5148results about "Mixing methods" patented technology

Containers for providing vapor phase reactant from liquid sources include bubbler designs and designs in which carrier gas flows over the liquid surface. Among the bubbler arrangements, a bypass conductance is provided to release excess pressure from the gas volume inside the container, or an enlarged bubbler tube is provided with a volume sufficient to accommodate all possible liquid backflow without having the liquid exit the container. Among the overflow designs, flow dividers provide a tortuous path for the gas to increase the time exposure of carrier gas packets to the evaporating liquid surface. The flow dividers can be microporous to encourage capillary action, thereby increasing the evaporating surface. The tortuous gas flow path can be separated from the liquid phase by a breathable semi-porous membrane that permits vapor phase reactant to pass through but prohibits liquid from passing in the other direction.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices/systems for amplifying genetic material and may include providing a water-in-oil emulsion in a continuous flow. The emulsion may include a plurality of water droplets comprising microreactors. Each of the plurality of microreactors may include a single bead capable of capturing a nucleic acid template, a single species nucleic acid template and sufficient reagents to amplify the copy number of the nucleic acid template. The method also includes flowing the emulsion across a first temperature zone and a second lower temperature zone to thermally process the microreactors to amplify the nucleic acid template by polymerase chain reaction.

The present invention is an apparatus for deliverying high purity gallium trichloride in the vapor phase to a gallium nitride reactor, comprising; a source of carrier gas at an elevated pressure; a purifier to remove moisture from the carrier gas; a heater capable of heating the carrier gas to at least 80° C.; a container having a supply of gallium trichloride, a valve controlled inlet for the carrier gas having a dip tube with an outlet below the level of the gallium trichloride, a valve controlled outlet for removing the carrier gas and entrained gallium trichloride; a heater capable of heating sufficient to melt the gallium trichloride; a delivery line connected to the valve controlled outlet for carrying the entrained gallium trichloride to a reaction zone for gallium nitride. A process is also described for the apparatus.

The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

A method of making high internal phase emulsions is described. The method forms high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) using a single pass through the static mixer. In alternative embodiments, the HIPE may be further processed to farther modify the size of dispersed phase droplets, to incorporate additional materials into the HIPE, to alter emulsion temperature, and the like.

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic vaporizer, an aerosol delivery device that may include such vaporizer, and methods for forming an aerosol. A microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. An aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer and aerosol delivery device can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.

An apparatus configured for connection to a mixer for receiving a slurry and altering the flow characteristics of the slurry includes a conduit having a main inlet in slurry receiving communication with the mixer outlet and extending to a spout for discharging the slurry, at least one conduit restrictor associated with the conduit for creating back-pressure between the conduit restrictor and the mixer outlet for keeping the mixer full, and at least one pressure reducer associated with the discharge spout and configured for reducing the pressure of the slurry dispensed from the discharge spout. The apparatus is configured for maintaining a generally laminar flow from the mixer outlet to the discharge spout.

A UV sterilizing humidifier includes a water box body provided with a water-storing box bored with a water inlet fixed with a first silica tube connected with one end of a glass tube having another end connected with a second silica tube, which is connected with the inlet tube of the water-storing tank of a main body. The water box body is installed with a UV sterilizing lamp positioned under the glass tube and having its circumference provided with an isolating layer for preventing UV light from transmitting to the outer environment. The water box body further has an atomization chamber for receiving atomized substance. A main body is disposed with a water-storing tank for storing a proper amount of water, an oscillator for atomizing the water inside and a detecting element for detecting the water amount therein for insuring safety of using the humidifier.

Submicron particles of water-insoluble compounds, particularly drugs, are prepared by simultaneously stabilizing microparticulate suspensions of same with surface modifier molecules by rapid expansion into an aqueous medium from a compressed solution of the compound and surface modifiers in a liquefied gas and optionally homogenizing the aqueous suspension thus formed with a high pressure homogenizer.

The invention concerns a pigment, filler or mineral containing a natural calcium carbonate, treated with one of more providers of H3O<+> ions and gaseous CO2, allowing a reduction in the weight of paper for a constant surface area without loss of physical properties when it is used as a pigment or coating filler for the said paper. In particular, the invention concerns a pigment, filler or mineral containing a natural calcium carbonate or dolomite or mixtures of talc and calcium carbonate, of kaolin and carbonate or carbonate alone or in combination with natural and/or synthetic fibers or similar, treated with one or more medium-strong or strong providers of H3O<+> ions in the presence of gaseous CO2. Applications are particularly in the paper industry, obtaining in particular good sheet properties i.e. a reduction its weight for a given surface area.

Surfactant systems, using microfibrous cellulose to suspend particulates therein, are described. Methods of making these systems are also described.

A microchannel apparatus includes a plural partition walls 4 formed as extensions of plural microchannels 1 toward a continuous phase, and a flow path 5 is formed between adjacent ones of the partition walls 4. A dispersed phase pumped into a continuous phase via each microchannel 1 generates nearly perfect spheres in the course of passing through the microchannel and the flow path 5 in between the partition walls 4, thereby producing emulsions comprising fine and homogenous microspheres.

