Page 4 - Emerging Technologies

Studying cell structures is the foundation of numerous fields in biology including health sciences, pharmacology, microbiology, and more. Traditional microscopic methods of observing structures within cells rely on dyes, fixatives, and/or artificial labels. The full effect that these extra components have on the functions of cell components is still unknown. For example, tacking a green fluorescent protein label to a drug receptor protein may interfere with the receptor binding site and decrease the effectiveness of the drug in the experimental cells

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique that uses light scattering to show cross-sections of a 3D object (1). OCT has a resolution between 1 - 15 µm, which is about two orders of magnitude finer than traditional ultrasound (2). While this technique was originally developed for examining the human eye, OCT was quickly adapted to other areas of medicine and industry, including powerful applications in membrane technology (2, 3).

It is no secret that dogs have long been used for purposes other than companionship. Because of an acute sense of smell, dogs can be trained in medical arenas to detect cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases or conditions. You may have also seen the incredible sniffing power of dogs used in missing persons cases, illegal drugs, and hunting applications. Therefore, researchers are now expanding upon this innate ability to train them to detect COVID-19.

Adult patients suspected of HIV infection can be quickly diagnosed with rapid test kits, enabling them to immediately start antiretroviral treatment. However, infants, the most vulnerable demographic, do not have this same privilege. Rapid test kits are unreliable for infant diagnosis until they reach 18-months of age. [1] In place of rapid test kits, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early infant diagnosis (EID) through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to detect the virus through its genetic material.

From their use in portable electronics and medical devices to electric vehicles, lithium (Li)-ion batteries have revolutionized our daily lives. Appropriately, the 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to M. Stanley Whittingham, John Goodenough, and Akira Yoshino for their major contributions in the development of the Li-ion battery.

A team of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley developed a wearable sensor to monitor an individual’s health based upon their sweat. The sensor is constructed as a patch with a spiral-patterned microfluidic component where sweat samples can flow and be analyzed.[1] It has shown potential for monitoring sodium and fluid loss, and in some cases potassium.[1] The team would like to develop the technology into a bloodless glucose monitor.

The Amazon region in the province of Sucumbíos, Ecuador has been affected by millions or potentially billions of gallons of oily waste brought by the activities of the oil industry operating in the region since the early ‘70s.[1] Maricela Granda, a 25-year-old environmental biotechnology engineer from Sucumbíos, hopes to contribute in securing water supply for the region with a new idea. She observed the structure of the banana pseudostem (“false trunk” of the banana plant that is cut down and discarded during harvest period) and investigated its potential use in purifying the oil-contaminated waters in her locality.[2][3][4] Collaborating with universities, institutions, and like-minded youth, Ms. Granda developed a filter containing banana pseudostem intended to absorb hydrocarbon contaminants from water. Currently, her team is now working on a final design that will meet all water quality parameters in accordance to standards of the World Health

The Western Cape Province of South Africa has been afflicted with severe drought for three consecutive years starting in 2015, brought about by El Niño and very low rainfall ⁽¹⁾. Consequently, this drought resulted in water shortage in different areas of the province such as the Hessequa Municipality.

To alleviate the water shortage, the municipality of Hessequa together with the French Treasury, funded the construction of a reverse osmosis plant energized by solar power—prospected to be the first of its kind in South Africa ⁽²⁾. The solar desalination plant, which will collect water from the Breede River Estuary, is expected to produce 100,000 liters of water per day ⁽³⁾.

Starting its operation in December 2018, the Witsand Desalination Plant has since then produced more than 10 million liters of drinking water, providing consistent water supply to some 3,000 residents of  Hessequa ^{(4, 5)}. Apart from addressing water shortage, the solar desalination plant can contribute to reducing

Chemker 300 and Rocker 300C are among Sterlitech’s popular vacuum pumps offering excellent chemical resistance. Both pumps are resistant to acid, alkali, and organic solutions, which allows for a wide variety of microbiology testing applications.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) serves as their primary protection against harsh chemicals; however, there designs incorporate PTFE differently. The diaphragm and chamber of Rocker 300C are PTFE-coated, built with a valve made of a chemical resistant SS316 stainless steel. In contrast, all parts of Chemker 300 that can be exposed to chemicals are made of PTFE.

While the PTFE coating of Rocker 300C is made to be durable, it can wear off over time exposing the underlying material, especially if used with abrasive substances. Also, its stainless-steel valve does not offer the same level of resistance as PTFE, especially with halides, and strong acids and bases (1).

Chemker 300C avoids all these potential issues by having its parts completely made of