Abstract: Improvements in compressor manufacture are achieved by utilizing polymeric components which retain at least 90% of their dimensions after being exposed to a mixture of refrigerants and/or lubricants for 30 days at 60° C. Polymeric materials include (i) polyetherimides, (ii) polyphenylene sulfides, (iii) polyketones, (iv) polysulfones, (v) liquid crystal polymers, and (vi) combinations thereof. Metal coatings on the polymers are the preferred embodiments for housings.

Abstract: The present invention includes microfluidic systems having a microfabricated cavity that may be covered with a removable cover, where the removable cover allows at least part of the opening of the microfabricated cavity to be exposed or directly accessed by an operator. The microfluidic systems comprise chambers, flow and control channels formed in elastomeric layers that may comprise PDMS. The removable cover comprises a thermoplastic base film bonded to an elastomer layer by an adhesive layer. When the removable cover is peeled off, the chamber is at least partially open to allow sample extraction from the chamber. The chamber may have macromolecular crystals formed inside or resulting contents from a PCR reaction. The invention also includes a method for making vias in elastomeric layers by using the removable cover. The invention further includes methods and devices for peeling the peelable cover or a removable component such as Integrated Heater Spreader.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.

Abstract: Described herein are methods useful for incorporating one or more adaptors and/or nucleotide tag(s) and/or barcode nucleotide sequence(s) one, or typically more, target nucleotide sequences. In particular embodiments, nucleic acid fragments having adaptors, e.g., suitable for use in high-throughput DNA sequencing are generated. In other embodiments, information about a reaction mixture is encoded into a reaction product. Also described herein are methods and kits useful for amplifying one or more target nucleic acids in preparation for applications such as bidirectional nucleic acid sequencing. In particular embodiments, methods of the invention entail additionally carrying out bidirectional DNA sequencing. Also described herein are methods for encoding and detecting and/or quantifying alleles by primer extension.

Abstract: New high density microfluidic devices and methods provide precise metering of fluid volumes and efficient mixing of the metered volumes. A first solution is introduced into a segment of a flow channel in fluidic communication with a reaction chamber. A second solution is flowed through the segment so that the first solution is displaced into the reaction chamber, and a volume of the second solution enters the chamber. The chamber can then be isolated and reactions within the chamber can be initiated and/or detected. High throughput methods of genetic analysis can be carried out with greater accuracy than previously available.

Abstract: Improvements in compressor manufacture are achieved by utilizing polymeric components which retain at least 90% of their dimensions after being exposed to a mixture of refrigerants and/or lubricants for 30 days at 60° C. Polymeric materials include (i) polyetherimides, (ii) polyphenylene sulfides, (iii) polyketones, (iv) polysulfones, (v) liquid crystal polymers, and (vi) combinations thereof. Metal coatings on the polymers are the preferred embodiments for housings.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.

Abstract: Ice maker assemblies for freezers, as well as refrigerator appliance which include ice maker assemblies, are provided. A freezer includes a power source. An ice maker assembly includes a mold tray including a plurality of mold pockets, and a motor, the motor electrically connectable to the power source. The ice maker assembly further includes a housing generally surrounding the motor, and a light coupled to the housing, the light electrically connectable to the power source.

Abstract: Polymer-based drilling fluids may be used as an alternative to drilling fluids containing bentonite or other clay materials, although filter cake formation can often be inadequate when using polymer-based drilling fluids. As a result, drilling methods employing polymer-based drilling fluids may sometimes experience unacceptable fluid loss performance within a borehole. Drilling methods with enhanced fluid loss performance may comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a viscosity-enhancing polymer, and a plurality of non-biodegradable particulates, the non-biodegradable particulates comprising at least silica particulates; drilling a borehole in the presence of the drilling fluid; and forming a filter cake within the borehole, the filter cake comprising the non-biodegradable particulates.

Abstract: The present invention includes microfluidic systems having a microfabricated cavity that may be covered with a removable cover, where the removable cover allows at least part of the opening of the microfabricated cavity to be exposed or directly accessed by an operator. The microfluidic systems comprise chambers, flow and control channels formed in elastomeric layers that may comprise PDMS. The removable cover comprises a thermoplastic base film bonded to an elastomer layer by an adhesive layer. When the removable cover is peeled off, the chamber is at least partially open to allow sample extraction from the chamber. The chamber may have macromolecular crystals formed inside or resulting contents from a PCR reaction. The invention also includes a method for making vias in elastomeric layers by using the removable cover. The invention further includes methods and devices for peeling the peelable cover or a removable component such as Integrated Heater Spreader.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents, kits, and methods for single-cell whole genome amplification using Phi 29 DNA polymerase.

