Abstract: A sample holder for PCR processing. The sample holder includes a body with an inlet and outlet grooves formed alongside each other, a detection recess that is connected to the inlet and outlet grooves, and a fill port interconnected to both the inlet and outlet grooves, and a cover interfacing with the body to form an inlet channel interconnected to the fill port, a detection region interconnected to the inlet channel, and an outlet channel interconnected to the detection region and the fill port. The detection region is configured to receive a PCR solution from the fill port and replication occurs within the detection region via heating and cooling cycles. Thereafter, fluorescent emissions from tagged replicated DNA/RNA in the detection region are detected and measured. PCR stations, PCR station assemblies, PCR testing systems, and methods of operating a PCR testing systems are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on two CMOS wafers with different silicon layer thicknesses. The devices may be fabricated on semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafers utilizing a bulk CMOS process and/or on a SOI wafer utilizing a SOI CMOS process. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a double SOI process and/or a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing one or more oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafer. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions. Silicon dioxide or silicon germanium integrated in the CMOS wafer may be utilized as an etch stop layer.

Abstract: A microfluidic platform and method are provided. The microfluidic platform includes a base having an outer surface and a plurality of wells formed in the outer surface thereof for receiving fluid therein. The plurality of wells are in fluid communication with each other. A lid includes a plurality of channels having corresponding inputs and outputs. The lid is moveable between a first position wherein the lid is disengaged from the base and a second position wherein the inputs of each channel communicate with corresponding wells in the base. The fluid in each well is drawn into corresponding channels through the inputs thereof by capillary action.

Abstract: An integrated microfluidic unit with pipette adaptation. The integrated microfluidic unit may be accommodated within a pipette tip rack for storage prior to use and may be received by a translating pipette head during use. The number of components required within the laboratory instrument is reduced compared to processes employing discrete microfluidic chips and pipette tips. Processes involving microfluidic devices integrated into the presently disclosed unit are streamlined at least by the elimination of discrete manipulation steps associated with aspirating sample fluid into a pipette tip, then using a discrete chip feeder or manipulator to bring the chip and pipette tip into fluidic communication for transfer of the sample to the chip. The number of consumables is also reduced by the integration of microfluidics with physical features enabling fluid aspiration and unit conveyance. A variety of microfluidic devices and channel configurations may be accommodated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on two CMOS wafers with different silicon layer thicknesses. The devices may be fabricated on semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafers utilizing a bulk CMOS process and/or on a SOI wafer utilizing a SOI CMOS process. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a double SOI process and/or a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing one or more oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafer. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions. Silicon dioxide or silicon germanium integrated in the CMOS wafer may be utilized as an etch stop layer.

Abstract: A magnetic base for a sample plate of a sample processing system is provided comprising a first plate comprising a first top surface; a bottom surface; and a sample plate mounting cavity wall mounted to the first top surface, wherein the first plate and the sample plate mounting cavity wall define a sample plate mounting cavity configured to accommodate a sample plate of a sample processing system. The magnetic base further comprises a second plate extending parallel to the first plate, the second plate comprising a second top surface; and a magnet mounting cavity wall extending between the bottom surface of the first plate and the second top surface of the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the magnet mounting cavity wall define a magnet mounting cavity configured to accommodate a free floating magnet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include in an optoelectronic transceiver comprising photonic and electronic devices from two complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) die with different silicon layer thicknesses for the photonic and electronic devices, the CMOS die bonded together by metal contacts: communicating optical signals and electronic signals to and from said optoelectronic transceiver utilizing a received continuous wave optical signal as a source signal. A first of the CMOS die includes the photonic devices and a second includes the electronic devices. Electrical signals may be communicated between electrical devices to the optical devices utilizing through-silicon vias coupled to the metal contacts. The metal contacts may include back-end metals from a CMOS process. The electronic and photonic devices may be fabricated on SOI wafers, with the SOI wafers being diced to form the CMOS die.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method is provided for handheld diagnostics and assays. A first substance is frozen in a cryopreservation fluid in a first well of a lid. The lid includes a first surface communicating with a first port of the first well and a second surface communicating with a second port of the first well. A porous membrane is affixed to the first surface so as to overlap the first port and a non-porous membrane is affixed to the second surface so as to overlap the second port. The first substance may be dialytically freed from the cryopreservation fluid at a user desired time. Thereafter, the lid may be moved from a first position wherein the lid is spaced from a base to a second position wherein the lid is adjacent the channel in the base such that the first substance communicates with the input of the channel.

Abstract: A magnetic base for a sample plate of a sample processing system is provided comprising a first plate comprising a first top surface; a bottom surface; and a sample plate mounting cavity wall mounted to the first top surface, wherein the first plate and the sample plate mounting cavity wall define a sample plate mounting cavity configured to accommodate a sample plate of a sample processing system. The magnetic base further comprises a second plate extending parallel to the first plate, the second plate comprising a second top surface; and a magnet mounting cavity wall extending between the bottom surface of the first plate and the second top surface of the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the magnet mounting cavity wall define a magnet mounting cavity configured to accommodate a free floating magnet.

