Abstract: A high-throughput device is structured to perform a continuous-flow reaction, e.g., a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requiring repetitive temperature control in a timely fashion.

Abstract: A high-throughput device is structured to perform a continuous-flow reaction, e.g., a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requiring repetitive temperature control in a timely fashion.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, high-sensitivity absorbance detection system in a lab-on-a-chip is provided. The absorbance detection system includes detection cells having an optical pathlength ten times and/or much longer than the width of a separation channel to improve detection sensitivity, lens structures for collimating light in the detection cells, and slit structures for preventing scattered light from entering detectors. The detection cells, the lens structures, and the slit structures of the absorbance detection system are fabricated and integrated in a lab-on-a-chip. The absorbance detection system exhibits excellent absorption efficiency, detection limit, and linearity, compared to existing absorbance detection systems, and can be applied for the detection of a variety of samples. The absorbance detection system does not need labeling of the samples which saves time and costs. The absorbance detection system can be used effectively in detecting trace compounds with a high sensitivity.

Abstract: Minute or infinitesimal amounts of fluid can be accurately delivered through microchannels formed in an elastic polymeric substrate. External (mechanical) force is applied on the substrate to progressively squeeze the microchannel along its length to push or pull the fluid through the microchannel. Fluids can be delivered at a constant rate and amount regardless of the kind of the fluid since fluid delivery is not affected by the physical properties of the fluid. The delivery rate of the fluid is determined in the ranges between femtoliters/sec and milliliters/sec by the size of the microchannel and the area of the substrate being pressed by the applied external (mechanical) force. Such techniques of fluid delivery can be applied to various fields including lab-on-a-chip technology, monitoring of chemical and biological processing, portable analyzing instruments, fine chemistry, clinical diagnosis and development of new medicines.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, high-sensitivity absorbance detection system in a lab-on-a-chip is provided. The absorbance detection system includes detection cells having an optical pathlength ten times and/or much longer than the width of a separation channel to improve detection sensitivity, lens structures for collimating light in the detection cells, and slit structures for preventing scattered light from entering detectors. The detection cells, the lens structures, and the slit structures of the absorbance detection system are fabricated and integrated in a lab-on-a-chip. The absorbance detection system exhibits excellent absorption efficiency, detection limit, and linearity, compared to existing absorbance detection systems, and can be applied for the detection of a variety of samples. The absorbance detection system does not need labeling of the samples which saves time and costs. The absorbance detection system can be used effectively in detecting trace compounds with a high sensitivity.