the methods include trapping multiple bacteria in the SMR for a time period and varying the fluid to include sequences of nutrients and antibiotics, and measuring the rate of mass change of the bacteria in response to the changes in fluid composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing sediment submerged in liquid and manufacturing the apparatus. The apparatus and methods of the present embodiment can provide for nano/micro characterization of mechanical properties of materials submerged in liquid, facilitating specimen preparation and installation, and can provide hydrated materials. The apparatus can include cell walls with optical magnifying lenses so that the materials can be viewed without the aid of a microscope.

Abstract: A sensor controller is for a particulate matter detection sensor that includes a pair of opposed electrodes spaced from each other and disposed on an attachment portion. The sensor controller includes a calculation portion configured to calculate an amount of particulate matter attached to the particulate matter detection sensor based on a detection value from the particulate matter detection sensor, and a determination portion configured to determine whether water exists in the exhaust passage based on the detection value. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine whether water exists in the exhaust passage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for analyzing a liquid sample containing solid matter. The method comprises fractionating the sample according to particle sizes and/or masses of the solid matter so as to produce sample fractions, and measuring at least one physical or chemical property of at least one of said sample fractions. According to the invention the sample is conducted to a disintegration channel having one or more depressions, and a liquid flow having a non-constant temporal velocity profile is applied through the disintegration channel, in order to gradually take solid matter of the sample with the liquid flow from said one or more depressions for providing said sample fractions. The invention allows for efficient fractionation of samples, which cannot be fractionated using conventional field flow fractionation, for example.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel methods for determining an effective dosage of a PAA prodrug and for treating a UCD that incorporate body surface area and urinary PAGN concentration. The disclosure further provides novel methods for assessing compliance with PAA prodrug administration that incorporate urinary PAGN concentration, and the subject's current dosing regimen, BSA, or age. The disclosure further provides novel methods of treating a UCD in a subject in need thereof that incorporate urinary PAGN concentration, and the subject's current dosing regimen, BSA, and/or age.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a cytometry system including a handling system that enables presentation of single cells to at least one laser source. The laser source is configured to deliver light to a cell within the cells in order to induce bond vibrations in the cellular DNA. The system further includes a detection facility that detects the signature of the bond vibrations, wherein the bond vibration signature is used to calculate a DNA content carried by the cell.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of biomarkers. In particular, the present invention relates to biomarkers such as PC-O 42:4 that can be used, for example for detecting and/or quantifying visceral adiposity and/or changes in visceral adiposity. This biomarker may also be used to diagnosing the effect of a change in lifestyle on visceral adiposity in a subject.

Abstract: A system for characterizing a water retention device may include a test pipe including a mount section for holding the water retention device to be tested; an injector to inject, upstream of the mount section, an air flow loaded with at least one of dust and droplets of water; at least one sensor for determining a distribution of sizes of the at least one of the dust and water particles, and a quantity of water retained in the mount section; and a calculator receiving the measured distribution of dust and water particles delivered by the at least one sensor to determine therefrom a dust and water retention level in the water retention device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.

Abstract: A composition comprising a fluid, and a material dispersed in the fluid, the material made up of particles having a complex three dimensional surface area such as a sharp blade-like surface, the particles having an aspect ratio larger than 0.7 for promoting kinetic boundary layer mixing in a non-linear-viscosity zone. The composition may further include an additive dispersed in the fluid. The fluid may be a thermopolymer material. A method of extruding the fluid includes feeding the fluid into an extruder, feeding additives into the extruder, feeding a material into the extruder, passing the material through a mixing zone in the extruder to disperse the material within the fluid wherein the material migrates to a boundary layer of the fluid to promote kinetic mixing of the additives within the fluid, the kinetic mixing taking place in a non-linear viscosity zone.

Abstract: The present invention reports a novel microfluidic analyzer for the high-throughput, label-free measurement of particles suspended in a fluid. The present invention employs the resistive pulse technique (RPT) which affords very high electrical bandwidth for the device, which surpasses that of currently available systems and devices. Further, devices in accordance with the present invention are fabricated with very simple microfabrication technologies, making the present invention more cost efficient and easier to manufacture than currently available devices.

