Abstract: A sensor element comprising a tape-shaped mount film; and a plurality of film-shaped sensors bonded on one surface of the mount film, wherein the front and rear film-shaped sensors are spaced at a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the mount film, and a crosswise length of each film-shaped sensor is shorter by a predetermined quantity than a crosswise length of the mount film.

Abstract: Fluidic devices and methods including those that provide storage and/or facilitate fluid handling of reagents are provided. Fluidic devices described herein may include channel segments positioned on two sides of an article, optionally connected by an intervening channel passing through the article. The channel segments may be used to store reagents in the device prior to first use by an end user. The stored reagents may include fluid plugs positioned in linear order so that during use, as fluids flow to a reaction site, they are delivered in a predetermined sequence. The specific geometries of the channel segments and the positions of the channel segments within the fluidic devices described herein may allow fluid reagents to be stored for extended periods of time without mixing, even during routine handling of the devices such as during shipping of the devices, and when the devices are subjected to physical shock or vibration.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and kits are provided for automated mass spectrometric analysis of small volumes of liquid samples, such as biological samples. The systems, apparatus, and kits may be used in facilities where high throughput of samples, as well as reliable and repeatable assay results with little training of staff, are needed. Such facilities include hospital emergency wards.

Abstract: A nanopore structure includes an aperture extending from a first surface to a second surface of a substrate, the aperture having a wall comprising gold ions embedded in the substrate, the wall defining a first diameter; a first deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) layer including a thiolated DNA strand covalently bonded to the embedded gold ions within the wall of the aperture; and a second DNA layer hydrogen bonded to the first DNA layer, the second DNA layer defines a substantially cylindrical nanopore that defines a second diameter within the wall of the aperture, the second DNA layer including a single-stranded DNA strand; wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: Provided are pipette tip trays for use in biotechnology applications. In certain embodiments, provided are pipette tip trays having one or more of the following features: (i) lacking an external hinge between the lid and the rack, and (ii) having snap plate fasteners configured to releasably secure a snap plate to a base.

Abstract: A nanopore structure includes an aperture extending from a first surface to a second surface of a substrate, the aperture having a wall comprising gold ions embedded in the substrate, the wall defining a first diameter; a first deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) layer including a thiolated DNA strand covalently bonded to the embedded gold ions within the wall of the aperture; and a second DNA layer hydrogen bonded to the first DNA layer, the second DNA layer defines a substantially cylindrical nanopore that defines a second diameter within the wall of the aperture, the second DNA layer including a single-stranded DNA strand; wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: Provided are a multiple discrimination device and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the multiple discrimination device, a three-dimensional micro ferromagnetic pattern is optimally designed and arranged to allow a magnetic force applied to a discrimination-target particle to be discriminated to be well controlled to perform discrimination well. The method employs a semiconductor processing technology, thereby precisely manufacturing and allowing mass production.

Abstract: A disposable, point-of-care diagnostic cartridge has a base with a reaction chamber and an inlet and a fluidic channel extending therebetween. An apparatus is fixed to the base. The apparatus includes a flexible upper layer having a reservoir containing fluid therein; a flexible lower layer, and a rigid substrate sandwiched between the upper and lower layers. The upper layer is fixed to the substrate with a first adhesive having a first bond force. The lower layer has a valve member in fluid communication with a through port in the base and the base inlet. The valve member has a closed state to seal off the through port and the inlet from fluid communication and an open state to bring the through port and the inlet into fluid communication. The valve member is moveable from the closed state to the open state under a force less than the first bond force.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semi-quantitative lateral flow assay device and method for generating semi-quantitative data from a lateral flow assay. The device comprises a thin, porous hydrophilic substrate wherein the substrate includes a star-shaped or other geometry taken in plan view having a liquid sample-receiving central region and multiple arms that extend or radiate out from the central region. Each arm includes a reaction zone formed by the presence of an analyte-capturing agent wherein the reaction zone of each arm is located at a different distance from the central region such that the analyte in the sample is captured accumulates in different quantities at at least some of the reaction zones of the arms in a manner that can be analyzed to yield semi-quantitative data from lateral flow assays.

