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A 7-year-old boy is recovering after suffering a minor injury to his hand in a Molokai house fire.
Fire officials say seven people were left homeless after the fire in Kaunakakai.
The cause is under investigation, but it has been deemed accidental.
Damage is estimated at $200,000.
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Snake Hybridization: A Case for Intrabaraminic Diversity
Download Snake Hybridization: A Case for Intrabaraminic Diversity PDF
by Glen Fankhauser, M.S., and Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.
In A. A. Snelling (Ed.) (2008). Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Creationism (pp. 117–132). Pittsburgh, PA: Creation Science Fellowship and Dallas, TX: Institute for Creation Research.
Snakes have rarely been examined as examples of intrabaraminic variation due to the relative obscurity of knowledge regarding the subject of these secretive animals as well as the relative newness of the breeding of snakes. North American species of snakes of the genera Lampropeltis, Pituophis, and Elaphe, while classified in separate genera may actually be more closely related than evolutionary biology predicts.
This study examined intergeneric and interspecific hybridization of several species of colubrid snakes through the use of both natural breeding methods and scent disguise to fool the different species to interbreed. Eleven different species of three different genera were used in this experiment. Results of the crosses were as expected to resemble midpoints of color and pattern between the parental species. Banding patterns appeared to be dominant over blotches and stripes. The most interesting finding was that the amelanistic varieties of the California kingsnake, L.g.californiae, and the corn snake, E.g.guttata are apparently allelic forms of amelanism regardless of the fact that these snakes are members of different genera. When the two genera were crossed this albinism appeared in the F1 generation. All types of the hybrids produced were viable and fertile. As such, they are most likely examples of intrabaraminic diversity of created "kinds" rather than evolutionary speciation. This paper adds viability, homologous genes, and pigment variations to the list of character space criteria for recognizing baramins.
Snake hybridization, Colubrids, Baramins, Evolution, Creation, Coloration, Striping, Banding, Melanism, Amelanism, Genetics
For Full Text
Please see the Download PDF link above for the entire article.
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subset: commoncrawl


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The transfer, junior shot a two round score of 141 (-3) to pace the Broncos. After the first round Merritt found himself even at par (72), he then turned in one of the top ten scores in round two, a three-under par 69 to climb into the top five.
The final round of the Purple and Red Invitational will be played Tuesday.


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Ring 2 (DVD)
£5.99 Free Shipping
- Released
- 13/02/2004
- Film and TV Genre
- General, Horror, Occult, Thriller
- Media Format
- DVD-Video
- Video Format
- DVD Region
- Region-free
After losing her boyfriend to the deadly virus which took its grip in the first instalment of the Ring series, journalist Mai Takano decides to conduct her own investigation into the powers of the lethal videotape. Along the way she witnesses the gruesome effects wrought up on those who have been exposed to it, until eventually her investigation leads her deeper and deeper into the dark world of Sadako.
Director Hideo Nakata's follow up to his own, highly acclaimed Ring is an atmospheric and disturbing tale which combines elements of the supernatural and the technological to chilling effect. Like its predecessor, Ring 2 has the power to fill the viewer with an all-pervasive sense of evil and dread, and should not be seen alone...
Part 2 of a trilogy.
Plot Synopsis
Journalist, Mai Takano, once again investigates the strange video tape which has claimed the life of her boyfriend. She is deeply drawn into the supernatural world of Sadako...
Product Details
- Actors
- Year of release
- 1998
- Aspect Ratio
- 1.85:1
- Anamorphic Wide Screen
- Disc Features
- Interactive Menus
- Production Notes
- Scene Selection
- Theatrical Trailer
- Eastern Cinema Trailer Reel
- On Screen Gallery
- Original Ring Cycle Trailers
- Star And Director Filmographies
- Tony Rayns Film Notes
- Audio Format
- Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - Japanese
- Japanese Dolby Digital
- Dolby Digital Japanese
- Japanese
- Subtitle Language
- English
- Film Format
- Anamorphic
- Label / Studio
- Film Rating (Australia)
- Number of Discs
- 1
- Film Rating (UK)
- 15
- Run Time (minutes)
- 95
- Tags
- Transfer Aspect Ratio
- 16:9


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Who's Online:
Members: linlijiao
Well, I really like your story ^^ , but I've got one remark: I think it's Thranduil in place of Tharanduil... I think I'm right, but when I'm not, you can tell me, oké?
Author's Response: Ummmm... O!! I see what you mean! I truly have no idea. Maybe we should set up a debate! No, jk, I'll look at the book thanks!
heh. lol. wasnt expecting that :D
woah. big blank space after the story
its going well ^_^
oh cool dude.
dont know how they can know its a vampire
but .. yay
Author's Response: Imfao? They know because Aragorn knows because he sucked that guy's blood.
Eh? There's a big huge space at the end of the chapter.. .it might just be a software bug. Anyway, I like it, although I feel you could go without the parentheses. It makes it more fun if we only half-know what the vampire's thinking. And I sent you an email telling you how to use HTML coding for italics.
Author's Response: thanx! yeah, that must have been a little (or big) typo
Oooohhhh.... cool.
Some points of improvement: I'd personally italicize the elvish, put space between paragraphs (already mentioned), check capitalization, and if you don't already I find reading through mine out loud seems to work really well. Go ahead and try that.
But great work so far! I can't wait to see more.
Author's Response: hey, good pointers, but i was wondering if you could tell me how to italisize? you can email me. thanx!
Oh, I love the topic! Thuringwethil and the vampires of Arda do not get enough attention.
I won't quibble about your use of modern language and contractions in elf speech, but have you considered putting more white space between your paragraphs? I find it increases online readability anyway.
Author's Response: that might be a good idea, i think. I'll try it!


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Palm Treo 700p
Info Photos Reviews 75 News Forum
Replying to: randomly syching by skyjet15
Re: randomly syching
Is it doing this while in a cradle? It seems the Treo cradles are notorious for poor connections which usually results in intermittent communications with your desktop. Can also happen with synch cables...it's a complex connection at your phone. Try wiggling, reconnecting, connecting directly without the cradle, etc.
- Re: randomly syching by skyjet15


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Book Search
Designers' Shakespeare
First published in 2014. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company....
Published May 30th 2015 by Routledge
An Introduction to Theatre Design
This introduction to theatre design explains the theories, strategies, and tools of practical design work for the undergraduate student. Through its numerous illustrated case studies and analysis of key terms, students will build an understanding of the design process and be able to:...
Published March 1st 2012 by Routledge
The Provocation of the Senses in Contemporary Theatre
Series: Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies
Di Benedetto considers theatrical practice through the lens of contemporary neuroscientific discoveries in this provoking study, which lays the foundation for considering the physiological basis of the power of theatre practice to affect human behavior. He presents a basic summary of the ways that...
Published October 6th 2011 by Routledge


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This the hosting server for Nancarrow Software web application demos, test
sites, and designs in progress.
Applications are hosted under unlisted / private URLs and are not listed here.
The server is also the host for the ancient Morphedit editor (for the E-MU Morpheus) since the previous hosting server no longer exists.


text:
We received an email question today from a member who has bee following my bread quest who was interested in hearing more on bread baking temperature. It's a really good topic; one that deserves a lot more attention.
One of the habits I have developed over years of wood-fired bread baking is a general (and probably misguided) disregard for oven temperature accuracy. Pizza ovens (and all wood-fired masonry ovens) are very forgiving in terms of the acceptable temperature range. The moistness in the oven chamber gives you a lot of wiggle room. So while I have some general rules ,I have never put a lot of stock into the differences between 425F and 450F in a conventional oven. And I think to become a better baker, that is something I need to develop.
So, going forward, I will start taking better notes on the oven temperature, both at the start of baking and at the finish. That will be helpful.
Here are some general rules that I try to follow:
You can start baking bread in the high 500F's in a pizza oven. Remember to allow your oven to sufficiently cool before loading your bread; or you will burn the outside while the crumb is still doughy;
You should start baguettes first if you are baking multiple loads from a single firing (they bake more quickly and can take the higher heat);
If your oven temperature is well balanced (top and bottom) and within the general range required for bread baking you can roughly gauge whether your bread is done (or close) by the color of the crust;
Your finished bread should have an internal temperature of about 200F-205F;
If you are baking in a conventional oven, you should pre-heat your oven to 50-75F higher than your baking temperature. For baguettes, you can start baking at 500F, and then lower the temperature to 425F when you load your bread. Try 475F and 400F for a larger, whole wheat boule that requires a longer baking time;
Be sure to let your bread cool before you cut it and start eating it. The crumb needs to cool and finish baking for quite a while after you have removed the loaf from the oven;
Don't eat warm bread!


