Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for studying physical or chemical properties of molecules, and/or interactions between molecules such as protein-ligand interactions. The methods, systems, and devices involve transient induced molecular electronic spectroscopy (TIMES). In some configuration, a microfluidic channel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet is used for holding molecules for analyzing the molecules or interactions between molecules.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for enrichment and detection of molecules of a target biomarker. In one aspect, In one aspect, a biosensor device for enriching and detecting biomarker molecules include a substrate, and a microarray of hydrophilic islands disposed on the substrate. A sensing area on each of the microarray hydrophilic islands is structured to anchor bio-molecular probes of at least one type for detecting molecules of a target biomarker and to attract an array of nanodroplets of a biomarker solution that includes the target biomarker molecules. A hydrophobic surface is disposed to surround the microarray of hydrophilic islands.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for imaging particles and/or cells using flow cytometry. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a light beam at a fluidic channel carrying a fluid sample containing particles; optically encoding scattered or fluorescently-emitted light at a spatial optical filter, the spatial optical filter including a surface having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern along a transverse direction opposite to particle flow and a longitudinal direction parallel to particle flow, such that different portions of a particle flowing over the pattern of the apertures pass different apertures at different times and scatter the light beam or emit fluorescent light at locations associated with the apertures; and producing image data associated with the particle flowing through the fluidic channel based on the encoded optical signal, in which the produced image data includes information of a physical characteristic of the particle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and systems to cause differential evaporation of micro-droplets in a scalable fashion. In some embodiments, an attenuated laser is used to focus an attenuated laser power to the center of an aqueous solution droplet, producing a differential evaporative flux profile that is peaked at the droplet apex. The laser-induced differential evaporation described herein is a breakthrough in the enrichment and focused deposition of water-soluble molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, inks, and other small molecules. Disclosed is a general solution to remove the “coffee-ring effect”, ubiquitous in the drying process of aqueous droplets that causes many adverse outcomes. The disclosed techniques enable new paradigms in liquid biopsy combinational analysis, microarray fabrication, and ink-jet printing.

Abstract: An integrated nanowire device includes a first array of nanowires having a first set of characteristics and a second array of nanowires having a second set of characteristics. A processor is electrical communication with the first and second arrays of nanowires receives the first plurality of charges and generate a processor signal therefrom. The second array of nanowires may be configured to produce a stimulation current in response to the processor signal. The first or second array may be used to generate power for operation of the device, or the arrays may function as a stimulator, sensor combination to enable the device to self-regulate based on localized responses to stimulation. The device may be implanted for use as a neural stimulator.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems and techniques in connection with particle sorting in liquid, including cytometry devices and techniques and applications in chemical or biological testing and diagnostic measurements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for low noise and high efficiency photoelectric amplification based on cycling excitation process (CEP). In some aspects, a device for amplifying signals of light-induced photocurrent includes an anode connected to a positive terminal of a voltage source; a disordered material layer coupled to the anode, wherein the disordered material layer is structured to have a thickness of 100 nm or less; and a cathode coupled to the disordered material layer and connected to a negative terminal of the voltage source, in which the device is operable to amplify photoexcited carriers based on photon absorption to produce an external quantum efficiency of the device that is at least 100%.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and systems to cause differential evaporation of micro-droplets in a scalable fashion. In some embodiments, an attenuated laser is used to focus an attenuated laser power to the center of an aqueous solution droplet, producing a differential evaporative flux profile that is peaked at the droplet apex. The laser-induced differential evaporation described herein is a breakthrough in the enrichment and focused deposition of water-soluble molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, inks, and other small molecules. Disclosed is a general solution to remove the “coffee-ring effect”, ubiquitous in the drying process of aqueous droplets that causes many adverse outcomes. The disclosed techniques enable new paradigms in liquid biopsy combinational analysis, microarray fabrication, and ink-jet printing.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for imaging and image-based sorting of particles in a flow system, including cells in a flow cytometer. In some aspects, a system includes a particle flow device to flow particles through a channel, an imaging system to obtain image data of a particle during flow through the channel, a processing unit to determine a property associated with the particle and to produce a control command for sorting the particle based on sorting criteria associated with particle properties, and an actuator to direct the particle into one of a plurality of output paths of the particle flow device in real-time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for imaging particles and/or cells using flow cytometry. