Abstract: In some aspects, an electrically responsive device can include a composite structure having spatially modulated structural properties that includes a substrate material having a surface and defining a plane; an electrically responsive material layer formed over at least a portion of the surface of the substrate material; an electrode material over portions of the electrically responsive material; and a stiffening material disposed along the electrode material, where the stiffening material has a thickness that varies and has regions of increased thickness that correspond with the regions of the composite structure along which the electrode material is disposed. The spatially modulated structural properties can include the regions of the composite structure along which the electrode material is disposed having the increased material stiffness, exclusive of the electrode material, relative to regions of the composite structure that do not include the electrode material.

Abstract: A system for processing analytes in samples includes an instrument and a cartridge. The cartridge includes fluid inputs, input and output valve assemblies, processing devices, fluid reservoirs, and channels for carrying samples from the fluid inputs to the fluid reservoirs. The valve assemblies include valves adapted to form a sealed fluid chamber in response to force applied by a movable head assembly of the instrument. Each fluid reservoir is adapted to mate and align with an air displacement pump interface member. A valve assembly includes a recess wall surrounding a recess and a valve assembly wall surrounding both the recess and the recess wall. The recess wall and the valve assembly walls are adapted to mate with and seal against a flexible sheet covering the recess, the recess wall, and the valve assembly wall. The cartridge and instrument include complementary features for finely and coarsely aligning instrument assemblies with portions of the cartridge.

Abstract: In one non-limiting aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting the quality of a biological molecule comprising forming a first mixture of ingredients comprising: (i) a first binding agent that specifically binds to a tag, wherein the first binding agent is attached to a solid support; (ii) a decoy comprising a first portion comprising the tag attached to a second portion comprising an anchor; (iii) a sensor attached to a second binding agent that specifically binds to the anchor; and (iv) a sample suspected of containing a high quality biological molecule comprising a tag, wherein the tag of the high quality biological molecule is accessible; allowing interaction of the ingredients such that the sensor provides an output signal

Abstract: Electrically responsive devices and methods for fabricating electrically responsive devices involves applying an electrically responsive material (e.g., an electroactive material) over at least a portion of a surface of a substrate material and applying an electrode material over at least a portion of a surface of the electrically responsive material. At least one region of the electrode material is selectively removed exposing the electrically responsive material. At least some of the electrically responsive material is selectively removed in a region corresponding to the at least one region of the electrode material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining whether a fluid has been introduced into an assay measurement apparatus involving delivering a fluid to a surface of a resonant device. The methods also involve monitoring an electrical signal output by the resonant device, wherein properties of the electrical signal vary based on physical properties of the fluid in contact with the surface of the resonant device and determining if the electrical signal output by the resonant device satisfies a predetermined condition indicative of the presence of the fluid.

Abstract: A system having reduced gas interference that includes a fluid chamber and a resonant sensor device in fluid communication with a fluid in the fluid chamber. The system includes a fluid control device adapted to change at least one of the fluid flow or pressure within the fluid chamber to achieve substantial wetting of surfaces in proximity to the resonant sensor device. Fluid surfaces of the system can include a material to increase the wettability (e.g., hydrophilicity) of the fluid surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a support surface to support a cartridge, a socket attached to the housing, and an actuator associated with the socket. The socket surface includes one or more socket positioning members, a plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets. The socket is configured to move relative to the support surface of the housing, with the one or more socket positioning members located in a fixed relation to the plurality of electrical contacts so that when the socket is spaced proximate to the support surface of the housing, the one or more socket positioning members engage with the one or more cartridge positioning members to align the plurality of electrical contacts of the socket with the plurality of electrical contact pads of the cartridge. The actuator is configured to align each magnet with a respective fluid conduit of the processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidic system that includes a body structure having a chamber disposed therein. The fluidic system includes at least one fluid input at a first end of the chamber and at least one fluid output at a second end of the chamber. The fluidic system also includes a sensor device (e.g., an acoustic device) having a surface defining a portion of a surface of the chamber. The fluidic system also includes a first surface at the first end of the chamber oriented at an oblique or arcuate (e.g., curved) angle relative to the surface of the sensor device to direct fluid through the chamber.

Abstract: The technology provided herein generally relates to reusable detection surfaces and methods for reusing a detection surface after using the detection surface in an assay for an analyte.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing assays involving binding material elements with a plurality of bonds over a substantial area of a surface of a resonant device establishing a normalized exposure. The methods and apparatuses also involve controlling an external influence applied to the material elements over a first period of time and measuring a signal during a second period of time that is indicative of the change in the amount of material elements bound to the surface relative to the normalized exposure. In some cases, the measured signals are integrated with respect to time to determine the time averaged amount of material elements bound to the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge for processing a sample and methods for aligning a cartridge. The cartridge includes a processing device for processing a sample, a body having a surface and bounded by at least one edge, and a plurality of positioning members defined by the surface for aligning the processing device relative to a conduit defined by the body between a cartridge input and a cartridge output.

Abstract: Microfabricated devices for operation in a fluid that include a substrate that has a first and second surface and a first electrode material layer located over the first surface of the substrate. The devices have a piezoelectric material layer located over the first electrode material layer and a second electrode material layer located over the piezoelectric material layer. The devices also include a layer of isolation material located over the second electrode material layer that at least one of chemically or electrically isolates a portion of the second electrode material layer from a fluid. Some devices include a layer of conductive material located over the layer of isolation material.

Abstract: The invention relates to micro-fabricated devices having a suspended membrane or plate structure and micro-fabrication techniques for making such devices. A substrate defines a cavity passing through the substrate, and the cavity defines a first opening. An intermediate portion is disposed over the substrate and defines a second opening. The second opening is larger in size than the first opening, and the dimensions of the second opening are controlled according to a parameter associated with performance of the device. A membrane is positioned adjacent the second opening.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensors such as microfabricated resonant sensors is disclosed. The disclosed assembly provides improved performance of the sensors by providing a thermally insensitive environment and short pathways for signals to travel to processing components. Further, the assembly provide modular construction for the sensors and housing modules, thereby allowing replacement of the sensors at a lower cost. The assembly includes a sensor module including a sensor formed on a conductive substrate with a cavity formed on one surface. The substrate has conductive vias extending from the cavity to a second surface of the substrate. A housing assembly accommodates the sensor and includes a rigid housing, preferably made from a ceramic. An electronic component, such as an amplifier, is mounted on the rigid housing. The electronic component electrically engages the vias substantially at the second surface of the substrate. The electronic component receive signals from the sensor through the vias.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing bioprocess fluids are provided. A plurality of particles coated with a plurality of capture agents having an affinity for one or more biological markers is combined with bioprocess fluid to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to a sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing bioprocess fluids are provided. A plurality of particles coated with a plurality of capture agents having an affinity for one or more biological markers is combined with bioprocess fluid to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to a sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for detecting analytes in a sample are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the analyte, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for detecting viruses are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the virus, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for detecting bacteria are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the bacteria, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for detecting estradiol and metabolites thereof in a sample are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for estradiol, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of estradiol-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample and/or particles to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of estradiol-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.