Abstract: A microparticle detecting apparatus is disclosed and includes at least one detection unit, each of which includes: a first sieve having at least a first mesh, a separator stacked on one side of the first sieve and having a separator hole, and a second sieve stacked on one side of the separator and having several second meshes. The diameter of the second mesh is smaller than that of the first mesh, and the first and second meshes are misaligned with each other in a vertical direction of the first and second sieves. The detection unit further includes at least a sensor aligned with the first or second mesh for detecting microparticles trapping into the first mesh or passing through the second mesh. Therefore, the microparticle detecting apparatus is suitably used for detecting or counting any microparticles with different size, to effectively shorten the detection processes of sample fluids.

Abstract: Methods comprising: placing particulates in a test column; adding a fluid medium comprising a salt solution to the test column; placing the column under test conditions, wherein the test conditions comprise target temperature and target pressure; maintaining test conditions for a target test duration; and, analyzing the particulates. Some methods also measure a permeability value of the column after placing particulates in a test column and before placing the column under test conditions; continuously flow the salt solution through the particulates during the test; measure a permeability value after maintaining the test conditions for the target test duration; and, calculate a retained permeability value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell.

Abstract: Electromagnetically active slurries comprising stabilized fluids and methods of using the stabilized, electromagnetically active slurries in fluid flow control and detection. Also, methods, fluids, equipment and/or systems for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, relating to treatment fluids based on the stabilized, electromagnetically active slurries.

Abstract: Methods of detecting bacterial contamination in a platelet concentrate are performed using a dynamic light scattering (DLS) instrument and a sample holder. A sample of platelet concentrate can be held vertically or horizontally in a capillary in the sample holder. Alternatively, novel platelet storage bags modified to include an optically translucent window can be held within another variant of the sample holder. Still alternatively, platelet storage bags having one or more tubes detachably appended to the bag can be used. A sample is drawn off into an appended tube for placement directly into the sample holder. This method provides a number of related, non-invasive techniques for detecting whether bacteria has contaminated a platelet concentrate. Contamination indicators include a population of particles different from platelets, microparticles or proteins, bad-quality platelets, i.e. low DLS score, and very high or very low scattering intensity.

Abstract: Method and device (1b) for performing the optical analysis of particles (2) contained in suspension in a fluid (3) arranged inside a microfluidic device (4) which maintains it at a temperature significantly lower than the ambient temperature; the formation of humidity on the outer surface (8) of the cover of the microfluidic device is avoided by applying a thermal flow (F) which determines an increase in the temperature of the outer surface (8) of the cover to above the condensation temperature (Td), or a reduction in the ambient temperature (and/or humidity) in the vicinity of the cover (8), so as to bring the condensation temperature (Td) (dew point) to below the temperature of the surface (8) of the cover determined by the internal operating temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining a soot concentration in an engine oil of internal combustion engines, in which method a defined quantity of the engine oil is conducted with a defined flow speed along and/or through a measurement path. In a region of the measurement path, the engine oil is acted on with energy from at least one energy source in such a way that the soot particles contained in the engine oil at least partially absorb the energy. An energy quantity absorbed in the measurement path region is subsequently detected, and from this a soot concentration in the engine oil is determined. A device for determining the soot concentration in the engine oil of internal combustion engines is provided for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.

Abstract: A control system for remotely controlling the operation of a water distribution system is disclosed. The control system comprises a communication interface to enable communication between the control system and the water distribution system such that communication includes receiving from the water distribution system payment for dispensing of water, data on the working of its various components and data on the quality of the water dispensed by it. The control system further comprises a control processor configured to analyze data received from the water distribution system to determine if the quality of the water at the water distribution system satisfies a predetermined quality standard and to determine if the components of the water distribution system are functioning within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for detecting blood cells and a microscopic hole sensor assembly thereof. The device includes a microscopic hole sensor assembly positioned between a front pool and a back pool. The microscopic hole sensor assembly further includes a microscopic hole plate with a microscopic hole positioned thereon for communicating the front pool and the back pool. The end surface of the inlet is a flow-guiding surface gradually narrowing from the front pool to the back pool. The end surface of the outlet is a downstream surface gradually distending and extending towards the back pool. A straight effective orifice area is formed connecting the ends of the flow-guiding surface and the downstream surface.

Abstract: A method for wear analysis. The method includes introducing a lubricant sample into a tube. The lubricant sample includes debris, wear, or other particles of different sizes. The tube includes a number of filter patches, each of a predetermined pore size. The method further includes centrifuging the tube for displacing the lubricant sample, and the wear particles thereof, along a length of the tube. The filter patches impede passage of wear particles of a size larger than their pore size therethrough, thereby separating the wear particles according to the sizes of the wear particles. The tube is attached to a handler of a centrifuge for centrifugation by the centrifuge. Multiple tubes can be attached to multiple handlers of the centrifuge for simultaneous centrifugation by the centrifuge. Centrifugation tubes (or tubes) are also provided by the present disclosure.

