3580results about "Surface/boundary effect" patented technology

Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. In preferred high-temperature embodiments, the polymer sample is maintained at a temperature of not less than about 75° C. during sample preparation, loading into a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, injection into a mobile phase of a liquid chromatography or flow-injection analysis system, and/or elution from chromatographic column. The described methods, systems, and device have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

Hydrogels containing catalase co-immobilized with an analyte-sensitive enzyme such as glucose oxidase are disclosed. The hydrogels may be pH-sensitive, and preferably are thin and lightly crosslinked. The catalase is present in concentrations ranging generally from 100 units/ml to about 1000 units/ml. These hydrogels have much faster swelling response times as compared to hydrogels without catalase, and are useful in biosensors and analyte-responsive drug delivery devices. The hydrogels also have an increased useful life, due to protection of the immobilize analyte-sensitive enzyme from degradation by hydrogen peroxide.

Systems for controlling a droplet microactuator are provided. According to one embodiment, a system is provided and includes a controller, a droplet microactuator electronically coupled to the controller, and a display device displaying a user interface electronically coupled to the controller, wherein the system is programmed and configured to permit a user to effect a droplet manipulation by interacting with the user interface. According to another embodiment, a system is provided and includes a processor, a display device electronically coupled to the processor, and software loaded and/or stored in a storage device electronically coupled to the controller, a memory device electronically coupled to the controller, and/or the controller and programmed to display an interactive map of a droplet microactuator. According to yet another embodiment, a system is provided and includes a controller, a droplet microactuator electronically coupled to the controller, a display device displaying a user interface electronically coupled to the controller, and software for executing a protocol loaded and/or stored in a storage device electronically coupled to the controller, a memory device electronically coupled to the controller, and/or the controller.

A method is provided for the determination of the concentration of compounds in body tissue and fluids. The method utilises two compartments containing reference solutions, which are separated from the sample by two different semi-permeable membranes, in a serial manner, whereby a difference in osmotic pressure occurs in the two compartments due to compounds, which can permeate one of the membranes, but not the other. The difference in osmotic pressure reflects the concentration of these compounds. The method is especially suited for analysis of the concentration of glucose in blood or tissue of diabetic patients, where a device is implanted underneath the skin of the patient and where the method is carried out by using the implanted device.

The invention discloses a fluid-solid-heat coupling triaxial servo percolation device for gas-contained coal, comprising a lifting stand, a hydraulic servo control system, an axial loading device mounted at the top of the lifting stand and a triaxial pressure chamber connected with the lower end of the axial loading device. A thermostatic water tank is arranged below the triaxial pressure chamber; a movable worktable is arranged above the thermostatic water tank; the lower end of the triaxial pressure chamber is arranged on the movable worktable; heating tubes are arranged in the thermostatic water tank; and a water inlet valve, a water drain valve and a water-bath circulating water pump are arranged outside the thermostatic water tank and are communicated with the thermostatic water tank. In the hydraulic servo control system, an axial compression loading oil pump is communicated with an oil inlet and an oil outlet by a pipeline, and a peripheral compression loading oil pump is communicated with an oil intake/drain hole by a pipeline. The fluid-solid-heat coupling triaxial servo percolation device for gas-contained coal can carry out the research of gas-contained coal percolation tests in states, such as different terrestrial stresses, different gas pressures, different temperatures, and the like and the distortion and failure characteristics of the gas-contained coal in a percolation process.

Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.

The invention provides a liquid cell for an atomic force microscope. The liquid cell includes a liquid cell housing with an internal cavity to contain a fluid, a plurality of conductive feedthroughs traversing the liquid cell housing between the internal cavity and a dry side of the liquid cell, a cantilevered probe coupled to the liquid cell housing, and a piezoelectric drive element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The cantilevered probe is actuated when a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric drive element through at least one of the conductive feedthroughs. A method of imaging an object in a liquid medium and a method of sensing a target species with the liquid cell are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for manipulating the surface of a sample including a cantilever, a first tip mounted on the cantilever, and a second tip mounted on the cantilever, the first and the second tip being configured to combine to form an imaging probe and to separate to form a manipulation probe. The first and second tips are configured to form a first position characterized in that the tips combine to form an imaging tip and the first and the second tip are configured to form a second position characterized in that the tips separate to manipulate particles on a surface of a sample. The tips can be configured to form the first position when a voltage is applied across the tips, and preferable extend downwardly from the cantilever substantially perpendicular thereto.