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A cast-in-place and lithographically shaped mobile, monolithic polymer element for fluid flow control in microfluidic devices and method of manufacture. Microfluid flow control devices, or microvalves that provide for control of fluid or ionic current flow can be made incorporating a cast-in-place, mobile monolithic polymer element, disposed within a microchannel, and driven by fluid pressure (either liquid or gas) against a retaining or sealing surface. The polymer elements are made by the application of lithographic methods to monomer mixtures formulated in such a way that the polymer will not bond to microchannel walls. The polymer elements can seal against pressures greater than 5000 psi, and have a response time on the order of milliseconds. By the use of energetic radiation it is possible to depolymerize selected regions of the polymer element to form shapes that cannot be produced by conventional lithographic patterning and would be impossible to machine.
1. A device for controlling fluid flow in a microchannel, comprising:
a mobile, monolithic polymer element disposed in the microchannel, wherein said mobile, monolithic polymer element is made by polymerizing a monomer mixture within the microchannel; and
means for providing a displacing force to control the movement of said polymer element in the microchannel.
2. The device of
3. The device of
4. The device of
5. A method for making a mobile, monolithic polymer element in a microchannel, comprising;
a) injecting a monomer mixture dissolved in a solvent into the microchannel, wherein the composition of the monomer mixture is such that the polymer formed by polymerizing the monomer does not bond to the microchannel wall;
b) polymerizing the monomer by application of radiation; and
c) flushing unpolymerized monomer mixture from the microchannel.
6. The method of
7. A method for making a monolithic polymer element in a microchannel such that the polymer element conforms to the configuration of the microchannel and does not bond to the microchannel wall, comprising the steps of:
preparing a monomer mixture comprising at least;
a cross-linking agents selected from the group including ethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, butanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetracrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate,
a nonpolar monomer selected from the group branched or straight chain C1-C12 alkyl acrylates, fluorinated or methacrylate versions of these monomers, or styrene, and
a monomer capable of carrying a charge at a pH of between about 2 and 12 selected from the group including C1-C12 alkyl or aryl acrylates substituted with sulfonate, phosphate, boronate, carboxylate, amine, or ammonium;
adding the monomer mixture to a solvent, comprising at least;
one of the group including C1-C6 alcohols, C4-C8 ethers, C3-C6 esters, C1-C4 esters, C1-C4 carboxylic acids, methyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, or N-methyl pyrrolidone, dioxane, dioxolane, or acetronitrile, and
a polymerization initiator, wherein the monomer/solvent mixture forms a single phase mixture at a temperature below about 40� C., and wherein the monomer to solvent ratio is between about 90:10 to 30:70;
loading the mixture into a capillary tube;
polymerizing the mixture by exposing at least a potion of the mixture to radiation; and
flushing unpolymerized monomer from the microchannel.
8. The method of
9. The method of
10. The method of
11. A mobile polymer monolith disposed in a microchannel and made by the method of
12. A device for controlling fluid flow in a microchannel, comprising
a mobile monolithic polymer element disposed in the microchannel, wherein said polymer element is made by the method of claim 5;
at least one retaining means disposed in the microchannel; and
means for applying a displacing force to the either end of the microchannel.
13. A device for increasing fluid flow rates in a capillary, comprising:
a first and a second capillary joined together coaxially, wherein said first capillary has a larger diameter than said second capillary; and
a mobile monolithic polymer element disposed in said first capillary.
14. A device for amplifying fluid pressures in a capillary, comprising:
a first and a second capillary joined together coaxially, wherein said first capillary has a larger diameter than said second capillary; and
a mobile monolithic polymer element disposed in said first capillary, wherein said polymer element consists of a first and second coaxial segments, and wherein the second segment has a diameter adapted to fit within the second capillary.
15. A device for controlling fluid flow in a microchannel system, comprising:
a microchannel system disposed on a substrate, the microchannel system comprising a microchannel intersecting a cavity, wherein the cavity divides the intersecting microchannel into an inlet channel and an outlet channel; and
a rotatable polymer disc disposed on a hub within the cavity, wherein said rotatable polymer disc has projections distributed around its circumference such that rotation of the polymer disc delivers a fixed volume of fluid from the inlet channel to the outlet channel.
16. The device of
17. A device for controlling fluid flow in microchannels, comprising:
a first and a second intersecting microchannels, wherein said first microchannel includes two spaced apart retaining means;
a mobile monolithic polymer element disposed in said first microchannel and moveable between the retaining means to block fluid flow through said second microchannel; and
means for providing a displacing force to control the movement of said polymer element.
18. A device for controlling fluid flow in microchannels, comprising:
a plurality of microchannels converging at a common intersection, wherein at least one of said plurality is a fluid inlet, and wherein the common intersection includes spaced apart retaining means and a mobile polymer monolith moveable between the retaining means to block fluid flow into one or more of said plurality of microchannels.
19. A method for shaping a monolithic polymer element disposed within a microchannel, comprising:
exposing the surface of the polymer element to radiation to remove a portion of the surface and thereby shape the polymer element; and
flushing the microchannel with a liquid to remove depolymerized material.
20. The method of
21. The method of
22. A valve for controlling fluid flow in microchannels, comprising:
a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with a central microchannel, wherein at least one of said plurality is a fluid inlet, and wherein the central microchannel includes spaced retaining means and a mobile polymer monolith moveable between the retaining means, wherein the polymer monolith, shaped by the method of
23. A method of making a mobile, monolith polymer element in a microchannel, comprising:
a) preparing a monomer mixture by mixing together 1,3-butanedioldiacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, acryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, and a photoinitiator;
b) preparing a solvent mixture by mixing together acetonitrile, methoxyethanol, and phosphate buffer;
c) mixing together the monomer and solvent mixtures in the ratio of about 60:40 by volume;
d) loading the combined mixture into a microchannel;
e) polymerizing the combined mixture by exposure to UV radiation; and.
f) flushing unreacted monomer from the microchannel.
24. A mobile monolithic polymer element disposed within a microchannel made by the method of
25. A method of making a mobile monolithic polymer element in a microchannel, comprising:
a) preparing a monomer/solvent mixture by combining together
pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETRA),
hyroquinone monomethyl ether,
1-propanol, and
an amount of photo-initiator equal to about 0.5% of the weight of the PETRA;
b) injecting the monomer/solvent mixture into a microchannel; and
c) photopolymerizing the mixture.
26. The method of
27. A mobile monolithic polymer element disposed within a microchannel made by the method of
28. A device for controlling fluid flow in a microchannel, comprising
a mobile monolithic polymer element disposed in the microchannel, wherein said polymer element is made by the method of either
spaced apart retaining means disposed in the microchannel;
a bypass duct; and
means for applying a displacing force to the either end of the microchannel.
29. A device for controlling ionic current flow in a microchannel, comprising:
a mobile, monolithic polymer element disposed in the microchannel, wherein said mobile, monolithic polymer element is made by polymerizing a monomer mixture within the microchannel; and
means for providing a displacing force to control the movement of said polymer element in the microchannel.
30. A system for providing substantially continuous and unidirectional fluid flow through microchannels, comprising:
hydraulic pressure means having an inlet and outlet;
a microchannel connected to each of the inlet and the outlet; and
at least one check valve disposed in each microchannel, wherein said check valve comprises a mobile monolithic polymer element made by polymerizing a monomer mixture within the microchannel, spaced apart retaining means to restrict movement of the polymer element within the microchannel, and a bypass duct.
31. The system of
32. The system of
33. A system for providing a substantially continuous and unidirectional flow through microchannels to a chromatography column, comprising:
an electrokinetic pump having an inlet and outlet;
a microchannel connected to each of the inlet and the outlet, wherein each microchannel is joined at a common junction in fluid communication with a chromatography column; and
a check valve disposed in each microchannel, wherein said check valve comprises a mobile monolithic polymer element, spaced apart retaining means to restrict movement of the polymer element within the microchannel, and a bypass duct.
34. A check valve device for controlling fluid flow through microchannels such that an actuating fluid and test fluid are separate, comprising:
a chamber having a mobile polymer monolithic element disposed therein, wherein said chamber has opposed first and second ends, and wherein the mobile polymer monolith is made by polymerizing a monomer mixture within the microchannel;
an actuating fluid inlet channel joined to the first end to admit an actuating fluid to said chamber; and
a fluid flow inlet and a fluid flow outlet channel each joined to the second end.
35. A check valve device for controlling fluid flow through microchannels such that an actuating fluid and test fluid are separate, comprising:
a chamber having a mobile polymer monolithic element disposed therein, wherein said chamber has two arms arranged in a U-shape configuration, and wherein the mobile polymer monolith is made by polymerizing a monomer mixture within said chamber;
an actuating microchannel fluid inlet joined to the terminus of one arm;
a microchannel fluid flow inlet and a microchannel fluid flow outlet each joined to the terminus of the second arm; and
an actuating microchannel fluid inlet joined to the end of said chamber opposite the terminations of the first and second arms.
36. A method for controlling fluid flow through microchannels, comprising:
providing a chamber having a mobile polymer monolithic element disposed therein, wherein said chamber has opposed first and second ends;
providing an actuating fluid inlet microchannel in fluid communication with the first end for admitting an actuating fluid to said chamber and a fluid flow inlet microchannel and a fluid flow outlet microchannel each joined to the second end;
admitting an actuating fluid into the chamber through the actuating fluid inlet microchannel to force the mobile polymer monolithic element against the second end of the chamber, thereby sealing the flow inlet and outlet microchannels to prevent fluid flow therebetween.
37. The method of
38. A method for control of fluid flow through microchannels, comprising:
providing a substrate fabricated to define a microchannel system disposed thereon, the microchannel system, in part, comprising:
a chamber having a mobile polymer monolithic element disposed therein, wherein said chamber has opposed first and second ends;
an actuating fluid inlet channel joined to the first end to admit an actuating fluid to said chamber; and
a fluid flow inlet and a fluid flow outlet channel each joined to the second end.
39. The method of
40. The method of
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of prior co-pending application Ser. No. 09/695,816, filed Oct. 24, 2000, having the same title and from which benefit is claimed.
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under contract no. DE-AC04-94AL85000 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to Sandia Corporation. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
[0003] The invention is directed generally to improved apparatus for controlling and regulating the flow of fluids in microfluidic systems and particularly to devices that control and regulate fluid flow in microfluidic systems by means of a mobile, monolithic polymer element. The invention further includes methods for the manufacture of these monolithic polymer elements that provides for the polymer element to be cast-in-place in such a manner that the element will conform to the shape of the microchannel walls and not bond to the microchannel walls, thereby retaining mobility.
[0004] Recent advances in miniaturization have led to the development of microfluidic systems that are designed, in part, to perform a multitude of chemical and physical processes on a micro-scale. Typical applications include analytical and medical instrumentation, industrial process control equipment, and liquid and gas phase chromatography. In this context, there is a need for devices that have fast response times to provide very precise control over small flows as well as small volumes of fluid (liquid or gas) in microscale channels. In order to provide these advantages, it is necessary that the flow control devices be integrated into the microfluidic systems themselves. The term "microfluidic" refers to a system or device having channels or chambers that are generally fabricated on the micron or submicron scale, i.e., having at least one cross-sectional dimension in the range from about 0.1 μm to about 500 μm. Examples of methods of fabricating such microfluidic systems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,133 to Clark et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,012 to Miura et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,112 to Pace, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,410 to Swedberg et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,204 to Jerman.
[0005] Although there are numerous micro-fabricated valve designs that use a wide variety of actuation mechanisms (Shoji and Esashi, J. Micromech. Microeng., 4, 157-171, 1994), most dissipate relatively large amounts of power to the chip or substrate or require complex assembly which limits their use in practical systems. Most microvalves are manufactured from silicon and are therefore not easily integrated into non-silicon microchip platforms such as silica, glass, or synthetic materials such as organic polymers. A microvalve using an electromagnetic drive is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,674 issued to Hahn et al. Jul. 20, 1999. Microvalves using thermopneumatic expansion as the actuation mechanism and a shape memory alloy diaphragm and bias spring are commercially available. However, these microvalves suffer from the fact that they consume relatively large amounts of power during operation, typically between 200 and 1500 mW depending upon the design. This high power consumption can be a significant disadvantage when heating of the fluid must be avoided, when batteries must supply power, or when the microvalve is placed on a microchip. Moreover, valves using the aforementioned actuation mechanisms can only generate modest actuation pressures and consequently, hold off only modest pressures. Perhaps most importantly, these valve designs can be difficult and costly to manufacture and assemble, frequently requiring assembly in a clean room environment.
[0006] Recognizing that the power requirements of conventional valves limited their use in practical systems, Beebe et al. (Nature, 404, 588-590, April 2000) describe a flow control system consisting of a hydrogel. The hydrogel valves provide local flow control by expanding or contracting when exposed to various pH levels. While eliminating the need for associated power supplies, these valves suffer from slow response times (≈8-10 sec) and are able to withstand only modest pressure differentials.
[0007] Unger et al. (Science, 288, 113-116, April 2000) describe an arrangement for controlling fluid flow in microchannels. Flow control is accomplished by the use of soft elastomer "control lines" that intersect the microfluidic channels fabricated in an elastomeric substrate material. Applying pressure to the external surfaces of the control lines causes them to deform closing off that part of the channel they intersect. While eliminating the problem of power dissipation to the substrate, these valves require a microchannel having a specially shaped cross-section to seal properly. They also intrinsically require that pressure greater than in the channel be applied to the control line to keep the valve shut.
[0008] Ramsey in U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,195 provides for valveless microchip flow control by simultaneously applying a controlled electrical potential to an arrangement of intersecting reservoirs. The volume of material transported from one reservoir to another through an intersection is selectively controlled by the electric field in each intersecting channel. In addition to the need for elaborate switching and control of electrical potential, there are problems with leakage of fluid from one channel to another through the common intersection because there is no mechanical barrier to diffusion. Further, this flow control method has essentially no control over pressure-driven flow. For example, the flow control of a 10 mM aqueous buffer at pH 7, using a 1000V/cm electric field in round channels about 50 μm in diameter, can be completely disrupted by a pressure gradient of only 0.1 psi/cm. Higher electric fields are generally prohibited because of rapid ohmic heating of the fluid. Furthermore, the presence of pH or conductivity gradients within the fluid can disrupt this valving scheme (Schultz-Lockyear et al., Electrophoresis, 20, 529-538, 1999).
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cast-in-place mobile monolithic polymer element or member and method of manufacture thereof, and devices for controlling and regulating fluid flow, including ionic current flow, that incorporate the novel mobile monolithic polymer element.
[0010] A microfluid control device, or microvalve, can be made that comprises generally a cast-in-place, mobile monolithic polymer element, disposed within a microchannel, and driven by a displacing force that can be fluid (either liquid or gas) pressure or an electric field against a sealing surface, or retaining means that can be a constriction or a stop in the microchannel, to provide for control of fluid flow. As a means for controlling fluid flow, these devices possess the additional advantage that they can be used to effect pressure and electric field driven flows, eliminate or enhance diffusive or convective mixing, inject fixed quantities of fluid, and selectively divert flow from one channel to various other channels. They can also be used to isolate electric fields, and, as a consequence, locally isolate electroosmotic or electrophoretic flows.
[0011] The mobile monolith polymer element of the invention is not restricted to any particular shape or geometry except by the configuration of microchannel in which it functions and the requirement that it provide an effective seal against fluid flow for valving applications.
[0012] By providing a method for producing a monolithic polymer element that does not bond to surrounding structures, these polymer elements are free to move within the confines of a microchannel and can be translated within the microchannel by applying a displacing force, such as fluid pressure or an electric field to the polymer element. It is well known in the art, that if a mobile body within a microchannel has a surface charge density that is different from that of the walls of the microchannel, the body can be translated in the microchannel by the application of an electric field. Hence, translation of the polymer element can also be achieved by application of electric fields.
[0013] By means of the invention, it is now possible to manufacture a family of fluid flow control, regulation, and distribution devices such as, but not limited to, microvalves, nano- and pico-liter pipettes and syringes needle valves, diverter valves, water wheel flowmeters, and flow rectifiers.
[0014] In contrast to the prior art, the microfluid control devices, or microvalves, disclosed herein can seal against pressures greater than 5000 psi, dissipate no heat to a substrate, and have a response time on the order of milliseconds. Calculations show that a monolithic polymer element 50 μm in diameter and 200 μm long, with a 0.1 μm gap between the element and the wall has an actuation time (for a pressure differential across the element of about 1 psi) of about 1.1 msec.
[0015] The mobile polymer monolith microvalves are fabricated by photoinitiating phase-separation polymerization in specified regions of a three-D microstructure, typically glass, silicon, or plastic. Functionality is achieved by controlling monolith shape and by designing the polymer monoliths to move within microfluidic channels. A central assumption in design of these mobile polymer monolith valve architectures is that in-situ fabrication of the polymer monoliths assures that their shape will conform to the microchannel geometry. This is easily confirmed during the polymerization process. Challenges occur when the monomer/solvent/photoinitiator mixture is flushed and replaced with the working fluids to be used for the end application. Differences in solvent properties between the monomer/solvent mixture and the working fluid can lead to an expansion or contraction in the porous polymer monolith, as the pore contents are filled or emptied to enable the system to achieve its lowest potential energy state. Contraction and expansion of the polymer monolith both lead to degradation of performance: expansion increases the force at the wall, increases friction, and thereby leads to increased actuation pressure requirements; contraction leaves gaps in between the polymer monolith and the wall, creating a leak path through which fluid may flow. Resistance to shape changes caused by differences in solvent properties can be overcome by the use of highly cross-linked polymer lattices, which have the very highest mechanical strength, yet because of their porous nature retain sufficient flexibility to form a seal against a hard sealing surface.
[0016] Electrostatic attraction between microchannel walls and the polymer element that could influence the mobility of the polymer element is of particular concern. However, by providing for the polymer and microchannel surfaces to have the same, or no, electric charge it has been found that the monolithic polymer element will not bond with or be attracted to the microchannel wall. Thus, the element can be moved back and forth freely within the microchannel by application of pressure to either end of the element, i.e., by developing a pressure differential across the polymer element.
[0017] The profile of the polymer element can be further configured by the directed application of radiation, preferably from a laser, to selected regions of the actuator causing the polymer in the irradiated regions to depolymerize. This can include, by way of example, making the middle part of the actuator narrower than the ends or vice versa. Because the monolithic polymer element can be manufactured in-place within minutes the microfluid control devices that employ them do not require expensive and complicated manufacturing and/or assembly processes.
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings like elements are referred to by like numbers.
[0019]FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the invention illustrating its general principle and operation.
[0020]FIG. 2 illustrates a fixed volume syringe.
[0021]FIGS. 3a and 3 b illustrate a shut-off valve configuration.
[0022]FIGS. 4a and 4 b illustrate the operation of a two-way valve configuration.
[0023]FIGS. 5a and 5 b are micrographs that show the sealing action of a cast-in-place variable area polymer element in a microchannel.
[0024]FIG. 6 illustrates a method for manufacture of a polymer element in a microchannel.
[0025]FIG. 7 shows a mechanical actuator embodiment.
[0026]FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a method of selective depolymerization.
[0027]FIG. 9 shows a diverter valve configuration produced by laser depolymerization of a cast-in-place polymer element.
[0028]FIG. 10 illustrates a flowmeter.
[0029]FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a valve configuration for rectifying fluid flow.
[0030]FIG. 12 is a schematic of a valve configuration for HPLC sample injection.
[0031]FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative shut-off valve embodiment.
[0032]FIG. 14 illustrates a shut-off valve employing positive pressures for actuation.
[0033] The present invention comprises a mobile monolithic polymer element that can be cast-in-place in a microchannel to control fluid and ionic current flow. The mobile monolithic polymer element of the invention is not restricted to any particular shape or geometry except by the configuration of the microchannel in which it functions and the requirement that it provide an effective seal against fluid flow at pressure up to at least 5000 psi. The invention further includes a method for the manufacture of these monolithic polymer elements that provide for the polymer element not only to be cast-in-place but also is such that the element will not chemically bond or be electrostatically attracted to the microchannel walls, thereby retaining mobility in the microchannel. Thus, the polymer elements are free to move within the confines of a microchannel and can be driven back and forth within the microchannel by appropriate application of a displacing force, pressure or an electric field. Consequently, the invention provides for incorporating a valve into a unitary structure that can be created in-situ on a substrate or microchip for controlling fluid flows in microchannels, wherein the fluid can be either liquid or gas.
[0034] Throughout the written description of the invention the terms channel and microchannel will be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the term "microfluidic" refers to a system or device having channels or chambers that are generally fabricated on the micron or submicron scale, e.g., having at least one cross-sectional dimension in the range from about 0.1 μm to about 500 μm, i.e., microchannels. The term fluid can refer to either a liquid or gas, the meaning being generally apparent from the context.
[0035] While the structure and function of the invention will be described and illustrated in relation to the microchannels and arrangements thereof it is understood that the microchannels themselves are part of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can be comprised of channels, reservoirs, and arbitrarily shaped cavities that are fabricated using any of a number of art recognized microfabrication methods, including injection molding, hot embossing, wet or dry etching, or deposition over a sacrificial layer. The microfluidic device can also include holes and/or ports and/or connectors to adapt the microfluidic channels and reservoirs to external fluid handling devices.
[0036]FIG. 1 illustrates and embodies the principle and operation of the present invention, using the inventive mobile monolithic polymer element for controlling fluid flow. Device 100 is a check valve embodiment and comprises a mobile polymer element 120 disposed within a microchannel 130, provided with first and second inlets and retaining means 140 and 141. The monolithic polymer element is fabricated within the microchannel and thus conforms to the shape of the microchannel. Hydraulic pressure, applied by pressure means such as an HPLC pump or an electrokinetic pump (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,164 and 6,019,882 to Paul and Rakestraw) to either end of element 120 causes it to move one direction or the other in response to the applied pressure. When pressure is applied to the first, or right, inlet of microchannel 130, element 120 is moved to the left whereupon it seats against retaining means 141, allowing fluid to flow around it through bypass duct 131. However, when pressure is applied to the second, or left inlet, of microchannel 130, element 120 is moved to the right, where it seats against retaining means 140, and fluid flow is restricted or stopped.
