Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first layer of a porous material with pores having a first average pore size and a liquid-receiving area through which a liquid sample is received into the microfluidic device. A second layer of another porous material, with pores of a second average pore size, is stacked below the first layer and has a channel with a starting end positioned at least in part in an overlapping manner with the liquid-receiving area. The channel has a terminating end extending laterally at a predetermined wicking distance from the starting end. The first average pore size and the second average pore size cause a wicking effect in which at least some of the liquid sample flows along the channel at least a portion of the wicking distance between the starting end and the terminating end.

Abstract: A configurable device arrangement for performing at least one unit operation in a biopharmaceutical process includes a base rack and a plurality of holders for releasable direct or indirect attachment of process components, in particular single-use process components, for the unit operation. The holders are in turn adapted to be releasably attached directly or indirectly to the base rack. The device arrangement further includes a positioning system which defines specific positions for the holders relative to the base rack.

Abstract: A collection and test device for a rapid test is provided. The device comprises a test fluid accommodation part having a test fluid accommodation space, a test paper accommodation part having a test paper accommodation space, and a collection probe having a channel for the test fluid to flow out from the collection probe. The two ends of the test paper accommodation part are respectively connected to the test fluid accommodation part and the collection probe, and the test paper accommodation space communicates with the channel of the collection probe. The test fluid accommodation space and the test paper accommodation space are separated from each other by a temporary barrier. The temporary barrier can be manually removed or broken to make the test fluid accommodation space communicate with the test paper accommodation space. The device of the present invention can provide the test results conveniently and rapidly.

Abstract: An inline filter housing with a biodegradable, hydrophilic material that operates in conjunction with a field sampling apparatus to both concentrate field sampled environmental DNA particles from water samples and to automatically preserve the captured DNA via desiccation, thus avoiding filter membrane transfer steps, chemicals or cold storage preservation requirements. The hydrophilic filter housing is capable of rapidly preserving the field sampled environmental DNA captured on the filter membrane at ambient field temperatures.

Abstract: A kiosk disinfecting system for large walk-up kiosk screens utilizing touchscreens applies a disinfecting fluid to the touchscreen and has a means to move a wiper over the screen to disinfect the touchscreen. A controller may detect the presence of a user and may automatically activate a disinfecting cycle to ensure that the touchscreen is disinfected between users. The disinfecting system may have a disinfecting fluid applicator, such a spray nozzle(s) and a wiper assembly that makes contact with the touchscreen to spread the disinfecting fluid over the touchscreen surface. A wiper may be a wick-wiper that absorbs or wick disinfecting fluid from a reservoir through the wick to the touchscreen. A very small area of the wick may extend out from an applicator opening to reduce the amount of disinfecting fluid that evaporates over time. A disinfection fluid may be non-volatile and may be all natural and food safe.

Abstract: A disposable microfluidic cassette can include a substrate and an engagement feature associated with the substrate to removably join the cassette with a cassette-receiver of an analytical system. A microfluidic network can be carried by the substrate. The microfluidic network can include a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a sample manipulation portion fluidly coupling the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. An ejector can be associated with the microfluidic network to move fluid out of the disposable microfluidic cassette via the fluid outlet.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining the origin location of subterranean rock samples. In some implementations, the compositions include a nanoparticle tag that includes a natural polysaccharide, a fluorescent dye, and superparamagnetic nanoparticles. In some implementations, a method of determining the origin location of a subterranean rock sample includes mixing the nanoparticle tag into a fluid, flowing the fluid into a subterranean formation, recovering subterranean rock samples from the formation, separating tagged rock samples from untagged rock samples using a magnet, and determining the origin location by analyzing a fluorescent signal of the nanoparticle tag.

Abstract: A microfluidic device, a method for manufacturing a microfluidic device, and a method for provision of double emulsion droplets using a microfluidic device. Furthermore, an assembly configured to supply pressure to the microfluidic device for provision of double emulsion droplets. Furthermore, a kit comprising a plurality of microfluidic devices and a plurality of fluids configured for use with the microfluidic device for provision of double emulsion droplets.

Abstract: Electromagnetic systems and corresponding methods for assembling the electromagnetic systems are described. The electromagnetic systems can be used in fluid processing systems that include a plurality of fluid containers, each configured to define a fluid chamber that receives a fluid and a plurality of magnetic particles, and a plurality of electromagnets configured to generate a magnetic field within at least one of the plurality of the fluid containers. The fluid processing system can also include a PCB board that supplies the electromagnets with electrical current by establishing an electrical connection between electrical contact terminals included on the PCB board and spring loaded connections included on each electromagnet.

Abstract: A system without electrodes for identifying analytes based on optical measurement of ion flux through nanopores that is driven by a chemical gradient, and a method for identifying an analyte by using such system. A nanopore array without electrodes for identifying different analytes in parallel, a method for identifying different analytes by using such array, and a method of manufacturing such array.