A device for determining a location of an interface between a first fluid and second fluid includes a non-mechanical sensor that measures a selected parameter of interest relating to the fluid surrounding the sensor (“the surrounding fluid”) and a processor for processing the sensor measurements. The non-mechanical sensor measures a parameter relating to the surround fluid without physically co-acting with the surrounding fluid. Exemplary parameters such as thermal properties, electrical properties, fluid properties, and magnetic properties can be measured. The processor is programmed to process the sensor measurements to identify one or more characteristics in the measurements that can indicate the nature of the fluid being measured and thereby determine the location of the interface. The determined location can be used to operate a downhole device such as a pump, to provide real-time monitoring of well conditions, to record data for long-term reservoir characterization, or to actuate an alarm.

The invention relates to scanning magnetic microscope which has a photoluminescent nanoprobe implanted in the tip apex of an atomic force microscope (AFM), a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) or a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of unpaired electron spins or nuclear magnetic moments in the sample material. The described spin microscope has demonstrated nanoscale lateral resolution and single spin sensitivity for the AFM and STM embodiments.

The invention belongs to the field of rock engineering, and in particular relates to a device and a method for a gas bearing shale-seepage-temperature coupling and displacement experiment. The experimental device comprises a triaxial pressure cavity, an axial pressure loading system, a confining pressure loading system, an upstream gas pressure loading system, an upstream liquid pressure loading system, a downstream gas pressure loading and collecting system, a downstream liquid collecting system, a multi-component mixed gas collecting system, a vacuumizing device, a heating system and a data collection control system. The experimental method comprises the following steps of: fixing a test piece; applying confining pressure; applying axial pressure; heating; vacuumizing; applying upstream liquid pressure (or pre-saturated methane); applying upstream gas pressure (or applying upstream gas pressure); injecting multi-phase mixed fluid (or applying another upstream liquid pressure); performing pre-adsorptive saturation by the test piece (injecting multi-component constant-proportion mixed gas); and collecting. The experimental device can be used for applying triaxial stress to the test piece according to the actual stress condition, and remolding a stress environment according to the fact.

The invention discloses a simulator for transport of soil pollutant. The simulator comprises a solution injection system, a testing column, a measuring system, and an outlet collecting system, wherein the solution injection system comprises solution injection bottles and guide pipes; valves are arranged at two ends of the testing column, conductivity electrode mounting holes are formed in a side face of the testing column, and an air outlet hole is formed in the top of the testing column; the measuring system comprises conductivity electrodes, a conductivity meter, a pressure sensor, a date collector and a computer; the outlet collecting system comprises a water outlet pipe and an outlet collecting container. According to the simulator, the transfer behavior of pollutants in soil body can be simulated indoors; distribution condition of concentration of pollutant in time and space and the real-time changing of the outlet volume can be acquired in a real-time manner during the simulation; the automation degree is high and the precision is high; therefore, the simulator obviously keeps ahead of relative instruments at home and abroad.

Osmolarity measurement of a sample fluid, such as tear film, is achieved by depositing an aliquot-sized sample on a sample receiving substrate. The sample fluid is placed on a sample region of the substrate. Energy is imparted to the sample fluid and energy properties of the fluid can be detected to produce a sample fluid reading that indicates osmolarity of the sample fluid. An aliquot-sized volume can comprise, for example, a volume of no more than 20 microliters (μL). The aliquot-sized sample volume can be quickly and easily obtained, even from dry eye sufferers. The imparted energy can comprise electrical, optical or thermal energy. In the case of electrical energy, the energy property of the sample fluid can comprise electrical conductivity. In the case of optical energy, the energy property can comprise fluorescence. In the case of thermal energy, the measured property can be the freezing point of the sample fluid. The substrate can be packaged into a chip, such as by using semiconductor fabrication techniques. An ex vivo osmolarity sensor system that uses the chip can detect energy from the sample region and can provide an accurate osmolarity measurement without user intervention.

The invention relates to a tension experiment measuring and detecting device, in particular to an in-situ nano tension experiment measuring and detecting device. The invention solves the problem in the prior art that measurement of mechanical properties and detection of micro-morphology are two independent and separate processes. An output shaft of a stepper motor (1) of the device is fixedly connected with a coupler (2); a guide rail (7) is fixed on a stander soleplate (4); a left frame set (42) and a right frame set (43) are arranged on the guide rail (7); both ends of a left and right rotary screw (8) are respectively connected with the coupler (2) and a bearing support (21); a left end face and a right end face of a force sensor (18) are respectively and fixedly connected with a right clamp connecting block (14) and a force sensor holder (19); a reading device (44) is arranged on the stander soleplate (4); and a tension measuring device (41) is fixed on a worktable (46) of the detection device. The in-situ nano tension experiment measuring and detecting device promotes further development of the research area of dynamic observation required on the micro-morphology variation of a sample under the state of stress, and has important theoretical significance and good application prospect on measurement of the mechanical properties and detection of the micro-morphology of composite functional nanophase materials.

