Abstract: A cell culture assay device can include: a substrate having a plurality of discrete microfluidic networks and a plurality of wells over the discrete microfluidic networks, each discrete microfluidic network having one or more wells fluidly coupled thereto, the wells extending upward from the discrete microfluidic networks; and a manifold body coupled with the substrate and having at least one fluid conduit pair for each microfluidic network and/or each well, each fluid conduit pair including a fluid inlet conduit and a fluid outlet conduit fluidly coupled to a corresponding microfluidic network and/or well. The substrate can be formed from a substrate base having the microfluidic networks coupled to a well plate having the wells associated with the microfluidic networks.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aqueous based electrically conductive ink, which is essentially solvent free and includes a nano-scale conducting material; a binding agent; and an enzyme. In one embodiment, the ink includes at least one of a mediator, a cross-linking agent and a substrate as well. In one further embodiment, the present disclosure provides electrically conductive ink including a single walled, carboxylic acid functionalized carbon nanotube; 1-Ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) ester; polyethyleneimine; an aqueous buffer; and glucose oxidase.

Abstract: A method of assaying metastasis can include: providing a device of one of the embodiments; introducing the at least one cancer cell into the at least one internal chamber or at least one fluid channel; and studying metastasis of the at least one cancer cell. Optionally: introducing cancer cells into a first internal chamber; detecting escape of the cancer cell from the first internal chamber into the fluid channel; detecting migration of the cancer cell through the fluid channel; detecting adhesion of the cancer cell to a coating on the fluid channel; detecting invasion of the cancer cell into a second internal chamber from the fluid channel; or visualizing metastasis of the cancer cell with a visualization device.

Abstract: A cell culture device can include: at least 3 distinct chambers between the top wall and bottom wall. The perimeter walls can include: an internal chamber defined by at least one porous internal wall; one or more boundary layer chambers having at least an inner boundary layer chamber defined by the at least one porous internal wall and at least one porous inner boundary layer wall, the at least one porous internal wall having a plurality of pores fluidically coupling the central internal chamber to the one or more boundary layer chamber; and an outer chamber.

Abstract: A micropump that pumps liquid using electrothermally-induced flow is described, along with a corresponding self-regulating pump and infusion pump. The micropump has applications in microfluidic systems, such as biochips. The self-regulating infusion pump is useful for administration of large and small volumes of liquids such as drugs to patients and can be designed for a wide range of flow rates by combining multiple micropumps in one infusion pump system. The micropump uses electrode sequences on opposing surfaces of a flow chamber that are staggered with respect to each other. The opposing surfaces include staggered electrodes that have the same phase and same electrode sequence. As such electrodes with the same phase are staggered and not eclipsed.

Abstract: An analyte selection device can include: a body defining a fluid channel having a channel inlet and channel outlet; a bipolar electrode (BPE) between the inlet and outlet; one of an anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel inlet side of the BPE and the other of the anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel outlet side of the BPE; and an electronic system operably coupled with the anode and cathode so as to polarize the BPE. The fluid channel can have any shape or dimension. The channel inlet and channel outlet can be longitudinal or lateral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The BPE can be any metallic member, such as a flat plate on a wall or mesh as a barrier BPE. The anode and cathode can be located at a position that polarizes the BPE.

Abstract: A method of assaying wound healing can include: growing cells on the matrix in the first flow channel; introducing an agent that removes the matrix from the junction; introducing a matrix material into the second flow channel so as to form the second matrix in the second flow channel and junction; and detecting cellular migration into the junction onto the second matrix. The agent that removes the matrix can include a biomolecule or chemical agent. The method can include removing cells in the matrix in the junction before introducing the matrix material into the second flow channel. A bioactive agent can be introduced into the junction to determine if it modulates cellular migration and/or clot formation into the intersection openings of tissue and vascular channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a rocket propulsion oxidizer compound that is a solution, is a homogenous and stable liquid at room temperature and includes nitrous oxide and nitrogen tetroxide. In addition, an apparatus is provided for burning a fuel and nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide. The apparatus has a combustor, a catalyst, a nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide supply passage for directing the nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide to a contact position with the catalyst, and a fuel supply passage for supplying the fuel to the combustor. The catalyst acts to facilitate decomposition of the nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide, while the combustor burns the fuel, the decomposed nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide and/or nitrous oxide/nitrogen tetroxide decomposed in the reaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of generating electricity from a long chain hydrocarbon, said method comprising contacting the liquid non-polar substrate with a plurality of enzymes, wherein at least one enzyme is non-electric current/potential enzyme that functions as a catalyst for chemical reaction transforming a first substrate or byproduct to a second substance that can be used with an additional electric current/potential generating enzyme.

Abstract: An apparatus for assaying a tumor drug delivery vehicle and or drug can include an idealized microvascular network (IMN) of one or more interconnected idealized flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space (e.g., idealized tissue space) containing animal cells and means for quantifying drug delivery through the IMN to the animal cells.

