Abstract: A microfluidic device may include an inlet, an outlet, first and second channels arranged in parallel, a first sensor pair positioned along the first channel, and a second sensor pair positioned along the second channel. The first channel may include a first upstream zone, a first downstream zone, and a first constriction zone. The second channel may include a second upstream zone, a second downstream zone, and a second constriction zone. The first sensor pair may include a first entry sensor configured to detect a first cell flowing through the first upstream zone, and a first exit sensor configured to detect the first cell flowing through the first downstream zone. The second sensor pair may include a second entry sensor configured to detect a second cell flowing through the second upstream zone, and a second exit sensor configured to detect the second cell flowing through the second downstream zone.

Abstract: A low-voltage microfluidic valve device and system for regulating the flow of fluid. One low-voltage microfluidic valve device for regulating the low of fluid includes a nano-textured dendritic metallic filament configured to grow and retract in response to a voltage. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a microfluidic channel configured to allow fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow is selectively interrupted by the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a membrane positioned proximate to the fluid and configured to alter shape in response to the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament.

Abstract: A detection device, a detecting method for the detection device, and a detecting system are provided. The detection device includes: a first interdigital transducer and a second interdigital transducer, wherein the first interdigital transducer is arranged opposite to the second interdigital transducer, and a surface wave of the first interdigital transducer is transmitted in a direction toward the second interdigital transducer; and a reaction layer arranged between the first interdigital transducer and the second interdigital transducer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biosensor for detecting the presence of and/or the amount of at least one fungal plant pathogen in a sample, comprising: a support structure; at least two interdigitated electrodes coupled to the support structure, wherein at least one of the interdigitated electrodes is functionalized with a linker coupled to at least one biological component that recognizes the at least one fungal plant pathogen; and an impedance measurement circuit coupled to the at least two interdigitated electrodes. The present disclosure also provides methods of detecting the presence of and/or the amount of at least one fungal plant pathogen in a sample, methods of making the biosensor described herein, as well as methods and uses of using the herein described biosensor for detecting the presence of and/or amount of at least one fungal plant pathogen.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for analyzing substances included in a sample. The apparatus includes a physical enclosure for holding the sample and one or more sensors positioned on an inner surface of the physical enclosure. The sensors are configured to provide information associated with the substances included in the sample. The apparatus further includes electrical conductive traces positioned on the inner surface and coupled to the one or more sensors, thereby facilitating transmission of outputs of the sensors.

Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The technology still more particularly relates to automated devices for carrying out pipetting operations, particularly on samples in parallel, consistent with sample preparation and delivery of PCR-ready nucleotide extracts to a cartridge wherein PCR is run.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurate and efficient identification and quantification of proteins. In an aspect, disclosed herein is a method for identifying a protein in a sample of unknown proteins, comprising receiving information of a plurality of empirical measurements performed on the unknown proteins; comparing the information of empirical measurements against a database comprising a plurality of protein sequences, each protein sequence corresponding to a candidate protein among a plurality of candidate proteins; and for each of one or more of the plurality of candidate proteins, generating a probability that the candidate protein generates the information of empirical measurements, a probability that the plurality of empirical measurements is not observed given that the candidate protein is present in the sample, or a probability that the candidate protein is present in the sample; based on the comparison of the information of empirical measurements against the database.

Abstract: A high data rate integrated circuit, such as an integrated circuit including a large sensor array, may be implemented using clock multipliers in individual power domains, coupled to sets of transmitters, including a transmitter pair configuration. Reference clock distribution circuitry on the integrated circuit distributes a relatively low speed reference clock. In a transmitter pair configuration, each pair comprises a first transmitter and a second transmitter in a transmitter power domain. Also, each pair of transmitters includes a clock multiplier connected to the reference clock distribution circuitry, and disposed between the first and second transmitters, which produces a local transmit clock.

Abstract: A device for the quantification of cellular and non-cellular components in a blood sample including detection electrodes including a first electrode connected with a first input to receive a first signal in input and a second electrode, reference electrodes including a first electrode connected with a second input configured to receive a second signal in input of opposite polarity to the first input signal and a second electrode connected to the second electrode of said detection electrodes, in a common point wherefrom an output signal is picked up, a ferromagnetic concentrator that cooperates with an external magnetic field external to effectuate concentration of said components on said detection electrodes, a substrate configured to house said detection electrodes, reference electrodes, and concentrator; a support configured to collect a blood sample, and a spacer element to confine in the substrate plane the blood sample and to distance said substrate from said support.

