Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention provides amplification methods in which nucleotide tag(s) and 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: A refrigeration appliance with a hot water dispenser includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispenser area, a cabinet water inlet in the refrigerated cabinet connectable to a premises water line, and a hot water storage tank. The tank has a tank body, a heater in the tank body, an inlet for admitting water into the tank body supplied via the cabinet water inlet, and an outlet for providing water via a dispensing conduit to a dispenser in the dispenser area. The inlet includes a venturi portion for creating a reduced pressure within the hot water storage tank via flow of water into the hot water storage tank. The reduced pressure communicates with the dispensing conduit via the outlet so that, after dispensing water remaining in the dispensing conduit is drawn toward the tank body. Refrigeration devices with premises line pressure water distribution systems are also disclosed.

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: In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for assaying single particles in a population of particles, wherein at least two parameters are measured for each particle. One or more parameters can be measured while the particles are in the separate reaction volumes. Alternatively or in addition, one or more parameters can be measured in a later analytic step, e.g., where reactions are carried out in the separate reaction volumes and the reaction products are recovered and analyzed. In particular embodiments, one or more parameter measurements are carried out “in parallel,” i.e., essentially simultaneously in the separate reaction volumes.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for carrying out sequential binary reactions.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance with a hot water dispenser includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispenser area, a cabinet water inlet in the refrigerated cabinet connectable to a premises water line, and a hot water storage tank. The tank has a tank body, a heater in the tank body, an inlet for admitting water into the tank body supplied via the cabinet water inlet, and an outlet for providing water via a dispensing conduit to a dispenser in the dispenser area. The inlet includes a venturi portion for creating a reduced pressure within the hot water storage tank via flow of water into the hot water storage tank. The reduced pressure communicates with the dispensing conduit via the outlet so that, after dispensing water remaining in the dispensing conduit is drawn toward the tank body. Refrigeration devices with premises line pressure water distribution systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated fluidic circuit includes a substrate layer and a first structure coupled to the substrate layer and including a plurality of channels. The first structure is configured to provide for flow of one or more materials through the plurality of channels. The integrated fluidic circuit also includes a second structure coupled to the substrate layer. The second structure includes a plurality of control channels configured to receive an actuation pressure. The integrated fluidic circuit is characterized by a thickness of less than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is described that has a slug mixing arrangement. A reaction well has an input flow channel with a first valve near the reaction well, and a second valve further from the reaction well. A fluid source is connected to the segment in between the two valves. A second fluid source is connected behind the second valve. The channel between the two valves receives the first fluid by blind filling when the two valves are closed. The reaction well receives the first fluid followed by the second fluid when the first and second valves are open.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a method of operating a refrigerator to determine the time at which to initiate a defrost cycle is provided. Changes in the voltage provided to an evaporator fan are used to determine and/or predict when to initiate a defrost cycle. Adjustments to the timing of the defrost cycle can be made based on known periods of peak energy demand and/or the increased costs associated with operating the defrost cycle during such peak energy demand periods.

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: 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: 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: 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.