Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of microelectronics, and more particularly to a structure and method of forming a biosensor having a nucleotide attracting surface formed to reduce false detection of nucleotides and enabling electrical detection of nucleotides. The biosensor may include an analyte-affinity layer on an upper surface of a substrate. A conductive layer may extend a length of the substrate below and in contact with the analyte-affinity layer. The conductive layer may be electrically connected to one or more transistors. The analyte-affinity layer may have dimensions tailored for a target analyte. A distance between a first analyte-affinity layer and a second analyte-affinity layer may range from approximately 50% of a length of a target analyte to approximately 300% of a length of a target analyte. The analyte-affinity layer may have an upper surface with a diameter ranging from approximately 3 nm to approximately 20 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production-line-type high-throughput screening system, which relates to the field of biotechnology and testing equipment. The system comprises of four manipulators, three parallel conveyor belts with fixed slots, 2-DOF slipway and fixed fixtures, 96-channel pipetting system, coloring device, oscillating mixing device, microplate reader, well plates loading platform and well plates recycling platform. Manual operation takes five minutes to detect one 96-well plate, while this system can handle 20 96-well plates per minute. It expands the number of screening targets, making the screening process more clearly and concisely and liberating manual labor. The system makes effective contributions to the development of microbial breeding technology.

Abstract: A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region can include a composite of a polymer and SWCNTs immobilized onto a substrate. In certain embodiment, a linker can be grafted on the substrate. The linker can connect the substrate and the composite of the polymer and SWCNTs. In certain embodiments, the linker can covalently bond the polymer to the substrate. In certain embodiments, metal nanoparticles or ions can be incorporated as a metal sensitizer to confer further selectivity or sensitivity to the device. In certain embodiments, the polymer can act as a ligand for a variety of metal ions. By incorporating a specific metal ion, the sensor can selectively detect a specific analyte. In certain embodiments, the composite of the polymer and SWCNTs can be functionalized. In certain embodiments, the composite can further include a sensing element.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors of the same composition or different compositions are provided on a substrate or in a bundle and are sensitive to a plurality of constituent species in a mixed species medium being measured. The sensors of the same composition may each be maintained at different temperatures. The sensors of different compositions may each be maintained at the same temperature or different temperatures. The intersection of measurement values from the plurality of sensors may be used to determine the actual concentrations of the constituent species (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen) in the mixed species medium.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic analyzer that detects a liquid level by using an electrostatic capacity system. Feature values are extracted from time-series oscillating frequency data of an alternating current signal that is output by an oscillation circuit in a period from a time point at which a dispensing probe starts moving downward till a time point at which a certain period of time has elapsed. On the basis of the feature values from the time-series oscillating frequency data, it is determined whether or not the liquid level in a container has been detected properly, by using different methods. Whether a gap is present between the tip portion of the dispensing probe and the liquid level in the container and a reason for the gap are determined from a combination of multiple determination results obtained by using the methods.

Abstract: Microfluidic system, including methods and apparatus, for processing fluid, such as by droplet generation. In an exemplary method, a sample-containing fluid may be dispensed into a well through a sample port of a channel component. The channel component may include (a) a body having a bottom surface attached to the well, and a top surface with a microchannel formed therein, and (b) an input tube projecting into the well from the bottom surface of the body. The sample-containing fluid when dispensed may contact a bottom end of the input tube and may be retained, with assistance from gravity, out of contact with the microchannel. A pressure differential may be created that drives at least a portion of the sample-containing fluid from the well via the input tube and through the microchannel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and system that are configured to process asphalt roofing shingles so that solid constituent components of such asphalt roofing shingles may be used in asphalt mixtures. The present invention may include pyrolysis of asphalt binder present in the asphalt roofing shingles in order to develop a layer of coke on the solid constituent components, so that the solid constituent components may be suitable for use in the asphalt mixtures in quantities of 5 to 30% by weight of the total weight of the asphalt mixtures. The present invention is also directed to the asphalt mixtures that include 5 to 30% by weight of the solid constituent components of the asphalt roofing shingles that have been processed in accordance with the method, apparatus and/or system of the present invention.

Abstract: A point of use analyzer includes pump, valve, port, and storage channel. The storage channel may hold multiple assay packets composed of reagent aliquots separated by bounding slugs. The storage channel may define an elongated lumen having two ends with each of the ends coupled to the valve. A sampling device for use with the analyzer engages the port and may include a recurrent coaxial tube having a separation medium. A method of using the analyzer with the sampling device includes steps of pumping a fluid to displace a sample into the separation medium and out through the opposed connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to an array of microstructures for biological cell sorting with each individual structure component including an integrated magnetic element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising: a probe carrier comprising: a substrate comprising with holes through a thickness of the substrate and a transparent window across an opening of each of the holes, wherein the transparent window closes the opening, wherein one or more locations on the transparent window are configured to have probes attached thereto, wherein interaction between the probes and an analyte generates a signal; an optical system comprising a plurality of collimators; a sensor configured to detect the signal; wherein the collimators can essentially prevent light from passing if a deviation of a propagation direction of the light from an optical axis of the collimators is greater than a threshold. Because the probe carrier is separate and independent from the microarray, the probe carrier may be assembled with a pre-existing microarray prior to its use, and be detached from the microarray and disposed after its use.