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a light beam at a fluidic channel carrying a fluid sample containing particles; optically encoding scattered or fluorescently-emitted light at a spatial optical filter, the spatial optical filter including a surface having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern along a transverse direction opposite to particle flow and a longitudinal direction parallel to particle flow, such that different portions of a particle flowing over the pattern of the apertures pass different apertures at different times and scatter the light beam or emit fluorescent light at locations associated with the apertures; and producing image data associated with the particle flowing through the fluidic channel based on the encoded optical signal, in which the produced image data includes information of a physical characteristic of the particle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for enrichment and detection of molecules of a target biomarker. In one aspect, In one aspect, a biosensor device for enriching and detecting biomarker molecules include a substrate, and a microarray of hydrophilic islands disposed on the substrate. A sensing area on each of the microarray hydrophilic islands is structured to anchor bio-molecular probes of at least one type for detecting molecules of a target biomarker and to attract an array of nanodroplets of a biomarker solution that includes the target biomarker molecules. A hydrophobic surface is disposed to surround the microarray of hydrophilic islands.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for detecting molecular interactions.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems and techniques in connection with particle sorting in liquid, including cytometry devices and techniques and applications in chemical or biological testing and diagnostic measurements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for imaging particles and/or cells using flow cytometry. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a light beam at a fluidic channel carrying a fluid sample containing particles; optically encoding scattered or fluorescently-emitted light at a spatial optical filter, the spatial optical filter including a surface having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern along a transverse direction opposite to particle flow and a longitudinal direction parallel to particle flow, such that different portions of a particle flowing over the pattern of the apertures pass different apertures at different times and scatter the light beam or emit fluorescent light at locations associated with the apertures; and producing image data associated with the particle flowing through the fluidic channel based on the encoded optical signal, in which the produced image data includes information of a physical characteristic of the particle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for studying physical or chemical properties of molecules, and/or interactions between molecules such as protein-ligand interactions. The methods, systems, and devices involve transient induced molecular electronic spectroscopy (TIMES). In some configuration, a microfluidic channel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet is used for holding molecules for analyzing the molecules or interactions between molecules.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for culturing and characterizing individual cellular entities including cells organoids, or tissue. In one aspect, a device includes a first substrate structured to include an array of hydrophilic regions surrounded by a hydrophobic surface including nanostructures protruding from the hydrophobic surface, in which the array of hydrophilic regions are capable to adhere an individual cellular entity and the hydrophobic surface is configured to prevent the cellular entity from adherence; and a second substrate including a coating of antibodies corresponding to a type of cellular substance secreted by the cellular entity, in which the second substrate is operable to be placed upon the first substrate such that the coating of antibodies makes contact with the individual cellular entities adhered to the hydrophilic regions.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems and techniques in connection with particle sorting in liquid, including cytometry devices and techniques and applications in chemical or biological testing and diagnostic measurements.

Abstract: Techniques, devices and systems are described for incorporating a printed circuit with a microfluidic device and wirelessly powering the microfluidic device. In one aspect, a microfluidic device includes a substrate with a fluidic channel to provide a path for a fluid with particles. The fluidic channel includes fluid inlet and outlet. A pair of electrodes near the inlet and the outlet guides the particles toward a center of the fluidic channel using negative-dielectrophoresis (DEP) effect in response to an alternating current (AC) frequency voltage received at the pairs of electrodes. Additional pairs of electrodes are disposed along a border of the fluidic channel between the pairs of electrodes near the inlet and the outlet of the fluidic channel to isolate a subpopulation of the particles using positive and negative DEP effects in response to AC voltages of different frequencies received at different ones of the additional pairs of electrodes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for capturing, concentrating, and isolating molecules in a fluid.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for capturing, concentrating, isolating, and detecting molecules. In one aspect, a molecular probe device includes a molecular probe having a complimentary base pair region initially zipped and structured to include a binding agent to chemically attach the molecular probe to an outer surface of a magnetic bead, and a binding molecule to chemically attach the molecular probe to a substrate of a microfluidic device, in which the complimentary base pair region is configured to hybridize to a complementary nucleic acid sequence of a DNA or RNA molecule.