[0037]FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, a fixed volume injector or syringe 200. Two spaced apart retaining means 140 and 141 are fixed in microchannel 130 and the distance between them defines a fixed volume. A mobile polymer element or piston 120 is disposed in the microchannel and between the retaining means. By immersing one end of microchannel 130 into a liquid and applying a vacuum to the opposite end of the microchannel, or pressurizing the liquid, a volume of liquid can be drawn up onto the channel; the volume of liquid being determined by the distance between retaining means 140 and 141, minus the length of piston 120. By reversing the displacing force, the volume of liquid can be ejected. The check valve embodiment 100 and the fixed volume injector 200 can be combined to form a fixed volume pipette capable of sampling a fixed volume of fluid from one channel and depositing it into another.
[0038] Another embodiment of the invention, a shut-off valve 300, is illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3 b. Microchannel 130 is intersected by a second microchannel 131. Microchannel 131 has a mobile polymer plug 120 disposed therein. In the open position (FIG. 3a) polymer plug 120 is drawn up into microchannel 131 and against retaining means 140. Applying gas or liquid pressure to microchannel 131 forces polymer plug 120 into the channel intersection (FIG. 3b) against retaining means 141 stopping fluid flow or ionic current flow through microchannel 130.
[0039] A further embodiment, a two-way valve 400, is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4 b. Microchannels 131 and 132 provide for fluid inlet to a common intersection 130, having retaining means 141 and 142 disposed at each end of the intersection, and a polymer plug 120 disposed therein. Outlet microchannel 133 intersects common intersection 130 between the two retaining means 140 and 141. The device prevents pressure-driven flow from one inlet microchannel from entering the other inlet microchannel. By way of example, application of fluid pressure to microchannel 132 causes element 120 to be driven towards channel 131 where it is seated against retaining means 141 blocking flow into channel 131 (FIG. 4b). In this way, fluid can flow from one inlet channel without causing contamination of, or flow into, the other inlet channel. Multiple channel valves can be constructed by connecting multiple two-channel valves, such as valve 400, in series. By way of example, the outlet channel 133 can be connected to either of inlet channels 131 or 132 of a second two-channel valve, along with a third inlet channel. The application of pressure to any one of the three inlet channels can result in flow of only the pressurized fluid with little or no contamination of the other two input fluids.
[0040] In microfluidic systems generally it can be desirable to amplify fluid pressures, particularly for mechanical linear actuation. This can be accomplished, as illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5 b, by means of a change in the cross-sectional area of the mobile monolithic element. A monolithic mobile plug 120 is fabricated in microchannel 130 (150 μm wide and 20 μm deep). As before, a pressurized fluid in contact with the left end of mobile plug 120 causes plug 120 to move to the right. This results in a lower rate of fluid flow in microchannel 131 (50 μm wide and 20 μm deep), but a higher pressure is developed in channel 131. Conversely, if pressurized flow forces mobile plug 120 to the left, away from microchannel 131, a higher flow rate, but lower pressure, is developed in microchannel 130.
[0041] Operation of the novel microchannel flow control devices disclosed above is dependent upon the ability to produce a monolithic polymer material that conforms to the shape of the microchannel, does not bond to surrounding structures, such as the microchannel walls, and can be polymerized by exposure to radiation, such as thermal radiation or visible or UV light. For purposes of describing the invention, the term "bond" will include electrostatic attraction as well as chemical bonding. Sources of such radiation include UV or visible lamps and lasers. Depending on the application, it can be desirable that the polymer monolith be either porous or nonporous; a property of the polymer generally defined by its formulation. The term "nonporous" means the absence of any porosity in the monolithic polymer element that would permit fluid under pressure, or otherwise, to pass through the polymer element. Thus, in most cases, any open porosity that might be present has a pore diameter less than 5 nm. The term "porous" means that a pressure differential across the element results in some fluid flow through it. In general, this means pores larger than about 20 nm. A meso-porous porosity range also exists between these two porosity ranges wherein ionic current can flow through the polymer element but bulk fluid flow is negligible.
[0042] There are four basic requirements that must be fulfilled for successful fabrication of a mobile monolithic polymer element within a microchannel: 1) the monomer mixture must flow readily within the microchannel; 2) polymerization is initiated by exposure to radiation; 3) the polymerized mixture must not bond to the channel wall; and 4) the polymer monolith will not change shape or size (i.e., expand or contract) when exposed to different solvents.
[0043] The first requirement can be fulfilled by the choice of solvent. The solvent not only acts to help mobilize the monomer mixture but also acts as a diluent controlling the rate of polymerization of the monomer and causing polymerization not to extend substantially beyond the boundary of the radiation used to initiate polymerization. The second requirement is aided by the addition of a UV or visible light polymerization compound, such as 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, to the mixture.
[0044] The third requirement can be achieved by two means. First, by equivalence of surface charge, i.e., using a polymer having a surface charge of the same sign as that on the surface of the microchannel. By way of example, glass has exposed SiO− groups at a pH of 2 or greater. Thus, in order that a polymer material polymerized within a glass microchannel not bond to the glass surface, it too must have a negative surface charge.
[0045] Equivalence of surface charge of the polymer phase with that of the surrounding walls can be achieved by 1) adding suitable bifunctional monomers to the organic phase of the mixture to provide a charged polymer structure, or 2) by modifying the surface charge on a region of the microchannel wall by methods such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,860 issued to Goretty et al. May 2, 2000.
[0046] Bonding of the polymer to the microchannel walls can also be prevented by making the microchannel generally non-reactive by treating the microchannel as disclosed by Goretty et al., by fabricating the microchannels on a non-reactive substrate, such as Teflon�, that does not bond with the formulations described herein, or by the use of fluorinated monomers to reduce surface energy.
[0047] Finally, since changes in solvent properties (polarity, hydrogen-bonding affinity) are unavoidable in many analysis and synthesis systems (examples include but are not limited to gradient HPLC, oligonucleotide synthesis, PCR, and protein crystallization), polymer monoliths must be designed to resist size and shape changes (i.e., expansion or contraction) upon solvent changes. We have achieved this through use of very highly cross-linked polymer lattices, which have the highest possible mechanical strength yet, because of their porous nature, retain sufficient flexibility to form a seal against a hard surface.
[0048] The requirements set forth above are met by the general class of monomer and solvents described below which form part of this invention. The monomer mixtures are designed to form a single phase mixture at temperatures below about 40� C. and can include:
[0049] 1. A cross-linking agent selected from the group ethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, butanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetracrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, methacrylate equivalents of these acrylates, or divinyl benzene, and mixtures thereof. In a typical mixture, the cross-linking agent is generally present at about 20-100 vol % of the monomer mixture.
[0050] 2. Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (0-60 vol % of the monomer mixture).
[0051] 3. A nonpolar monomer selected from the group branched or straight chain C1-C12 alkyl acrylates, styrene, fluorinated or methacrylate equivalents of these monomers, or mixtures thereof (0-80 vol % of the monomer mixture).
[0052] 4. A monomer selected to carry a charge at some range of pH values between about 2 and 12. Monomers can include C1-C12 alkyl or aryl acrylates substituted with sulfonate, phosphate, boronate, carboxylate, amine, or ammonium, or acrylamido or methacryoyloxy analogs of the acryoyloxy compounds above, or mixtures of the above (0-5 vol % of the monomer mixture).
[0053] Polymerization inhibitors, both those naturally occurring (e.g., dissolved oxygen) and those added as stabilizers for storage (e.g., hydroquinone monomethyl ether (MEHQ)) can be included in the monomer mixture (0-1000 ppm).
[0054] The solvent system can comprise:
[0055] 1. Water (0-40 vol %) containing 5-100 mM buffer salts.
[0056] 2. Other solvents selected from C1-C6 alcohols, C4-C8 ethers, C3-C6 esters, C1-C4 carboxylic acids, methyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, or N-methyl pyrrolidone, dioxane, dioxolane, acetonitrile, and mixtures thereof (60-100 vol %).
[0057] The monomer to solvent ratio (by vol %) can vary from about 90:10 to 30:70 with a ratio of 60:40 preferred.
[0058] The following examples illustrate generally a method for preparing mobile monolithic polymer materials in capillaries and microchannels, in accordance with the present invention. These examples only serve to illustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Modifications and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art, however these modifications and variations come within the scope of the appended claims. Only the scope and content of the claims limit the invention.
[0059] A monomer mixture was prepared by mixing together the following constituents:
[0060] 40 ml 1,3-butanedioldiacrylate (BDDA)
[0061] 39 ml tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA)
[0062] 20 ml of hexyl acrylate
[0063] 0.8 ml acryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate
[0064] A solvent was prepared by mixing together:
[0065] 45 ml acetonitrile
[0066] 40 ml 2-methoxyethanol
[0067] 15 ml of 5 mM phosphate buffer (pH 8)
[0068] An amount of photo-initiator (such as 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile) equal to 0.5% of the weight of the monomer mixture was dissolved in the mixture. The monomer and solvent were mixed together in a ratio (by vol %) of 60:40 and the mixture was filtered and degassed to remove polymerization inhibitors. The mixture was then injected into a microchannel and polymerized.
[0069] A monomer/solvent mixture can be prepared by mixing together the following constituents:
[0070] 64 ml pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETRA)
[0071] 36 ml 1-propanol, and
[0072] An amount of photo-initiator (such as 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile) equal to 0.5% of the weight of the PETRA.
[0073] The mixture can then be filtered, injected into microchannels, and photopolymerized.
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 6, a mask 650 defining the outline of the polymer monolith to be produced was applied to the surface of a silica capillary tube arrangement comprising a silica capillary 131, about 50 μm wide, and silica capillary 130, about 100 μm wide, joined together on a common axis (FIG. 6), the combination having zero dead volume at the intersection. The liquid mixture was loaded into the capillaries and polymerized by exposure to a UV lamp (0.2 W/cm2), through mask 150, for about 4 minutes to form the solid polymer element 120 shown in FIG. 6. The polymer element shown in FIG. 6 was very similar in appearance to that of FIG. 5, except that the element did not extend into the smaller diameter channel. The polymerization time can vary depending upon the intensity and wavelength of the radiation source. Polymer elements have been fabricated in this manner using light having wavelengths between about 257 nm and 405 nm. In each case, the photoinitiator should absorb the light used for polymerization.
[0075] In another embodiment, the local region of polymerization is specified by focusing a point or collimated source of radiation into the shape desired for polymerization. Thus, the polymerized area is defined by the shaped and focused light combined with the shape of the channel rather than by a mask as in the embodiment above. The radiation can be visible, infrared or UV light at a wavelength greater than about 205 nm.
[0076] It is preferred that unreacted monomer be removed by flushing the capillary with a solvent such as acetonitrile. It was found that element 120 moved freely back and forth within microchannel 130 under applied pressure from either end of the microchannel until element 120 was seated against capillary 131. The end of capillary tube 130, distal from the joint, was attached to an HPLC pump to apply pressure to mobile polymer element 120. After polymer element 120 was seated against capillary 131 pressures greater than 5000 psi could be applied with no leakage of fluid across the interface between capillaries 130 and 131. However, when pressure was relieved the polymer element could be freely moved away from the capillary interface ("unseated"). Furthermore, it was found to be possible, by controlling the pressure applied to capillary 131, to extend polymer element 120 out of capillary 130 and then retract it back into the capillary.
[0077] Using the fabrication method set forth above, the inventors have shown that it is possible to make mobile polymer monoliths in-situ in channels ranging from 20 to 500 μm in diameter. Moreover, using the method described above there is, in principle, no reason why mobile monolithic polymer elements as small a few microns and as large as 1 cm in diameter cannot be made. However, as monolith size increases, the temperature of the polymer/solvent mixture during polymerization increases. This criterion can put a formulation-dependent limit on the possible monolith sizes.
[0078] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 6 can be modified to provide a mechanical actuating function, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Here, an actuator of conventional design consisting of a monolithic mobile element 120 and actuating rod 510 is disposed in a microchannel arrangement, such as shown. Application of an alternating pressure to the end of element 120 opposite the actuating rod causes actuating rod 510 to periodically engage the object 520 being mechanically actuated, such as a membrane, wheel, rocker, lever, pin, or valve.
[0079] The polymer composition, prepared as above, possesses the additional advantage in that it can be depolymerized by energetic radiation (thermal or UV). By way of example, the selective application of 257 nm light from a frequency doubled Argon-ion laser to various parts of a polymer monolith, prepared by the method above, can cause depolymerization of the polymer in those areas exposed to the radiation, as shown in FIG. 8a, a side view of a microchannel and the polymer monolith contained therein. During the step of selective depolymerization, it can be desirable to periodically or continuously flush the illuminated region of the polymer monolith, to prevent depolymerized material, or its decomposition products, from clogging the microchannel. Video pictures of the depolymerization step have shown that monolithic elements depolymerize slowly from that part of the monolith upon which the light is incident; it is believed that this is because the polymer strongly absorbs mid- to deep-UV light within a distance of a few microns from the surface. Hence, by ending the exposure before the entire depth of the monolith is depolymerized, a gap 821 may be lithographically patterned between the top of the microchannel and the polymer monolith itself, as shown in FIG. 8b. In this way, it is now possible to make three-dimensional structures that cannot be produced by conventional lithographic polymerization, and would be impossible to machine conventionally. The dimensions of the area to be depolymerized are delineated by a mask and/or focusing of a laser, and the depth of the removed region is determined by the intensity of the incident light and the duration of exposure. Since the microchannel formed by traditional micromachining techniques (wet or dry etching) are not cylindrical, the cast-in-place polymer monolith is naturally constrained from rotating, unless there is extensive depolymerization along the entire length of the monolith.
[0080]FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a diverter or 2-way valve structure manufactured using the selective depolymerization method set forth above. The mobile monolithic element 120 has a depolymerized gap 821 along its top (as shown in FIG. 8b), formed near its center for diverting fluid from one microchannel into either of two separate microchannels. Microchannel 131 provides a common intersection for microchannels 130, 132, and 133. Application of pressure to microchannel 131 causes polymer element 120 to be drawn to one side blocking fluid flow from microchannel 130 into one of the parallel opposing microchannels (132 or 133). Application of pressure to the other side of element 120 causes fluid flow to be blocked to the other microchannel. This device has the property that, the pressures within microchannels 130, 132, and 133 impose no differential pressure across the length of element 120. Hence element 120 can be actuated by pressures much lower than the pressure in the controlled microchannels 130, 132, and 133.
[0081] The invention is not limited to plug-shaped geometries for the polymer element. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the invention as a rotational flowmeter. Here, microchannel 910, having an inlet and outlet segment, intersects a cavity 920, which separates the inlet and outlet segments of microchannel 910. The cavity is micromachined so as to leave a central hub 940. A rotatable polymer disc 930, having a plurality of projections 935 distributed around its circumference, is disposed in cavity 920 and on hub 940 around which it rotates. The projections can be uniformly distributed around the circumference and the space between the projections defines a fixed volume. Thus, each partial rotation of polymer disc 930 injects a fixed volume of fluid, delivered by the inlet segment of microchannel 910, into the outlet segment of the microchannel. Detection of the movement of the polymer disc can be achieved by a wide range of optical techniques. By way of example, a weak but focused light can be projected into the path of polymeric projections 935. Each time a polymer projection moves onto the light beam a portion of the light will be absorbed and the decrease in intensity of the light beam can be detected.
[0082] In another embodiment of the invention, a means for rectifying the output of an electrokinetic pump (EKP) is provided. An EKP is a device for converting electric potential to hydraulic force. By means of an EKP, electroosmotic flow, i.e., electric field-induced flow, is used to provide high pressure hydraulic forces for pumping and/or compressing liquids. A more detailed discussion of the theory and operation of electrokinetic pumps can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,257 issued Aug. 21, 2001 and entitled "Electrokinetic High Pressure Hydraulic System", incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0083] In electrokinetic pumping, an electric potential on the order of hundreds to thousands of volts, well above the potential required for electrolytic decomposition of any electrolyte, is required to develop the desired high pressures. Electrolytic decomposition of the electrolyte results in gas generation and the gas generated at the high pressure side of an electrokinetic pump can form bubbles that can block the current flow required for pressure generation, causing pump failure. This condition is particularly troublesome in miniaturized applications, such as in capillary tubes or microchannels, an area where the use of electric field-induced hydraulic pressure for manipulation of liquids holds great promise, but where current flow can be easily blocked. The problem of bubble formation can be substantially overcome by the use of an alternating current (AC), wherein the direction of current flow is reversed every 5-20 minutes. While desirable as a means of removing the problem of bubble formation, reversal of current flow also leads to reversal of fluid flow which can be undesirable. However, by configuring the check valve embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in an orientation analogous to a diode bridge for rectifying electrical current, such as illustrated in FIG. 11, microchannel fluid flow is unidirectional regardless of current flow. Furthermore, this "diode bridge" configuration provides further advantage in that there if little is any drop in fluid flow rate when current is switched. The rate of fluid flow decrease is governed by the time required to fill the dead volume of the check valves as compared to the frequency with which the flow direction need be switched. Typically, the flow direction need be switched only once every 5-20 minutes, while the dead volume of the check valves fills in approximately 1 second. Thus, the total flow rate loss would be less than 1%. Moreover, reversing flow through the system illustrated in FIG. 11 by switching polarity of an EKP will not affect the fluid flow rate.
[0084] Operation of this embodiment is exemplified by reference to FIG. 11. Here, a central flow channel 130, having an inlet and an outlet end is connected to and in fluid communication with two auxiliary flow channels 131 and 132 disposed each side of channel 130. At least two check valves 100, such as described above and illustrated in FIG. 1, are contained in a series arrangement in each auxiliary flow channel. Hydraulic pressure means, such as an EKP 1110, is provided for moving a fluid through channels 130, 131, and 132. The inlet and outlet of EKP 1110 are connected to auxiliary flow channels 131 and 132 between the check valves disposed therein. In operation, when fluid flows through the system from left to right, valves 1120 and 1130 open while valves 1140 and 1150 close. Thus, fluid flow proceeds from the top to the bottom of central flow channel 130. On the other hand, when fluid flows from right to left, valves 1140 and 1150 open and valves 1120 and 1130 close. In this case also, fluid flows from the top to the bottom of central flow channel 130.
[0085] High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is an established analytical technique that relies on high-pressure mechanical pumps (generally a gear- or cam-driven pump capable of generating pressures in excess of 5,000 psi) to drive a fluid sample through a specially prepared column for analysis. However, it is difficult to adapt these pumps to provide the low flow rates under high pressure required for microbore HPLC systems. An electrokinetic pump (EKP), as described above, provides a desirable alternative to conventional high-pressure mechanical pumps for microfluidic HPLC systems. However, as explained above, the problem of gas blocking of microchannels is an undesirable feature of the use of an EKP for high pressure microfluidic systems. This problem can be overcome by the use of alternating current flow (switching polarity) and the rectifying valve system described above.
[0086] A rectifying valve system in HPLC that can provide substantially continuous, unidirectional flow through a chromatography column during polarity reversal, is exemplified by reference to FIG. 12. The inlet and outlet ends of EKP 1110 connected to microchannels 130 and 131 that are joined at a common intersection that, in turn is connected by a microchannel to an HPLC system 1215. Each microchannel has a check valve 100 disposed therein. When EKP 1110 pumps fluid along microchannel 130 the check valve disposed therein is open while that in microchannel 131 is closed. When fluid is pumped along microchannel 131, valve operation is reversed. In both cases, however, fluid flow is directed, substantially continuously, into the HPLC system.
[0087] In several applications of the devices for controlling fluid flow described herein an actuation fluid, i.e., a fluid that drives the mobile polymer monolith, can come into contact with the fluid whose movement is being controlled, or test fluid. In many cases the test fluid is either being analyzed, in which case contact and possible contamination with the actuation fluid is undesirable, or the compositions of the two fluids are so different that co-mingling could lead to experimental problems, such as sample dispersion in chemical separations, unwanted chemical reactions, voltage fluctuations in electrokinetically driven systems. These potential problems can be eliminated by the use an alternative on/off valve embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 13, on/off valve 1300 comprises a polymer monolith 120 contained within chamber 1310 having a fluid inlet channel 1320 disposed on a first end, or top, of chamber 1310 that provides access for an actuating fluid. A flow inlet channel 1330 and flow outlet channel 1331, that together comprise a fluid flow channel and carry a test fluid that can be the same of different from the actuating fluid, are joined to the second end, or bottom, of chamber 1310 opposite actuating fluid inlet 1320. In operation, when an actuating fluid pressure is applied to polymer monolith 120, the monolith is forced against the bottom of chamber 1310 thereby sealing the intersections of the fluid inlet and outlet tubes and prohibiting flow of the test fluid down the flow channel. Application of a negative pressure, or withdrawal of the actuating fluid, causes the polymer monolith to move up against the top end of the chamber allowing the test fluid to flow through the valve. Since the actuation and test fluids never come into contact with each other they can be different and can be specifically tailored for their purpose. For example, the actuation fluid can be designed to optimize the performance of an EKP.
[0089] For some applications it can be impractical to apply a negative pressure to polymer monolith 120. In those situations an alternative design can be used, such as that illustrated in FIG. 14. Here, chamber 1310 has two arms or branches A and B arranged generally in a U-shape configuration. Polymer monolith 120, contained in chamber 1310 extends into each arm. First arm A terminates in a fluid inlet 1325 that admits an actuating fluid to one arm of chamber 1310. A flow inlet tube 1330 and flow outlet tube 1331, that together comprise a fluid flow channel and carry a test fluid, converge at the termination of second arm B. An actuating fluid inlet 1320 joined to the end of chamber 1310 opposite the terminations of first and second arms A and B provides access for an actuating fluid. Applying fluid pressure through fluid inlet 1320 shuts off flow through the flow channel. Applying fluid pressure through fluid inlet 1325 and releasing fluid pressure at inlet 1320 turns on flow. It should be noted, as above, that the actuating fluid(s) never come into contact with the test fluid flowing through the flow channel.
[0090] In summary, the present invention is directed to a cast-in-place mobile, monolithic polymer element for controlling fluid and ionic current flow in microchannel systems and method of manufacture thereof. Fluid flow control devices for microfluidic applications, and microvalves can be made incorporating the cast-in-place, mobile monolithic polymer element of the invention, disposed within a microchannel, and driven by a displacing force that can be an electric field or fluid or gas pressure against a sealing surface to provide for control of fluid flow. As a means for controlling fluid flow, these devices possess the additional advantage that they can be used translationally and/or rotationally to effect pressure driven, electroosmotic, or electrophoretic flow, to eliminate or enhance diffusive or convective mixing, to inject fixed quantities of fluid, to rectify fluid flows, and to selectively divert flow from one channel to various other channels. The polymer elements are made by the application of lithographic methods to monomer mixtures formulated in such a way that the resulting polymer element will not bond to microchannel walls and will retain structural shape upon exposure to a variety of solvents. These polymer elements can seal against pressures greater than 5000 psi, and have a response time on the order of milliseconds. Finally, by the use of energetic radiation it is possible to depolymerize selected regions of the polymer element to form shapes that cannot be produced by conventional lithographic patterning and would be impossible to machine.
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Released: May 28, 2013.
Genre: Pop-Punk.
Label: Rise Records.
Number Of Tracks: 14.
Waving their "Defend Pop-Punk" flag with pride, Man Overboard lives up to their name once again in "Heart Attack."
POSTED: 05/30/2013 - 05:19 am
Released: Sep 27, 2011.
Genre: Pop-Punk.
Label: Rise Records.
Number Of Tracks: 12.
This album to me so far is not quite as good as the prior releases but its still worth listening to. These guys have a great fast and emotional pop-punk sound that is token for the genre.
POSTED: 11/15/2011 - 04:33 am


