A novel in vitro system and method for predicting the in vivo behavior, such as absorption time or mechanical strength retention, of biodegradable polymeric implants and medical devices. Data from this in vitro method are correlated to in vivo absorption data, allowing for the prediction of accurate in vivo behaviors, such as absorption times. The system uses a novel bypass loop to maintain the integrity of pH measuring devices to improve the reproducibility of data collected during in vitro testing.

A fluid tank thaw system that includes a fluid tank that receives a first fluid. A heating element within the fluid tank that heats the first fluid. A magnetic stir system that stirs the first fluid within the fluid tank to increase a thaw rate of the first fluid. The magnetic stir system includes a magnetic stirrer within the fluid tank. The magnetic stirrer rotates within the fluid tank to agitate the first fluid. An electric coil changes polarity to rotate the magnetic stirrer.

The present disclosure provides approaches for reducing tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in tobacco. Some of these approaches include genetically engineering tobacco plants to increase one or more antioxidants, increase oxygen radicle absorbance capacity (ORAC), or reduce nitrite. Also provided are methods and compositions for producing modified tobacco plants and tobacco products therefrom comprising reduced TSNAs.

Provided is a carbon dioxide fluidity control device comprising, a sample preparation tank, a high-pressure stirring unit, a reciprocating plunger pump and a booster pump, wherein the stirring unit comprises one or more high-pressure stirring tanks, each provided with an atomizing spray probe and a piston, wherein a discharge port of the sample preparation tank is connected to the atomizing spray probe via a plunger pump, which is connected to the piston to push the piston to reciprocate; the booster pump is connected to the high-pressure stirring tanks to provide supercritical carbon dioxide to the high-pressure stirring tank; and a discharge port of the high-pressure stirring tanks is connected to an oilfield well group. Provided is a carbon dioxide fluidity control method using the device, comprising mixing surfactants and nanoparticles with heated carbon dioxide, and injecting a microemulsion of supercritical carbon dioxide and nano-silicon dioxide into an oilfield well group.

A magnetic spinner device using an impeller system to disperse heat and stir contents there-above is disclosed herein. A motor turning the impeller is offset from a center line extending vertically through the device. The impeller, however, is centered with fan blades pushing air downwards as heat rises from a heat source placed there-below, such as between legs which support the impeller and bowl of the device, the bowl being used to hold a flask and/or substances to be heated. In this manner, the electric parts (the motor) and spared the brunt of the heat by being off-center while the heat rises upwards. The simplification of parts leaves less points of potential failure compared to the prior art as does the movement of electric parts away from being above a heat source.

The system and method of the invention pertains to an axial flux stator is implemented to replace the drive-end magnets and the drive motor. The axial flux stator comprises a control circuit to control the voltage and current provided to the stator, to measure the torque and speed of rotation, and to measure the magnetic flux and magnetic flux density produced by the axial flux stator and impeller magnets, individually or in combination. The axial flux stator comprises a plurality of current carrying elements to produce magnetic flux in an axial direction and drive the impeller.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a mixture and the injection material to be used as soil injection material to close the pores after a certain gelling period by applying it to the pores in the silt size, including the steps of: (a) preparation of a mixture of sodium silicate with a SiO2/Na2O ratio of 3-4 and water so that their ratio by volume varies between 3/7 and 1/1; (b) obtaining a mixture by dissolving ultra-low sulfated boric acid in water, containing between 2.5-5% by weight of ultra-low sulfated boric acid; and (c) mixing the obtained ultra low sulfate boric acid-water mixture with sodium silicate in the step a.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a mixture and the injection material to be used as soil injection material to close the pores after a certain gelling period by applying it to the pores in the silt size, including the steps of: (a) preparation of a mixture of sodium silicate with a SiO2/Na2O ratio of 3-4 and water so that their ratio by volume varies between 3/7 and 1/1; (b) obtaining a mixture by dissolving ultra-low sulfated boric acid in water, containing between 2.5-5% by weight of ultra-low sulfated boric acid; and (c) mixing the obtained ultra low sulfate boric acid-water mixture with sodium silicate in the step a.

A method for preparing fluorescent-encoded microspheres coated with metal nanoshells is disclosed herein. By using SPG method, metal nano-material modified with a certain ligand is used as a new surfactant in the emulsification process, and different kinds and different amounts of fluorescent materials are doped into polymer microspheres to prepare fluorescent-encoded microspheres with different fluorescent-encoded signals and uniformly coated metal nanoshells in one step. The prepared fluorescent-encoded microsphere comprises a metal nanoshell, a polymer, and a fluorescent-encoded material. The fluorescent-encoded microsphere has a particle size of 1 μm˜20 μm, CV of less than 10%, which can be used for protein/nucleic acid detection. The preparation method has the advantages of simple process, high surface coating rate, good uniformity and controllable LSPR peaks, which can solve the problems of existing commonly used metal nanoshell coating methods such as low surface coating rate, poor uniformity, complex preparation process and uncontrollable local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks, etc.

A magnetic mixing device designed to mix fluid in a reaction chamber and remove air bubbles if present. The device comprises a holder with embedded magnets, which causes movement of a stir bar within the reaction chamber. The holder may be moved by an electric linear actuator configured to generate linear motion or an electric motor configured to generate a circular motion. When orientated so the stir bar moves vertically within the reaction chamber, the stir bar disrupts any air bubbles trapped within or below the fluid.