Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming one or more compartments in a yield-stress fluid, wherein the one or more compartments can be one or more droplets. The yield-stress fluid is selected from polydimethylsiloxane, silicone oil, colloidal particles in water or oil, diblock or triblock copolymers in water or oil, microcellulose, xanthum gum, 0.1 wt % Carbopol and a combination thereof. The present invention is applicable for use in crystallisation, bioassays and chemical microreactors.

Abstract: In a method for synthesizing polymeric microstructures, a monomer stream is flowed, at a selected flow rate, through a fluidic channel. At least one shaped pulse of illumination is projected to the monomer stream, defining in the monomer stream a shape of at least one microstructure corresponding to the illumination pulse shape while polymerizing that microstructure shape in the monomer stream by the illumination pulse. An article of manufacture includes a non-spheroidal polymeric microstructure that has a plurality of distinct material regions.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to independently control 3D shape and chemistry of rapidly produced colloids. A pre-polymer mixture including a monomer is made to flow into a channel with insular relief in a wall at a known location of the channel. A stimulus that polymerizes the pre-polymer mixture is directed onto the known location to form a structure locked in place at the known location by the insular relief. A pressure is applied to the channel that is sufficient to deflect the wall having the insular relief sufficiently to release a hydrogel particle comprising the structure.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to independently control 3D shape and chemistry of rapidly produced colloids. A pre-polymer mixture including a monomer is made to flow into a channel with insular relief in a wall at a known location of the channel. A stimulus that polymerizes the pre-polymer mixture is directed onto the known location to form a structure locked in place at the known location by the insular relief. A pressure is applied to the channel that is sufficient to deflect the wall having the insular relief sufficiently to release a hydrogel particle comprising the structure.

Abstract: In a method for synthesizing polymeric microstructures, a monomer stream is flowed, at a selected flow rate, through a fluidic channel. At least one shaped pulse of illumination is projected to the monomer stream, defining in the monomer stream a shape of at least one microstructure corresponding to the illumination pulse shape while polymerizing that microstructure shape in the monomer stream by the illumination pulse. An article of manufacture includes a non-spheroidal polymeric microstructure that has a plurality of distinct material regions.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to produce and use non-spherical colloidal particles with independently tuned size, shape, flexibility, and chemical properties. A pre-polymer mixture for forming hydrogel particles includes a percentage of PEGDA selected to impart a target stiffness to the particles and includes, a percentage of acrylic acid selected to impart an independent target chemical function to the particles. The mixture also includes a percentage of photo-initiator to polymerize PEGDA upon exposure to a light source to impart an independently selected target size or shape or both to the particles.

Abstract: Stop flow interference lithography system for high throughput synthesis of 3-dimensionally patterned polymer particles. The system includes a microfluidic channel containing a stationary oligomer film and a phase mask located adjacent to the microfluidic channel. A source of collimated light is provided for passing the collimated light through the phase mask and into the microfluidic channel for interaction with the oligomer. The passage of the collimated light through the phase mask generates a 3-dimensional distribution of light intensity to induce crosslinking of the oligomer in high intensity regions thereby forming 3-dimensional structures.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to independently control 3D shape and chemistry of rapidly produced colloids. A pre-polymer mixture including a monomer is made to flow into a channel with insular relief in a wall at a known location of the channel. A stimulus that polymerizes the pre-polymer mixture is directed onto the known location to form a structure locked in place at the known location by the insular relief. A pressure is applied to the channel that is sufficient to deflect the wall having the insular relief sufficiently to release a hydrogel particle comprising the structure.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to one pot multiplexed quantitative PCR methods for end point analysis of a plurality of nucleic acid targets in a complex sample without user intervention, and to various encoded particles on which are immobilized one or more probes that hybridize with the plurality of targets. Certain other embodiments are directed to a new “multiple-color genetic variation detection method” that can detect SNPs and kit using one chamber multiplexed endpoint PCR and differentially labeled allele-specific primers (one recognizing only the wild type allele and one only the mutant allele).

Abstract: Techniques are provided for high precision scanning of hydrogel microparticles. The high precision is achieved by one or more modifications to the microparticle composition, or microfluidics apparatus that align the microparticles in a detection channel, or method of preparing a sample for introduction into the apparatus, or some combination. An apparatus comprises a body structure having formed therein a central channel and multiple focusing channels in fluid communication with the central channel through multiple junctions. A width of the central channel is smaller in a portion downstream of each junction. A particle comprises a hydrogel matrix and a probe molecule. The particle has an aspect ratio greater than about three. A method includes loading into a sample fluid inlet a mixture, wherein a number of particles lies within a range from about 5 to about 10 particles/?l.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for high precision scanning of hydrogel microparticles. The high precision is achieved by one or more modifications to the microparticle composition, or microfluidics apparatus that align the microparticles in a detection channel, or method of preparing a sample for introduction into the apparatus, or some combination. An apparatus comprises a body structure having formed therein a central channel and multiple focusing channels in fluid communication with the central channel through multiple junctions. A width of the central channel is smaller in a portion downstream of each junction. A particle comprises a hydrogel matrix and a probe molecule. The particle has an aspect ratio greater than about three. A method includes loading into a sample fluid inlet a mixture, wherein a number of particles lies within a range from about 15 to about 20 particles/?l.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to one pot multiplexed quantitative PCR methods for end point analysis of a plurality of nucleic acid targets in a complex sample without user intervention, and to various encoded particles on which are immobilized one or more probes that hybridize with the plurality of targets. Certain other embodiments are directed to a new “multiple-color genetic variation detection method” that can detect SNPs and kit using one chamber multiplexed endpoint PCR and differentially labeled allele-specific primers (one recognizing only the wild type allele and one only the mutant allele).

Abstract: Techniques are provided for high precision scanning of hydrogel microparticles. The high precision is achieved by one or more modifications to the microparticle composition, or microfluidics apparatus that align the microparticles in a detection channel, or method of preparing a sample for introduction into the apparatus, or some combination. An apparatus comprises a body structure having formed therein a central channel and multiple focusing channels in fluid communication with the central channel through multiple junctions. A width of the central channel is smaller in a portion downstream of each junction. A particle comprises a hydrogel matrix and a probe molecule. The particle has an aspect ratio greater than about three. A method includes loading into a sample fluid inlet a mixture, wherein a number of particles lies within a range from about 15 to about 20 particles/?l.

Abstract: Stop flow interference lithography system for high throughput synthesis of 3-dimensionally patterned polymer particles. The system includes a microfluidic channel containing a stationary oligomer film and a phase mask located adjacent to the microfluidic channel. A source of collimated light is provided for passing the collimated light through the phase mask and into the microfluidic channel for interaction with the oligomer. The passage of the collimated light through the phase mask generates a 3-dimensional distribution of light intensity to induce crosslinking of the oligomer in high intensity regions thereby forming 3-dimensional structures.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to produce and use non-spherical colloidal particles with independently tuned size, shape, flexibility, and chemical properties. A pre-polymer mixture for forming hydrogel particles includes a percentage of PEGDA selected to impart a target stiffness to the particles and includes, a percentage of acrylic acid selected to impart an independent target chemical function to the particles. The mixture also includes a percentage of photo-initiator to polymerize PEGDA upon exposure to a light source to impart an independently selected target size or shape or both to the particles.