17949results about "Isotope separation" patented technology

A filter pack includes a filter construction and a sealing system for sealing the construction within a duct or housing. The filter construction has first and second opposite flow faces and is configured for a straight-through flow. The sealing system includes a frame construction and a compressible seal member. The compressible seal member is molded around a portion of the frame construction. The compressible seal member is sufficiently compressible to form a radial seal between and against the frame construction and a surface of a housing when the filter pack is inserted within the housing.

A filter arrangement includes a filter element configured for straight through flow and a handle member secured to the filter element. The filter element may typically have a plurality of flutes where selected ones of the flutes are open at upstream portions and closed at downstream portions, and where selected ones of the flutes are closed at the upstream portions and open at the downstream portions. In one embodiment, the handle member is secured to the central core member. In some embodiments, the handle member and the central core member are a single molded construction. The handle member can include a single aperture, such as an elongated slot, or a plurality of apertures. A method for servicing a system having a straight through flow filter element includes grasping a handle secured to the filter element, and pulling the handle to remove the filter element from the system.

Novel porous PTFE membranes are described possessing a unique combination of high strength, low flow resistance, and small pore size. Additionally, unique constructions with superior filtration and venting properties incorporating porous PTFE membranes are described.

This invention comprises an apparatus and method for the manipulation of materials, including particles, cells, macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and other moieties, in fluid samples. The apparatus comprises an enclosed chamber on a chip having an internal microstructure with surface area substantially greater than the facial surface area of the internal structure. Generally the internal microstructure comprises a continuous network of channels, each of which has a depth substantially greater than its width. The network may comprise a single channel, a single channel with multiple branches, multiple channels, multiple channels with multiple branches, and any combination thereof. The internal structure may present an inert, non-reactive surface, or be coated with a reactive ligand, or be electrically conductive and optionally be coated with an electrical insulator. Discrete portions of the internal structure may differ in structural and surface properties. Multiple chips may be linked together to create a multiplexed array of chambers, optionally linked to other analytical devices.

The present invention concerns an apparatus for conducting a microfluidic process. The apparatus comprises integral first and second plates. The first plate comprises an array of sample receiving elements for receiving a plurality of samples from an array of sample containers and dispensing the samples. The second plate comprises a planar array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels for conducting a microfluidic process. Also disclosed is a method for processing an array of samples. At least a portion of each sample in an array of sample wells is simultaneously transferred to a corresponding array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels by means of a corresponding array of sample receiving elements that is in integral fluid communication with the array of microfluidic networks. The samples are then processed. Also disclosed is a device for conducting a microfluidic process wherein the device comprising a planar substrate having a planar array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels for conducting a microfluidic process. A plurality of such devices may be present on a continuous sheet. The invention further includes kits for carrying out microfluidic processes comprising an apparatus as described above.

The present invention concerns devices, apparatus and methods for transferring liquids. One aspect of the present invention is a device comprising a plate having a plurality of transfer elements. Each of the transfer elements comprises an aperture in the plate where the aperture is capable of being electrically activated. The plate has one of more attaching elements for attaching the plate to a multiwell plate to form a sealed system except for the apertures of the transfer elements. Usually, the device is adapted for sealing attachment to a multiwell plate. In a method in accordance with the present invention a quantity of liquid is disposed to a second side of a plate having a plurality of apertures in the plate. The apertures are capable of being electrically activated. The liquid is present in a closed well except for the apertures in the plate. To simultaneously expel liquid from the apertures, the apertures are electrically activated. Also disclosed are kits comprising a device in accordance with the present invention.

Microchannels having at least an acrylic inner surface and methods of their use in electrophoretic applications are provided. The subject microchannels may be in the form of a variety of configurations suitable for holding an electrophoretic medium. The subject microchannels give rise to substantially reduced EOF and / or adsorption as compared to fused silica under conditions of electrophoresis and find use in a variety of electrophoretic applications in which charged entities are moved through a medium under the influence of the an applied electric field.

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. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.

One ozone concentrating chamber is provided therein with a part of a cooling temperature range where ozone can be selectively condensed or an oxygen gas can be selectively removed by transmission from an ozonized oxygen gas, and a part of a temperature range where condensed ozone can be vaporized, and condensed ozone is vaporized by moving condensed ozone with flow of a fluid or by gravitation to the part where condensed ozone can be vaporized, whereby the ozonized oxygen gas can be increased in concentration. Such a constitution is provided that a particle material 13 for condensation and vaporization filled in the ozone concentrating chambers 11 and 12 has a spherical shape of a special shape with multifaceted planes on side surfaces, or an oxygen transmission membrane 130 capable of selectively transmitting an oxygen gas in an ozone gas is provided.

A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction brush, through which air and contaminants are drawn in, and a cyclone type dust collecting device. The cleaner body has a motor driving chamber and a dust collecting chamber in communication with the motor driving chamber. The cyclone type dust collecting device is mounted in the dust collecting chamber and separates by centrifugal force the contaminants from the air. The cyclone type dust collecting device includes a hollow cylindrical cyclone body having an open top, a closed bottom, and a contaminant outlet. The open top allows air and contaminants into the cyclone body, where the contaminants are separated from the air by centrifugation. The contaminants are then discharged from the cyclone body through the contaminant outlet. The cyclone type dust collecting device further includes a contaminant receptacle for collecting the contaminants discharged through the contaminant outlet, a base member hingedly connected to the contaminant receptacle, and a cover for covering the top of the cyclone body. The cover has an air inlet passage, through which air and contaminants drawn in through the suction brush enter into the cyclone body, an air outlet passage, through which the air is discharged from the cyclone body, and a contaminant separating grill. The grill extends downward from the air outlet passage into the cyclone body and has a plurality of fine holes.

