An apparatus for spreading at least one reagent on at least a portion of a microscope slide includes a spreading device positionable in association with a microscope slide in a way that the spreading device defines a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and in a way that the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on at least a portion of the microscope. The spreading device has a reservoir in which the at least one reagent is stored in a way that the at least one reagent is dischargeable from the reservoir onto the microscope slide when the spreading device is positioned in association with the microscope slide.

An automated microscope slide staining system and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments or a pressurizable common chamber for individually and independently processing a plurality of microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually operable heating element.

Various embodiments of the teachings relate to a system or method for sample preparation or analysis in biochemical or molecular biology procedures. The sample preparation can involve small volume processed in discrete portions or segments or slugs, herein referred to as discrete volumes. A molecular biology procedure can be nucleic acid analysis. Nucleic acid analysis can be an integrated DNA amplification/DNA sequencing procedure.

The invention features methods of making devices, or platens, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.

A device for producing granules that include ammonium sulfate may include a mixing device, an atomizing device and a fluidized bed. The mixing device may be utilized to produce a composition comprising ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate. The atomizing device may be disposed downstream of the mixing device and may be utilized to atomize the composition produced in the mixing device. The fluidized bed may also be disposed downstream of the mixing device. The fluidized bed may be utilized for producing the granules. Further, with respect to a process for producing granules comprising ammonium sulfate, a step of granulating a composition comprising ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate may involve providing ammonium sulfate-containing nuclei, fluidizing the ammonium sulfate-containing nuclei, and atomizing the composition onto the nuclei.

The present invention relates to the field of energy chemical industry, and disclosed are a gliding arc plasma reactor, and a method for converting methane by means of plasma. The reactor comprises a reactor chamber and a gliding arc plasma generator arranged in the reactor chamber, wherein the gliding arc plasma generator comprises at least two arc surface electrodes which are symmetrically distributed, such that a discharge area can be formed between the arc surface electrodes. According to the gliding arc plasma reactor provided in the present invention, the conversion rate of methane can be significantly improved when methane is converted into olefin; the selectivity of ethylene in the product is improved; and carbon deposition is significantly reduced. In addition, compared with a traditional process for preparing olefin from methane, no CO.sub.2 is generated; the ignition and explosion risk is avoided; and the reactor is safer and more environmentally friendly.

A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.

There is provided a sample ejection system for ejecting a sample from a flow of fluid, the system comprises: a fluid flow channel for receiving, in use, the flow of fluid; a fluid inlet channel connected to the flow channel and arranged to receive, in use, pressurised fluid; a fluid outlet channel connected to the flow channel at a location downstream in the flow direction of the flow of fluid and comprises an outlet. The system is arranged such that, in use, pressurised fluid is applied to the fluid flow channel via the fluid inlet channel to drive fluid from the region of the fluid flow channel between the fluid inlet and outlet channels through the fluid outlet channel and out of the outlet.

Disclosed herein are compositions, methods and systems for the processing of chemical reactions, such as the synthesis of polymers.