Irm LLC

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Saturn Corporation

Wildcat Discovery Technologies, Inc.

Robert Charles Downs

James Kevin Mainquist

Mark Richard Weselak

Larry T Nitz

Goro Tamai

Tony T Hoang

Andrew J Meyer

Joseph L Wanamaker

Scott Allan Lesley

Marc Nasoff

Jeremy S Caldwell

Ansgar Brock

David Allen Blenc

Kristina Marie Burow

Christopher M Shaw

Dennis T Richey

Kyle K Kinsey

Daniel G Sipes

Daniel Terence McMullan

William Leonard Aldrich, Iii

John D Malloy

Kyle Kenneth Kinsey

Arvo J Siismets

Kenneth R Kridner

Robert B Deady

Joel A Taylor

Frederick K Reichert

Kenneth J Micklash, Ii

The invention provides an apparatus and methods for conducting ball milling operations in a high throughput manner. Also provided are devices and methods for high throughput screening of alloys and other materials to identify those that have desired gas storage properties.

High throughput mechanical alloying and screening

A method and system to deposit rapidly, accurately and efficiently liquid droplets onto a sample plate. A liquid from which the droplet is formed contains sample molecules, matrix molecules or a mixture of both sample and matrix molecules. A sample plate is positioned with respect to a position below a portion of the liquid, such as a droplet. A power supply forms an electric field between the sample plate and the liquid, which pulls the droplet to a target location on the sample plate. A plurality of capillary columns is provided for simultaneous or successive multiple depositions via application of one or more high voltage pulses between the liquid sample array and a sample plate.

Sample deposition method and system

The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.

Gripping mechanisms, apparatus and methods

Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.

High throughput processing system and method of using

The invention provides an efficiently automated incubation device that reduces the number of powered moving parts in the device and the amount of air transfer between environments that are internal and external to the device.

High throughput incubation devices

A method is provided for determining crystallization conditions for a protein, the method comprising: performing in a same fermentation apparatus 2 or more separate fermentations where each fermentation comprises cells expressing a protein to be purified and has a fermentation volume of less than 500 mL; purifying the expressed protein from the separate fermentations; and determining crystallization conditions for the purified protein by submicroliter crystallization experiments.

Method and apparatus for performing multiple processing steps on a sample in a single vessel

Gripping mechanisms, apparatus, and methods

A method is provided which comprises: performing a plurality of fermentations, each fermentation in a different sample vessel; and performing a further processing step on the plurality of fermented samples where the sample is retained in the same sample vessel as the fermentation during the processing step.

The present invention provides highly automated fluid delivery systems and related methods with significantly improved throughput relative to preexisting technologies. In particular, the invention relates to a fluid dispensing system that simultaneously produces multiple fluid mixtures on-the-fly in multiple multiwell plates. The invention also includes control system and machine software in addition to various systems and related methods for performing assorted downstream processes.

Massively parallel fluid dispensing systems and methods

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of untainted fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are predictable and cell growth rates can be effectively optimized.

Multi-sample fermentor and method of using same

There is provided a method and apparatus for aspirating a volume of liquid into a syringe from a sample of the liquid. A substantial portion of the liquid in the syringe is subsequently dispensed from the syringe and returned to the sample. Accordingly, a small portion of the aspirated liquid is retained in the syringe. One or more nanoliter volumes of the liquid retained in the syringe are then dispensed from the syringe to a container for further use or analysis. It will be understood, therefore, that the volume of the originally aspirated liquid is substantially larger than the volume of liquid dispensed for further use or analysis. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a plurality of liquids by using a plurality of syringes, and also can be used to dispense liquids onto microplates.

Method and apparatus for dispensing low nanoliter volumes of liquid while minimizing waste

A system and method for preparing and dispensing fluid mixtures is provided. Fluid wells are positioned below a plurality of fluid dispensing devices, such as syringes configured to dispense fluid into the individual fluid wells. The fluid dispensing devices are configured to be positionable relative the fluid wells to enable different fluid dispensers to be sequentially positionable over a particular fluid well. A controller controls the relative movement between fluid wells and the fluid dispensing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the controller selectively moves multi-well vessels in one direction and moves the fluid dispensing devices in a second direction so that when directed by the controller, a selected fluid dispensing device is enabled to deposit a determined quantity of a fluid into a selected individual well of the multi-well vessels.

Apparatus and method for preparing fluid mixtures

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are more predictable and cell growth rates may be more effectively optimized.

A method of controlling a powertrain for a hybrid vehicle, the method including providing an internal combustion engine, providing a motor generator operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine, providing an automatic transmission operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine, and actuating the motor generator to a certain speed to restart the vehicle.

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La Jolla, CA, United States of America

Robert Charles Downs