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It's not a trip to the moon. It's not even manned spaceflight. But it is a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, and it's not insignificant. So if you want a front-row seat to witness one giant leap for private business, then you'll want to make your way over to Cape Canaveral for the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon spacecraft.
After a series of delays, the launch is set for the wee hours of Tuesday morning, May 22. The 3:40 a.m. planned launch should make for a spectacular view from all around Central Florida, if you're awake. The next available time is 3:22 a.m. Wednesday, May 23.
The launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 40 will take the Dragon up into space with 1,200 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station, the first time a privately built spacecraft will rendezvous with the station.
"It's almost like the lead-up to Apollo, in my mind," said Mike Horkachuck, NASA's project executive for SpaceX. "You had Mercury then you had Gemini and eventually you had Apollo. This would be similar in the sense that, we're not going to the moon or anything as spectacular as that, but we are in the beginnings of commercializing space. This may be the Mercury equivalent to eventually flying crew and then eventually leading to, in the long run, passenger travel in space."
So it has that going for it, and if you want good seats, here are your best bets.
Port Canaveral: There's a lot of spots just north of the port along Route 401 that have a full view of the launch complex that are free, but space is limited. It's about 10 miles away, so the sound of the launch won't be as impressive as Playalinda. Just take the exit for the North Terminals and take 401 around the port and grab a spot.
S.R. 528: The BeachLine offers another great view of the launch complex and is also free. Just pull off along the road after passing Merritt Island. You'll want to view from the north side. It is also about 10 miles from the launch complex.
U.S. 1: Pretty much anywhere along U.S. north of S.R. 528 up to Space View Park is a great place to watch the launch, but the view of the launch tower and distance of more than 10 miles won't be as nice as the other locations.
Because of the hour for the launch, two of the best viewing sites won't be available, Playalinda Beach and the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. Playalinda Beach, part of the Canaveral National Seashore run by the National Parks Service won't be open to the public as its hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. The KSC Visitors Complex will also be closed because of the early hours.
For more specific viewing location options, view KSC's recommendations at http://kennedyspacecenter.com/off-site-launch-viewing.aspx
Where to watch the SpaceX launch to the International Space Station
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket awaits launch early Saturday morning, May 19, 2012, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 40. The rocket will take the Dragon capsule with 1,200 pounds of cargo to the ISS. (Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)
- Pictures: SpaceX Falcon 9 test launch
- Pictures: NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Pictures: Rocket launches through the years
- Pictures: 25 years of amazing Hubble Telescope images
- European probe Philae lands on comet
- Pictures: SpaceX rocket launch at Cape Canaveral
See more photos »
- Astronaut reads 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' in Space
- New Horizons Will Shed More Light on Pluto Than Ever Before
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jimmy Fallon send a message to astronaut Scott Kelly
- Kennedy Space Center
- Cape Canaveral
- Port Canaveral
See more topics »


