Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a microfluidic substrate having an outlet aperture for outputting an eluent of a sample, a spray unit having an inlet to receive the eluent and an outlet to emit a spray of the eluent, and a force-applying unit. The spray unit has a deformable portion defining the inlet and having an elastic modulus that is lower than an elastic modulus of the microfluidic substrate. The force-applying unit, such as a spring, is disposed to urge the deformable portion in contact with the substrate to form a substantially fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A composition made of at least 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic elastomer resin and additives that are solid at least from 0-50° C., that has a Shore A hardness that is less than about 50 bears a patterned surface, the pattern comprising at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 microns is a substrate for forming a microfluidic device. The chief advantages of such compositions are: its ability to bond in a sealing manner to smooth surfaces of many different compositions, its ease of manufacture and microstructure patterning, and its general impermeability to liquids.

Abstract: A method for rendering a microfluidic device suitable for reuse for nucleic acid analysis is provided. The method may include flowing a nucleic acid inactivating solution into a microfluidic channel of the device by pumping; and then flowing a wash solution into the channel by pumping, thereby displacing the nucleic acid inactivating solution from the channel, whereby any residual nucleic acid from a prior use of the device is inactivated.

Abstract: A method of loading material within a microchannel device, the method comprising: (a) loading particulates into a plurality of microchannels; and, (b) ultrasonically packing the particulates into the plurality of microchannels using a portable, compact ultrasonic densification unit.

Abstract: An efficient method of processing a target material in a sample using a microfluidic device including an elastic membrane.

Abstract: An analytical device including an optically opaque cladding, a sequencing layer including a substrate disposed below the cladding, and a waveguide assembly for receiving optical illumination and introducing illumination into the device. The illumination may be received from a top, a side edge, and a bottom of the device. The waveguide assembly may include a nanoscale aperture disposed in the substrate and extending through the cladding. The aperture defines a reaction cell for receiving a set of reactants. In various aspects, the device includes a sensor element and the illumination pathway is through the sensor element. Waveguides and illumination devices, such as plasmonic illumination devices, are also disclosed. Methods for forming and operating the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having superhydrophilic bi-porous interfaces are provided, along with their methods of formation. The device can include a substrate defining a microchannel formed between a pair of side walls and a bottom surface and a plurality of nanowires extending from each of the side walls and the bottom surface. For example, the nanowires can be silicon nanowires (e.g., pure silicon, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, etc., or mixtures thereof).

Abstract: Various embodiments described in the application relate to an apparatus, system, and method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The system can comprise an apparatus comprising at least one conduit operatively connected to one or more pumps for providing discrete volumes separated from one another by a fluid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge and methods for performing a diagnostic, molecular or biochemical assay thereon, where all dried and/or liquid reagents necessary for the assay are contained in the cartridge and the assay requires only the addition of sample. Pneumohydraulic features, chamber and diaphragm technologies are introduced for overcoming the problems of bubble interference and reagent washout during operation of a microfluidic cartridge. The cartridges are inserted into a host instrument for performance of an assay and the cartridge is supplied as a consumable.

Abstract: A microfluidic disk includes: a disk-shaped main body; a receiving container; an injection channel; a mixing channel; a reaction container; and a discharge container.

Abstract: A Sorbent media exhaustion indicator produces color change when the sorbent media is saturated. The indicator's fluid inlet attach to the fluid outlet of a sorbent media device such as filter. It includes is a hollow tube or a hollow polyhedron prism that fluids flow freely through it. The indicator also includes colorimetric sensor that changes color when exposed to trace amount of toxic fluids and a trap member that prevent toxic fluids exist in the surrounding environment from changing the color of the colorimetric sensor, hence preventing false indication of sorbent media exhaustion. Another function of the trap member is to trap toxic fluids from exiting to the surrounding environment when toxic fluids breakthrough the sorbent media device.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, along with their methods of formation and use, are provided. The microfluidic device can include a substrate with a main channel and a first auxiliary channel defined in the substrate's surface. The main channel has a main width of about 1000 ?m or less. The first auxiliary channel intersects with the main channel at a first aperture defined in a first side wall of the main channel. A second auxiliary channel can intersect with the main channel at a second aperture defined in a second side wall of the main channel. A plurality of main channels and respective auxiliary channel(s) can be included on the surface.