Abstract: A method of assaying wound healing can include: growing cells on the matrix in the first flow channel; introducing an agent that removes the matrix from the junction; introducing a matrix material into the second flow channel so as to form the second matrix in the second flow channel and junction; and detecting cellular migration into the junction onto the second matrix. The agent that removes the matrix can include a biomolecule or chemical agent. The method can include removing cells in the matrix in the junction before introducing the matrix material into the second flow channel. A bioactive agent can be introduced into the junction to determine if it modulates cellular migration and/or clot formation into the intersection openings of tissue and vascular channels.

Abstract: A micropump that pumps liquid using electrothermally-induced flow is described, along with a corresponding self-regulating pump and infusion pump. The micropump has applications in microfluidic systems such as biochips. The self-regulating infusion pump is useful for the administration of large and small volumes of liquids such as drugs to patients and can be designed for a wide range of flow rates by combining multiple micropumps in one infusion pump system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of generating electricity from a long chain hydrocarbon, said method comprising contacting the liquid non-polar substrate with a plurality of enzymes, wherein at least one enzyme is non-electric current/potential enzyme that functions as a catalyst for chemical reaction transforming a first substrate or byproduct to a second substance that can be used with an additional electric current/potential generating enzyme.

Abstract: Methods of assaying the leukocyte adhesion cascade (LAC) and monitoring leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and/or migration can be implemented with an apparatus that includes an idealized microvascular network (IMN) of one or more interconnected idealized flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space (e.g., idealized tissue space). The methods of assaying the LAC can be implemented with means for quantifying modulation of the leukocyte adhesion cascade. Methods of assaying the LAC can be implemented with the device and one or more active agents to monitor leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and/or migration in the presence of absence of the active agent. Migration can be through the idealized flow channels, through the porous wall, and/or into the tissue space.

Abstract: A method of assaying metastasis can include: providing a device of one of the embodiments; introducing the at least one cancer cell into the at least one internal chamber or at least one fluid channel; and studying metastasis of the at least one cancer cell. Optionally: introducing cancer cells into a first internal chamber; detecting escape of the cancer cell from the first internal chamber into the fluid channel; detecting migration of the cancer cell through the fluid channel; detecting adhesion of the cancer cell to a coating on the fluid channel; detecting invasion of the cancer cell into a second internal chamber from the fluid channel; or visualizing metastasis of the cancer cell with a visualization device.

Abstract: A method of assaying wound healing can include: growing cells on the matrix in the first flow channel; introducing an agent that removes the matrix from the junction; introducing a matrix material into the second flow channel so as to form the second matrix in the second flow channel and junction; and detecting cellular migration into the junction onto the second matrix. The agent that removes the matrix can include a biomolecule or chemical agent. The method can include removing cells in the matrix in the junction before introducing the matrix material into the second flow channel. A bioactive agent can be introduced into the junction to determine if it modulates cellular migration and/or clot formation into the intersection openings of tissue and vascular channels.

Abstract: A cell culture device can include: an internal chamber configured for an internal cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the internal chamber; at least one fluid channel bordering the internal chamber that is configured for a channel cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the fluid channel; and a wall separating the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel having gaps that fluidly couple the internal chamber with the at least one fluid channel, wherein the perfusion modulating device causes reduced fluid flow. The internal chamber can include a first cell type and the at least one fluid channel includes a second cell type. The first cell type has an ischemic zone in the middle, a non-ischemic zone adjacent with the at least one fluid channel, and a border zone between the ischemic zone and non-ischemic zone.

Abstract: An analyte selection device can include: a body defining a fluid channel having a channel inlet and channel outlet; a bipolar electrode (BPE) between the inlet and outlet; one of an anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel inlet side of the BPE and the other of the anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel outlet side of the BPE; and an electronic system operably coupled with the anode and cathode so as to polarize the BPE. The fluid channel can have any shape or dimension. The channel inlet and channel outlet can be longitudinal or lateral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The BPE can be any metallic member, such as a flat plate on a wall or mesh as a barrier BPE. The anode and cathode can be located at a position that polarizes the BPE.

Abstract: A method for characterizing particle adhesion in microfluidic bifurcations and junctions comprises at least one idealized bifurcation or junction. Multiple bifurcations and/or junctions can be combined on a single microfluidic chip to create microfluidic networks configured for assays specifically to characterize particle interactions at junctions or to screen particles for desired interactions with microfluidic bifurcations and/or junctions.

Abstract: Particle separation apparatus separate particles and particle populations using dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces generated by one or more pairs of electrically coupled electrodes separated by a gap. Particles suspended in a fluid are separated by DEP forces generated by the at least one electrode pair at the gap as they travel over a separation zone comprising the electrode pair. Selected particles are deflected relative to the flow of incoming particles by DEP forces that are affected by controlling applied potential, gap width, and the angle linear gaps with respect to fluid flow. The gap between an electrode pair may be a single, linear gap of constant gap, a single linear gap having variable width, or a be in the form of two or more linear gaps having constant or variable gap width having different angles with respect to one another and to the flow.