Abstract: A microfluidic device adapted to perform many simultaneous binding assays including but not limited to immunological experiments, such as ELISA assays, with minimal cross-talk between primary and secondary antibodies.

Abstract: Described herein are methods useful for incorporating one or more adaptors and/or nucleotide tag(s) and/or barcode nucleotide sequence(s) one, or typically more, target nucleotide sequences. In particular embodiments, nucleic acid fragments having adaptors, e.g., suitable for use in high-throughput DNA sequencing are generated. In other embodiments, information about a reaction mixture is encoded into a reaction product. Also described herein are methods and kits useful for amplifying one or more target nucleic acids in preparation for applications such as bidirectional nucleic acid sequencing. In particular embodiments, methods of the invention entail additionally carrying out bidirectional DNA sequencing. Also described herein are methods for encoding and detecting and/or quantifying alleles by primer extension.

Abstract: The present invention includes microfluidic systems having a microfabricated cavity that may be covered with a removable cover, where the removable cover allows at least part of the opening of the microfabricated cavity to be exposed or directly accessed by an operator. The microfluidic systems comprise chambers, flow and control channels formed in elastomeric layers that may comprise PDMS. The removable cover comprises a thermoplastic base film bonded to an elastomer layer by an adhesive layer. When the removable cover is peeled off, the chamber is at least partially open to allow sample extraction from the chamber. The chamber may have macromolecular crystals formed inside or resulting contents from a PCR reaction. The invention also includes a method for making vias in elastomeric layers by using the removable cover. The invention further includes methods and devices for peeling the peelable cover or a removable component such as Integrated Heater Spreader.

Abstract: An assembly for filtering water includes a housing, a water inlet for supplying unfiltered water to the housing, and a water filter including an outer casing attached to the housing in communication with the water inlet and a filter medium within the outer casing, the water filter filtering the unfiltered water through filter medium to provide filtered water. A water outlet is attached to the housing for transferring filtered water from the outer casing to a device via the housing. Some sort of indicia is located on the outer casing, and an optical device detects a feature of the indicia to determine if the water filter is properly installed in the housing. Related refrigeration appliances incorporating such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides amplification methods in which nucleotide tag(s) and, optionally, a barcode nucleotide sequence are added to target nucleotide sequences. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a microfluidic device that includes a plurality of first input lines and a plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device also includes a plurality of sets of first chambers and a plurality of sets of second chambers. Each set of first chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of first input lines. Each set of second chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device further includes a plurality of first pump elements in fluid communication with a first portion of the plurality of second input lines and a plurality of second pump elements in fluid communication with a second portion of the plurality of second input lines.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodologies are provided to improve the refrigeration system by precisely controlling refrigerator compartment and heat exchanger temperatures through continuous modulation of device speeds or positions to match capacity with instantaneous load. A controller in a refrigerator is configured to provide a plurality of control loops to control various operational aspects of selected components in the refrigerator. A first loop controls the operating speed of a compressor based on temperature of the evaporator or based on the desired speed of an evaporator fan. A second control loop controls speed of an evaporator fan to maintain a prescribed freezer compartment temperature. A third control loop maintains a prescribed temperature in a fresh food compartment. In certain embodiments selected of the control loops may be thermodynamically coupled by way of thermal interaction between the various cooled compartments rather than being electrically coupled.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for selectively enriching a biological sample for short nucleic acids, such as fetal DNA in a maternal sample or apoptic DNA in a biological sample from a cancer patient and for subsequently analyzing the short nucleic acids for genotype, mutation, and/or aneuploidy.

Abstract: New high density microfluidic devices and methods provide precise metering of fluid volumes and efficient mixing of the metered volumes. A first solution is introduced into a segment of a flow channel in fluidic communication with a reaction chamber. A second solution is flowed through the segment so that the first solution is displaced into the reaction chamber, and a volume of the second solution enters the chamber. The chamber can then be isolated and reactions within the chamber can be initiated and/or detected. High throughput methods of genetic analysis can be carried out with greater accuracy than previously available.

Abstract: The present invention provides amplification-based methods for detection of genotype, mutations, and/or aneuploidy. These methods have broad applicability, but are particularly well-suited to detecting and quantifying target nucleic acids in free fetal DNA present in a maternal bodily fluid sample.