A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.

A printed circuit board based digital or droplet microfluidic system and method for producing such microfluidic system are disclosed. The digital microfluidic device comprises a printed circuit board having a substrate and a plurality of electrode pads disposed on the top surface of the substrate in a rectangular array. A via extends from each electrode pad through the substrate to other locations on the substrate . A dielectric layer is disposed on the electrode pads. Droplets may be manipulated using electrowetting principles and others by applying a voltage to the desired electrodes. Each electrode pad can be controlled directly and independently from the other electrode pads to modify the surface wettability of the dielectric layer in the vicinity of the electrode pad by applying a voltage to the desired electrode pad(s). In this way, droplets may be formed, moved, mixed, and / or divided or other small objects manipulated while in air or immersed in a liquid on the dielectric surface.

A method for removing mercury and mercury-containing compounds from a combustion gas in an exhaust gas system has the steps of providing a mercury sorbent; injecting the mercury sorbent into a stream of the mercury-containing combustion gas for a sufficient time to allow at least an effective amount of the mercury and mercury-containing compounds in the combustion gas to adsorb onto the mercury sorbent, and collecting and removing the mercury sorbent from the combustion gas stream. The mercury sorbent is prepared by treating a carbonaceous substrate with an effective amount of a bromine-containing gas, especially one containing elemental bromine or hydrogen bromide, for a time sufficient to increase the ability of the carbonaceous substrate to adsorb mercury and mercury-containing compounds. The points of injecting and collecting and removing the mercury sorbent may be varied, depending upon the exact configuration of the exhaust gas system.

The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to sample detection using enhanced condition control and data interpretation.

This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule manipulation in a chip format. In particular, the invention provides a method for manipulating a moiety in a microfluidic application, which method comprises: a) coupling a moiety to be manipulated onto surface of a binding partner of said moiety to form a moiety-binding partner complex; and b) manipulating said moiety-binding partner complex with a physical force in a chip format, wherein said manipulation is effected through a combination of a structure that is external to said chip and a structure that is built-in in said chip, thereby said moiety is manipulated.

A microfluidic device comprises pumps, valves, and fluid oscillation dampers. In a device employed for sorting, an entity is flowed by the pump along a flow channel through a detection region to a junction. Based upon an identity of the entity determined in the detection region, a waste or collection valve located on opposite branches of the flow channel at the junction are actuated, thereby routing the entity to either a waste pool or a collection pool. A damper structure may be located between the pump and the junction. The damper reduces the amplitude of oscillation pressure in the flow channel due to operation of the pump, thereby lessening oscillation in velocity of the entity during sorting process. The microfluidic device may be formed in a block of elastomer material, with thin membranes of the elastomer material deflectable into the flow channel to provide pump or valve functionality.

An electrophoretic medium comprises a liquid and at least one particle disposed within the liquid and capable of moving therethrough on application of an electric field to the medium. The medium further comprises a free radical scavenger selected from the group consisting of (a) stable free radicals; and (b) polymeric free radical scavengers comprising a plurality of free radical scavenging groups attached to a polymeric chain. The medium is desirably encapsulated.

Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis systems using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.

A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

A microfluidic device having integrated components for conducting chemical operations. Depending upon the desired application, the components include electrodes for manipulating charged entities, heaters, electrochemical detectors, sensors for temperature, pH, fluid flow, and other useful components. The device may be fabricated from a plastic substrate such as, for example, a substantially saturated norbornene based polymer. The components are integrated into the device by adhering an electrically conductive film to the substrate. The film may be made of metal or an electrically conducting ink and is applied to the device through metal deposition, printing, or other methods for applying films. Methods for reducing bubble formation during electrokinetic separation and methods for heating material in a microfluidic device are also disclosed.

An improved cartridge, typically in cylindrical or panel form that can be used in a dry or wet / dry vacuum cleaner. The cartridge is cleanable using a stream of service water, or by rapping on a solid object, or by using a compressed gas stream, but can provide exceptional filtering properties even for submicron particulate in the household or industrial environment. The cartridge has a combination of nanofiber filtration layer on a substrate. The nanofiber and substrate are engineered to obtain a maximum efficiency at reasonable pressure drop and permeability. The improved cartridge constitutes at least a substrate material and at least a layer including a non-woven, fine fiber separation layer.

Methods and apparatus for genome analysis are provided. A microfabricated structure including a microfluidic distribution channel is configured to distribute microreactor elements having copies of a sequencing template into a plurality of microfabricated thermal cycling chambers. A microreactor element may include a microcarrier element carrying the multiple copies of the sequencing template. The microcarrier element may comprise a microsphere. An autovalve at an exit port of a thermal cycling chamber, an optical scanner, or a timing arrangement may be used to ensure that only one microsphere will flow into one thermal cycling chamber wherein thermal cycling extension fragments are produced. The extension products are captured, purified, and concentrated in an integrated oligonucleotide gel capture chamber. A microfabricated component separation apparatus is used to analyze the purified extension fragments. The microfabricated structure may be used in a process for performing sequencing and other genetic analysis of DNA or RNA.

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.

The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to a solid-state flow generator and related systems, methods and applications.

A multi cyclone vessel dust collecting apparatus comprises a first cyclone vessel for centrifugally separating contaminants from drawn in air; a plurality of a second cyclone vessels configured on the first cyclone vessel; and a contaminant collecting unit attached to a bottom portion of the first cyclone vessel. Each of a plurality of the second cyclone vessels are parallel to each other. The center axis line of air rotation movement of the second cyclone vessel is substantially perpendicular to that of the first cyclone vessel. The contaminants collecting unit comprises a body which can be used as a handle.