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Snuza Trio combines the movement-detection capabilities of the award-winning Snuza Hero Mobile Baby Movement Monitor with video and audio functions to provide a three-in-one monitoring system for complete peace of mind. Parents no longer have to agonise over the decision between a movement or a video-audio monitor for their most precious new arrival - Snuza Trio provides all three functions in one MOBILE system which can accompany you and baby wherever you go. In addition, the Snuza Video and audio system and the Snuza Hero movement monitor are separate units which can be used independently as the need arises. Hero clips onto baby's diaper and is battery-operated - no cords, wires or sensor pads. Snuza Trio the first all-in-one baby monitoring system for complete peace of mind.
Snuza was awarded the Bronze NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Award) in the US. NAPPA select the most entertaining, appealing, safe, educatio read more
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Great Lodges of the National Parks
Pacific Northwest: Crater Lake
Lodge | Setting | Trivia
Crater Lake National Park is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Among its marvels are amazing true stories and bits of trivia that may surprise you. Explore some of these unusual facts here.
The Old Man
First documented in 1896, the Old Man is a peculiar floating log that travels around the lake in a vertical position. The Old Man is 30 feet long, with about 4 feet standing out of the water. During submarine explorations in 1988, scientists tethered the Old Man to avoid collisions. Inexplicably, the weather suddenly turned rough. When the log was freed, the weather settled.
Seismic activity provides regular reminders that Mt. Mazama is not a dead volcano. On September 20, 1993, Park residents and visitors were alarmed by quakes registering near 6.0 on the Richter scale; there were 2,500 aftershocks in the next 3 months. Since 1945, a dozen major quakes have hit the region. Geologists estimate that a nearby fault zone could generate quakes with a 7.25 magnitude.
The "Burp" of 1945
On several occasions in the autumn of 1945, dense formations of blue-gray smoke or fog were observed rising sharply from the lake surface, and then mushrooming up and outward. The formations always appeared above one of the lake's deepest areas. By the time the USGS arrived in 1946, the strange phenomenon had ended, so there is still no scientific explanation for the events.
Park Life
Crater Lake National Park contains a variety of habitats, from peat bog to pumice desert. As a result, the Park shelters 700 plant species, including 17 plants that are rare or endangered. There are also more than 200 species of birds and wildlife, including 3 threatened species, the wolverine, Northern spotted owl, and bald eagle.
A True Blue Lake
The fresh water in Crater Lake is entirely due to rain and snow. Because the water didn't arrive via streams, there is very little debris or silt to cloud the lake. The intense blue color is a result of the water's purity interacting with the color spectrum of sunlight. Purity also provides great clarity; scientific measurements record visibility to 120 feet below the surface.
Got good brakes?
By 1917, Park rules for autos were well established. Cars in motion had to be 50 yards apart, except when passing (only allowed on level or slight grades). Drivers had to satisfy the Rangers that "all parts of the machine, particularly the brakes and tires, are in first-class working order and capable of making the trip." The speed limit was 10 mph, reduced to 8 mph when passing animal teams.
A Winter Freeze
Crater Lake rarely freezes over, because the vast body of water acts as a heat reservoir. But in 1949, the entire lake surface froze for more than 2 months. Two Park Rangers walked out to investigate, but encountered thin ice at the lake's center. Deciding that they shouldn't risk a return crossing, they were forced to clamber directly up the rim wall through 150 inches of snow.
Fish Stories
There are two known species of fish in the lake, rainbow trout (up to 27 inches long) and kokanee salmon. These nonnative species are the result of stocking between 1888 and 1942. Fishing is legal but challenging, and organic bait is prohibited. At least one Park Ranger, with tongue firmly in cheek, claims that his angling activities are merely to aid in the removal of the nonnative species.


