Abstract: Methods described herein may be useful in the fabrication and/or screening of devices (e.g., sensors, circuits, etc.) including conductive materials. In some embodiments, a conductive material is formed on a substrate using mechanical abrasion. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags for remotely-monitored sensors or human/object labeling and tracking, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.

Abstract: A system and method for creating three-dimensional nanostructures is disclosed. The system includes a substrate bonded to a carrier using a bonding agent. The bonding agent may be vaporizable or sublimable. The carrier may be a glass or glass-like substance. In some embodiments, the carrier may be permeable having one or a plurality of pores through which the bonding agent may escape when converted to a gaseous state with heat, pressure, light or other methods. A substrate is bonded to the carrier using the bonding agent. The substrate is then processed to form a membrane. This processing may include grinding, polishing, etching, patterning, or other steps. The processed membrane is then aligned and affixed to a receiving substrate, or a previously deposited membrane. Once properly attached, the bonding agent is then heated, depressurized or otherwise caused to sublimate or vaporize, thereby releasing the processed membrane from the carrier.

Abstract: The ability to assemble three-dimensional structures using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: (i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) the assembled structures can be removed from the paramagnetic solution for further processing after fixing the structure; iii) the assembly is fast; and iv) it is small, portable.

Abstract: Methods for depositing materials on patterned substrates, and related devices, are generally provided. In some embodiments, a material is deposited on a patterned substrate. In certain embodiments, the substrate comprises a first portion with a material deposited on the first portion and a second portion of the substrate essentially free of the material. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.

Abstract: This present disclosure describes the utility of paramagnetic ionic liquids for density-based measurements using magnetic levitation (MagLev), The physical properties of paramagnetic ionic liquids, including density, magnetic susceptibility, glass transition temperature, melting point, thermal decomposition temperature, viscosity, and hydrophobicity can be tuned by altering the cation or anion.

Abstract: A device and methods for detecting the effect of compounds on an organism are provided. Furthermore, the device and methods disclosed herein allow for the fractionation of complex samples and the isolation of one or more organisms for the samples. The device and methods also allow for the study of development of the organism.

Abstract: The disclosure provides low cost, portable three-dimensional devices for performing multiplexed assays. The devices comprise at least two substantially planar layers disposed in parallel planes, wherein one of the layers is movable relative to each other parallel to the planes to permit the establishment of fluid flow communication serially between the two layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.

Abstract: The ability to assemble three-dimensional structures using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: (i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) the assembled structures can be removed from the paramagnetic solution for further processing after fixing the structure; iii) the assembly is fast; and iv) it is small, portable.

Abstract: Three-dimensional microfluidic devices including by a plurality of patterned porous, hydrophilic layers and a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between every two adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layers are described. Each patterned porous, hydrophilic layer has a fluid-impermeable barrier which substantially permeates the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic layer and defines boundaries of one or more hydrophilic regions within the patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. The fluid-impermeable layer has openings which are aligned with at least part of the hydrophilic region within at least one adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. Microfluidic assay device, microfluidic mixer, microfluidic flow control device are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.

Abstract: A method for determining the density of contact trace objects with magnetic levitation is described. The density of samples of glitter and of gunpowder was determined, and the feasibility of magnetic levitation as a possible means of characterizing forensic-related evidence is discussed. The magnetic levitation device (composed of two permanent magnets with like poles facing) and the method described provides a means of accurately determining the density of trace objects that is inexpensive, rapid, verifiable, provides documentation, is independent of the specific apparatus or analyst, and provides numerical values (rather than a comparison between questioned and known samples) that may be entered into a searchable database.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.

Abstract: The disclosure provides low cost, portable three-dimensional devices for performing multiplexed assays. The devices comprise at least two substantially planar layers disposed in parallel planes, wherein one of the layers is movable relative to each other parallel to the planes to permit the establishment of fluid flow communication serially between the two layers.

Abstract: Three-dimensional microfluidic devices including by a plurality of patterned porous, hydrophilic layers and a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between every two adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layers are described. Each patterned porous, hydrophilic layer has a fluid-impermeable barrier which substantially permeates the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic layer and defines boundaries of one or more hydrophilic regions within the patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. The fluid-impermeable layer has openings which are aligned with at least part of the hydrophilic region within at least one adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. Microfluidic assay device, microfluidic mixer, microfluidic flow control device are also described.

Abstract: The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.