Devices, systems, and apparatuses for heating a liquid are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a heater includes a base comprising a generally planar surface and at least two heater pillars and a sensor pillar configured on the base. The at least two heater pillars each comprise heating elements. The sensor pillar includes a thermal sensor. A mixing element is configured on the generally planar surface of the base and is coupled to a mixing motor. When powered, the heating elements of the heater pillars are configured to generate heat and the mixing motor is configured to cause the mixing element to rotate.

A stirring assembly includes a turntable configured to rotate about a central axis. A cooking vessel is configured to engage a top surface of the turntable. A bar is disposed proximate a bottom surface of the turntable. The bar maintains a fixed position relative to the turntable. A stirrer is magnetically attracted to the bar. The stirrer is configured to generally maintain a fixed orientation within the cooking vessel as the cooking vessel rotates with the turntable.

A stirring assembly includes a turntable configured to rotate about a central axis. A cooking vessel is configured to engage a top surface of the turntable. A bar is disposed proximate a bottom surface of the turntable. The bar maintains a fixed position relative to the turntable. A stirrer is magnetically attracted to the bar. The stirrer is configured to generally maintain a fixed orientation within the cooking vessel as the cooking vessel rotates with the turntable.

An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.

An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.

A liquid container configured to stimulate visual interest. In one embodiment, the container is a bottle configured to generate a liquid vortex within the bottle. In another embodiment, the bottle includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to illuminate the bottle and/or vortex. The bottle includes an agitator configured to generate the liquid vortex. The agitator generally includes a magnetic stir bar disposed within the bottle. The agitator further includes a stylized blade configured to cover the stir bar. The bottle is further configured to work with a mobile application. The app is configured to connect to the bottle via scanning a barcode and/or quick response (QR) code on the bottle. The app enables a user to modify the size and/or shape of the vortex, the speed of the rotor, and/or the light color and/or brightness of the LEDs.

A liquid container configured to stimulate visual interest. In one embodiment, the container is a bottle configured to generate a liquid vortex within the bottle. In another embodiment, the bottle includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to illuminate the bottle and/or vortex. The bottle includes an agitator configured to generate the liquid vortex. The agitator generally includes a magnetic stir bar disposed within the bottle. The agitator further includes a stylized blade configured to cover the stir bar. The bottle is further configured to work with a mobile application. The app is configured to connect to the bottle via scanning a barcode and/or quick response (QR) code on the bottle. The app enables a user to modify the size and/or shape of the vortex, the speed of the rotor, and/or the light color and/or brightness of the LEDs.

A vehicle including: (a) a water generator configured to generate water; (b) a water storage container configured to store the water that the water generator generates; (c) an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light into the water storage container; (d) a sensor configured to detect the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted; and (e) a human-machine interface configured to issue a notification to a user of the vehicle regarding the ultraviolet light emitter. The sensor can detect a wavelength range of the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The sensor can detect an intensity of the ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The vehicle further comprises a controller in communication with the ultraviolet light emitter, the sensor, and the human-machine interface.

A vehicle including: (a) a water generator configured to generate water; (b) a water storage container configured to store the water that the water generator generates; (c) an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light into the water storage container; (d) a sensor configured to detect the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted; and (e) a human-machine interface configured to issue a notification to a user of the vehicle regarding the ultraviolet light emitter. The sensor can detect a wavelength range of the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The sensor can detect an intensity of the ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The vehicle further comprises a controller in communication with the ultraviolet light emitter, the sensor, and the human-machine interface.

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.