A stable, aqueous composition containing a substantially crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer rheology modifier, a surfactant, an alkaline material, and various compounds therein, as for example substantially insoluble materials requiring suspension or stabilization, such as a silicone, an oily material, or a pearlescent material. Additionally, this invention also relates to the formation of a rheologically and phase stable cationic hair dye composition. The invention further relates to the incorporation of an acidic material after the addition of an alkaline material to reduce the pH of the composition without negatively impacting the viscosity of the composition.

A membrane filter apparatus includes a membrane unit 50 composed of an array of membrane elements 51 disposed within a treatment tank 31. A skirt element 71 is disposed at a bottom portion of the membrane unit and an aerator 61 is disposed under the skirt. A partition is also disposed at the bottom of the membrane unit forming compartments within the skirt element. The gas bubbles discharged from the aerator increase their rising force upon entry into gaps between the membranes. Because of the arrangement of the partition within the skirt element the flow rate of bubbles along the opposite side edge portions of the membrane unit can be increased having the advantage of cleaning the entire surface of each membrane, thereby preventing clogging by sludge, SS, colloid, etc. within the gaps between the membranes. Therefore, filtration can be maintained over a longer period of time and the power required for filtration can be reduced, as well as, the frequency of manual periodic cleaning, chemical cleaning, etc.

Stable high viscosity organopolysiloxane emulsions with particle sizes up to 150 nanometer may be made in a simple and cost-effective manner employing a standard homogenizer, and optional subsequent polymerization of the organopolysiloxan at controlled temperature. A combination of non-ionic emulsifier together with an at least one anionic emulsifier is employed, having an HLB value 12-15, while maintaining a temperature up to 50° C.

A method of sequestering a greenhouse gas is described, which comprises: (i) providing a solution carrying a first reagent that is capable of reacting with a greenhouse gas; (ii) contacting the solution with a greenhouse gas under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reagent and the greenhouse gas to produce at least a first reactant; (iii) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a second reactant; (iv) allowing a solution carrying the at least first reactant to infiltrate at least a substantial portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (v) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interior spaces of the porous matrix, thereby sequestering a greenhouse gas.

This invention provides a device and method for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluids which includes a flow-through chamber intermediate an inlet opening and an outlet opening; the flow-through chamber having an upstream opening portion communicating with the inlet opening and a downstream opening portion communicating with the outlet opening; the cross-sectional area of the downstream opening portion being greater than the cross-sectional area of the upstream opening portion; and a cavitation generator located within the flow-through chamber for generating a hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the generator. This invention also provides for a device for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluids wherein the walls of the flow-through chamber are removable mounted within the device and are interchangeable and replaceable with replacement walls having various shapes and configurations, thereby enabling the flow-through chamber to assume various shapes and configurations to affect cavitation. This invention also provides for a device for a device for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluids wherein the baffle elements are removably mounted within the device and are interchangeable and replaceable with replacement baffles having various shapes and configurations thereby enabling variable effects on cavitation.

This invention relates to novel forms of clarified hydrocolloids including gels, films, foams, capsules and sponges. The invention also pertains to novel processes for producing the various physical forms of the clarified hydrocolloids. The invention also includes clarified hydrocolloid composites; borated cis 1,2-diol containing hydrocolloids; and clarified hydrocolloids of low viscosity.

The invention relates to a membrane bioreactor process combined with an advanced biological sludge digestion process that provides significant improvements in sludge digestion by reducing the costs and resources required for disposing of digested sludge. The offline treatment vessel is used to solubilize the organic material by operating in a very low oxygen environment. Digested process fluid is transferred back to the membrane bioreactor. The processes and apparatus substantially reduce the production of waste sludge.

The present invention is in the area of administration forms and delivery systems for drugs, vaccines and other biologically active agents. More specifically the invention is related to the preparation of suspensions of colloidal solid lipid particles (SLPs) of predominantly anisometrical shape with the lipid matrix being in a stable polymorphic modification and of suspensions of micron and submicron particles of bioactive agents (PBAs); as well as to the use of such suspensions or the lyophilizates thereof as delivery systems primarily for the parenteral administration of preferably poorly water-soluble bioactive substances, particularly drugs, and to their use in cosmetic, food and agricultural products. SLPs and PBAs are prepared by the following emulsification process: (1) A solid lipid or bioactive agent or a mixture of solid lipids or bioactive agents is melted. (2) Stabilizers are added either to the lipid or bioactive agent and to the aqueous phase or to the aqueous phase only depending on their physicochemical characteristics. Stabilizers may also be added or exchanged after homogenization. (3) Drugs or other bioactive substances to be incorporated into the SLPs may be melted together with the lipids if the physicochemical characteristics of the substance permit or may be dissolved, solubilized or dispersed in the lipid melt before homogenization. (4) The aqueous phase is heated to the temperature of the melt before mixing and may contain for example stabilizers, isotonicity agents, buffering substances, cryoprotectants and/or preservatives. (5) The molten lipid compounds and the bioactive agents are emulsified in an aqueous phase preferably by high-pressure homogenization.

