Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for regulating cellular and tissue physiology, a device for practicing the method, and a process for fabricating the device. In general the process comprises the steps of providing at least one patterned electrode, providing a least one cell, placing the at least one electrode in electrical communication with the at least one cell, and applying a voltage to the electrode thereby delivering an effective amount of a patterned electric field or current thus regulating the physiology and/or growth of the at least one cell.

Abstract: A nanopump for pumping small volumes of electrolyte solution under the control of a voltage source is described. The device includes a chamber and a nanopore membrane which partitions the chamber into upstream and downstream regions. When a voltage potential is applied across the membrane, electroosmotic flow through the membrane channels produces a precise-volume flow between the two chamber regions. A method for precise-volume pumping employing the nanopump and a nanopump device for determining the lengths of nucleic acid fragments in an electrolyte solution of different-length fragments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for regulating cellular and tissue physiology, a device for practicing the method, and a process for fabricating the device. In general the process comprises the steps of providing at least one patterned electrode, providing a least one cell, placing the at least one electrode in electrical communication with the at least one cell, and applying a voltage to the electrode thereby delivering an effective amount of a patterned electric field or current thus regulating the physiology and/or growth of the at least one cell.

Abstract: A method for forming three-dimensional polymeric particulate microstructures through self-folding of thin-film microparticles. Self-folding of two-dimensional polymeric precursors produces various three-dimensional particulate microstructures. Dumpling-like microstructures with oil cores and polymer coats are prepared by an interfacial-tension driven self-folding method. Roll-like and bowl-shaped hydrogel microstructures are fabricated by self-folding induced by differential volume shrinkage. Curled microstructures are produced by self-folding that is the result of a two-polymer or bilayer method wherein one of the polymers is a volume changeable polymer.

Abstract: A method for forming three-dimensional polymeric particulate microstructures through self-folding of thin-film microparticles. Self-folding of two-dimensional polymeric precursors produces various three-dimensional particulate microstructures. Dumpling-like microstructures with oil cores and polymer coats are prepared by an interfacial-tension driven self-folding method. Roll-like and bowl-shaped hydrogel microstructures are fabricated by self-folding induced by differential volume shrinkage. Curled microstructures are produced by self-folding that is the result of a two-polymer or bilayer method wherein one of the polymers is a volume changeable polymer.

Abstract: A system and method for creating polymer microparticles for use in drug delivery and other applications. The components of the exemplary system include a micro-stamp having micro-contours or micro-structures, a substrate, and a sacrificial layer of material coating the slide. The method includes the steps of coating the face of stamp with a thin layer of polymer to cover the micro-structures of the stamp, contacting the coated face of the stamp with the coated substrate to transfer polymer from the micro-structures of the stamp to the slide to create free-standing polymer microparticles, and dissolving the sacrificial layer covering the substrate to release the microparticles into solution. The microparticles fabricated by this method typically exhibit well-defined geometries that correspond to the micro-structures of the stamp.

Abstract: A method of forming a membrane having nanometer scale pores includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate and forming a base layer on the etch stop layer. Advantageously, a silicon nitride etch stop layer is formed on a silicon substrate and the base layer is a thermally grown oxide layer. Micron scale holes are etched through the base layer and, advantageously, partially through the underlying etch stop layer. A sacrificial base layer of controlled thickness is formed on the base layer and lining the holes. A thermally grown oxide is advantageously used as the sacrificial base layer. A plug layer is then formed on the base layer, on the sacrificial base layer and filling the holes. Polysilicon is advantageously used as the plug layer. The plug layer is planarized followed by the creation of an aperture in the backside of the wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanopump for pumping small volumes of electrolyte solution under the control of a voltage source. The device includes a chamber and a nanopore membrane which partitions the chamber into upstream and downstream regions. When a voltage potential is applied across the membrane, electroosmotic flow through the membrane channels produces a precise-volume flow between the two chamber regions. Also disclosed is a method for precis-volume pumping employing the nanopump. Also disclosed is device for determining the lengths of nucleic acid fragments in an electrolyte solution of different-length fragments is disclosed. The device includes a chamber having disposed therein, a nanopore channel extending between upstream and downstream chamber regions. By applying a voltage potential across upstream and downstream electrodes in the chamber regions, individual nucleic acid fragments contained in the solution are moved through the channel.

Abstract: An implantable analyte sensor includes a substrate, electrodes on the substrate, and a membrane on the electrodes. The membrane can comprise elemental silicon and has a glucose diffusion test result of at least 1 mg/dl in 330 min., and an albumin diffusion test result of at most 0.1 g/dl in 420 min.