A multifunctional optical micro-manipulation device comprises a femtosecond laser, an optical tweezers laser, an optical system, a stage, a light source system, an imaging system, a spectral measurement system and a computer, wherein the optical system comprises a shutter, an attenuator, a focusing lens, a near IR reflector and a microscopic objective lens; the light source system comprises an illumination light source and a condenser lens; the microscopic objective lens is arranged on the stage for condensing a laser beam emitted by a laser generator onto a sample; the condenser lens is arranged below the stage for condensing a visible light emitted by the illumination light source onto the sample; and the imaging system includes an IR filter and CCD camera sequentially disposed on the projection light path of the near IR reflector. By integrating three functions of laser tweezers, femtosecond laser scissors and microspectrometer in one system, the invention can overcome the singleness and the disadvantages of the prior laser micro-beam technology and can be widely used for studying in biological, medical, biophysical, material chemistry and nano-technology fields.

Described herein are systems, apparatuses and methods for the design and use of a suction-controlled box for the measurement of stress-dependent soil and water characteristics, shear strength, volume changes and consolidation characteristics from a single unsaturated soil specimen. The suction-controlled box can include a suction control part and a mechanical loading part, which can apply various suctions and mechanical loadings to test a specimen for a full range of suctions. The suction-controlled box can also include a helical water compartment that can flush diffused air bubbles.

The invention discloses an apparatus and a method for determining high temperature wettability. The apparatus comprises a heater body, a heating portion, an extruding dripping portion, a sample supporting portion and an image acquisition and processing portion. The heater body is comprised of a stainless steel cavity, a furnace lid and a No. 3 fluorine rubber ring bolt connecting together. A shielding layer in the heating portion is arranged in the center of a furnace bottom in the heater body, and a heating member is placed at the center of the shielding layer. The extruding dripping portionis perpendicularly arranged on an upper end of the heater body, and a lower end of a thermocouple in the heating portion, a lower end of the extruding dripping portion and an upper end of a sample bench are placed in the heater body. A substrate is placed at top of the sample bench. Two sets of CCD digital cameras or CMOS high speed cameras in the image acquisition and processing portion and a light source are respectively placed at the front and rear and the left and right of the heater body, and are in a same horizontal line with a symmetric axis of a quartz glass observation window, a wallthrough hole on the shielding layer and a heating member through hole on the heating member. The invention also provides a method for determining high temperature wettability.

The present invention teaches apparatus (511) and methods for screening the effect of test formulations on the barrier properties of a membrane (212), that are especially beneficial when skin is used as the test membrane (212). The apparatus (511) and methods enable more efficient measurements of skin permeabilization, of the permeation of molecular or particulate entities through skin, and of the absorption and adsorption by skin of ingredients in fluid formulations, together with screening of exfoliation of material from the exterior of the stratum corneum. The apparatus (511) provide for fluid contact to the skin from both donor and receptor sides, for measurements of skin electrical response in the presence of test formulations, of permeation and permeation enhancement, for the depth profiling of test formulation constituents through the skin, of stratum corneum component disruption, and of loss of material from the stratum corneum.

A probe driving method and a probe apparatus for bringing a probe into contact with the surface of a sample in a safe and efficient manner by monitoring the probe height. Information about the height of the probe from the sample surface is obtained by detecting a probe shadow appearing immediately before the probe contacts the sample, or based on a change in relative positions of a probe image and a sample image that are formed as an ion beam is irradiated diagonally.

An interface detection apparatus detects a position of a hidden interface between first and second materials, the first material having a different physical property from the second material. The apparatus encompasses (a) an irradiation mechanism configured to irradiate an electromagnetic wave onto a sample implemented by the first and second materials, (b) a detection mechanism configured to detect the electromagnetic wave that has passed through the sample, and (c) a traveling mechanism configured to change the relative position of the hidden interface with respect to the position of the detection mechanism.

The invention relates to a display method used for preparing high-intensity ship plate metallographic samples and the original austenite grains, belonging to the technical field of metallographic sample preparation. The invention has the following technological steps: coarse grinding, fine grinding, polishing and corrosion; the polished specimen is put in the etching solution at 70-80 DEG C; the formula of the etching solution comprises 100ml of distilled water, 5-7g of picric acid, 0.5-1.5ml of hydrochloric acid, 3-5g of SDBS, 5-15g of Seagull paste shampoo and 0.3-1ml of hydrogen peroxide; after being etched for 1-2 minutes, the surface of the specimen is dimmed, and the specimen is taken out, cleaned with alcohol and then dried; and the relatively clear original austenite structure can be observed under a microscope. The invention has the advantages of solving the problem of different display of the high-intensity ship plate austenite grains and clearly displaying the austenite structure; besides, the invention is easy and simple to implement.