An electrochemical sensor is used in a state of being immersed in water to be inspected for water quality inspection. The electrochemical sensor includes a working electrode, a reference electrode, a first counter electrode, and a second counter electrode. The working electrode, the reference electrode, the first counter electrode, and the second counter electrode are electrically isolated from each other.

The present disclosure provides a baffle for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The baffle comprises a flat plate with a region comprising a plurality of annular elements designed for receiving the tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, arranged in at least two rows, wherein a row is staggered with respect to an adjacent row, wherein the outer diameter of the annular element is less than 130% of the inner diameter of the annular element, and wherein each annular element is joined with all of its adjacent annular elements by a bridging structure in the plane of the plate, oriented along a line connecting the centers of two adjacent annular elements, thereby defining a plurality of openings in the plate. The present disclosure also provides a shell- and-tube heat exchanger, a method for heating a liquid composition, a method for stripping a liquid composition comprising urea, carbamate, ammonia and water, and a method for producing a solid, particulate, urea-based composition.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus for electrically assessing and/or manipulating cells. One aspect is directed to electrically mapping cells on the surface of the semiconductor substrate via cross-electrode impedance measurements. Further according to some aspects, the electrode array allows for spatially addressable electrical stimulation and/or recording of electrical signals in real-time using the CMOS circuitry. Some of these aspects are directed to using an electrode array to perform cell patterning through electrochemical gas generation, and extracellular electrochemical mapping.

The invention is directed to a control method for a process to convert bisulphide to elemental sulphur in an aqueous solution comprising sulphide-oxidising bacteria wherein the process is controlled by applying a potential between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode or between the anode electrode and the reference electrode of an electrochemical cell resulting in a current between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, measuring a current as measured by an electrochemical cell and adapting the process in response to the measured current. The process to convert bisulphide may comprise the following steps: (a) contacting bisulphide with oxidised sulphide-oxidising bacteria in the aqueous solution and elemental sulphur, (b) oxidizing the reduced sulphide-oxidising bacteria, (c) using the oxidised sulphide-oxidising bacteria obtained in step (b) in step (a) and (d) isolating elemental sulphur from the aqueous solution obtained in step (a) and/or step (b).

The invention is directed to a control method for a process to convert bisulphide to elemental sulphur in an aqueous solution comprising sulphide-oxidising bacteria wherein the process is controlled by applying a potential between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode or between the anode electrode and the reference electrode of an electrochemical cell resulting in a current between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, measuring a current as measured by an electrochemical cell and adapting the process in response to the measured current. The process to convert bisulphide may comprise the following steps: (a) contacting bisulphide with oxidised sulphide-oxidising bacteria in the aqueous solution and elemental sulphur, (b) oxidizing the reduced sulphide-oxidising bacteria, (c) using the oxidised sulphide-oxidising bacteria obtained in step (b) in step (a) and (d) isolating elemental sulphur from the aqueous solution obtained in step (a) and/or step (b).

Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-state nanopores and arrays thereof. In one aspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays thereof exploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topside of a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one or more etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening is formed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. A dielectric material is then formed over the substrate to fill the opening. Contacts are then disposed on the topside and the backside of the substrate and a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form a nanopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near the center of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectric material.

Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-state nanopores and arrays thereof. In one aspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays thereof exploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topside of a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one or more etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening is formed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. A dielectric material is then formed over the substrate to fill the opening. Contacts are then disposed on the topside and the backside of the substrate and a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form a nanopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near the center of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectric material.

A stretchable temperature sensor includes one or more elastomeric ionic conducting layers; at least two electronic conducting elements, wherein the one or more ionic conducting layers and one or more electronic conducting elements are configured and arranged to provide at least one electrical double layer at a first contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a first electronic conducting element in a sensing end and at least one electrical double layer at a contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a second electronic conducting element in an open end of the temperature sensor; wherein the second electronic conducting element provides a connection at the open end to an external circuit for measuring a signal generated in response to a temperature condition at the sensing end.

A stretchable temperature sensor includes one or more elastomeric ionic conducting layers; at least two electronic conducting elements, wherein the one or more ionic conducting layers and one or more electronic conducting elements are configured and arranged to provide at least one electrical double layer at a first contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a first electronic conducting element in a sensing end and at least one electrical double layer at a contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a second electronic conducting element in an open end of the temperature sensor; wherein the second electronic conducting element provides a connection at the open end to an external circuit for measuring a signal generated in response to a temperature condition at the sensing end.

Methods and techniques are described for analyzing test fluids to determine presence, absence, or concentration of analytes in the test fluids. The methods may correspond to diagnostic testing, such as quickly (within 5 minutes) identifying whether or not an individual may have a particular disease or condition, such as infection by SARS-CoV-2 or a SARS-CoV-2 variant or vaccine-induced immunity or natural immunity to infection by SARS-CoV-2 or a SARS-CoV-2 variant, or whether an individual would benefit from a vaccine booster. The test results can be used for a variety of applications including facilitating or controlling access at events, venues, or transportation systems, or generating exposure notifications.