Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact-less priming system for loading a solution in a microfluidic device comprising: at least one microfluidic device, a pressure chamber configured to enclose said at least one microfluidic device, a pressurization unit fluidly connected to the pressure chamber and at least one closing member. The present invention also relates to a contact-less priming method for loading a solution in a microfluidic device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for the flameless premixed combustion of the pyrolysis gases of a milligram-sized sample of solid material in a microscale fire calorimeter (MFC) at high temperatures of combustion and under precisely controlled fuel-to-oxygen ratios. The microscale fire calorimeter (MFC) device and techniques set out herein provide for the generation of fuel gases from solids and the mixing of those fuel gases with oxygen under controlled conditions to obtain precise fuel/oxygen ratios during combustion. Combustion is conducted under flameless, premixed conditions in a rapid test that can generate soot and other products of incomplete combustion, which may then be analyzed to determine their type and nature. This allows for microscale, accurate, and convenient techniques for the generation and determination of the type and nature of combustion species produced over the full range of fire stages from early stage (over-ventilated) fires to late-stage (under-ventilated/high-toxicity) fires.

Abstract: An expandable array and methods of maintaining a biological sample within an expandable array are provided. The expandable array includes a plurality of receptacles configured to receive a biological sample and a plurality of beams comprising a programmable material. Each beam of the plurality of beams is located between and connects at least two receptacles. The programmable material can be a shape-memory polymer or a magnetoactive material that transitions the plurality of beams from an extended state to a contracted state upon application of a stimulus.

Abstract: A method for aliquoting a sample liquid using a sealing liquid in a microfluidic device includes combining the sample liquid and the sealing liquid, which have different wetting behaviors, to form a two-phase system separated by a boundary surface. The microfluidic device includes a chamber with at least one inlet channel for introducing the liquids and a plurality of cavities configured to be filled via the inlet channel. The inlet channel and the cavities have a geometry that is defined in dependence on the respective wetting behaviors of the sample liquid and the sealing liquid. The method first includes introducing the sample liquid to form a first meniscus configured by the defined geometry, e.g. concave, to fill the cavities. The method further includes introducing the sealing liquid to form a second meniscus configured by the existing, greater contact angle and the defined geometry, e.g. convex, to cover the filled cavities.

Abstract: Provided is a safety cabinet that reduces a temperature change between a storage environment temperature and a temperature in the safety cabinet to reduce damage to cultured microorganisms, cultured cells, or the like. The safety cabinet that includes a front panel and an operation opening in front of an operation space and an operation stage below the operation space and supplies purified air into the operation space from above, in which the operation stage is provided with a temperature-regulatable portion of which a temperature is regulatable.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing cancer in an individual using a tissue, blood or urine sample from the patient. Specifically, the disclosed method comprises determining the level of one or more metabolite selected from the group consisting of creatine riboside, metabolite 561+, cortisol sulfate and N-acetylneuraminic acid. The present invention also provides a method for determining the prognosis of a cancer patient by determining the level of one or more metabolite selected from the group consisting of creatine riboside, metabolite 561+, cortisol sulfate and N-acetylneuraminic acid. Also provided are kits for detecting cancer or determining the prognosis of a cancer patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: Digital microfluidic (DMF) apparatuses and methods for optically-induced heating and manipulating droplets are described herein. DMF apparatuses employing photonic heating as described herein provide radical simplification of routing droplets/reagents in complex, multistep protocols and/or highly plexed workflows.

Abstract: A digital microfluidic chip, a method for driving the same, and a digital microfluidic device are provided. The digital microfluidic chip includes a state transition layer configured to bear a droplet, and a light driving layer configured to provide light for controlling a lyophobicity-lyophobicity transition of the state transition layer to drive the droplet to move. The light driving layer includes light emitting units arranged in an array and provides light. The state transition layer realizes a lyophobicity-lyophobicity transition. The light driving layer controls the lyophobicity-lyophobicity transition by providing light to drive the droplet to move. An existing digital microfluidic chip has a complex structure and a high fabricating cost, while the digital microfluidic chip of the present disclosure has a simple structure, a simple fabricating process and a low fabricating cost, and can realize miniaturization and integration to a maximum extent.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method for acquisition of data able to serve as an index for determining the likelihood that an ovarian endometriosis cyst is cancerous. [Solution] This data acquisition method for determining the likelihood that an ovarian endometriosis cyst is cancerous includes an iron concentration measurement step for measuring the iron concentration in the cystic fluid of the ovarian endometriosis cyst. This diagnostic device for diagnosing the likelihood that an ovarian endometriosis cyst is cancerous is provided, at a minimum, with an iron concentration measurement unit for measuring the iron concentration in the cystic fluid of the ovarian endometriosis cyst.

