Embodiments disclose an apparatus and methods for biological sample processing enabling isolation and enrichment of microbial or pathogenic constituents from the sample. A vessel for sample containment and extraction is further disclosed for engagement with a transducer capable of efficient sample disruption and lysis. Together these components provide a convenient and inexpensive solution for rapid sample preparation compatible with downstream analysis techniques.

A method for treating a biological sample, preferably a food sample which may contain one or more species of interest, including a step of decomplexification by acoustophoresis.

A method of treating a biological sample, preferably a sample of blood or bodily fluids likely to contain one or more species of interest, and including a step of decomplexification by acoustophoresis (as well as associated systems, devices, substrates and connection devices).

Disclosed herein is a acoustic concentration of particles in a fluid flow that includes a substantially acoustically transparent membrane and a vibration generator that define a fluid flow path therebetween. The fluid flow path is in fluid communication with a fluid source and a fluid outlet and the vibration generator is disposed adjacent the fluid flow path and is capable of producing an acoustic field in the fluid flow path. The acoustic field produces at least one pressure minima in the fluid flow path at a predetermined location within the fluid flow path and forces predetermined particles in the fluid flow path to the at least one pressure minima.

A method of forming a multilayer aggregate of objects in a channel including a liquid, the method including: a) providing objects at first and second superposed regions of the channel, b) obtaining first and second aggregates of objects, optionally by applying transverse acoustic waves, preferably stationary waves, within each region to objects, and c) bringing the first and second aggregates into contact to form the multilayer aggregate of objects by submitting the first and second aggregates to: gravity in absence of acoustic waves, or to acoustic waves, optionally stationary waves, inducing displacement of the first and second aggregates toward each other.

The invention is a method for characterizing a liquid sample, said liquid sample containing particles, the method comprising the following steps: a) illuminating said sample using a light source that is able to emit an incident light wave towards the sample; b) detecting, using a photodetector, a light wave transmitted by the sample thus illuminated; c) characterizing the sample depending on an intensity of the light wave detected by the photodetector.

The method comprises, prior to step c), applying an acoustic wave to the sample, said acoustic wave forming pressure nodes and pressure antinodes in the sample, so as to separate, in the latter, a poor portion, poor in particles, and rich portion, rich in particles, such that, in step c), the sample is characterized: either on the basis of the intensity of the light wave transmitted by the poor portion; or on the basis of the intensity of the light wave transmitted by the rich portion.

Methods and systems for concentrating and allowing for separation of nanoparticles from fluids use acoustically driven nanoparticle concentrators which have an aerogel as the reflecting material and include tuning capabilities to alter the location at which the particles are being concentrated.

A process is disclosed for using multiple acoustic resonators to sample fluids (gas or liquids), capture particulate (or aerosols) entrained in the fluid, and deliver a concentrated sample of particulate. The acoustic concentrator demonstrates many improvements over prior art that includes improved concentration of particulate below 3 micron, adjustability of the level of concentration, ability to function over a wide range of humidity and temperature, and reduced overall power consumption. For example, when installed on the inlet of an aerosol detection system, the acoustic concentrator has been shown to increase sensitivity that may lead to earlier detection of bioaerosol agents.

A method for analyzing the structure of an insoluble pigment compound is disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprise determining a molecular weight of the pigment compound, the insoluble pigment compound by ultrasonic treatment in a solvent to form partial structural compounds, analyzing the elemental composition and the structure of partial structural compounds by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, respectively and determining the structure of the insoluble pigment compound from the analysis of the partial structural compounds and the molecular weight of the insoluble pigment compound. In some embodiments, a method comprises determining molecular weight of the pigment compound using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, selecting a parent mass, fragmenting the parent mass and determining the molecular weight of each fragment, and determining the structure of the insoluble pigment compound from the molecular weight of the insoluble pigment compound and that of the fragments.

An infectious disease screening system (1) for screening for infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 disease. The system comprises an ultrasonic transducer (49) for generating ultrasonic waves to lyse cells in a biological sample. The system (1) comprises a controller which controls the ultrasonic transducer (49) to oscillate at an optimum frequency for cell lysis, a PCR apparatus (16) which receives and amplifies the DNA from the sample; and a detection apparatus (70) which detects the presence of an infectious disease in the amplified DNA and provides an output which is indicative of whether or not the detection arrangement (70) detects the presence of an infectious disease in the amplified DNA.