Abstract: An automated assay system includes a platform and a rotatable coupon removably positioned within or on the platform. The rotatable coupon includes a plurality of discrete tracks, each of the plurality of discrete tracks configured to contain microfluidic volumes. At least one magnet is operatively disposed on the platform, the rotatable coupon, or combinations thereof, and the at least one magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field at a predetermined area of the rotatable coupon. A motor is operatively connected to the rotatable coupon.

Abstract: A microfluidic analysis system for optically analyzing a substance includes a light source having a plurality of selectable single-wavelength light sources, a substance presentation member optically coupled to the light source, and an optical detection system associated with the substance presentation member.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in testing a liquid as part of a microfluidic testing system, includes a testing chamber configured to receive the liquid to be tested. A liquid inlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow ingress of the liquid into the testing chamber. A gas outlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow egress of gas out of the testing chamber. The gas outlet has an elevation that is higher than an elevation of the liquid inlet such that, as the testing chamber is rotated, the gas is expelled out of the testing chamber through the gas outlet, thereby reducing or preventing a presence of gas bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: A thin metal oxide film includes a solution of one or more metal salts and one or more water soluble polymers. A mechanism is provided for converting the metal salt(s) and water soluble polymer(s) solution into the thin metal oxide film.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in testing a liquid as part of a microfluidic testing system, includes a testing chamber configured to receive the liquid to be tested. A liquid inlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow ingress of the liquid into the testing chamber. A gas outlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow egress of gas out of the testing chamber. The gas outlet has an elevation that is higher than an elevation of the liquid inlet such that, as the testing chamber is rotated, the gas is expelled out of the testing chamber through the gas outlet, thereby reducing or preventing a presence of gas bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: An automated assay system includes a platform and a rotatable coupon removably positioned within or on the platform. The rotatable coupon includes a plurality of discrete tracks, each of the plurality of discrete tracks configured to contain microfluidic volumes. At least one magnet is operatively disposed on the platform, the rotatable coupon, or combinations thereof, and the at least one magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field at a predetermined area of the rotatable coupon. A motor is operatively connected to the rotatable coupon.

Abstract: A method of detecting analytes in a microfluidic sample includes introducing at least one type of analyte, at least one type of carrier particle, and a fluid into a mixing chamber of a system. The at least one type of analyte binds to a site on the at least one type of carrier particle to form a microfluidic suspension including at least one analyte-bound particle suspended in the fluid. The at least one analyte-bound particle is separated from the fluid by exposing the suspension to physical forces, magnetic forces, or combinations thereof. A spectrophotometric property of a solution is altered using the at least one analyte-bound particle. The altered spectrophotometric property is measured with an optical detection system.

Abstract: A method of detecting analytes in a microfluidic sample includes introducing at least one type of analyte, at least one type of carrier particle, and a fluid into a mixing chamber of a system. The at least one type of analyte binds to a site on the at least one type of carrier particle to form a microfluidic suspension including at least one analyte-bound particle suspended in the fluid. The at least one analyte-bound particle is separated from the fluid by exposing the suspension to physical forces, magnetic forces, or combinations thereof. A spectrophotometric property of a solution is altered using the at least one analyte-bound particle. The altered spectrophotometric property is measured with an optical detection system.

Abstract: A ceramic film is useful as ion-conducting ceramics, electrodes, hard ceramic coatings, transparent conducting oxides, transparent semiconducting oxides, ferroelectric oxides, and dielectric oxides. The ceramic film may be produced from a liquid precursor solution.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, the present invention provides a fuel cell system including a fuel cell having a plurality of segmented anodes, each segmented anode measuring a minimal length sufficient to substantially consume or catalyze fuel introduced to the anode.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, the present invention provides a fuel cell system including a fuel cell having a plurality of segmented anodes, each segmented anode measuring a minimal length sufficient to substantially consume or catalyze fuel introduced to the anode.

Abstract: A regulator assembly is incorporated within an ink-jet pen for regulation of ink pressure within the pen. The regulator assembly comprises an ink delivery chamber and an ink control chamber wherein regulation of the ink pressure is effectuated by the response of a deformable diaphragm located within the ink control chamber, to ink pressure changes within the pen.

