Abstract: The invention provides a droplet actuator. The droplet actuator may include a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap. The base substrate may include electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and the top substrate may include a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion may include one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. The invention also provides related methods of manufacturing the droplet actuator, methods of using the droplet actuator, and methods of loading the droplet actuator.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for sensing a target substance is disclosed. In one example, the sensor discloses an electrolyte matrix, wherein the matrix reposits an electrolyte; a working electrode coupled to the electrolyte matrix at a first location; a counter electrode coupled to the electrolyte matrix at a second location; an electrical circuit, coupled to the working electrode and the counter electrode, and capable of generating an output signal in response to an electrical current which flows between the working electrode and the counter electrode in response to a presence of the target substance.

Abstract: A microelectrochemical sensor includes a carrier material composed of a semiconductor substrate, and includes a chemosensitive sensor element. The chemosensitive sensor element is positioned in a first partial region of the carrier material. A heating element is positioned in a region of the chemosensitive sensor element and is configured to regulate a temperature of the chemosensitive sensor element. A microelectronic unit is positioned in a second partial region of the carrier material, and is connected to the chemosensitive sensor element and the heating element via conductor tracks integrated into the carrier material. The microelectronic unit is configured to operate the heating element and the sensor element.

Abstract: Corrosion effects in a solar cell are measured by means of a conduit with electrolytic fluid. The rim of an open end of the conduit is placed against the surface of the solar cell to expose a selected area of the solar cell to the electrolytic fluid, leaving a free part of the planar surface of the solar cell outside the exposed area. Current and/or voltage fluctuations are measured in an electric circuit that contains the electrolytic fluid, an interface between the electrolytic fluid on the exposed area and a conductor layer on the planar surface, and a contact to the conductor layer in the free part.

Abstract: A test strip having conductive surfaces separated by a spacer layer, wherein the spacer layer is comprised of sections forming a plurality of sample chambers that enable the test strip to be inserted into a test meter in a number of possible orientations. The test strip also includes electrical contact pads on opposing sides thereof such that the test meter may separately engage the contact pads depending on the insertion orientation.

Abstract: Methods comprising measuring the impedance of the electrode produced by the excitation signal, wherein the impedance indicates presence of liquid at the electrode are disclosed. Computer readable mediums storing processor executable instructions for performing the method, and systems are also disclosed. The systems comprise a processor, memory and code stored in the memory that when executed cause the processor at least to: receive an output voltage signal, superimpose an excitation signal onto the output voltage signal to produce a superimposed signal, connect the superimposed signal to an electrode in a droplet actuator, suppress the output voltage signal, when detecting an impedance of the electrode, and measure the impedance of the electrode produced by the excitation signal, wherein the impedance indicates presence of liquid at the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes composed of heterocyclic nitrogen groups, such as vinylpyridine and to electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes. The membranes are useful in limiting the diffusion of an analyte to a working electrode in an electrochemical sensor so that the sensor does not saturate and/or remains linearly responsive over a large range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with membranes described herein demonstrate considerable sensitivity and stability, and a large signal-to-noise ratio, in a variety of conditions.

Abstract: A gas sensor (1) which can be an air-fuel ratio sensor includes a detection element (71) including a pair of electrodes, one of the paired electrodes being a sensing electrode (87) which is exposed to a gas-to-be-measured, and the other electrode being a reference electrode (95) which functions as an oxygen reference electrode. In the gas sensor (1), the reference electrode (95) is connected to a porous reference electrode lead (97) extending along the surface of a solid electrolyte body (77); the reference electrode lead (97) contains a noble metal as a main component and also contains a ceramic material; and the reference electrode lead (97) has a specific resistance lower than that of the reference electrode (95). The ceramic material has, in a sintered state, a mean primary grain size greater than that of the noble metal.

