The disclosure relates to a method for pretreating a sample for metals determination. The method includes: providing an aqueous sample mixture comprising a sample containing or suspected of containing one or more metals for detection; contacting the aqueous sample mixture with a first electrode (anode) comprising electrically conducting boron-doped diamond (BDD); electrically contacting the aqueous sample mixture with a second electrode (cathode); applying an electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode (i) to provide an electrical current therebetween and through the aqueous sample mixture, (ii) to generate hydroxyl ion (OH.sup.−) species at the first electrode, (iii) to oxidize and free the one or more metals for detection in the sample, thereby forming a pretreated aqueous sample comprising free metal ions in aqueous solution and corresponding to the one or more metals in the original sample; and withdrawing the pretreated aqueous sample comprising the free metal ions in aqueous solution. The pretreated aqueous sample can be analyzed for metal content using any desired conventional analysis technique.

Paraffin-embedded tissue is prepared removing paraffin from the tissue. The paraffin is removed by generating an electric field effective to produce plasma and direct charged species of the plasma to the paraffin, thereby rendering the paraffin responsive to the electric field. The electric field may move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrostatic force. Movement of the paraffin may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. Movement of the paraffin also may be assisted by applying a solvent and/or heat energy to the tissue.

The disclosure provides methods for separating and/or purifying one or more molecules released from one or more fluid compartments or partitions, such as one or more droplets. Molecules can be released from a fluid compartment(s) and bound to supports that can be isolated via any suitable method, including example methods described herein. The disclosure also provides devices that can aid in isolating supports bound to molecules.

Tissue and cellular samples can be electrically dissociated into single cells and/or smaller groups of cells. The tissue samples can be housed in a device (which may also include a fluid) with one or more electrodes residing within the device. The device can be used to process one or more tissue samples. An electric field can be established through the device and the tissue samples can be dissociated into single cells and/or smaller groups of cells under the electric field.

A collecting device includes a stage configured to place a substrate. A magnetic field generating unit holds, by a magnetic field, a first liquid containing a magnetic fluid and a collecting liquid to bring the first liquid into contact with at least an end portion of the substrate. A collecting unit collects the first liquid from the magnetic field generating unit. A separating unit separates the collecting liquid from the first liquid.

A device and method is described for analysing the elemental composition of a liquid sample utilizing a combination of electrochemical pre-concentration followed by spectrochemical analysis of analytes in a single device. The device consists of two electrodes for the purpose of pre-concentration of the analyte ions by electrodeposition, a DC power supply/potentiostat/galvanostat, a high voltage power supply capable of creating an electrical discharge such as arc, spark, glow discharge or plasma, a spectrometer capable of recording a spectrum generated during such discharges as well as a pump(s) for pumping the analyte containing solution. Such a device is autonomous, field-deployable and capable of providing online analysis.

A fine-particle sampling device for sampling fine particles in a liquid includes a tubular first electrode whose both ends in an axial direction thereof are open; a second electrode extending in the axial direction of the first electrode and disposed in the inside of the first electrode to be spaced from an inner surface of the first electrode; a supplier that supplies a liquid to the inside of the first electrode and causes the liquid to be stored at a portion of the inner surface in a direction around an axis B of the first electrode; a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; a driver that rotates the first electrode around a rotational axis extending in the axial direction of the first electrode and passing through the inside of the first electrode; and a retriever that retrieves the stored liquid.

The invention relates to an electrophoresis device (1) for use in a method for producing transparent biological samples (2), comprising a reaction frame (3), the reaction frame (3) having an open top side (4) and a bottom side (5) opposite the top side (4), characterized in that the bottom side (5) has at least partially one opening (6). The invention also relates to a use of a sample cassette (19) for an electrophoresis method.

The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

Provided are a method of determining a preconcentration type of an analyte and a method of converting a preconcentration type of an analyte. A method of determining a preconcentration type of an analyte, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes (a) establishing a critical mobility model, (b) calculating a critical mobility by applying a parameter value to the critical mobility model, and (c) determining the preconcentration type of the analyte by comparing the calculated critical mobility to an absolute value of an electrophoretic mobility of the analyte.