Abstract: Method for detecting the presence or absence of a biological or chemical substance in a particular sample mixed with a suspension with functionalized magnetic particles, comprising: providing a light source and detector, providing a constant magnetic force perpendicular to the light's propagation direction by applying a constant magnetic field gradient, and with an absolute value which is higher than 0.1 T and measuring the change of the magnetic particle's suspension transparency versus time and comparing it with the time-variation in absence of the targeted biological or chemical substance. The method of the invention allows monitoring the transparency irrespective of the emitted wavelength and particle's optical properties.

Abstract: A multi-layered band and a method for manufacturing a multi-layered band are disclosed. The multi-layered band comprises a support (1) to hold at least one battery structure (10) formed by overlapped layers including a porous material (11) and two electroactive electrodes (12, 13), one oxidizing (12) and one reducing (13), separated at a certain distance between them and in touch with said porous material (11). The battery structure (10) is configured to be activated upon the addition of a fluid into a given region of the porous material (11) and to provide electrical energy while said fluid impregnates by capillarity the porous material (11). The overlapped layers are constituted by parallel strips extending longitudinally along the length of the support (1), such that said multi-layered band can be cut transversally providing individual batteries of a same or different width each including the porous material (11) and the electroactive electrodes (12, 13).

Abstract: Method for detecting the presence or absence of a biological or chemical substance in a particular sample mixed with a suspension with functionalized magnetic particles, comprising: providing a light source and detector, providing a constant magnetic force perpendicular to the light's propagation direction by applying a constant magnetic field gradient, and with an absolute value which is higher than 0.1 T and measuring the change of the magnetic particle's suspension transparency versus time and comparing it with the time-variation in absence of the targeted biological or chemical substance. The method of the invention allows monitoring the transparency irrespective of the emitted wavelength and particle's optical properties.

Abstract: A method for controlling timing of events in a microfluidic device and a timer microfluidic device are disclosed. The method comprises adding a liquid on a first end of a microfluidic device at a first time t0, the liquid flowing by capillarity towards a second end; producing, by a battery (12) included in the microfluidic device, energy from a second time tstart until a third time tend to feed an auxiliary device (16) connected to the battery (12). The battery (12) is sized and composed to provide a given amount of energy during a delivery energy time interval toperation, comprised between a time ton in which a voltage output of the battery (12) is above a threshold and a time toff in which the voltage output is below the threshold, to control the duration of an event including a selective activation and deactivation of said auxiliary device (16).

Abstract: A multi-layered band and a method for manufacturing a multi-layered band are disclosed. The multi-layered band comprises a support (1) to hold at least one battery structure (10) formed by overlapped layers including a porous material (11) and two electroactive electrodes (12, 13), one oxidizing (12) and one reducing (13), separated at a certain distance between them and in touch with said porous material (11). The battery structure (10) is configured to be activated upon the addition of a fluid into a given region of the porous material (11) and to provide electrical energy while said fluid impregnates by capillarity the porous material (11). The overlapped layers are constituted by parallel strips extending longitudinally along the length of the support (1), such that said multi-layered band can be cut transversally providing individual batteries of a same or different width each including the porous material (11) and the electroactive electrodes (12, 13).

Abstract: An analysis device for a liquid sample comprising: one microfluidic analysis channel made of a wicking material with adequate porosity to allow capillary flow of at least one liquid sample suitable for generating electricity, at least one receiving absorbent region coupled to the microfluidic analysis channel, at least one collecting absorbent region coupled to the microfluidic analysis channel, a cathodic zone coupled to the microfluidic analysis channel, an anodic zone coupled to the microfluidic analysis channel, and at least one detection zone having a sensor, where each receiving absorbent region and each collecting absorbent region are coupled to the microfluidic analysis channel such that when a fluid suitable for generating electricity is deposited in the receiving absorbent region, it flows by capillary action through the microfluidic analysis channel to reach the collecting absorbent region where it is absorbed, and where the sensor interacts with the sample when the latter flows by capillary throug