Abstract: An adapter for a sliding head of a sample processing system is provided that includes a plate and a magnet mounting recess wall. The plate includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a back wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The magnet mounting recess wall is mounted to the top surface. The magnet mounting recess wall is configured to accommodate a magnet of a sliding head of a sample processing system. At least a portion of the bottom surface is curved in a first direction from the front wall to the back wall and is concave relative to the top surface.

Abstract: A sample plate includes a top surface, a plurality of wells, and a plurality of reservoirs. The plurality of wells is mounted to the top surface. Each well includes a well bottom surface and a well wall extending up from the well bottom surface. The plurality of reservoirs is mounted to the top surface. Each reservoir includes a reservoir bottom surface, a reservoir wall extending from a first side of the reservoir bottom surface, and the well wall extending from a second side of the reservoir bottom surface. Each reservoir of the plurality of reservoirs surrounds a corresponding well of the plurality of wells.

Abstract: An adapter for a sliding head of a sample processing system is provided that includes a plate and a magnet mounting recess wall. The plate includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a back wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The magnet mounting recess wall is mounted to the top surface. The magnet mounting recess wall is configured to accommodate a magnet of a sliding head of a sample processing system. At least a portion of the bottom surface is curved in a first direction from the front wall to the back wall and is concave relative to the top surface.

Abstract: A sample plate includes a top surface, a plurality of wells, and a plurality of reservoirs. The plurality of wells is mounted to the top surface. Each well includes a well bottom surface and a well wall extending up from the well bottom surface. The plurality of reservoirs is mounted to the top surface. Each reservoir includes a reservoir bottom surface, a reservoir wall extending from a first side of the reservoir bottom surface, and the well wall extending from a second side of the reservoir bottom surface. Each reservoir of the plurality of reservoirs surrounds a corresponding well of the plurality of wells.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method is provided for handheld diagnostics and assays. A first substance is frozen in a cryopreservation fluid in a first well of a lid. The lid includes a first surface communicating with a first port of the first well and a second surface communicating with a second port of the first well. A porous membrane is affixed to the first surface so as to overlap the first port and a non-porous membrane is affixed to the second surface so as to overlap the second port. The first substance may be dialytically freed from the cryopreservation fluid at a user desired time. Thereafter, the lid may be moved from a first position wherein the lid is spaced from a base to a second position wherein the lid is adjacent the channel in the base such that the first substance communicates with the input of the channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method is provided for handheld diagnostics and assays. A first substance is frozen in a cryopreservation fluid in a first well of a lid. The lid includes a first surface communicating with a first port of the first well and a second surface communicating with a second port of the first well. A porous membrane is affixed to the first surface so as to overlap the first port and a non-porous membrane is affixed to the second surface so as to overlap the second port. The first substance may be dialytically freed from the cryopreservation fluid at a user desired time. Thereafter, the lid may be moved from a first position wherein the lid is spaced from a base to a second position wherein the lid is adjacent the channel in the base such that the first substance communicates with the input of the channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method is provided for handheld diagnostics and assays. The device includes a base having outer surface and a channel therethough for receiving fluid therein. The channel has input and output ports communicating with the outer surface. A lid is also provided. The lid has an outer surface, a first well having a port communicating with the outer surface of the lid, and a second well having a port communicating with the outer surface. The lid moveable between a first disengaged position and a second engaged position wherein the first port of the lid is adjacent the input port of the channel and the second port is adjacent the output port of the channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include in an optoelectronic transceiver comprising photonic and electronic devices from two complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) die with different silicon layer thicknesses for the photonic and electronic devices, the CMOS die bonded together by metal contacts: communicating optical signals and electronic signals to and from said optoelectronic transceiver utilizing a received continuous wave optical signal as a source signal. A first of the CMOS die includes the photonic devices and a second includes the electronic devices. Electrical signals may be communicated between electrical devices to the optical devices utilizing through-silicon vias coupled to the metal contacts. The metal contacts may include back-end metals from a CMOS process. The electronic and photonic devices may be fabricated on SOI wafers, with the SOI wafers being diced to form the CMOS die.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on two CMOS wafers with different silicon layer thicknesses for the photonic and electronic devices bonded to at least a portion of each of the wafers together, where a first of the CMOS wafers includes the photonic devices and a second of the CMOS wafers includes the electronic devices. The electrical devices may be coupled to optical devices utilizing through-silicon vias. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafers. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on a single CMOS wafer with different silicon layer thicknesses. The devices may be fabricated on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer utilizing a bulk CMOS process and/or on a SOI wafer utilizing a SOI CMOS process. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a double SOI process and/or a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing one or more oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafer. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions. Silicon dioxide or silicon germanium integrated in the CMOS wafer may be utilized as an etch stop layer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method is provided for handheld diagnostics and assays. The device includes a base having outer surface and a channel therethough for receiving fluid therein. The channel has input and output ports communicating with the outer surface. A lid is also provided. The lid has an outer surface, a first well having a port communicating with the outer surface of the lid, and a second well having a port communicating with the outer surface. The lid moveable between a first disengaged position and a second engaged position wherein the first port of the lid is adjacent the input port of the channel and the second port is adjacent the output port of the channel.