1315results about "Liquid separation by electricity" patented technology

This invention relates to methods for reducing the presence of a compound in an ionically conductive material, e.g., for use in iontophoretic devices, wherein the presence of the compound interferes with detecting a selected analyte. Removal of the compound can typically take place either during or after the manufacture of the ionically conductive material or an assembly comprising this material. Also disclosed are methods for generating selectively permeable barriers on the reactive faces of electrodes. Further, this invention relates to hydrogels comprising one or more biocides, as well as assemblies containing such hydrogels.

Methods of utilizing magnetic particles or beads (MBs) in droplet-based (or digital) microfluidics are disclosed. The methods may be used in enrichment or separation processes. A first method employs the droplet meniscus to assist in the magnetic collection and positioning of MBs during droplet microfluidic operations. The sweeping movement of the meniscus lifts the MBs off the solid surface and frees them from various surface forces acting on the MBs. A second method uses chemical additives to reduce the adhesion of MBs to surfaces. Both methods allow the MBs on a solid surface to be effectively moved by magnetic force. Droplets may be driven by various methods or techniques including, for example, electrowetting, electrostatic, electromechanical, electrophoretic, dielectrophoretic, electroosmotic, thermocapillary, surface acoustic, and pressure.

The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and / or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and / or nanotubes.

The invention provides for devices and methods for interfacing microchips to cartridges and pneumatic manifolds. The cartridges, microchips, and pneumatic manifolds can be integrated with downstream preparation devices, such as thermal regulating devices and separation and analysis devices.

An electrochlorination and electrochemical system for the on-site generation and treatment of municipal water supplies and other reservoirs of water, by using a custom mixed oxidant and mixed reductant generating system for the enhanced destruction of water borne contaminants by creating custom oxidation-reduction-reactant chemistries with real time monitoring. A range of chemical precursors are provided that when acted upon in an electrochemical cell either create an enhanced oxidation, or reduction environment for the destruction or control of contaminants. Chemical agents that can be used to control standard water quality parameters such as total hardness, total alkalinity, pH, total dissolved solids, and the like are introduced via the chemical precursor injection subsystem infrequently or in real time based on sensor inputs and controller set points.

A process for the production of hydrogen from anaerobically decomposed organic materials by applying an electric potential to the anaerobically decomposed organic materials, including landfill materials and sewage, to form hydrogen, and for decreasing the time required to treat these anaerobically decomposed organic materials. The organic materials decompose to volatile acids such as acetic acid, which may be hydrolyzed by electric current to form hydrogen. The process may be continuously run in sewage digestion tanks with the continuous feed of sewage, at landfill sites, or at any site having a supply of anaerobically decomposed or decomposable organic materials.

A method for separating, or removing, particulate material, e.g., blood cells, from a sample of fluid, e.g., whole blood of a patient, in which the particulate material is suspended. In the case of separating blood cells from blood plasma or blood serum, the resulting samples of blood plasma or blood serum can be used for in vitro diagnostic applications. In normal practice, a whole blood sample of a patient are provided and then introduced into an apparatus that contains a flow channel. An acoustic field, which contains acoustic standing waves from external ultrasonic transducers, is located within the flow channel. Laminar flow is maintained in the flow channel. Blood cells and platelets are separated from blood plasma or blood serum at the end of the flow channel and collected. The method described herein allows fluid components to differentially migrate to areas of preferred acoustic interaction. The parameters that affect separation of particles are size, density, compressibility of the particles, and the fluid surrounding the particles.

Methods are provided for aligning carbon nanotubes and for making a composite material comprising aligned carbon nanotubes. The method for aligning carbon nanotubes comprises adsorbing magnetic nanoparticles to carbon nanotubes dispersed in a fluid medium to form a magnetic particle-carbon nanotube composite in the fluid medium; and exposing the composite to a magnetic field effective to align the nanotubes in the fluid medium. The method for making a composite material comprising aligned carbon nanotubes comprises (1) adsorbing magnetic nanoparticles to carbon nanotubes to form a magnetic particle-carbon nanotube composite; (2) dispersing the magnetic particle-carbon nanotube composite in a fluid matrix material to form a mixture; (3) exposing the mixture to a magnetic field effective to align the nanotubes in the mixture; and (4) solidifying the fluid matrix material to form a nanotube / matrix material composite comprising the aligned nanotubes which remain aligned in the absence of said magnetic field.

Provided herein are the concept that “singularity-based configuration” electrodes design and method can produce in an ionic substance local high electric fields with low potential differences between electrodes. The singularity-based configuration described here includes: an anode electrode; a cathode electrode; and an insulator disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The singularity-based electrode design concept refers to electrodes in which the anode and cathode are adjacent to each other, placed essentially co-planar and are separated by an insulator. The essentially co-planar anode / insulator / cathode configuration bound one surface of the volume of interest and produce desired electric fields locally, i.e., in the vicinity of the interface between the anode and cathode. In an ideal configuration, the interface dimension between the anode and the cathode tends to zero and becomes a point of singularity.