Abstract: A method for detecting an analyte in a sample is disclosed. The method includes providing a mobile device having a camera and an illumination source. A test strip having a test field with at least one test chemical for performing an optical detection reaction in the presence of the analyte is provided. The sample is applied to the test field. Several images of a region of the test strip are captured. The region includes at least part of the test field to which sample is applied. The images are captured before and after the sample is applied and with the illumination source turned on and off. The images captured are compared and differences in light intensities are determined. Analyte concentration is determined using the images captured and the determined light intensities.

Abstract: An interface for a microfluidic device such as a microfluidic cassette has a seal portion moveable from a first position to a second position within a reservoir in response to an applied force. Movement of the seal portion within the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to increase. The interface also has a hollow needle with a first end and a second end, the first end locatable in fluid communication with the reservoir and the second end located outside of the reservoir and arranged for piercing. The seal portion and the needle are arranged such that when the seal portion moves from the first position to the second position, a predetermined volume of fluid is drawn through the needle into the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing microfluidic-based biochemical assays, the apparatus includes a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least a microfluidic feature comprising at least a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid, and at least an alignment feature for positioning and attaching a sensor device, wherein the at least an alignment feature is not contacting the at least a microfluidic feature, at least a sensor device configured to be in sensed communication with the at least a fluid and detect at least a sensed property, and at least a flow component fluidically connected to the at least a microfluidic feature configured to flow the at least a fluid through the at least a sensor device.

Abstract: There is provided a microchip comprising: a main flow path through which a liquid containing microparticles flows; and a branch flow path that branches from the main flow path. A cross-sectional area of a portion of the main flow path is substantially constant up to a branch start position or decreases toward the branch start position, and a radius of curvature R of a side wall that connects a side wall of the main flow path and a side wall of the branch flow path is 0.5 mm or less and more than 0 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses for nucleic acid sequencing, and methods of making and using such apparatuses. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor array comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors, each of the plurality of magnetic sensors coupled to at least one address line, at least one selector element, and a fluid chamber adjacent to the magnetic sensor array, the fluid chamber having a proximal wall adjacent to the magnetic sensor array. A method of manufacturing sequencing device comprises fabricating a first addressing line on a substrate, fabricating a plurality of magnetic sensors such that the bottom portion of each sensor is coupled to the first addressing line, depositing a dielectric material between the sensors, fabricating additional addressing lines coupled to the top portions of the sensors, and removing a portion of the dielectric material adjacent to the sensors to create a fluid chamber.

Abstract: A high throughput microdroplet-based system for single cell assays in microdroplets is provided. The system integrates parallel devices and switches to enable simultaneous analysis of different cells or cell combinations, or different assay conditions, on a single microfluidic chip. Interconnections between the inlets of individual devices on a common chip enable simultaneous screening of the effect of different combinations of drugs on single cells. The use of an oil inlet and microchannels with matched total flow resistance allows the synchronous generation of droplets with the same dimensions and/or volumes.

Abstract: A combination micro/macro-fluidic analysis system with one or more of a droplet transition unit, a droplet cleaving unit, a droplet synchronization, and a merging unit to enable highly efficient complex droplet microfluidic assays.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (“UV”) emission device may emit energy towards a movable surface of a conveyor system. A housing of the UV emission device may attach to a frame of the conveyor system. A lateral edge of the housing may extend across the moveable surface. The housing and a portion of the moveable surface may be inclined with respect to the frame. A barrier bracket of the UV emission device may support an absorptive barrier along the lateral edge, the absorptive barrier configured to contact the moveable surface. In a first position of the barrier bracket, the absorptive barrier contacts the moveable surface and the barrier bracket activates an interlock switch. In a second position of the barrier bracket, the barrier bracket deactivates the interlock switch. Responsive to deactivation of the interlock switch, a controller may provide a control signal to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.

Abstract: Provided is a method for separating PIPs by which isomers of PIPs can be separated without deacylating the PIPs. The method includes at least a separation step of injecting a sample containing a plurality of PIPs into an analysis flow path of a supercritical fluid chromatograph having a separation column filled with a separation medium containing ?-cyclodextrin and separating the plurality of PIPs by supercritical fluid chromatography.

Abstract: A dry test piece for albumin measurement is based on the improved BCP method as a principle, and enables the measurement of albumin at a high sensitivity. The test piece includes a support; and a reagent holding layer provided on the support and on which a sample is spotted. The reagent holding layer contains a protein denaturation agent (component A), an SH reagent (component B), bromcresol purple (component C), and a nonionic surfactant (component D). In the reagent holding layer, a weight ratio (D/C) of the component D to the component C is 0.3 to 13, a content of the component C relative to an amount of the spotted sample is 0.4 ?g/?L to 5.4 ?g/?L, a content of the component D relative to the amount of the spotted sample is 25 ?g/?L or less.