Ultracell Corporation

Fluidigm Corporation

Michael C DeRenzi

Ian W Kaye

Jennifer E Brantley

William R Di Scipio

Jason A A West

Kyle W Hukari

Nikolas M Isely

Richard Milson

Michael Albert Shultz

Provided are cartridges and systems for effecting automated extraction, isolation, and purification of cellular components&#x2014;such as nucleic acids&#x2014;from a cellular sample in assay-ready form. Also provided are related methods of effecting such sample processing.

Automated cellular material preparation

The invention relates to fuel cell systems with improved thermal efficiency. The systems include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy using hydrogen and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel. Some heat efficient systems described herein include a thermal catalyst that generates heat when the catalyst interacts with a heating medium. The heat is used to heat the fuel cell. The thermal catalyst may be disposed in proximity to the fuel cell, or remote from the fuel cell and a heat transfer pipe conducts heat from the catalyst to the fuel cell. Another thermally efficient embodiment uses a recuperator to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell system to incoming fuel. A fuel cell package may also include a multi-layer insulation arrangement to decrease heat loss from the fuel cell and fuel processor, which both typically operate at elevated temperatures.

Heat efficient portable fuel cell systems

The invention relates to a compact and portable fuel cell package. The package includes a fuel cell that generates electrical energy. Some packages also include a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. Fuel cell packages described herein provide power densities (power per unit volume or mass) at levels not yet seen. One package employs an interconnect disposed at least partially between a fuel cell and a fuel processor. The interconnect forms a structural and plumbing intermediary between the two. Given the portable size of fuel cell packages described herein, the invention is well suited to power portable electronics devices. One portable fuel cell package includes a tether, which allows electrical and detachable coupling to an electronics device.

Compact fuel cell package

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San Ramon, CA, United States of America

Michael C DeRenzi