Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting one or more target molecules includes a hydrophobic substrate, and a sensor. The sensor includes two or more electrodes disposed on the hydrophobic substrate and separated from one another by a gap, a plurality of nanostructures formed on or within an upper surface of each electrode, a plurality of binding molecules attached to the plurality of nanostructures, wherein the plurality of binding molecules are configured to bind with the one or more target molecules, and wherein the upper surface of each electrode and the plurality of nanostructures are hydrophilic, and may further detect two or more analytes with two or more sensors that detect two or more different modalities, such as, electrical, optical fluorescence, optical resonance, magnetic detection, or acoustic waves.

Abstract: A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device, microfluidic systems, and associated methodology are described that allow for intelligently collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) and their associated metadata. Optical spectroscopy is integrated with filtration membranes on the microfluidic device. The microfluidic LOC device and systems can be used for selectively capturing targeted species based on optical characteristics and for recording relevant metadata on eDNA acquired by the filtration membranes.

Abstract: A metered volume microfluidic device can include fluid flow microfluidics. The fluid flow microfluidics can include an inflow channel, a metered volume chamber positioned to receive working fluid from the inflow channel, a metered volume outflow channel positioned to receive and direct a metered volume of the working fluid when discharged from the metered volume chamber, and a capillary check valve. The capillary check valve can allow excess working fluid to exit the metered volume chamber when filling the metered volume chamber via the inflow channel. The capillary check valve can also prevent excess working fluid that has passed there through from being reintroduced into the metered volume chamber when the working fluid is discharged into the metered volume outflow channel.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to devices, and methods for quantifying thiol content in a sample containing a mixture of proteins or protein isoforms. The method includes conjugating a portion of the sample with free thiol detection binders, separating the contents in the portion of the sample into separated protein isoforms, detecting fluorescence signals associated with each separated protein isoform, and quantifying, based on the fluorescence signals, a relative amount of free thiol associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the method includes quantifying the amount of each separated protein isoform based on absorbance signals associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the fluorescence and/or absorbance signals associated with protein isoforms conjugated with detection binders can be compared with the corresponding signals associated with unconjugated protein isoforms.

Abstract: An electronic-sensing & magnetic-modulation (ESMM) biosensor device and methods of using the same, where the device incorporates electrical, microfluidic, and magnetic subsystems. The device and methods of using such a device can be applied to high throughput point-of-care screening for the quantification and evaluation of a subject's immune response to pathogenic infections, which can be useful for: early diagnosis, stratifying high-risk subjects infected with a pathogen; and determining the status or effectiveness of a therapeutic response.

Abstract: Tissue sample management systems include a central network, a medical professional system, and a pathology lab system for processing a tissue sample in a matrix having a sectionable code. At least the pathology lab system includes at least one imaging device, and the central network is configured to process images from the at least one imaging device to identify and record at least the sectionable code of the matrix. Methods for tissue sample processing include providing a matrix having a sectionable code and measurement marks, the matrix for receiving a tissue sample, and identifying the sectionable code from an image taken of the tissue sample in the matrix. Tissue sample-receiving matrices include a sectionable alphanumeric code or bar code, a tissue sample receptacle, and measurement marks formed along a sidewall thereof. The matrices include one or more proteins and one or more lipids.

Abstract: A particle separation device comprises, inside a plate-like base body, a straight main flow path including a flow inlet and a plurality of branch flow paths. The flow inlet includes a sample flow inlet and a pressing flow inlet. The sample flow inlet is connected to the main flow path via a first bending part, a first straight part, a second bending part, and a second straight part. Widths in the first bending part and the first straight part are larger than widths in the second bending part and the second straight part. The widths in the second bending part and the second straight part are larger than a width in the main flow path. The pressing flow inlet is connected to the side surface of the main flow path via a third straight part, a third bending part, a fourth straight part, and a fifth straight part.

Abstract: A device includes a plurality of first fluid channels connected to one or more first fluid inlets, a plurality of first valves, each of the first valves having a first control port which allows for blocking or un-blocking a flow through one of the first fluid channels based on a pressure applied to the first valve via the first control port, a plurality of first control channels, each of the first control channels being connected to at least one of the first control ports, and self-test equipment.

Abstract: A gas concentration device includes a first container, a second container, a pressure control device, and a path. The first container includes a first space surrounded by a first partition wall and stores a specimen, and a pressure inside the first space is reduced. The second container is airtightly connected to the first container by a first path and has a second space surrounded by a second partition wall and stores a gas flowing in from the first space. The pressure control device reduces a volume of the second space. A gas inside the second space is discharged through a second path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for moving a liquid in a substantially loss-free operation, the device made of at least a photothermal film; a pyroelectric crystal over the photothermal film; and a superomniphobic surface over the pyroelectric crystal, wherein the device is configured to move the liquid in the substantially loss-free operation with a beam of light.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a digital immunochip and a manufacture method thereof. The digital immunochip includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are opposite to each other. The first substrate includes: a first base substrate; at least one driving electrode on the first base substrate and configured to drive an object to be detected to move; a dielectric layer on a side of the at least one driving electrode away from the first base substrate and covering the at least one driving electrode; and a first hydrophobic layer on a side of the dielectric layer away from the first base substrate. The second substrate includes: a second base substrate; and an immunoassay substance on a side of the second base substrate proximal to the first hydrophobic layer of the first substrate and including an antigen or an antibody.