Abstract: A system is provided that simulates the in vivo micro-environment of three-dimensional cellular structures or bodies, such as tumors. The system simulates the pressure gradients and fluid flows of the vascular and lymphatic systems as well as the interstitial and capillary transport mechanisms between the 3D cellular structure and the vascular and lymphatic systems. The system can be used to introduce drugs or drug delivery carriers to a tumor, for example, to assess the uptake capability and effect on the tumor. The system maintains the viability of the tumor cells for a sufficiently long period of time to permit testing of several different drugs and/or delivery carriers.

Abstract: The specification generally discloses systems and methods for mixing and delivering fluids in microfluidic systems. The fluids can contain, in some embodiments reagents that can participate in one or more chemical or biological reactions. Some embodiments relate to systems and methods employing one or more vent valves to controllably flow and/or mix portions of fluid within the microfluidic system. Advantageously, fluid control such as a sequence of fluid flow and/or a change in flow rate, can be achieved by opening and closing one or more vent valves and by applying a single source of fluid flow (e.g., a vacuum) operated at a substantially constant pressure. This can simplify the operation and use of the device by an intended user.

Abstract: An object is to provide a material capable of removing A? from a body fluid efficiently and use of the material, which are developed for the purpose of establishing a therapeutic or preventive method for Alzheimer's disease. Provided is an amyloid ? protein remover, containing a carrier made of any one material selected from the group consisting of cellulose, silica, polyvinyl alcohol, and activated carbon, wherein the carrier does not have an alkyl chain on the surface thereof or has an alkyl chain having 1 to 18 carbon atoms on the surface thereof.

Abstract: Example microfluidic methods and apparatus to perform in situ chemical detection are disclosed. A disclosed example downhole apparatus comprises a microfluidic chamber to introduce a microfluidic-scale drop of a reagent into a formation fluid to form a mixed fluid, a flowline to fluidly couple the formation fluid from a geologic formation to the microfluidic chamber, and a detector to measure a property of the mixed fluid, the property representative of a presence of a chemical in the formation fluid.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus, comprising: an ultrasonic vibrating unit which applies ultrasonic vibration to a sample including an analyte held in a measurement sample container; a sample preparation unit which prepares a measurement sample by mixing the sample including the analyte to which the ultrasonic vibration is applied and a predetermined reagent; and a container transporting unit which transports the measurement sample container holding the sample including the analyte from the ultrasonic vibrating unit to the sample preparation unit.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge having a microfluidic channel may have at least one surface that has been roughened, etched or otherwise treated to alter its surface characteristics. In some instances, a microfluidic cartridge may have a microfluidic channel that is configured to provide even distribution of a lysing reagent across the channel. The surface may be roughened or etched using a laser, an abrasive, application of a solvent or in any other suitable manner.

Abstract: A sample vessel may include a segmented tubule and an interface receiving the tubule. The segmented tubule may include an opening for receiving a sample material and at least one compressible section, the at least one compressible section having a wall constructed at least partially from a material having sufficient flexibility to permit compression of opposed sections of the wall into contact with one another, and at least two segments of the tubule being fluidically isolated from one another by a bonding of a fluid-tight seal between opposed sections of the tubule wall, wherein said fluid-tight seal irreversibly opens upon application of fluid pressure greater than a threshold value to permit selective fluid communication between the opposed sections. The interface may facilitate delivery of a sample material to the tubule through the opening.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a multi-layered cell culture vessel having a rectangular shape with a top a bottom sides and ends, where the sides are longer than the ends. The vessel has hand grips and ports at each end of the rectangular vessel. The ports allow fluid entering into the vessel to flow into the multiple cell culture layers through a manifold. The ports may be incorporated into the hand grips.