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Remember Me
Tim Kabat has been leading Doug Farmer in the La Crosse mayor's vote since the first results came in shortly after 8 p.m. Kabat was winning all the wards in the early going. In city council races, David Krump has been elected to succeed the retiring John Satory in the 6th District.
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Sienna Miller Gives Birth to First Child!
Kourtney Kardashian wasn't the only star who welcomed a newborn baby this weekend! Actress Sienna Miller also recently gave birth to a baby of her own.
While the baby's gender, name, and weight have yet to be released (and knowing the über-private actress, we won't know specifics for a while), we do know that the stunning starlet and her fiance, Tom Sturridge, welcomed their first child together over the weekend in London.
Even when discussing her pregnancy with British Vogue in April, Sienna didn't let much slip.
"Even though I'm under strict instructions not to say anything as it would completely defeat the point of everything I've tried to achieve in the last eight years," the star said. "I'm feeling fine...It's all progressing nicely and it's very exciting."
Details or no details, we wish this happy couple the best!
Source: Us Weekly
Fall in "Like" with us! For the latest from Wetpaint Entertainment, Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Wetpaint, or Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/WetpaintTV.


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The Bears last night successfully completed the transfer of Tom Denton from Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee. After weeks of negotiations, the transfer has been completed, with Tom signing late last night. Ronnie Glavin said "Tom's a big one in every sense of the word for us. He was unfortunate that the circumstances changed so much at Huddersfield since he was signed by Stan.."
However he's done brilliantly for us in the loan spells last year and we really are delighted to get him back. I think it shows the intent of the club to press on now and get a really good season under our belts". Pete Bevils, CEO added "Ronnie identified Tom as an almost 'must have' signing if we are going to continue the progress as a club. I think a two year contract which we have awarded Tom shows our commitment and intent to making things happen here".


