Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a trifluoromethyl-containing component and a hardenable material. Weatherable coatings are also provided by compositions comprising a mobile non-volatile fluorinated component and a hardenable material. Processes are also provided for forming hydrophobic coatings on articles.

Abstract: A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method is shown for coating an article, including a chamber that can be at least partially open to surrounding air to allow free flow of air through the chamber and recovery of vapor produced during a coating operation within the chamber. The chamber can include a support surface that is adapted to support the article during a coating process, and a coating device within the chamber can be adapted to selectively apply a coating of a fluorocarbon in a fluorinated solvent to at least a potion of an article supported on the support surface.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a fluorinated component and an adhesion promoter compound. The adhesion promoter compound can include an alkoxy group, a furfuryl-containing ring structure, and a reactive group.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a trifluoromethyl-containing component and a hardenable material. Weatherable coatings are also provided by compositions comprising a mobile non-volatile fluorinated component and a hardenable material. Processes are also provided for forming hydrophobic coatings on articles.

Abstract: A system and method is shown for coating an article, including a chamber that can be at least partially open to surrounding air to allow free flow of air through the chamber and recovery of vapor produced during a coating operation within the chamber. The chamber can include a support surface that is adapted to support the article during a coating process, and a coating device within the chamber can be adapted to selectively apply a coating of a fluorocarbon in a fluorinated solvent to at least a potion of an article supported on the support surface.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a fluorinated component and an adhesion promoter compound. The adhesion promoter compound can include an alkoxy group, a furfuryl-containing ring structure, and a reactive group.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a fluorinated component and an adhesion promoter compound. The adhesion promoter compound can include an alkoxy group, a furfuryl-containing ring structure, and a reactive group.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a fluorinated component and an adhesion promoter compound. The adhesion promoter compound can include an alkoxy group, a furfuryl-containing ring structure, and a reactive group.

Abstract: A method comprises loading a sample portion into a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, subjecting the sample portion to an amplification step, and determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid. If the sample portion contains a single molecule of the target nucleic acid, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample portion and a sample chamber comprising means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber and an amplification targeting reagent positioned in the first sample chamber.

Abstract: A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method comprising for each individual sample of a plurality of samples, loading at least one sample portion of the individual sample into at least one respective sample chamber of a plurality of sample chambers, subjecting the sample portions to at least a first amplification step; and then determining whether sample portions contain at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. For each sample portion, if the sample portion contains at least a single molecule of the target nucleic acid, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification.

Abstract: A microfluidic assembly, comprises a first region having a first affinity to a first fluid sample and a second region having a second affinity to the first fluid sample. The first affinity is greater than the second affinity. A first reagent is positioned within at least the first region, the first reagent enabling amplification of a first target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method comprising subjecting one or more sample portion(s) to a single amplification step, thereby amplifying a single molecule in the sample portion to a detectable level, and, in some embodiments, then determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the sample portion is in a porous sample structure, or in a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, or in a sample chamber which is inside a microcapillary device, or in a sample retaining means.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

Abstract: A method comprising loading a sample portion into a sample chamber inside a microcapillary device, subjecting the sample portion to at least a first amplification step, and then determining whether the first sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber inside a microcapillary device, and a sample portion and/or an amplification targeting reagent in the sample chamber. Also, a microfluidic assembly comprising a microcapillary device having a sample chamber containing a reagent which enables amplification of a target nucleic acid. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a microcapillary device having a sample retaining means which contains a sample portion and/or an amplification targeting reagent.

Abstract: A method comprises loading one or more sample portions into respective sample chambers, subjecting each of the sample portions to an amplification step, for each sample portion, determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid; and then quantifying a number of the sample portions which contain at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid, and/or quantifying a number of peaks indicative of the detectable concentration, and/or detecting an intensity of at least one peak indicative of a concentration of the target nucleic acid. Any of the sample portions which contains a single molecule of the target nucleic acid would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first sample chamber and a first sample portion positioned in the first sample chamber. If the first sample portion contains a single molecule of a target nucleic acid, the first sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first sample chamber and at least one amplification targeting reagent positioned in the first sample chamber. If a sample portion which comprises at least a single molecule of a target nucleic acid is positioned in the first sample chamber, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification.

Abstract: A method comprising depositing a sample portion in a sample retaining means, and forcing a curable fluid across an exposed surface of the sample retaining means, thereby displacing excess first sample from the exposed surface without displacing the sample from the sample retaining means. Also, a method comprising depositing a sample portion in a sample retaining means, removing excess sample from an exposed surface of the sample retaining means, and depositing a curable fluid on the exposed surface. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber, a first sample portion in the sample chamber, and a curable fluid and/or a cured fluid positioned on an exposed surface of a sample retaining means.