Abstract: Provided is a method for analyzing a dispersion made by dispersing a liquid or solid dispersoid into a liquid dispersion medium. The method includes the steps of: preparing a sample liquid from the dispersion by forming an agglomerate of the dispersoid in the dispersion medium; redispersing the dispersoid that forms the agglomerate in the sample liquid into the dispersion medium of the sample liquid; and measuring the amount of the dispersoid that has been redispersed from the agglomerate in the sample liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting wear particles in a fluid includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel. An ultrasonic transducer creating an acoustic wave that defines an acoustic focal zone is located between the inlet and outlet channels. A flow path located between the inlet and outlet channel is shaped to restrict the flow of the fluid to be within the acoustic focal zone. An inductive pulse sensor includes a plurality of flow channels receiving the fluid and a plurality of planar coils wound around the flow channels. The inductive pulse sensor includes a detection system for the detection of wear particles passing through the flow channels based on a change in an electrical property of the planar coils. A single combined excitation signal is sent to all the planar coils at once and the detection system measures one single output measurement for the plurality of flow channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting particles in a fluid is provided including a substrate, a plurality of channel through holes extending through the substrate, wherein the channel through holes are configured to carry the fluid, a plurality of circuits monolithically integrated with the substrate, wherein each circuit of the plurality of circuitries is arranged adjacent a respectively assigned channel through hole, each circuit including a detection electrode and an control circuit coupled to the detection electrode and configured to control access to the detection electrode, wherein each detection electrode is positioned relative to the respectively assigned channel through hole such at least one electrical property of the fluid flowing through the channel through hole can be detected.

Abstract: The Invention relates to a method for determining the filterability of beer, said method having the following steps: a) taking a wort or beer sample, b) filtering the sample on a plurality of filters of varying pore size, c) determining the size of the particles on the filter surfaces of the filters, d) qualitative analysis of the particles on the filter surfaces and assigning the measured particles to certain substances or groups of substances present in beer or the wort, wherein evidence on the filterability can be obtained from the size of the particles of different substances or groups of substances of individual fractions.

Abstract: A method and system for determining particle size distribution and/or filterable solids in bitumen-containing fluid is described. A sample of bitumen-containing fluid, such as bitumen-froth feed, bitumen-froth solvent or paraffinic-froth-treated (PFT) bitumen-solvent is obtained. An optimized diluent combination is determined, comprising an aromatic or cycloaliphatic solvent such as toluene, benzene, naphthalene, xylene, anthracene, or cyclohexane together with a C3 to C12 paraffinic solvent. The combination is considered optimized when diluting the sample with the combination maintains substantially the same level of deasphalting in the diluted sample as in the undiluted sample. Upon dilution of the sample with optimized diluent combination, particle size distribution can be accurately determined using optical instrumentation, laser diffraction instrumentation, electrical counting instrumentation, or ultrasonic instrumentation.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a levelling mechanism having an upwardly directed reference surface adjustably mounted on a frame for supporting the base of liquid sample containers in substantially level orientation. The apparatus further includes a container positioning member having a horizontally extending main body formed with a plurality of substantially vertical container-receiving sockets. These sockets are each open at their bottom ends, so as to allow the bases of liquid sample containers to project therethrough while held within the sockets adjacent their top rims. In this manner, when the container positioning member is placed down upon the levelling mechanism, the bases of the sample containers come to rest in contact with the reference surface. Such action levels the containers to facilitate accurate automated volume measurements of liquid samples within the containers to be taken, which accuracy, in turn, increases the accuracy of automated particle counts subsequently made with the liquid samples.

Abstract: A device for monitoring particulates includes a means for correlating measurements of pressure across at least one filter, flow rate of a sample through the filter, or a combination thereof to the properties of particulates in a solution. More particularly, the device can be used for monitoring particulates in a reacting system to provide signals to the user or control input to the reacting system to alter the course of the reaction according to a desired path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dabigatran etexilate and related substances and use of the substances as reference standards and markers. There are also provided processes of detecting the substances in samples of dabigatran etexilate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, and also for analyzing the purity of samples of dabigatran etexilate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof. There are still further provided processes of preparing dabigatran etexilate and related substances, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.