Topical

THE CHALLENGE Clinical and research applications that utilize flow cytometers are demanding increased sample throughput. Additional demands are placed on the effective use of cytometers for single-cell analysis with smaller volume control. These multi-faceted demands on functionality require smooth, laminar flow for the sheath fluid and sample and low crossover volume to facilitate sample processing. [...]

THE CHALLENGE The maturity of next generation sequencing (NGS) instruments and constant demand for lower cost and higher throughput sequencing have led to new fluidic challenges that defy tradition. Instrument manufacturers are focused on adding fully automated library preparation and target enrichment to sequencers where precise control and repeatability are paramount. The objectives are [...]

THE CHALLENGE As companies involved in oil and gas exploration and production continue to push their boundaries into deeper wells, the reliable operation of drilling, completion, and production equipment under extreme environmental conditions is a major challenge. For example, chemical injection systems are dependent upon check valves that can prevent reverse flow of chemically aggressive [...]

THE CHALLENGE Protecting components from contamination is essential in critical fluid control applications, such as those found in the aerospace, power generation and automotive industries. While many systems are designed to be relatively immune to low levels of small size contaminants, single larger rogue particles can cause blockages which could result in system failure and [...]

THE CHALLENGE As companies involved in CubeSat space propulsion systems work to reduce system size and cost while simultaneously increasing performance, they require high value solenoid valves capable of exceptional performance in harsh environments. High performance miniature thrusters offer improved thrust to weight ratios which demand faster, more powerful and lighter valves. For example, miniature [...]

THE CHALLENGE The growing global market for environmental monitors is driving designers to produce portable devices which feature extensive battery life and are well-suited to their remote, end-use environments. These monitors typically employ solenoid valves to calibrate or auto-zero a sensor, pilot samples through a microfluidic chip, or exhaust system pressure. The current design challenge [...]

THE CHALLENGE Emerging bioprinting techniques feature a unique combination of cell types, suspension fluids, and growth factors. Many traditional processes such as extrusion or stereolithography are only suitable for certain types of solutions. These processes may exhibit low cell viability due to heat or UV light, or are not ideal for fabricating structures with pluripotent [...]

THE CHALLENGE As oil and gas wells continue to operate deeper and deeper within the earth, drilling, completion, and production equipment are subjected to ever increasing hydrostatic pressures. When equipment returns to the surface, any remaining pressure in the tool would need to be safely purged. In addition, the equipment needs to withstand exposure to [...]

THE CHALLENGE As today’s flow cytometers are being pushed to increase sample throughput, they are also extending their performance into single-cell biology where smaller volumes are being controlled. Because of these demands on functionality, it is critical for the sheath fluid and sample to have smooth, laminar flow as well as low crossover volume for [...]

THE CHALLENGE The demand for chemistry analyzers to be more integrated, while offering higher throughput and expanded testing capability without compromising results, continues to challenge instrument designers. As the healthcare landscape evolves, new assays are constantly being discovered to diagnosis various diseases. With the use of traditional test methodologies, such as photometry, nephelometry or ion [...]