A tubular transportation system is disclosed for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargoes via a capsule along a predetermined route. The tubular transportation system has: (1) a plurality of substantially evacuated tubes arranged along the predetermined route, where each tube is maintained at a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure; and (2) means for maintaining within each tube in the plurality of substantially evacuated tubes, a gaseous composition comprising a mixture of a first percentage, x, of helium and a second percentage, (100x), of air, and wherein the first percentage, x, of helium is picked based on a predetermined power value and a leak rate associated with the tube.

A receiver for a vacuum conveyance system may include a vertically-oriented, cylindrical receiver body having an inlet port through which material may be conveyed when an airstream is created. A head assembly attached to an upper end of the receiver body includes a filter housing having a first end and a second end, the filter housing constructed to house a horizontally-oriented cylindrical pre-filter between the first end and the second end, wherein the head assembly includes a filter access cap removably attached to the first end and usable to remove and insert cylindrical pre-filters. A vacuum utility assembly may be attached to the second end of the filter housing.

A receiver for a vacuum conveyance system may include a vertically-oriented, cylindrical receiver body having an inlet port through which material may be conveyed when an airstream is created. A head assembly attached to an upper end of the receiver body includes a filter housing having a first end and a second end, the filter housing constructed to house a horizontally-oriented cylindrical pre-filter between the first end and the second end, wherein the head assembly includes a filter access cap removably attached to the first end and usable to remove and insert cylindrical pre-filters. A vacuum utility assembly may be attached to the second end of the filter housing.

A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A system and apparatus for a pneumatic air lock unit is disclosed. The pneumatic air lock unit includes a manifold having at least one feed port, at least one inlet port, and at least one outlet port. Inside the manifold, a transport mechanism coupled to an actuator moves containers from a first position adjacent to the at least one feed port to a second position adjacent to the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port, allowing containers to be transported to other locations by use of an air nozzle blowing pressurized air from the at least one inlet port to the at least one outlet port.

A system and apparatus for a pneumatic air lock unit is disclosed. The pneumatic air lock unit includes a manifold having at least one feed port, at least one inlet port, and at least one outlet port. Inside the manifold, a transport mechanism coupled to an actuator moves containers from a first position adjacent to the at least one feed port to a second position adjacent to the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port, allowing containers to be transported to other locations by use of an air nozzle blowing pressurized air from the at least one inlet port to the at least one outlet port.

A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.