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JOËL Kaapanda, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, yesterday said he would announce a decision on the position of MTC board chairperson Dirk Conradie today.
The minister said he consulted various people yesterday.
"I've been consulting. We'll be able to have a clear direction tomorrow."
Conradie (53) is facing a charge of corruption in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court.
Kaapanda and Namibia Post and Telecommunication Holdings (NPTH) are responsible for appointing the MTC board, the mobile operator's spokesperson, Tim Ekandjo, said this week.
Henri Kassen, the NPTH board chairperson, yesterday said they would not like to preempt an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation. "You're only guilty once proven so in a court of law."
Asked whether Conradie would be able to continue serving as chairperson while he is not allowed to have contact with MTC managing director Miguel Geraldis and MTC board member Asser Ntinda, Kassen said: "The general rules governing a conflict of interest is that you declare your conflict and excuse yourself."
Kassen said the matter "will be raised" at an NPTH board meeting in July.
Conradie yesterday said that at this stage, he does not want to respond about whether or not he will recuse himself from the MTC board.
A storm exploded around the lawyer's head on Tuesday when the ACC arrested him and his former business partner's ex-wife, Sarah Damases (48).
Conradie is the director of the law firm Conradie & Damaseb Attorneys.
He and Damases allegedly on June 12 asked Mark Bongers and Kim Field of advertising agency DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi to employ Damases as a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partner.
According to the ACC, should DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi have employed Damases, Conradie gave an undertaking that he would have used his influence to have an MTC advertising tender of N$60 million awarded to the advertising company.
Conradie has been the chairperson of the MTC board of directors since October 2010.
In a statement, Ekandjo yesterday said their tender and procurement processes are "robust, transparent and dealt with according to company policy and procedures pertaining to tenders/ procurement".
According to him, MTC has an independent tender board aimed at ensuring that rules and regulations are complied with.
Ekandjo confirmed that the advertising tender had not been awarded to anyone yet, but said the tender was not worth N$60 million.
"It is difficult to upfront state or quantify a value because this is determined by various factors in the market that will inform whether we will advertise more or less, as circumstances always change throughout the year and in fact every day."
The MTC spokesperson said that Conradie is not a member of the MTC tender board.
Ekandjo emphasised that MTC or its board did not initiate the allegations against the lawyer and that the claims do not relate to MTC's tender processes.
"We therefore wish to assure our customers that we shall continue to uphold the highest standard of integrity and business ethics that have always guided our company over the years and made it one of the leading companies in Namibia."
Conradie on Tuesday said that he made it clear to MTC's tender board and the board of directors when he joined that he "will make deliberate attempts to empower my people".
According to him, he told Damases to approach the advertising company - " a white-owned company" - and "make arrangements for a joint venture so that you can be empowered".
He also admitted that he asked the company "to help her and I will help with the tender".
But, Conradie said, "they are so stingy; instead of helping this lady, they went and made the [ACC] case".
Conradie and Damases made a brief appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Tuesday,
Both accused were released on bail of N$30 000 each.
Magistrate Vanessa Stanley postponed the case until July 27 for further investigation.