The fouling state of a polymeric membrane within the high pressure housing of a spiral wound or a hollow fiber membrane module is determined. An ultra sonic transducer positioned with its emitting face in physical engagement with the outer surface of the housing is pulse energized by a pulser / receiver device. A membrane echo signal is detected by a receiver of the pulser / receiver device. A reference echo signal indicative of a fouled or an unfouled state of the membrane is compared to the echo signal to determine the membrane fouling state. The echo to reference comparing step can be based upon comparing amplitude domain signals, comparing time-domain signals, comparing combinations of amplitude domain and time-domain signals, and comparing transformations of amplitude domain and time-domain signals. A clean or a fouled reference echo can be provided from a clean or a fouled membrane and then stored for use during a liquid separation process, or a clean reference echo signal can be obtained on-line from a second transducer whose echo signal is derived from an area of the membrane known to remain relatively unfouled during the liquid separation process, or a clean or fouled reference echo signal can be provided for later use during a cleaning process or during a liquid separation process. Multiple transducers and a switching network can sample the fouling state at different positions within the membrane module.

A method for maintaining the temperature of an oxygen-selective ion transport membrane within a desired temperature range includes providing an ion transport reactor with the oxygen-selective ion transport membrane. An oxygen-donating feed gas is delivered to a cathode side at a first temperature, at a first rate, and at a first oxygen partial pressure and a reactant gas is supplied to an anode side at a second temperature and a second rate. A physical condition is then established within the ion transport reactor that favors the transport of elemental oxygen through the oxygen selective ion transport membrane as oxygen ions. One or more process variables are then regulated to maintain the temperature of the oxygen selective ion transport membrane within the desired range.

Feed water comprising an aqueous salt solution is supplied to an anode chamber and to a cathode chamber. The feed water is cathodically electrolyzed in the cathode chamber to produce alkaline electrolyzed water (catholyte) and is anodically electrolyzed in the anode chamber to produce electrolyzed water (anolyte) whose pH is modified. A portion of alkaline catholyte from the cathode chamber is recycled back to the feed water during continuous electrolysis to provide a blend of feed water and alkaline catholyte to the anode chamber to control pH of the anodically electrolyzed water therein to provide more stable bactericidal activity thereof over time.

The present invention relates to bead incubating and washing on a droplet actuator. Methods for incubating magnetically responsive beads that are labeled with primary antibody, a sample (i.e., analyte), and secondary reporter antibodies on a magnet, on and off a magnet, and completely off a magnet are provided. Also provided are methods for washing magnetically responsive beads using shape-assisted merging of droplets. Also provided are methods for shape-mediated splitting, transporting, and dispensing of a sample droplet that contains magnetically responsive beads. The apparatuses and methods of the invention provide for rapid time to result and optimum detection of an analyte in an immunoassay.

Methods for forming a support frame for flexible leaflet heart valves from a starting blank include converting a two-dimensional starting blank into the three-dimensional support frame. The material may be superelastic, such as NITINOL, and the method may include bending the 2-D blank into the 3-D form and shape setting it. A merely elastic material such as ELGILOY may be used and plastically deformed in stages, possibly accompanied by annealing, to obtain the 3-D shape. Alternatively, a tubular blank could be formed to define a non-tubular shape, typically conical. A method for calculating the precise 2-D blank shape is also disclosed. A mandrel assembly includes a mandrel and ring elements for pressing the blank against the external surface of the mandrel prior to shape setting.

Provided is a method for purifying a biodiesel fuel while completely preventing or greatly reducing generation of waste water. The present invention relates to a method for purifying a biodiesel fuel characterized by applying an electric field to or heating a crude biodiesel fuel and a method for purifying a biodiesel fuel characterized by adding water (preferably containing a demulsifier such as an inorganic calcium salt or a magnesium salt) to a crude biodiesel fuel to form W / O emulsion, and breaking the emulsion by application of an electric field or heating, etc.

The present invention is an apparatus and method for disinfecting or sanitizing a desired object. The apparatus includes a container for an aqueous solution; the container may be a spray bottle. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, containing an electrolyte, an electrical power source, a control circuit for providing an electric charge to the electrolyte to create an oxidant, and a fluid connection between the cell and container to permit introduction of the oxidant into the aqueous solution to create a disinfectant.

The invention relates to the deposition or attachment of materials to surfaces. It relates to a process for coating a surface with a first material and a second material, comprising the following steps: placing the first material on the said surface, inserting into the first material placed on the said surface precursor molecules of the second material, converting the said precursor molecules of the second material inserted into the first material into the said second material such that this second material becomes formed on the said surface to be coated and within the said first material placed on the said surface. The object of the process of the invention is to allow the deposition of materials of any type onto surfaces of any type.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that employ electrohydrodynamic flows in miscible, partially miscible and immiscible multiphase systems to induce mixing for dissolution and / or reaction processes. The apparatus and methods of the present invention allow micromixing of two or more components and can advantageously be used to conduct liquid-phase reactions uniformly and at high rates