Abstract: A catcher, a capture device, and a method for capturing at least one target biological particle are provided. The catcher includes a base and a plurality of capture arms extending from the base and spaced apart from each other. Each of the capture arms has a free end portion configured to capture a target biological particle and a supporting segment connected between the free end portion and the base. The supporting segment of each of the capture arms is arranged in a projection space defined by orthogonally projecting the free end portion along a height direction onto the base. When the target biological particle is captured by two of the capture arms that are bent and arranged adjacent to each other, a part of the target biological particle is trapped by the supporting segments of the two of the capture arms and is held.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for detecting a target substance in a gas sample, including a membrane; and an olfactory receptor fragment which is fixed to the membrane. The chemical sensor optionally includes a source electrode connected to one end of the membrane; and a drain electrode connected to the other end of the membrane, in which the membrane is a graphene.

Abstract: Assays and methods for verifying the validity of a urine sample submitted for Drugs of Abuse (DOA) testing. Embodiments include a SUD Diagnostic Panel that includes six assays: specific gravity index assay, long-duration counterfeit urine assay, short-duration counterfeit urine assay, oxidant history assay, pH assay, and creatinine assay. The SUD Diagnostic Panel detects twelve principle classes of adulteration. Detection of adulteration of one or more urine samples from a patient indicates an attempt to subvert test results and provides an objective indication in one instance and an object diagnosis in another instance of SUD.

Abstract: Assays and methods for verifying the validity of a urine sample submitted for Drugs of Abuse (DOA) testing. Embodiments include a SUD Diagnostic Panel that includes six assays: specific gravity index assay, long-duration counterfeit urine assay, short-duration counterfeit urine assay, oxidant history assay, pH assay, and creatinine assay. The SUD Diagnostic Panel detects twelve principle classes of adulteration. Detection of adulteration of one or more urine samples from a patient indicates an attempt to subvert test results and provides an objective indication in one instance and an object diagnosis in another instance of SUD.

Abstract: This technology relates in part to optical methods for analyzing particles, including nanoparticles, thereby determining their presence, identity, origin, size and/or number in a sample of interest.

Abstract: In one configuration, a handheld compound tester to process and detect presence of a compound in a tablet is disclosed. The handheld compound tester may include a sampling chamber configured to receive a tablet and a lid couplable with the sampling chamber. The coupling of the lid with the sampling chamber may cause cutting of the tablet. A liquid may be added inside the sampling chamber to create a mixture with segments of the tablet. The mixture may be then received by a housing adjoining the sampling chamber. A test strip disposed within the housing, upon contacting the mixture, may be configured to indicate a presence of the compound in the mixture.

Abstract: A receptacle holder having a base body, a first perimeter wall which at least partially protrudes from the base body, and a plurality of resilient elements, which are distributed about a first axis of the receptacle holder and are detachably connected with the first perimeter wall, and wherein each resilient element comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, and wherein each second end portion rests hooked over an edge of a portion of the first perimeter wall, and wherein the receptacle holder is configured to allow sliding of each second end portion in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure in some aspects provides methods for the controlled merging of emulsion droplets, which can be used to assemble useful compositions such as droplets (e.g., stabilized micelles) containing a precise combination of analytes and/or analytical reagents. In some embodiments, disclosed herein is a method, e.g., for detecting the presence/absence, a level or amount, and/or an activity of an analyte in a sample, comprising merging two or more emulsion droplets such that an interaction between an analyte and an analyte-interacting reagent occurs in the merged droplet. The two or more emulsion droplets may be merged using a method for the controlled merging of emulsion droplets disclosed herein.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for the determination of constituents in biosamples by NMR spectroscopy and more specifically for the determination of lipoprotein constituents LP-X, LP-Y, and LP-Z in blood plasma and serum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.