Abstract: A microfluidic device, a method of using a microfluidic device and a micro total analysis system are provided. The microfluidic device includes a first substrate, and the first substrate includes a base substrate and a pixel array. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels and is on the base substrate, and each of the plurality of pixels includes a driving electrode. Driving electrodes of two adjacent pixels are in different layers.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass tag analysis for rare cells and cell free molecules. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus including an essentially non-absorbent membrane having at least one pore, a microwell operably associated with the essentially non-absorbent membrane, and an electric field generator. The apparatus may be configured such that an electric field produced by the electric field generator operably interacts with a sample in the microwell and expels a droplet of the sample through the at least one pore in the essentially non-absorbent membrane. In certain embodiments, apparatuses of the invention are used for detection, and optionally quantification, of a target analyte from a heterogeneous sample, such as a rare target analyte (e.g., rare cell) from a biological sample.

Abstract: The present exemplary embodiments provide a sample separation device which applies an electric field to a selective ion permeable layer based on origami to concentrate a target material in a specific area and concentrates a target material and separates a non-target material through a filter layer in which a paper is compressed to adjust a size of micro pore.

Abstract: A microfluidic mixing device comprising two bellows pumps (105, 115), microfluidic cartridges comprising the same and methods for use of the same are provided. The disclosed device enables efficient mixing of samples at the microfluidic scale.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that allow for the casting of flat, controlled thickness layers of gel or polymer on a test surface, such as within the wells of a microplate. A spacer device is interposed between the test surface and the planar lower face of a movable pillar, defining a highly uniform volume. Addition of a gel or polymer precursor in solution followed by curing generates a highly uniform gel or polymer layer with a planar upper surface within this volume, which is exposed on removal of the pillar. In some embodiments a group of pillars is provided in a manifold that provides spacing and arrangement corresponding to a group of test wells. The pillars are mounted in the manifold so as to provide translation movement normal to the test surface, allowing them to rest against the spacer device and facilitating gentle removal from the wells. A variety of spacer devices are considered, including beads, flattened rings, and toroidal spacers.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an interconnect device and modules and systems that utilize such interconnect device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the interconnect device can include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include a substrate forming a resiliently deflectable element, a conductive material disposed on the substrate, and an electrical contact disposed on the resiliently deflectable element and electrically coupled to the conductive material. The interconnect device can also include a connector that includes a connecting pin configured to electrically couple with the electrical contact of the resiliently deflectable element of the PCB and cause the resiliently deflectable element to deflect when the element contacts the connecting pin.

Abstract: A method and device for transfecting a cell to introduce an exogenous material into the cell. The method includes exposing the cell to a region of unsteady flow in the presence of an electric field to encourage introduction of the exogenous material into a cell without lysing the cell.

Abstract: A sulfonated nanocellulose or sulfonated cellulose may be synthesized. A polyaniline emeraldine may be doped with the sulfonated nanocellulose or sulfonated cellulose to form a sulfonated nanocellulose-doped polyaniline or a sulfonated cellulose-doped polyaniline.

Abstract: Devices, techniques, and processes are disclosed that use electrical impedance to detect of the presence and contents of droplets including cells, nucleic acids, proteins, or solute concentrations in an array of retrievable, trackable, trapped droplets in a fluidic system. Electrodes may be positioned underneath individual droplet traps in a microchannel to assay droplet contents and/or actuating droplets for the release of the droplets from corresponding traps.

Abstract: Improved methods of manufacturing highly sensitive and selective electrochemical biosensors are provided. The method may comprise washing the nanowell array electrodes of the biosensors with ferricyanide, preferably potassium ferricyanide. The method may also comprise washing the electrodes of the biosensors with methylene blue (i.e., methylthioninium chloride), either in addition to the ferricyanide and/or H2SO4 washing steps, or without the ferricyanide and/or H2SO4 washing steps.