Abstract:
A three-dimensional microfluidic system including: at least one hydrophilic thread along which fluid can be transported through capillary wicking; and at least one hydrophobic substrate for supporting the hydrophilic thread. A method of transporting and mixing a plurality of fluids within a microfluidic system including at least two hydrophilic threads and a hydrophobic substrate having at least two zones, each of the hydrophilic threads supported on a different hydrophobic substrate zone, including: delivering each said fluid to a different hydrophilic thread; and bringing the at least two hydrophilic threads into contact to cause mixing of the fluids.
Abstract:
Xylose-utilizing Z. mobilis strains were found to have improved ethanol production when grown in medium containing mixed sugars including xylose if sorbitol or mannitol was included in the medium. The effect was seen in concentrations of mixed sugars where no growth lag period occurs, as well as in higher sugars concentrations.
Abstract:
A signal regulator (50) regulates an auxiliary signal (A) based upon a primary signal (P') scaled by an external amplifier. The signal regulator (50) receives the primary signal with an unscaled level (P). Processing circuitry (54) monitors the unscaled level of the primary signal. The primary signal (at 56) is then output to the external amplifier for scaling, either by amplification or attenuation. The primary signal with a scaled level (P') is fed back to the signal regulator (50) from the amplifier. The processing circuitry (54) monitors the scaled level of the primary signal (P') from the amplifier, and then generates a gain factor (G) based upon the unscaled level (P) and scaled level of the primary signal (P'). An auxiliary signal (A) is received by the signal regulator (50). Adjusting circuitry (62) adjusts a level of the auxiliary signal based upon the gain factor (G). The auxiliary signal with the adjusted level (A') is then provided to an external component, for example, a loudspeaker.
Abstract:
A direct-foam cleaning product is provided. The direct-foam cleaning product comprises a cleaning composition comprising from about 5%to about 15%, by weight of said composition, of a surfactant system and an effective amount of a organic grease cleaning solvent, wherein said cleaning composition is formulated to provide a foam having a compression force of about 2.4 gf*mm to about 4.3 gf*mm. Such direct-foam cleaning product provides good foaming properties and surface coverage when the composition is sprayed directly onto soiled dishware. This leads to efficient cleaning of soiled dishes via a direct-foam and rinse action, which avoids traditional methods of soaking soiled dishes in detergent baths and/or scrubbing soiled dishware with a sponge or cleaning implement.
Abstract:
There is provided a barrier layer comprising silicate chemically coupled to a polymer matrix. There is also provided a process for making the barrier layer and uses thereof.
Abstract:
A multi-zone microzone plate for use in multi-assay analyses including a substrate having a hydrophobic surface, and a microzone pattern printed on the substrate surface, wherein the microzone pattern includes hydrophilic material therein, and a method of producing thereof.
Abstract:
There is provided a method of making a nano-composite having individual nano-sized silica particles dispersed in a polymer matrix, the method comprises the step of curing a substantially homogeneous mixture of surface-functionalized nano-sized silica particles, a polymerizable resin and a curing agent, wherein said substantially homogeneous mixture is substantially free of alcoholic solvent to form the nano-composite.
Abstract:
A method of determining the concentration of a test fluid sample using a paper-based microfluidic system having a plurality of hydrophilic testing zones, including: a) depositing said test fluid sample on at least one said testing zone; b) depositing a plurality of standard fluid samples or reactives of differing known concentrations on other said testing zones; c) introducing an indicator solution to each said test zone to thereby react with the deposited fluid sample and result in a colour intensity change which is a function of the fluid sample concentration; and d) comparing the differences in colour intensity between the test fluid sample and the standard fluid samples or reactives to thereby determine the concentration of said test fluid sample.
Abstract:
A process for forming a composite film on a substrate comprises providing a suspension comprising an ionised polymer and functionalised carbon nanotubes in a solvent, at least partially immersing the substrate and a counterelectrode in the suspension, and applying a voltage between the substrate and the counterelectrode so as to form the composite film on the substrate. Electrical charges on the polymer and on the nanotubes have the same sign and the voltage is applied such that the charge on the substrate has the opposite sign to the charge on the polymer and the nanotubes.
Abstract:
A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.