A method for demulsifying water-oil emulsions through ultrasonic action, comprises a step of making the water-oil emulsions flow through at least one ultrasonic acting region in a flow direction, wherein: within the ultrasonic acting region, a concurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is the same as the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one first ultrasonic transducer provided at the upstream end of the ultrasonic acting region, and at same time, a countercurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is opposite to the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one second ultrasonic transducer provided at the downstream end of the ultrasonic acting region; and the concurrent ultrasonic wave and the countercurrent ultrasonic wave act simultaneously on the water-oil emulsions which flow through the ultrasonic acting region, so as to demulsify the water-oil emulsions. After being demulsified, the water-oil emulsions gravity settle and separate, or settle and separate under an electric field, so as to be dewatered. The present invention can apply to various water-oil separating technologies in the procedures from mining to processing of crude oil.

The present invention provides novel methods for removal and disposal of ammonia from spent dialysate in a dialysis system. Ammonium ions present in spent dialysate are converted into gaseous ammonia by raising the pH of the spent dialysate solution in a first reactor. Gaseous ammonia diffuses through a semi-permeable hydrophobic membrane at the outlet of the first reactor and into a second reactor via a gas channel. The second reactor converts gaseous ammonia into an ammonium compound for easy disposal.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for extracting non-polar lipids from microalgae are achieved using a lipid extraction device having an anode and a cathode that forms a channel and defines a fluid flow path through which an aqueous slurry is passed. An electromotive force is applied across the channel at a gap distance in a range from 0.5 mm to 200 mm to cause the non-polar lipids to be released from the algae cells. The non-polar lipids can be extracted at a high throughput rate and with low concentrations of polar lipids such as phospholipids and chlorophyll.

An electrocoagulation process for removing organic and metal contaminants from a pressurized waste fluid is disclosed in which a clarified waste fluid is produced when the pressure is released.

PCT No. PCT / US97 / 09300 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 10, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 10, 1999 PCT Filed Jun. 10, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98 / 56893 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 17, 1998The object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for treating membrane containing material with electrical fields and with an added treating substance. With the method, a plurality of electrodes (121-128) are arrayed around the material to be treated and are connected to outputs of an electrode selection apparatus (110). Inputs of the electrode selection apparatus are connected to outputs of an agile pulse sequence generator. A treating substance is added to the membrane-containing material. Electrical pulses are applied to the electrode selection apparatus and are routed through the electrode selection apparatus in a predetermined, computer-controlled sequence to selected electrodes in the array of electrodes, whereby the membrane containing material is treated with the added treating substance and with electrical fields of sequentially varying directions. The routing of applied pulses through the electrode selection apparatus (110) to selected electrodes (121-128) can be done in an enormous number of ways.

A micro-circuit for performing analyses of multimolecular interactions and for performing molecular syntheses, comprising: (a) a support; (b) at least one micro-electrode attached to the support, the micro-electrode being selectively electronically activated and the micro-electrode having a protective layer which is removable; (c) a binding entity for attachment to the at least one micro-electrode, the binding entity being capable of attachment to at least one micro-electrode when the protective layer has been removed; and (d) a power source being operatively connected to at least one micro-electrode for electronically activating at least one micro-electrode. The micro-circuit of the present invention also includes embodiments featuring a micro-circuit reader for detecting the interaction of the binding entity to a complementary probe, as well as methods for making and using the micro-circuit of the present invention.

Disclosed is a novel method for treatment of wastewater containing organic contaminant materials by oxidatively decomposing the contaminant materials by a radical reaction involving hydroxyl radicals. The method comprises passing the wastewater through a wastewater treatment conduit (6) comprising a straightly tubular member (6) and a radical generating part consisting of a truncated pyramidal or conical tubular member (1) having an inner surface layer of titanium dioxide to serve as a positive electrode and connected to the upstream end of the straightly tubular member and a negative electrode rod (4) coaxially held relative to the truncated tubular member and applying a pulsed DC voltage having a rectangular wave form at a specified frequency. The efficiency of wastewater treatment can be improved by providing an ultrasonic part consisting of a truncated tubular member similar (7) to the above and connected to the downstream end of the straightly tubular member and an ultrasonic vibrator (8) mounted thereon to emit pulsed ultrasonic waves.

An electro-catalyst for the oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media; the electrocatalyst being a noble metal co-deposited on a support with one or more other metals that are active to ammonia oxidation. In some embodiments, the support is platinum, gold, tantalum, or iridium. In some embodiments, the support has a layer of Raney metal deposited thereon prior to the deposition of the catalyst. Also provided are electrodes having the electro-catalyst deposited thereon, ammonia electrolytic cells, ammonia fuel cells, ammonia sensors, and a method for removing ammonia contaminants from a contaminated effluent.

This process occurs in the presence of activated carbon or its equivalent by decomposing adsorbed hazardous materials, such as hydrazine and microorganisms, on the carbon surface by radiofrequency energy in the microwave range at near ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. Further microwave oxidation to nonhazardous gases occurs in the presence of a microwaves enhanced oxidation catalyst.