Methods and devices for the interfacing of microchips to various types of modules are disclosed. The technology disclosed can be used as sample preparation and analysis systems for various applications, such as DNA sequencing and genotyping, proteomics, pathogen detection, diagnostics and biodefense. Also disclosed in the present disclosure is a flow through, traveling-wave, bead-beating device which comprises a rotating pole piece, a flow through tube, and a magnetic piece. Rotation of the rotating pole piece may create a magnetic wave down the flow through tube, thereby producing sufficient acceleration of beads through the tube to disrupt or lyse target analytes flowing through the tube.

In a measuring method for measuring an atmospheric concentration of a compound, such as a volatile organic compound (VOC), an adsorptive element is provided within a target atmosphere for a period of time to allow adsorption of a compound of interest for measurement, and then removed from the target atmosphere, and placed within a closed measuring space. The adsorptive element is heated within the measuring space to cause de-adsorption of the compound into the closed measuring space, and a concentration of the de-adsorbed compound is measured. A concentration of the compound in the target atmosphere is determined based on the concentration of the compound within the closed measuring space. The adsorptive element may be formed of an adsorptive material such as carbon fibers, cellulose or other adsorptive materials, and a binder. The adsorptive element may be optimized for adsorption of a specific compound.

The invention relates to a station for uncovering a receptacle comprising a body in which a plurality of adjacent holes, initially sealed by a cover, are formed. The station comprises at least one cutting member for making at least one cut in the cover between two adjacent holes, so as to form at least one cover portion closing off at least one of the holes of the receptacle, i.e., the selected hole; and at least one heating gripping device which is arranged so as to heat and remove said cover portion, thereby opening the selected hole.

Provided herein is technology relating to detecting gaseous analytes and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods related to detecting gaseous analytes by monitoring changes in liquid crystals upon exposure to the gaseous analytes.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include chemically modifying a sample of a substance of interest through combination with a reagent to increase the volatility of the substance of interest. The systems and methods further include performing an analysis of the substance of interest.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include chemically modifying a sample of a substance of interest through combination with a reagent to increase the volatility of the substance of interest. The systems and methods further include performing an analysis of the substance of interest.

A detecting method using an IMS apparatus with a preconcentrator outside its inlet aperture. Analyte vapor is adsorbed during a first phase when substantially no gas is admitted to the reaction region. The preconcentrator is then energized to desorb the analyte molecules and create a volume of desorbed molecules outside the IMS housing. Next, a pressure pulser is energized momentarily to drop pressure in the housing and draw in a small sip of the analyte molecules from the desorbed volume through the aperture. This is repeated until the concentration of analyte molecules in the desorbed volume is too low for accurate analysis, following which the apparatus enters another adsorption phase.

The invention relates to a station for uncovering a receptacle comprising a body in which a plurality of adjacent holes, initially sealed by a cover, are formed. The station comprises at least one cutting member for making at least one cut in the cover between two adjacent holes, so as to form at least one cover portion closing off at least one of the holes of the receptacle, i.e., the selected hole; and at least one heating gripping device which is arranged so as to heat and remove said cover portion, thereby opening the selected hole.

An apparatus for providing a sample gas includes a gas dosing part, a first pressure gauge for measuring a pressure of a sample gas dosed through the gas dosing part, a plurality of flow lines positioned between the gas dosing part and a gas analyzer that can be opened or closed according to the pressure measured by the first pressure gauge, a plurality of control valves respectively formed in the plurality of flow lines and controlling the plurality of flow lines to be opened or closed, a bypass line formed on at least one of the plurality of flow lines and exhausting some of the sample gas flowing along the flow lines, and a controller for selecting one of the plurality of flow lines according to the pressure measured by the first pressure gauge and controlling the control valves formed in the selected flow line.

A method of detecting an analyte includes vaporizing at least a portion of a fluid within a wellbore, passing the vaporized fluid adjacent a chemiresistive sensing element coupled to a drill string within the wellbore and sensing a resistivity of the chemiresistive sensing element. A sensor for detecting an analyte includes an expansion device for vaporizing a portion of a fluid within a wellbore, a chemiresistive sensing element configured to contact the vaporized fluid within the wellbore and a controller configured to pass a current through the chemiresistive sensing element and calculate a resistance of the chemiresistive sensing element in contact with the gaseous portion of the fluid. An earth-boring tool may include a bit body coupled to a drill string and the sensor.