Methods and systems for the use of a thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell to detect porphyrins in a wellbore environment are provided. In one embodiment, methods for the use of a thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell to detect porphyrins in a wellbore environment comprises: positioning a spectroelectrochemical cell in a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation comprising a downhole fluid; allowing at least a portion of the downhole fluid to flow into the spectroelectrochemical cell; and detecting at least one compound in at least a portion of the downhole fluid, wherein the at least one compound is selected from the group consisting of: a porphyrin, a metalloporphyrin, a porphyrin derivative, a porphyrin-like macrocycle, and any combination thereof.

The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics, and in particular to diagnostics based on a liquid crystal assay format. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystal assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal assay format.

The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics, and in particular to diagnostics based on a liquid crystal assay format. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystal assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal assay format.

In relation to an automated nucleic acid processor and an automated nucleic acid processing method using a multi function dispensing unit, processing involving extraction and amplification of the nucleic acid, can be consistently, quickly and efficiently conducted at a low cost with the use of a multi function dispensing unit, while saving user's trouble without expanding the scale of the device. The multi function dispensing unit includes: a nozzle head provided with a suction-discharge mechanism and nozzles detachably provided with dispensing tips; a container group having, at the very least housing parts for liquids and reaction containers for housing an amplification solution; a transfer mechanism that makes an interval between the nozzles and the container group relatively movable; a temperature controller whereby temperature control of the interior of the reaction vessels is possible; sealing liquids and/or sealing lids that are transportable to the reaction vessels using the nozzles, and which make the amplification solutions housed in the reaction vessels sealable within the reaction vessels; and a sealing control part that controls the suction-discharge mechanism or the transfer mechanism, such that the sealing liquid and/or the sealing lids seal the amplification solution within the reaction vessels when the housing of the amplification solution in the reaction vessels is completed.

In relation to an automated nucleic acid processor and an automated nucleic acid processing method using a multi function dispensing unit, processing involving extraction and amplification of the nucleic acid, can be consistently, quickly and efficiently conducted at a low cost with the use of a multi function dispensing unit, while saving user's trouble without expanding the scale of the device. The multi function dispensing unit includes: a nozzle head provided with a suction-discharge mechanism and nozzles detachably provided with dispensing tips; a container group having, at the very least housing parts for liquids and reaction containers for housing an amplification solution; a transfer mechanism that makes an interval between the nozzles and the container group relatively movable; a temperature controller whereby temperature control of the interior of the reaction vessels is possible; sealing liquids and/or sealing lids that are transportable to the reaction vessels using the nozzles, and which make the amplification solutions housed in the reaction vessels sealable within the reaction vessels; and a sealing control part that controls the suction-discharge mechanism or the transfer mechanism, such that the sealing liquid and/or the sealing lids seal the amplification solution within the reaction vessels when the housing of the amplification solution in the reaction vessels is completed.

This invention relates to a semi-quantitative diagnostic tool and a method for using the same to verify the efficacy of cleaning-in-place procedures in eliminating carbohydrate-based, organic residues from product contact surfaces in food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing, processing and packaging facilities. The diagnostic tool comprises a permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation and a translucent assay container for containing the permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation. The diagnostic tool is characterized therein that the permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation is admixed with a product sample to be tested so that the admixed permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation undergoes a colorimetric reaction in the presence of organic residues in the product sample, the arrangement being such intensity of the colorimetric reaction displayed provides a semi-quantitative determination of a concentration of organic residue dissolved or suspended in the product sample.

This invention relates to a semi-quantitative diagnostic tool and a method for using the same to verify the efficacy of cleaning-in-place procedures in eliminating carbohydrate-based, organic residues from product contact surfaces in food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing, processing and packaging facilities. The diagnostic tool comprises a permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation and a translucent assay container for containing the permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation. The diagnostic tool is characterized therein that the permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation is admixed with a product sample to be tested so that the admixed permanganate-based colorimetric indicator formulation undergoes a colorimetric reaction in the presence of organic residues in the product sample, the arrangement being such intensity of the colorimetric reaction displayed provides a semi-quantitative determination of a concentration of organic residue dissolved or suspended in the product sample.

The present invention provides a method for the quantitative determination of contaminants in the form of fatty acid esters in jet fuels, wherein the analyte is the fatty acid ester fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and/or the fatty acid ester fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE), wherein the analyte undergoes a chemical reaction which is selective for it and which influences the intensity for the carbonyl band of the respective ester group with the formation of a modified analyte and the variation in the concentration of analyte in the sample, which is the jet fuel together with FAME and/or FAEE, is measured using the reduction in the intensity of the carbonyl band and/or the increase in the concentration of the modified analyte is measured using the increase in the intensity of a band which is characteristic for the modification.

The present invention provides a method for the quantitative determination of contaminants in the form of fatty acid esters in jet fuels, wherein the analyte is the fatty acid ester fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and/or the fatty acid ester fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE), wherein the analyte undergoes a chemical reaction which is selective for it and which influences the intensity for the carbonyl band of the respective ester group with the formation of a modified analyte and the variation in the concentration of analyte in the sample, which is the jet fuel together with FAME and/or FAEE, is measured using the reduction in the intensity of the carbonyl band and/or the increase in the concentration of the modified analyte is measured using the increase in the intensity of a band which is characteristic for the modification.

This present invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to devices and systems having universal channel circuitry configured to perform optical and electrochemical assays, and methods of performing the optical and electrochemical assays using the universal channel circuitry. The universal channel circuitry is circuitry that has electronic switching capabilities such that any contact pin, and thus any sensor contact pad in a testing device, can be connected to one or more channels capable of taking on one or more measurement modes or configurations (e.g., an amperometric measurement mode or a current drive mode).