Abstract: A system, including method and apparatus, for generating droplets suitable for droplet-based assays. The disclosed systems may include either one-piece or multi-piece droplet generation components configured to form sample-containing droplets by merging aqueous, sample-containing fluid with a background emulsion fluid such as oil, to form an emulsion of sample-containing droplets suspended in the background fluid. In some cases, the disclosed systems may include channels or other suitable mechanisms configured to transport the sample-containing droplets to an outlet region, so that subsequent assay steps may be performed.

Abstract: An integrated device for a sample collection and transfer is provided. The integrated device comprises a capillary channel disposed between a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises a hydrophilic layer comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a sample fluid to the capillary channel, wherein the capillary channel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and an outlet for driving out the sample fluid. The device further comprises an interface assembly comprising: a third layer, a fourth layer, a fifth layer, and a flow path. The interface assembly is disposed on the outer surface of the capillary, at a determining position relative to the outlet, such that the capillary is in contact with the third layer of the interface assembly and the outlet is in contact with the flow path of the interface assembly for driving out the sample fluid from the integrated device.

Abstract: A nanostructure sensing device comprises a semiconductor nanostructure having an outer surface, and at least one of metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle clusters functionalizing the outer surface of the nanostructure and forming a photoconductive nanostructure/nanocluster hybrid sensor enabling light-assisted sensing of a target analyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber base sensor and the fabricating method thereof. More specifically, one of the main goals of the present invention is to solve the problem existing in the prior art of the failure of forming a plurality of nano-particles on the surface of the fiber base sensor evenly by utilizing self-assembly process with the nano-imprint process. Furthermore, the another goal of the present invention is to provide detail parameters required in the said nano-imprinting process for avoiding the efficiency drop caused by over-embedding the nano-particles into the fiber based sensor.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for inducing the separation of constituent elements from a microfluidic sample by introducing phase changes in the microfluidic sample while contained in a microfluidic channel in the device. At least a portion of the microfluidic sample is frozen to cause fractional exclusion of the constituent element from the frozen portion of the microfluidic sample. Different portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in different sectors and at different times in order to cause movement in a desired direction of the separated constituent element. Portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in a sequential order of adjacent sectors within the microfluidic channel in order to cause sequential movement of the excluded constituent element toward one portion of the microfluidic channel. The frozen portion of the microfluidic sample is then thawed, wherein the separated constituent element remains substantially separated from the thawed, purified microfluidic sample.

Abstract: An electrochemical-based analytical test strip for the determination of an analyte (such as glucose) in a bodily fluid sample (for example, a whole blood sample) and/or a characteristic of the bodily fluid sample (e.g., hematocrit) includes a sample-entry chamber with a sample-application opening disposed on an end edge of the electrochemical-based analytical test strip, and first and second sample-determination chambers, each in direct fluidic communication with the sample-entry chamber. The electrochemical-based analytical test strip also includes first and second electrodes (such as first and second hematocrit electrodes) disposed in the first sample-determination chamber, and a third and fourth electrodes (for example working and reference electrodes) disposed in the second sample-determination chamber.

Abstract: A chemical assay device includes a hydrophilic substrate and one or more hydrophobic structures that extend from a first side of the hydrophilic substrate to a second side of the hydrophilic substrate. A hydrophobic structure in the hydrophilic substrate forms a fluid barrier wall that extends from the first side of the hydrophilic substrate to the second side of the hydrophilic substrate with a deviation of less than 20° from a perpendicular axis between the first side and the second side. The hydrophobic structure is formed from a wax or a phase change ink.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing contaminants such as hydrocarbons in soil and ground water utilizes a reaction device comprising a catalyst encapsulated in a permeable material and processes that device in contact with a contaminant in an analytical device in order to generate a spectrogram indicative of the contaminants in the soil and ground water.

Abstract: A motor vehicle oil quality testing apparatus and system to assess the quality and viability of motor oil in a vehicle to determine if a change of oil is needed. An absorbent strip of chemically treated material is mounted on a self-contained single use display and test card on which a used oil sample is deposited and will change color based on the oil's determined alkalinity in a sealable color comparison chamber indicated to the user if the oil should be changed.

Abstract: All of bio-related substances, such as cells or bacteria, are placed at single and independent positions. A flow cell according to the present invention is used for analyzing a bio-related substance and includes a flow passageway and an injection opening and a discharge opening that are connected to the flow passageway. The flow passageway is provided with trapping structural members for trapping the bio-related substance. The trapping structural members include a structure forming a dead water region in which the bio-related substance is trapped.