Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a grafted, UV photo-polymerized silica-based monolithic column and the use of such column for the extraction of DNA. In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating a silica-based monolithic column, wherein a vessel is filled with a polymerization mixture that is formed into monolithic solid phase for DNA extraction through in situ photo-polymerization.

Abstract: In an example, an apparatus, such as a microfluidic assembly, can include or can include using a channel including a valve seat, a valve film configured to adjust position with respect to the valve seat, and a first electrode configured to actuate the valve film electrostatically to adjust the position of the valve film to control a flow of a fluid in the channel laterally across the valve seat, the flow in a direction substantially parallel to the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensors for detecting chemical and biological material and for chemical actuation. In particular, the sensors of the present invention incorporates membranes or beams that are deformable in the presence of chemical adsorption on its surface. The sensor of the present invention contains a polymeric membrane or beam (102) that is clamped at least at two opposing ends (104) and (106).

Abstract: In an example, an apparatus, such as a microfluidic assembly, can include or can include using a channel including a valve seat, a valve film configured to adjust position with respect to the valve seat, and a first electrode configured to actuate the valve film electrostatically to adjust the position of the valve film to control a flow of a fluid in the channel laterally across the valve seat, the flow in a direction substantially parallel to the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices, and in particular, flow management in such devices. In particular, the present invention provides an electrostatic valve for flow manipulation in a microfluidic device. The valve of the present invention sits on a valve seat in a microchannel and deflects away from the valve seat by electrostatic actuation to assume an opened configuration to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a grafted, UV photo-polymerized silica-based monolithic column and the use of such column for the extraction of DNA. In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating a silica-based monolithic column, wherein a vessel is filled with a polymerization mixture that is formed into monolithic solid phase for DNA extraction through in situ photo-polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a grafted, UV photo-polymerized silica-based monolithic column and the use of such column for the extraction of DNA. In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating a silica-based monolithic column, wherein a vessel is filled with a polymerization mixture that is formed into monolithic solid phase for DNA extraction through in situ photo-polymerization.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensors for detecting chemical and biological material and for chemical actuation. In particular, the sensors of the present invention incorporates membranes or beams that are deformable in the presence of chemical adsorption on its surface. The sensor of the present invention contains a polymeric membrane or beam (102) that is clamped at least at two opposing ends (104) and (106).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for purifying nucleic acid from a sample using mild conditions that do not affect the chemical integrity of the nucleic acid. The method comprises contacting the sample with an matrix entrapped chitosan solid phase which is able to bind the nucleic acids at a first pH, and then extracting the nucleic acid from the solid phase by using an elution solvent at a second pH.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel device comprising a sol-gel filled microchannel and methods for purifying nucleic acids from biological samples. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the microfluidic device (1) comprises a base (2) with a microchannel (3) formed in the interior of base (2), wherein said microchannel (3) is filled with a sol-gel matrix and in fluid communication with an inlet port (4) and outlet port (5) wherein inlet port (4) and outlet port (5) are formed on the exterior surface (10) of base (2). The device may be further provided with additional components to allow for analytical analysis of the purified nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a grafted, UV photo-polymerized silica-based monolithic column and the use of such column for the extraction of DNA. In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating a silica-based monolithic column, wherein a vessel is filled with a polymerization mixture that is formed into monolithic solid phase for DNA extraction through in situ photo-polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices (20), and in particular, heat management in such devices. To achieve desired thermal properties in selected areas of a microfluidic or nanofluidic device, selective removal or addition of material (thermal mass) can be effected in certain selected regions of the device to control thermal properties, wherein the selected regions are immediately surrounding a reaction chamber (14) and resulting in an empty space (18). This is particularly useful in accommodating rapid heating and/or cooling rates during sample processing and analysis on a microfluidic or nanofluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices, and in particular, flow management in such devices. In particular, the present invention provides an electrostatic valve for flow manipulation in a microfluidic device. The valve of the present invention sits on a valve seat in a microchannel and deflects away from the valve seat by electrostatic actuation to assume an opened configuration to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microdevices and methods of manufacturing such devices. More particularly the present invention is directed to the use of a compound having the general structure (formula (I)): wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, and C5-C6 aryl for bonding silica based substrates to plastic substrates or to other silica based substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for rapidly and accurately measuring the temperature of a small volume sample. The remote temperature sensor contains an optical interferometric sensor, preferably an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI), for measuring the difference in the distance traveled by a reference reflection and a sensing reflection. Because the refraction index of a solution is proportional to temperature, the output of the optical interferometric sensor can be converted to a temperature with a standard curve. Further, the present invention also provides methods and apparatus for measuring the temperature of the sample in performing non-contact (remote) thermocycling on small, micro to nanoliter, volume samples, wherein each cycle can be completed in as little as a few seconds.