Abstract: Polyacrylamide gels that offer high resolution in protein separations and are more stable relative to hydrolysis than conventional polyacrylamide gels that rely on Tris or Tris-Bis as buffering agents are made by incorporating triethanolamine in place of most or all of the Tris or Tris-Bis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analytical testing devices and methods for fabricating electrochemical creatinine biosensors, and in particular using point of care electrochemical biosensors for testing for creatinine in samples. For example, the present invention may be directed to a biosensor having an electrode, a first printed layer formed on the electrode and having a first matrix that includes creatinine amidohydrolase (CNH), creatine amidinohydrolase (CRH), and sarcosine oxidase (SOX), and second printed layer formed over the first printed layer and having a second matrix that includes CRH, SOX, and catalase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of a polarizable bioparticle comprising the steps: a) dielectrophoretic preseparation of a polarizable bioparticle from a suspension of bioparticles; b) fluidic separation of the selected bioparticle by fixing the bioparticle in a dielectrophoretic field cage and circulating fluid around the bioparticle; c) transferring the separated bioparticle from the dielectrophoretic field cage to a culture chamber; d) dielectrophoretic fixing of the separated bioparticle in the culture chamber and study, observation, manipulation and/or culturing of the separated bioparticle. The invention further relates to a microfluidic system and use thereof.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to sensors for measuring an amount of a gaseous species in a sample. The sensors comprise a gas permeable polysiloxane network membrane, comprising both alkyl and fluorinated alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the polysiloxane network can be formed from the co-condensation of a mixture of an alkylalkoxysilane and a fluorosilane. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the sensors, methods of selectively measuring an amount of a gaseous species, such as nitric oxide, in a sample, and to compositions comprising the polysiloxane networks.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the disclosure is directed to an example embodiment in which a circuit-based arrangement includes a circuit-based substrate securing a channel, with an effective width that is not limited by the Debye screening length, along a surface of the substrate. A pair of reservoirs are included in or on the substrate and configured for containing and presenting a sample having bio-molecules for delivery in the channel. A pair of electrodes electrically couple a charge in the sample to enhance ionic current flow therein (e.g., to overcome the electrolyte screening), and a sense electrode is located along the channel for sensing a characteristic of the biological sample by using the electrostatic interaction between the enhanced ionic current flow of the sample and the sense electrode. Actual detection occurs by using a charge-signal processing circuit to process the sensed charge signal and, therefrom, provide an output indicative of a signature for the bio-molecules delivered in the channel.

Abstract: Hand cast gels, and solutions for their preparation, are described.

Abstract: A modular analyte measurement system having a removable strip port module. In one embodiment, the analyte measurement system includes: an analyte meter; a removable strip port module; and a connector linking the removable strip port module to the analyte meter. The analyte meter includes: a meter housing; a receptacle formed in the meter housing; a processing circuit disposed within the housing; and an input interface within the receptacle and electrically coupled to the processing circuit. The removable strip port module includes: a module housing sized to at least partially fit within the receptacle of the analyte meter; an analyte test strip port disposed within the module housing to receive an analyte test strip via an aperture formed in the module housing; and an output interface coupled to the analyte test strip port. The connector links the output interface with the input interface.

Abstract: An analyte testing material web, method of making the analyte testing material web, and an analyzer are disclosed. The analyte testing material web has a material web and a plurality of distinct sample testing devices. The material web has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side, and a second side. The plurality of sample testing devices are positioned on the first surface of the material web. Each of the plurality of sample testing devices has an inlet, an outlet, a fluid channel, and one or more testing elements within the fluid channel and configured to analyze one or more analyte within a sample applied to the inlet of one of the plurality of sample testing devices.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical sensor strips and methods of determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample or improving the performance of a concentration determination. The electrochemical sensor strips may include at most 8 ?g/mm2 of a mediator. The strips, the strip reagent layer, or the methods may provide for the determination of a concentration value having at least one of a stability bias of less than ±10% after storage at 50° C. for 4 weeks when compared to a comparison strip stored at ?20° C. for 4 weeks, a hematocrit bias of less than ±10% for whole blood samples including from 20 to 60% hematocrit, and an intercept to slope ratio of at most 20 mg/dL. A method of increasing the performance of a quantitative analyte determination also is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor including an elongated member including at least a portion that is electrically conductive. The elongated member includes a sensing layer adapted to react with a material desired to be sensed. An insulating layer surrounds the elongated member. The insulating layer defines at least one access opening for allowing the material desired to be sensed to enter an interior region defined between the elongated member and the insulating layer. The insulating layer has an inner transverse cross-sectional profile that is different from an outer transverse cross-sectional profile of the elongated member. The difference in transverse cross-sectional profiles between the elongated member and the insulating layer provides channels at the interior region defined between the insulating layer and the elongated member. The channels extend generally along the length of the elongated member and are sized to allow the material desired to be sensed to move along the length of the sensor.

Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the analyte concentration of a fluid test sample includes a base, a dielectric layer, a reagent layer, a light guide area, and a lid. The base provides a flow path for the test sample having on its surface a counter electrode and a working electrode adapted to electrically communicate with a detector of electrical current. The dielectric layer forms a dielectric window therethrough. The reagent layer includes an enzyme that is adapted to react with the analyte. The lid is adapted to mate with the base and to assist in forming a capillary space with an opening for the introduction of the test sample thereto. The light guide area transmits light towards the capillary space.