An analysis instrument comprises plural modules connected together over a data network, each module comprising an analysis apparatus operable to perform biochemical analysis of a sample. Each module comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the analysis apparatus. The control units are addressable to select an arbitrary number of modules to operate as a cluster for performing a common biochemical analysis. The control units communicate over the data network, repeatedly during the performance of the common biochemical analysis, to determine the operation of the analysis apparatus of each module required to meet the global performance targets, on the basis of measures of performance derived from the output data produced by the modules. The arrangement of the instrument as modules interacting in this manner provides a scalable analysis instrument.

Methods and systems for separating, detecting, and/or quantifying sample enantiomers using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicant's teachings, the methods and systems can provide for the separation of racemic or non-racemic mixtures of sample enantiomers that may be difficult to separate with conventional techniques, such as mass spectrometry (MS), by reacting the sample enantiomers with an enantiomerically-pure compound to form diastereomers separable by DMS.

There is provided a detecting apparatus including one or a plurality of magnetic coupling elements that include a plurality of coils, and a detector that measures an electrical parameter related to the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements or to a circuit that at least includes the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, and determines from a change in the electrical parameter whether a foreign matter that generates heat due to magnetic flux is present. In the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, the plurality of coils are electrically connected such that magnetic flux produced from at least one or more of the plurality of coils and magnetic flux produced from remaining coils of the plurality of coils have approximately opposing orientations.

There is provided a detecting apparatus including one or a plurality of magnetic coupling elements that include a plurality of coils, and a detector that measures an electrical parameter related to the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements or to a circuit that at least includes the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, and determines from a change in the electrical parameter whether a foreign matter that generates heat due to magnetic flux is present. In the one or plurality of magnetic coupling elements, the plurality of coils are electrically connected such that magnetic flux produced from at least one or more of the plurality of coils and magnetic flux produced from remaining coils of the plurality of coils have approximately opposing orientations.

To provide a corrosivity evaluation device that quantitatively evaluates corrosivity that represents an extent to which metal is corroded by an environment. A corrosivity evaluation device evaluates corrosivity that represents an extent to which metal is corroded by an environment, the device including: an electrode unit containing at least one type of the metal by being placed in the environment; a measurement unit adapted to measure a corrosion rate of the metal or a value related to the corrosion rate of the metal during one cycle of change in water content of the environment, the measurements being taken from the one cycle of change; and a calculation unit adapted to calculate a corrosion amount of the metal or a value related to the corrosion amount of the metal from the value measured by the measurement unit.

A sensor of the present invention includes, in order, a first conductor layer which is made of a direct transition type semiconductor and generates an electromagnetic wave; a non-conductor layer; a second conductor layer; and a third electrode, in which a first electrode is provided on a part of a first surface of the first conductor layer opposite to the non-conductor layer side, and a second electrode is provided on the other part of the first surface. Thus, the present invention can provide a sensor which identifies and detects a substance.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.

Methods for producing engineered exosomes and other vesicle-like biological targets, including allowing a target vesicle-like structure to react and bind with immunomagnetic particles; capturing the immunomagnetic particle/vesicle complex by applying a magnetic field; further engineering the captured vesicles by surface modifying with additional active moieties or internally loading with active agents; and releasing the engineered vesicle-like structures, such as by photolytically cleaving a linkage between the particle and engineered vesicle-like structures, thereby releasing intact vesicle-like structures which can act as delivery vehicles for therapeutic treatments.

A detection method is a detection method for detecting a target substance from among in-liquid substances including the target substance and a non-target substance, and includes (i) applying an alternating-current voltage to an electrode pair that generates an electric field gradient so that positive dielectrophoretic force is exerted on the target substance and the non-target substance; and (ii) applying an alternating-current voltage after execution of the (i) applying so that negative dielectrophoretic force is exerted on the target substance on which the positive dielectrophoretic force has been acting.