The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for controlling/manipulating fluidic materials in microfluidic devices. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention create and utilize differences between dispersion rates and/or average velocity of fluidic materials in order to manipulate fluidic materials.

A film-forming composition contains surface-treated nanocrystalline particles dispersed in a cross-linkable resin. A substantially transparent, abrasion-resistant film is formed from the film-forming composition. Processes for preparing the film-forming composition and for preparing a substantially transparent, abrasion-resistant film are also included. The surface-treated nanocrystalline particles may be obtained by treating nanocrystalline particles with one or more siloxane species, such as a siloxane star-graft polymer coating.

The present invention provides a water-soluble crosslinkable polyurea prepolymer. The crosslinkable polyurea prepolymer of the invention is prepared by reacting an amine- or isocyanate-capped polyurea with a multifunctional compound having at least one one ethylenically unsaturated group and a function group coreactive with the capping amine or isocyanate groups of the amine- or isocyanate-capped polyurea. The amine- or isocyanate-capped polyurea is a copolymerization production of: (a) at least one poly(oxyalkylene)diamine, (b) optionally at least one organic di- or poly-amine, (c) optionally at least one diisocyanate, and (d) at least one polyisocyanate. The crosslinkable polyurea prepolymer of the invention can find use in economically producing contact lenses which have durable, highly elastic soft contact lenses with desired physical properties. In addition, the present invention provides method for making a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens.

A process for in-situ remediation of contaminated soil in which at least one treating agent is introduced into the contaminated soil and transported to an underground in-situ treatment zone of the contaminated soil by a foam-based fluid.

The invention provides systems, devices, methods, and kits for performing an integrated analysis. The integrated analysis can include sample processing, library construction, amplification, and sequencing. The integrated analysis can be performed within one or more modules that are fluidically connected to each other. The one or more modules can be controlled and/or automated by a computer. The integrated analysis can be performed on a tissue sample, a clinical sample, or an environmental sample. The integrated analysis system can have a compact format and return results within a designated period of time.

A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore including:

• • (a) preparing a fracturing fluid containing a mixture resulting from:
    • (I) providing a water-in-oil emulsion composition that includes:
      • (i) 5% to 99% by weight of a water-in-oil emulsion polymer comprising a polymer or copolymer containing repeat units from an acrylamide monomer;
      • (ii) 0.5% to 90% by weight of a carrier solvent; and
      • (iii) 0 to 90% by weight of a fluidizing agent; and adding
      • (iv) 0.1% to 10% by weight of one or more inorganic microparticles, where the total of all components is 100% by weight; and
    • (II) adding the water-in-oil emulsion composition to water; and
  • (b) contacting the subterranean formation with the fracturing fluid.

A membrane module (5) including a plurality of porous membranes (6) extending in an array and mounted, at least at one end, in a header (8). The header (8) has a number of distribution apertures (11) for distributing a fluid into the module (5) and along a surface or surfaces of the membranes (6). An elongate chamber (10) having one open end (13) and another end is in fluid communication with the distribution apertures (11) for distributing the fluid to the distribution apertures (11).

A process for producing a fine silver particle colloidal dispersion which can simply form conductive silver layers and antimicrobial coatings by screen printing or the like. The process is characterized by having a reaction step of allowing an aqueous silver nitrate solution to react with a mixed solution of an aqueous iron(II) sulfate solution and an aqueous sodium citrate solution to form an agglomerate of fine silver particles, a filtration step of filtering the resultant agglomerate of fine silver particles to obtain a cake of the agglomerate of fine silver particles, a dispersion step of adding pure water to the cake to obtain a first fine silver particle colloidal dispersion of a water system in which dispersion the fine silver particles have been dispersed in the pure water, and a concentration and washing step of concentrating and washing the first fine silver particle colloidal dispersion of a water system.

The present invention provides for a cavitational mixing and/or pumping device and method including a body having a base portion and a peripheral wall extending from the base portion and defining an inlet space therebetween. Additionally, the base portion includes at least one inlet port disposed therein that is in fluid communication with the inlet space. The peripheral wall includes an outlet channel disposed therein that is in fluid communication with the inlet space. A cavitation assembly is disposed within the outlet channel. Alternatively, a plurality of cavitation assemblies may be disposed within the outlet channel.

A humidifier apparatus for operating at an air pressure is disclosed for use with a respiratory therapy breathing apparatus that provides a breathable gas supply to patients requiring higher concentrations of liquid vapor and gas pressure. The humidifier apparatus includes a feed liquid supply bag in fluid communication with a humidifier cartridge via a conduit. The conduit enables air to flow therethrough to equalize air pressure between the humidifier cartridge and the feed liquid supply bag in response to liquid being supplied to the humidifier cartridge.