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|Dance for Parkinson's
Dance for Parkinson's
We invite members of the community affected by Parkinson's disease, and their carers, partners and friends, to participate in our new Dance for PD classes.
– Classes begin 5 October, 2013.
Did You Know?
Queensland Ballet is now working with David Leventhal from the Mark Morris Dance Group, Parkinson's Queensland, and Brisbane-based Dance for PD specialist, Erica Rose Jeffrey, to introduce Dance for PD in Queensland.


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EMPLOYEE MEMORIES: Being paper girls taught us a lot
Dec. 01, 2008 @ 01:23 PM
In the early 1970s, my sister Dorothy Goings and I had our very first job working at The Herald-Dispatch passing newspapers seven days a week in the evening.
When got out of school, we knew we had to get home in a hurry, as we had to get the evening paper out. We always were competing with each other on who can finish early or who collected more money Friday or Saturday. We enjoyed riding our bikes down to pay our bill and stop by downtown to spend what we had made that week. Back then, you didn't have very many paper girls, and we did enjoy it.
Margie Goings


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How is job abandonment legally defined in Georgia?
Posted on May 11, 2011
I have two jobs. On Mon. morning 5/9 I left my first job and I went to the ER for severe chest pains. I tried to call out for the 2nd job after I got home because I was really tired but no one would work for me so I had to go to work. While at work the pains got worse and I was having problems doing my job functions and ended up going back at the ER. Before leaving work I tried to find one supervisor but he was nowhere to be found and because he and I don't really get along, I didn't want to cause any confusion and I wanted to wait until he returned before leaving. Another manager insisted I go. She said that everything was taken care of and told me to leave. When I got to my 2nd job Tues. afternoon, my asst. General Mgr was outside waiting for me. He asked me what happened I told him the exact same story and he said I was being terminated because of job abandonment. Is this job abandonment?
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34 year old man | Fresno, TX, USA | Seeking women 25-35 within 5 miles
Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. WILLING TO MOVE FOR LOVE!!!
ABOUT ME I live in Fresno, Texas. It's 10 minutes from Sugar Land, Texas and probably about 3 minutes from Missouri City, Texas. I'm an Engineer, I own my own business and I sell real-estate on the side. So I'm a pretty busy guy. But I make time for what I want. I'm huge on family and some day I want a family of my own. But I want to find the woman of my dreams and get married first. My friends and family would describe me as a very selfless person. I usually think of others before myself. And I try to be there for them whenever they need me. I work out almost every day and sometimes twice a day. Not for myself but for when I find the right woman and have a family of my own. I want to be able to keep up with my kids you know. lol. I'm extremely open minded and I'm willing to try anything new. I'm so open minded adventurous would be and understatement for me. I'm part of Big-Brother Big-Sister program. I sing in the church men's choir, I'm about to start tutoring calculus for kids. I tend to be a nerd at times and I find myself in museums or have my head in my old college school books reading over things. I'm an extremely honest person and I'm an open book. Ask and you will get the truth out of me.Even if it is hard to hear. So enough about what I like. Here are what I think you should know as well..... MY FLAWS I'm extremely hard on myself at times. Sometimes I try so hard at things that I can seem overbearing. I sometimes put myself at risk to make sure someone else is happy (don't know if that's a flaw or not). I'm extremely honest.....sometimes too honest... Sometimes I just care too much about other people. I can try so hard at things that I may be misinterpreted. [b]ALWAYS REMEMBER[/b] COMMUNICATION KEY! I am mature man. Tell me what you think. Tell me what's on your mind. It may or may not hurt my feelings but I'll get over it, I won't get mad about it and I usually correct my mistakes. But if I don't know it how can I correct it if I made one. Sometimes I don't know I'm making them. And if communications shut down between two people then that's when the frustration, the misinterpretations and the falling out begins. And all you have to do is just talk to each other. Never be afraid to say and talk to your mate even if it is hard to talk about...
Camping , Coffee and conversation , Business networking , Cooking , Fishing/Hunting , Gardening/Landscaping , Hobbies and crafts , Movies/Videos , Museums and art , Music and concerts , Performing arts , Playing cards , Playing sports , Volunteering , Watching sports
Baseball, Basketball, Billiards / Pool, Bowling, Cycling, Dancing, Football, Golf, Other types of exercise, Running, Skiing, Swimming, Walking / Hiking, Weights / Machines, Yoga
I exercise 3-4 times per week.
I like Dogs, Exotic Pets, Fish, Horses, Other
I want to get a Weimaraner!!!!
I love the outdoors and mountains and at the same time I love beaches. So it's a draw between Colorado, California and Florida.
University of Houston, Houston, TX
My favorite thing to do is COOK! The center of my house is my kitchen. It's a big kitchen too and I can see almost every room from my kitchen. My friends keep asking me to have a game night and stuff just so I can cook and invite them all over.
For fun I like to try new things. Anything from a new restaurant to traveling. I tried disc golf and loved it. Now I plan on trying a glass blowing class. Or maybe even a pottery class. I guess I can say Learning anything new is something fun to me.
Last book I read was "The Silence Of Adam" I liked this book. This is an awesome book. This is a book that all "Real Men" should read. Especially men who like to blame our downfall on Eve (women). Think again son!
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What he is looking for
|6'0" (182cms)
|3'0" (91cms) to 8'11" (271cms)
|Body type:
|Athletic and toned
|Slender, About average, Athletic and toned
|No preference
|No preference
|No Way
|No Way, Occasionally, Yes, but trying to quit
|Never, Social Drinker, Regularly, Moderately
|Technical / Science / Computers / Engineering
|No preference
|$75,001 to $100,000
|No preference
|Never Married
|Never Married, Widow / Widower, Currently Separated, Divorced
|Have kids:
|Yes, and they sometimes live at home, No, Yes, and they live away from home, Yes, and they live at home
|Wants kids:
|No preference
|Black / African descent
|No preference
|Christian / Other
|No preference
|English, Spanish
|No preference
|Bachelors degree
|No preference