Abstract: A microactuator preferably in the form of a microminiature valve for controlling the flow of a fluid carried by a flow channel includes a first substrate having a thermally-actuated member selectively operated by a thermal actuator such that the first substrate thereby develops thermal energy, and a second substrate having opposed first and second major surfaces. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate at the first major surface. The second major surface defines an isolation cell for enclosing a volume when the second substrate is attached to the support to thereby reduce the thermal mass of the microactuator and to thermally isolate the first substrate from the support.

Abstract: A method of producing a microchip having at least a portion of an electrical circuit element contained within a hermetically sealed enclosure comprises the steps of: forming a cavity in a first substrate assembly which has a cavity opening at a first surface portion of the first substrate assembly; forming an electrical circuit element and sealing ring from a film applied to a first surface portion of a second substrate assembly with the sealing ring arranged in circumscribing relationship with at least a portion of the circuit element; positioning the first surface portion of the first substrate assembly opposite the first surface portion of the second substrate assembly with the sealing ring located in circumscribing relationship with the cavity opening; sealingly bonding the sealing ring to the first surface portion of the first substrate assembly.

Abstract: A method of producing a microchip having at least a portion of an electrical circuit element contained within a hermetically sealed enclosure comprising the steps of: forming a cavity in a first substrate assembly which has a cavity opening at a first surface portion of the first substrate assembly; forming an electrical circuit element and sealing ring from a film applied to a first surface portion of a second substrate assembly with the sealing ring arranged in circumscribing relationship with at least a portion of the circuit element; positioning the first surface portion of the first substrate assembly opposite the first surface portion of the second substrate assembly with the sealing ring located in circumscribing relationship with the cavity opening; sealingly bonding the sealing ring to the first surface portion of the first substrate assembly.

Abstract: A method of producing a microchip having at least a portion of an electrical circuit element contained within a hermetically sealed enclosure comprising the steps of: forming a cavity in a first substrate assembly which has a cavity opening at a first surface portion of the first substrate assembly; forming an electrical circuit element and sealing ring from a film applied to a first surface portion of a second substrate assembly with the sealing ring arranged in circumscribing relationship with at least a portion of the circuit element; positioning the first surface portion of the first substrate assembly opposite the first surface portion of the second substrate assembly with the sealing ring located in circumscribing relationship with the cavity opening; sealingly bonding the sealing ring to the first surface portion of the first substrate assembly.

Abstract: A pump apparatus comprising an enclosure for holding a volume of fluid; an intake one-way valve for enabling intake of fluid into the enclosure; a discharge one-way valve for enabling discharge of fluid from the enclosure; a diaphragm for cyclically deflectably increasing and decreasing the volume of the enclosure whereby fluid is oscillatingly drawn into the enclosure and discharged therefrom; a heating assembly for selectively oscillatingly applying heat to the diaphragm and terminating application of heat thereto for selectively oscillatingly deflecting the diaphragm.

Abstract: A system for integrating a composite dielectric layer in an integrated circuit to facilitate fabrication of a high density multi-level interconnect with external contacts. The composite dielectric layer comprises of a polymer layer which normally comprises a polyimide that is deposited using conventional spin-deposit techniques to form a planarized surface for deposition of an inorganic layer typically comprising silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. The inorganic layer is etched using standard photoresist techniques to form an inorganic mask for etching the polymer layer. A previously deposited inorganic layer functions as an etch stop to allow long over etches to achieve full external contacts which, in turn, allows high density interconnect systems on multiple levels.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow comprising a substrate having a first aperture extending therethrough for defining a first fluid flow path; a beam having first and second terminal end portions mounted in fixed relationship with the substrate and having a bucklingly displaceable intermediate portion positioned in overlying relationship with the aperture for covering and uncovering the aperture for preventing or enabling fluid flow through the aperture; and a temperature control assembly for selectively controlling the temperature of the beam for selectively bucklingly displacing the intermediate portion of the beam for controlling fluid flow through the aperture.

Abstract: A method and system for forming tungsten structures in a semiconductor device which uses a chromium protective layer to protect underlying semiconductor layers during the etching process and a chromium mask layer so that tungsten structures can be formed with high aspect ratios using a reactive ion etching to etch the tungsten with a carbon tetrafluoride oxygen plasma in a reactive ion etcher. Long overetches can be achieved because of the high selectivity of chromium to the carbon tetrafluoride/oxygen plasma. The anisotropic nature of the reactive ion etcher prevents undercut during long overetches of the tungsten to further decrease losses in linewidth or increases in resistance as a result of overetching.