Described herein are multi-well separation devices configured to allow a composition comprising a target agent to be separated into multiple wells, subdivided, recombined into a single well, and/or re-separated into the same or a different configuration of wells. Also described herein are reagent loading devices configured to simultaneously deliver one or more test agents to a plurality of volumes without having to individually deliver the test agents. Together, these devices allow high throughput parallel processes without repetitive pipetting or liquid handling robotics, though they may also be used separately. Also described herein are kits and systems for chemical or biological assays, as well as methods for using the multi-well separation devices and reagent loading devices described herein.

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.

Increased control and efficiency over the wastewater purification can be achieved through creating conditions that allow the operator to selectively prioritize the digestive function of microorganism in the activated sludge. The gas-dispersion return sludge is created using pure oxygen or oxygen containing trace amounts of ozone as a reactive gas, which is blended with return sludge to create a mixture of gas and liquid, which is passed through an atomizer or a cavitation pump to instantly render the reactive gas to an ultra-fine bubble state. At least a portion of the ultra-fine bubbles dissolve within the gas-dispersion return sludge, activating the dormant microorganisms. Due to a complete or an almost complete absence of biodegradable material in the gas-dispersion return sludge, the microorganism prioritize their digestive function, and when exposed to biodegradable pollutants present in wastewater, digest the pollutants using biochemical pathways different from the ones used in nature.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing an oil-in-water mixture having a predeterminable oil concentration which can be used as a reference mixture in the determination of oil concentrations of oil-in-water mixtures, comprising the steps of arranging at least one oil storage element in a container, feeding a predeterminable amount of a water-containing fluid into the container; and introducing ultrasonic waves into the fluid that are emitted in the direction of the oil storage element covered by the fluid, wherein the oil received in the oil storage element is released from the oil storage element by means of ultrasonic waves acting on the oil storage element and is distributed in the fluid. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus for preparing an oil-in-water mixture.

External sonication, which is a technique by which ultrasonic energy is applied externally to a cartridge containing the sample, is contemplated herein. External sonication can be performed by a sonicator external to a sample contained within a cartridge. The cartridge can include sonication particles to enhance sonication or cavitation within the sample. A sonication algorithm can also be used to increase sonication efficiency.

The present invention is a resonant vibratory agitation mechanism for installing inside bioreactor containers for agitating and degrading biodegradable waste. It either comprises of a sole layer of horizontally arranged springs with at least one vibration motor installed inside each of the springs, or comprises of a central frame, a plurality of vibration motors fixed on the central frame and a plurality of layers of horizontally or diagonally arranged extension springs. It provides sound waves, vibrations, resonant vibratory frequencies and heat for agitating and degrading biodegradable waste inside a bioreactor container. It saves costs to fabricate a bioreactor container by assembling a plurality of cylindrical drum barrels on top of a receiving tank. A closed-loop recirculation of water, heat, nutrients, O.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 may be established by integrating the present bioreactor system with wicking beds, hydroponics/aeroponics growing beds, a stove unit and a greenhouse.

Devices, systems and methods including a sonicator for sample preparation are provided. A sonicator may be used to mix, resuspend, aerosolize, disperse, disintegrate, or de-gas a solution. A sonicator may be used to disrupt a cell, such as a pathogen cell in a sample. Sample preparation may include exposing pathogen-identifying material by sonication to detect, identify, or measure pathogens. A sonicator may transfer ultrasonic energy to the sample solution by contacting its tip to an exterior wall of a vessel containing the sample. Multipurpose devices including a sonicator also include further components for additional actions and assays. Devices, and systems comprising such devices, may communicate with a laboratory or other devices in a system for sample assay and analysis. Methods utilizing such devices and systems are provided. The improved sample preparation devices, systems and methods are useful for analyzing samples, e.g. for diagnosing patients suffering from infection by pathogens.

Increased control and efficiency over the wastewater purification can be achieved through creating conditions that allow the operator to selectively prioritize the digestive function of microorganisms in the activated sludge. The gas-dispersion return sludge is created using pure oxygen or oxygen containing trace amounts of ozone as a reactive gas, which is blended with return sludge to create a mixture of gas and liquid, which is passed through an atomizer or a cavitation pump to instantly render the reactive gas to an ultra-fine bubble state. At least a portion of the ultra-fine bubbles dissolve within the gas-dispersion return sludge, activating the dormant microorganisms. Due to a complete or an almost complete absence of biodegradable material in the gas-dispersion return sludge, the microorganism prioritize their digestive function, and when exposed to biodegradable pollutants present in wastewater, digest the pollutants using biochemical pathways different from the ones used in nature.

An apparatus designed for the mixing of powders or fluids with the least amount of effort and energy. The mixing is accomplished by using an assembly that is similar in design to an audio speaker which is connected to a container which holds the items to be mixed. The apparatus is charged with an electrical source which causes it to agitate. The agitation of the apparatus will cause an attached container to agitate and thus provide a means to mix the contents in the container, without the need for stirring. Through a variety of different methods, the apparatus is caused to go into mechanical resonance thereby maximizing its agitation and thus its mixing efforts. An internal computer is used to monitor, maintain, and help place the apparatus in mechanical resonance while it is mixing the desired items. There is an option to add a cover to the apparatus which acts as both a sound reduction mechanism and a safety mechanism ensuring that anything that might become loose from the container will not come in contact with the operator.

A cost-effective, single use bag or container is provided for storing biological substances that incorporates on its inner wall an electronic device that is configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the enclosed biological substances, such as source history, identification, demographics, time stamping, temperature, pH, conductivity, glucose, O.sub.2, CO.sub.2 levels etc. The electronic device of the disclosed bag comprises a sensor configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the biological substances enclosed within the bag, and a radio-frequency (RF) device communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to: (a) acquire from the sensor data associated with the measured parameters, (b) store the acquired sensor data in nonvolatile memory, and (c) communicate the stored data wirelessly to a RF reader.