Valve (1) for fluids, preferably for gases, comprising an inlet passage (2) for a fluid; an outlet passage (3) for the fluid; a shutter (4) interposed between the inlet passage (2) and the outlet passage (3) and movable along a movement direction (L) between an open position and a closed position; first magnetic attraction means (5) operatively active on the shutter (4) for attracting and/or keeping the shutter (4) itself towards the open position; a box-shaped body (7) containing the first magnetic attraction means (5) and extending along the movement direction (L) between an outer face and an inner face with respect to an inner volume (V) of the valve (1) interposed between the inlet passage (2) and the outlet passage (3). The box-shaped body (7) further comprises a dividing wall (10) for isolating the first magnetic attraction means (5) from the inner volume (V).

An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover, and an internal computer, is provided. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices, and a heat sink, clamped together. A control algorithm manipulates the current supplied to thermoelectric coolers such that the dynamic thermal performance of a block can be controlled so that pre-defined thermal profiles of sample temperature can be executed. The sample temperature is calculated instead of measured using a design specific model and equations. The control software includes calibration diagnostics which permit variation in the performance of thermoelectric coolers from instrument to instrument to be compensated for such that all instruments perform identically. The block/heat sink assembly can be changed to another of the same or different design. The assembly carries the necessary information required to characterize its own performance in an on-board memory device, allowing the assembly to be interchangeable among instruments while retaining its precision operating characteristics.

Valve (1) for fluids, preferably for gases, comprising an inlet passage (2) for a fluid; an outlet passage (3) for the fluid; a shutter (4) interposed between the inlet passage (2) and the outlet passage (3) and movable along a movement direction (L) between an open position and a closed position; first magnetic attraction means (5) operatively active on the shutter (4) for attracting and/or keeping the shutter (4) itself towards the open position; a box-shaped body (7) containing the first magnetic attraction means (5) and extending along the movement direction (L) between an outer face and an inner face with respect to an inner volume (V) of the valve (1) interposed between the inlet passage (2) and the outlet passage (3). The box-shaped body (7) further comprises a dividing wall (10) for isolating the first magnetic attraction means (5) from the inner volume (V).

A heating apparatus may include a control valve assembly. A control valve assembly can have a housing and a valve body positioned within the housing. The housing can define an inlet and first and second outlets. The control valve assembly can also include an igniter having a sensor for firing an electrode. An extension can be used to activate the sensor and to thereby activate the igniter.