Abstract: Methods and compositions for rapid and efficient assembly of fibers coated with lamellar vesicles are provided. Cosmetic and therapeutic uses of vesicle-coated fibers are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for rapid and efficient assembly of substrates (e.g., fibers) coated with lamellar vesicles are provided, wherein the vesicles are more strongly attached to the substrate than those made using other methods.

Abstract: Microfluidic, electrochemical devices are described. The microfluidic, electrochemical device may include a sample zone on a first porous, hydrophilic layer, a reference zone and a microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel provides for predominantly diffusive fluid communication between the sample zone and the reference zone; (therefore realizing a similar function of a reference electrode), a fluid-impermeable material that defines each of the sample zone, reference zone and microfluidic channel, a first electrode in fluid communication with the sample zone and a second electrode in fluid communication with the reference zone. Also described are microfluidic, electrochemical devices containing an ion-selective membrane for potentiometric ion sensing.

Abstract: A system and method that quantifies the concentration of an immunoactive analyte by detecting a chemically amplified change in density. This method, termed DeLISA for Density-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, but useful for any biomolecular recognition event, uses magnetic levitation (MagLev) to detect the changes in density. The present disclosure provides a quantitative measure of detecting binding events, does not require the use of electricity, and can be easily multiplexed to detect multiple analytes since several beads can be placed in single serum sample to detect, for example, HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, and the like, simultaneously.

Abstract: Described herein are assays for determining total suspended solids (TSS) in liquids. Here TSS can be determined by flowing turbid liquid samples in a porous medium. Using such an assay, TSS can be determined with small volumes of liquid and in short times without the need for dedicated optics and instruments. The assays can be used to determine total suspended solids in any liquid medium, for example, the assay can be used in an immunoprecipitin assay to determine the amount of antigen or antibody present in blood or other fluid.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microfluidic filter and concentrator that can separate a filtrate from a fluid containing components, e.g. a suspension of particles, to be removed from the fluid at least to some extent. The filter may employ principals of tangential flow filtration, also known as cross-flow filtration. In one aspect, a microfluidic filter described herein includes at least a first, main channel and one or more secondary, filtering channels that connect to the main channel. Filtration occurs when a fluid portion of a sample that is flowed through the main channel enters one or more of the filtering channels and at least some of the components in the sample do not enter or do not flow through the secondary, filtering channels. The secondary channels may be dimensioned to inhibit flow of components through them, and/or a porous material such as a layer may be positioned to inhibit flow of components through the secondary channels.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for forming fluidic droplets comprising particles such as colloidal particles, which may be distributed on the surfaces of the fluidic droplets in some cases, thereby encapsulating the fluidic droplets. The particles at least partially surrounding the fluidic droplet may be colloidal particles in some cases, i.e., forming a “colloidal capsule.” In one set of embodiments, the particles may be positioned on the surface of a fluidic droplet such that the fluidic droplet is able to maintain a shape that, when left undisturbed, is not achievable by an undisturbed fluidic droplet free of discrete particles, for example, elongated or prolate ellipsoid fluidic droplets. Such fluidic droplets may also exhibit unusual properties, for example, plasticity, isolation from electromagnetic fields, certain electrical and/or magnetic properties, and/or mechanical resistance.