Abstract: Bead-based analytical assays suitable for detecting changes in the abundance of target analytes in biological samples are disclosed. In an embodiment, an assay involves incubating a sample with one or several beads that are capable of binding several distinct analytes in an amount sufficient for detection by mass spectrometry from a single bead.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods that utilize ion concentration polarization within water-in-oil nanoliter scale droplets for concentration enrichment, separation, and substitution of charges species are disclosed. Such devices and methods can be used for separation of multiple species by mobility of each species and for the alteration and manipulation of the droplet composition by ion exchange.

Abstract: A detector assembly and method of detecting the presence of a biomarker, such as bilirubin, in a sample of a flowable substance and a detector unit (1) are disclosed. The method comprises providing a receiver body (2) shaped to define a receiving chamber (3). The receiving chamber (3) has an outlet opening (5) through which a flowable substance can leave the receiving chamber (3). The receiving chamber (3) has a maximum capacity for holding a volume of the flowable substance. A quantity of the flowable substance is supplied to the receiving chamber (3) and caused to pass through the outlet opening. The receiver body (2) can move relative to a guide (10) of the receive body (2) from a first position in which the outlet opening (5) is blocked to a second position in which the outlet opening (5) is not blocked. In the second position, a metered quantity of flowable substance in the receiving chamber (3) can leave the receiving chamber (3).

Abstract: A device for online detection of an atmospheric salt fog content and a detection method thereof are provided. The device comprises a sampling module and an analysis module. The sampling module comprises a liquid absorbent storage tank (64), a liquid reagent storage tank (61), an air pump (51), a relay pump (52), a sampling bottle (212), a reaction bottle (21), a sampling syringe (29), and a cuvette (32). The air pump (51) is used to draw air into the sampling bottle (212). The relay pump (52) is used to draw a liquid absorbent in the liquid absorbent storage tank (64) into the sampling bottle (212), to draw a solution in the sampling bottle (212) into the reaction bottle (21), and to draw a liquid reagent in the liquid reagent storage tank (61) into the reaction bottle (21). The cuvette (32) is provided on a conveyor (33). The sampling syringe (29) can draw all solution in the reaction bottle (21) into the cuvette (32) provided on the conveyor (33). The analysis module comprises a spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A system includes a source, a detector, and a controller. The source is configured to emit electromagnetic energy toward two plies of film. A portion of the emitted electromagnetic energy is within a range of wavelengths. The detector is arranged to detect electromagnetic energy propagating away from the two plies of film. The detector detects electromagnetic energy within the range of wavelengths and generates signals indicative of intensity of detected electromagnetic energy. The controller controls operation of the foam-in-bag system based the signals from the detector. The film is transmissive of electromagnetic energy in the range of wavelengths. When dispensed between the two plies of film, one or both of foaming chemical precursors or foam formed from a reaction thereof is opaque to electromagnetic energy in the range of wavelengths.

Abstract: An isolation device for isolation of target particles from a plurality of liquid samples includes a plurality of isolation chips and a vacuum system. Each of the plurality of isolation chips includes a sample reservoir, and a first outlet and a second outlet disposed at opposite sides of the sample reservoir. The vacuum system includes a first vacuum pump connected to the first outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips and a second vacuum pump connected to the second outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips. The first vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding first outlet. The second vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding second outlet. The target particles are isolated from each of the plurality of liquid samples in a corresponding sample reservoir.

Abstract: A system for stretching a polynucleotide structure includes a first electrode configured to generate an electrostatic force perpendicular to a surface of the first electrode and to apply the electrostatic force to the polynucleotide structure to pin an end region of the polynucleotide structure near the surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode configured to generate an electric force along an axial direction of the polynucleotide structure to stretch the polynucleotide structure along the axial direction of the polynucleotide structure into a fully extended form.

Abstract: A microfluidic device may include at least four interconnected microfluidic channels and a set of fluid actuators. The set of fluid actuators may include a fluid actuator asymmetrically located within at least two of the at least four interconnected microfluidic channels. Each of the at least four interconnected microfluidic channels may be activated to a fluid inputting state, a fluid outputting state and a fluid blocking state in response to selective actuation of different combinations of fluid actuators of the set.

Abstract: A colorimetric sensor for detecting bacteria and/or viruses includes one or more layers having a photonic crystal structure, a functional layer comprising a nanomaterial capable of generating bacteria- and/or viruses-bioresponsive surface plasmon overlapping the one or more layers having the photonic crystal structure. The bacteria- and/or viruses-bioresponsive nanomaterial of the functional layer is doped with proteinic substances or antibodies acting as virus receptors, or the colorimetric sensor comprises a receptor layer comprising proteinic substances or antibodies acting as virus receptors. The functional layer and receptor layer overlap each other. Alternatively, or in addition to, the colorimetric sensor comprises a plasmonic nanostructured layer comprising nanostructures such to generate plasmonic colors, overlapping the one or more layers having the photonic crystal structure.