1. An apparatus for separating and continuously blotting a fluid sample, the apparatus comprising:
a separator with a fluid path filled with a separation matrix, the fluid path having an input end and an output end, the input end of the fluid path having an opening configured to accept a fluid sample for separation;
an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) electrode in connection with the output end of the fluid path, the EHD electrode configured for imparting an electric charge to a fluid sample within the fluid path and creating a stream of charged fluid;
a substrate positioned across a gap from the output end;
a substrate electrode connected with the substrate; and
a motor connecting the substrate to the separator, the motor configured to laterally and continuously move the substrate and separator with respect to each other.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a third electrode coupled with the fluid path upstream of the output end of the fluid path,
wherein the third electrode and EHD electrode are configured to apply an electric field within the fluid path for electrophoresis.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
an adjunct fluid path with an output in fluidic contact with the output end of the separator fluid path, the adjunct fluid path configured to present a second fluid at the output end of the separator fluid path and entrain an output of the separation matrix with the second fluid.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the separator fluid path includes a lumen of a capillary tube, and the adjunct fluid path includes a sheath surrounding a portion of the capillary tube.
5-8. (canceled)
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gap is configured to be greater than a height of a Taylor cone of charged fluid from the output end and less than that in which the stream of charged fluid begins to disperse into droplets.
10. (canceled)
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separator is selected from the group consisting of a capillary tube and a micro-fabricated chip.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a voltage source operatively connected with at least one of the electrodes.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a fluid sample within the fluid path.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separation matrix is selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles, beads, a gel, and macromolecules in solution.
15. (canceled)
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the nanoparticles comprise silica spheres between about 1 nm and about 2000 nm in diameter arranged in a crystal structure.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separator is adapted to move and the substrate is fixed.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is adapted to move and the separator is fixed.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate has an axis of rotation, the axis having a center of rotation displaced from a target area for the charged fluid, the axis being parallel to the gap between the output end and the substrate such that rotating the substrate moves the substrate laterally.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of fluid paths with outputs coupled with respective EHD electrodes, the EHD electrodes configured parallel to one another, wherein the substrate is adapted to be moved perpendicular to a line between two of the outputs.
21. A method for separating and blotting a fluid sample, the method comprising:
providing a fluid path filled with a separation matrix, the fluid path having an input end and an output end, the input end of the fluid path having an opening configured to accept a fluid sample for separation;
administering the fluid sample to the input end;
separating analytes within the fluid sample;
imparting an electrical charge to the fluid sample at the output end of the fluid path in order to charge the fluid sample into a charged fluid;
causing a voltage potential across a gap between the output end and a substrate, the voltage potential sufficient to cause the charged fluid to form a Taylor cone and jet;
moving the substrate with respect to the fluid path; and
blotting the charged fluid of the jet onto the substrate, the blotting occurring during the moving.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
generating an electric field between the input end and output end of the fluid path, the electric field helping to separate the analytes by electrophoresis.
23. (canceled)
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
applying pressure to the input end, thereby forcing the fluid sample through the fluid path by pressure.
25. The method of any one of claim 21, further comprising:
presenting a second fluid at the output end of the fluid path; and
entraining an output of the separation matrix with the second fluid.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
detecting an analyte on the substrate using a detection reagent.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said detection reagent comprises an antibody.
28-32. (canceled)
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A storage bin system for a vehicle with a first wall surface and a second wall surface having a non-parallel relationship with an angle of about 1 to 10\xb0 therebetween and having at least one first storage bin member positioned on said first wall surface and at least one second storage bin member positioned on said second wall surface, said first and second storage bin members each having a front surface and being positioned having a space inbetween them, said improvement comprising a transition storage bin member positioned in said space, said transition storage bin member positioned on a third wall surface and having a front curved surface, wherein said front curved surface merges with the front surfaces of said first and second storage bin members, and wherein the angle defined between said first wall and said third wall, and the angle defined between said second wall and said third wall are both about 1 to 10\xb0.
2. The storage bin system as described in claim 1 wherein a plurality of first storage bin members are provided.
3. The storage bin system as described in claim 2 wherein a plurality of second storage bin members are provided.
4. The storage bin system as described in claim 1 wherein said vehicle is an airplane and said two wall surfaces are positioned in a passenger cabin in said airplane.
5. The storage bin system as described in claim 1 wherein said transition storage bin member further comprises a first side wall member and a second side wall member, said first and second side wall members being positioned in a non-parallel relationship.
6. The storage bin system as described in claim 5 wherein said non-parallel relationship between first and second side members is in the range of 1-10\xb0.
7. The storage bin system as described in claim 6 wherein said first and second side members are positioned at different angular orientations.
8. A storage bin system for a vehicle with a first wall surface and a second wall surface having a non-parallel relationship with an angle of about 1 to 10\xb0 therebetween and having at least one first storage bin member positioned on said first wall surface and at least one second storage bin member positioned on said second wall surface, said first and second storage bin members each having a front surface and being positioned having a space inbetween them, said improvement comprising a transition storage bin member positioned in said space, said transition storage bin member positioned on a third wall surface and having a front curved surface, wherein said front curved surface merges with the front surfaces of said first and second storage bin members, wherein the angle defined between said first wall and said third wall, and the angle defined between said second wall and said third wall are both about 1 to 10\xb0, and wherein said transition storage bin member comprises a top wall member, a back wall member, a first side member, a second side member and a movable front member positioned between said first and second side members, said first and second side members positioned on a non-parallel relationship to each other and mating with adjacent non-parallel aligned bins.
9. The storage bin as described in claim 8 wherein said storage bin is adapted for use in a vehicle with two surfaces having different angular orientations and said storage bin is adapted to be positioned at the junction between the two surfaces.
10. The storage bin as described in claim 8 wherein said non-parallel relationship between the first and second side members is in the range of 1-10\xb0.
11. The storage bin as described in claim 10 wherein said first and second side members are positioned at different angular orientations.