Abstract: A multi-layer plasma separation card comprising (a) a first layer including a sample receiving member comprising (i) a top planar surface for applying or receiving a blood sample, said sample receiving portion being adapted to permit contact of said blood sample with a separating member; and (ii) a bottom planar surface being adapted to contact said separating member, (b) a second layer including at least three separating members, each separating member being adapted to permit the passage of plasma to an absorptive member and comprising (i) a top planar surface for receiving said blood sample; and (ii) a bottom planar shield-shaped surface being adapted to contact said absorptive member, and (c) a third layer including at least two absorptive members for absorbing plasma from the bottom planar surface of each corresponding separating member and a backing member arranged in a manner to support said absorptive members, each absorptive member comprising a removable absorptive element having a top planar surface

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge for detecting one nucleic acid of a sample, including a plurality of functional volumes split into functional areas and a fluidic network of microchannels. At least three functional areas are fluidly connected to a central distribution hub of fluids by one or more hub-connected microchannels, the central distribution hub being capable of pumping and injecting fluids from a first functional area to a second functional area by passing through the central distribution hub; and at least three valves of hub-connected microchannels are arranged so that the at least three valves are adapted to be actuated mechanically by a single external cam-driven actuator. A docking station using such a microfluidic cartridge and a process for analyzing a biological sample involving a docking station and a microfluidic cartridge are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing samples. In a method, a reaction card is provided that has a channel network, a valve, and a micropump, all disposed within the card. The reaction card also has a collection well disposed on a surface of the card and a tubular member extending out from the card. A reaction vessel is provided and affixed to the reaction card such that the tubular member is inserted into the reaction vessel. Amplification reaction reagents and a sample are delivered into the reaction vessel, and an amplification reaction is initiated within the reaction vessel, resulting in an amplification product being disposed within the reaction vessel. The valve is opened to atmosphere, and the first micropump is activated to pump an aliquot of reaction product from the reaction vessel into the tubular member, through the channel network, and into the collection well.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems that include reaction vessels and reaction vessel caps. In certain aspects, the reaction vessels include a reaction chamber and a groove disposed around a top opening of a reaction chamber. The system also includes a RV cap that includes a cap body, a RV plug, and a lower wall that includes an outer radial groove disposed above an outward projecting ridge of the lower wall. When the cap is inserted into the RV, the RV plug of the RV cap is sealingly inserted into the reaction chamber of the RV, a ridge of the RV mates with the outer radial groove of the RV cap, and an outward projecting ridge of the RV cap mates with the radial groove of the RV. Also provided are methods and sample analysis systems, which may employ the RV/RV cap systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: There is provided a blood condition analyzing device including an erythrocyte quantitative evaluation unit configured to evaluate a hematocrit value and/or a hemoglobin amount on the basis of an electrical characteristic of a blood sample at a frequency of 2 to 25 MHz.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for loading and retrieval of particles. In some embodiments, a loading station comprise a tray configured to receive a microwell array, a first magnet, a second magnet, and an actuation mechanism configured to cause movement of at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: A sample loader for loading a liquid sample into a plurality of reaction sites within a substrate is provided. The sample loader includes a first blade, and a second blade coupled to the first blade. The sample loader further comprises a flow path between the first blade and second blade configured to dispense a liquid sample to a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites. Further, in various embodiments the liquid sample has an advancing contact angle of 85+/?15 degrees with the first and second blade. Furthermore, loading of the liquid sample dispensed from the flow path to the plurality of reaction sites may be based on capillary action.

Abstract: Arrays of integrated optical devices and their methods for production are provided. The devices include an integrated bandpass filter layer that comprises at least two multi-cavity filter elements with different central bandpass wavelengths. The device arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices provide for the efficient and reliable coupling of optical excitation energy from an optical source to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination. The device arrays are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.

Abstract: A lid for a multi-well plate having apertures, each aperture having a gas permeable membrane, and fittings extending from the bottom surface of the lid to fit with a multi-well plate to reduce evaporation of liquid contents from within the wells of the multi-well plate, protect the contents of a multi-well plate from spilling or from mingling with the contents of a neighboring well in a multi-well plate is disclosed. The gas permeable membrane comprises one or more of (i) a continuous or discontinuous thin film associated with each aperture, (ii) a locally-thinned portion of the main body, and (iii) a quantity of material at least partially filling each aperture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for highly-sensitive label-free multiple analyte sensing, biosensing, and diagnostic assay are disclosed. The systems comprise an on-chip integrated two-dimensional photonic crystal sensor chip. The invention provides modulation methods, wavelength modulation and intensity modulation, to monitor the resonance mode shift of the photonic crystal microarray device and further provides methods and systems that enable detection and identification of multiple species to be performed simultaneously with one two-dimensional photonic crystal sensor chip device for high throughput chemical sensing, biosensing, and medical diagnostics. Other embodiments are described and claimed.