The invention is to devices and method for rapid determination of analytes in liquid samples by various assays including immunoassays incorporating a sample dilution feature for forming a diluted sample for analysis. The devices and methods also include a dilution verification feature for verifying the degree of dilution of the diluted sample. The devices preferably are capable of being used in the point-of-care diagnostic field is provided.

A biosensor platform apparatus and method are provided that can detect, purify and identify nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) biomarkers in complex biological fluids. The methods use a two-stage molecular based approach. The first stage screens for specific nucleic acid-based biomarkers in complex biological fluids by electrochemical detection of DNA:RNA hybridization and facilitates the removal of remaining complex media constituents. The first stage utilizes probes within a tunable nanoporous electrode. The second stage identifies the purified specific hybrids by single-molecule conductance measurements via break junction scanning. Identification can be assisted with a library of conductance measurements. The methods can provide strain level information that can be used for identifying anti-microbial resistance in detected pathogens. Collection of RNA targets allows for biomarker detection and identification without the need for amplification and can provide information about the viability of the sample organism.

A biosensor platform apparatus and method are provided that can detect, purify and identify nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) biomarkers in complex biological fluids. The methods use a two-stage molecular based approach. The first stage screens for specific nucleic acid-based biomarkers in complex biological fluids by electrochemical detection of DNA:RNA hybridization and facilitates the removal of remaining complex media constituents. The first stage utilizes probes within a tunable nanoporous electrode. The second stage identifies the purified specific hybrids by single-molecule conductance measurements via break junction scanning. Identification can be assisted with a library of conductance measurements. The methods can provide strain level information that can be used for identifying anti-microbial resistance in detected pathogens. Collection of RNA targets allows for biomarker detection and identification without the need for amplification and can provide information about the viability of the sample organism.

Provided is a measurement method for measuring a size of a damaged portion in a coated metal material that includes a metal base and surface treatment film provided on the metal base, and reaching the metal base through the surface treatment film. The measurement method includes the steps of disposing a water-containing material to be in contact with the damaged portion and an electrode to be in contact with the water-containing material, and electrically connecting between the electrode and the metal base with an external circuit; applying, with the external circuit, a constant voltage between the electrode and the metal base, as a cathode and an anode, respectively, and measuring a current value flowing therebetween; and calculating a size of the damaged portion, based on the current value measured and a correlation between the current value and the size of the damaged portion, determined on an exploratory basis in advance.

The centrifuge tube includes: a tube body comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, a sensor provided at the inner surface of the tube body and comprising a first electrode group; and a second electrode group provided at the outer surface of the tube body and electrically connected with the first electrode group.

To provide a technology capable of analyzing soil corrosion of an underground buried metal material. There is provided an electrode for analyzing corrosion of a buried metal material in real time, the electrode including: a metal portion composed of a metal material; a metal fixation portion covering and fixing the metal portion except on an exposed surface thereof; a plurality of particles arranged so as to be in contact with the exposed surface; a gelation substance portion covering the plurality of particles and being in close contact with the exposed surface and the metal fixation portion; and a conduction portion that secures electric conduction with the metal portion, wherein the plurality of particles and the gelation substance portion transmit light.

A corrosion prediction device that predicts corrosion indicating the degree to which a metal will corrode in an environment, the device including a storage unit which stores a soil sample that simulates the environment and an electrode unit and has a function of repeatedly performing water supply and drainage with respect to the soil sample; the electrode unit including at least one type of metal pieces; a measurement unit that measures, based on change in water content in the environment in one cycle, a corrosion rate of the metal pieces or a value proportional to the corrosion rate of the metal pieces during the change; a calculation unit that integrates the corrosion rate or a value proportional to the corrosion rate over time and calculates an amount of corrosion or a value proportional to the amount of corrosion; and a prediction unit that determines a constant value of K of the power law and a constant value of n of the power law using a difference between the amounts of corrosion or the values proportional to the amounts of corrosion in different periods.

An ultra-miniaturized, low-cost, and maintenance-free chemical sensor is capable of continuously monitoring the concentration of specific volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors released from crop plants and green plants under distress from pests or disease. The sensor is based on micromechanical structures and relies on the mechanical actuation induced by the chemical interaction between the VOCs and materials in the microstructure to passively generate a wake-up bit when the concentration of VOCs exceeds a predetermined value. The sensor does not consume power while in standby mode (i.e., when certain VOC vapors are not present), and wirelessly communicates the location of impending outbreaks upon detection of a predetermined concentration of certain VOC vapors.

An ultra-miniaturized, low-cost, and maintenance-free chemical sensor is capable of continuously monitoring the concentration of specific volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors released from crop plants and green plants under distress from pests or disease. The sensor is based on micromechanical structures and relies on the mechanical actuation induced by the chemical interaction between the VOCs and materials in the microstructure to passively generate a wake-up bit when the concentration of VOCs exceeds a predetermined value. The sensor does not consume power while in standby mode (i.e., when certain VOC vapors are not present), and wirelessly communicates the location of impending outbreaks upon detection of a predetermined concentration of certain VOC vapors.

A system includes a system housing including an inlet, at least one gas sensor responsive to a first analyte gas other than oxygen within the system housing and in fluid connection with the inlet, and a sensor responsive to oxygen within the system housing and in fluid connection with the inlet. The sensor responsive to oxygen is formed to be chemically separate from the at least one gas sensor responsive to the first analyte gas other than oxygen. The sensor responsive to oxygen is responsive to a change in the concentration of oxygen arising from creation of a driving force in the vicinity of the inlet to provide an indication of a state of a transport path between the inlet of the system and the at least one gas sensor responsive to the first analyte gas other than oxygen.