Abstract: A combination micro/macro-fluidic analysis system with one or more of a droplet transition unit, a droplet cleaving unit, a droplet synchronization, and a merging unit to enable highly efficient complex droplet microfluidic assays.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a microfluidic platform composed of a droplet generator having an entry point for donor particles and target particles, a first droplet incubation chamber in fluid communication with the droplet generator, a droplet detection functionality to allow for analysis of the inner content of droplets, and a droplet sorting functionality to allow for the separation of droplets based on the analysis of the inner content of droplets. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method for cell-to-cell DNA, RNA, or other genetic material transfer through use of a water-in-oil emulsion microdroplet-based microfluidic platform for automation and high throughput identification or screening of genetic transfer outcomes utilizing the microfluidic platforms as disclosed herein.

Abstract: A combination micro/macro-fluidic analysis system with one or more of a droplet transition unit, a droplet cleaving unit, a droplet synchronization, and a merging unit to enable highly efficient complex droplet microfluidic assays.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an organ-chip model having a plurality of cell culture chambers connected through arrays of microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, each cell culture chamber of the plurality of cell culture chambers include an inlet and an outlet. In some embodiments, the inlet is configured to receive at least one of a cell, cell media, or a cell stimulant. In some embodiments, at least one outlet is configured to collect effluent. In some embodiments, the organ-chip model can include, without limitation, an organ-chip model of amnion membrane, an organ-chip model of a feto-maternal interface (fetal membrane-decidua parietalis), an organ-chip model of a feto-maternal interface (placenta-decidua interface), an organ-chip model of a cervix, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the organ-chip model is an interconnected organ-chip model having a combination of one or more organ-chip models with interconnected cell culture chambers.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic channel formed in the microfluidic device and defined by a floor and a ceiling positioned vertically above the floor, wherein the microfluidic channel includes at least one fluid inlet configured to receive a fluid flow and at least one fluid outlet, and wherein at least one of the ceiling and the floor of the microfluidic channel is sloped relative to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A dielectrophoresis-based in-droplet cell concentrator is disclosed herein. The concentrator can include a concentration microchannel having an input port and two or more outlet ports. The input port introduces cell-encapsulated droplets or particle-encapsulated droplets into the microchannel; a first outlet port receives droplets including most of the cells or particles and a second output port receives droplets including few cells or particles. The concentrator also can include a pair of electrodes. When voltage is applied, the electrodes will create an electric field across the microchannel. The concentrator adds new capabilities to droplet microfluidics operations, such as adjusting concentrations of cells in droplets, separating cells of different properties from inside droplets, and solution exchange.

Abstract: The microfluidic platform device of the claimed invention makes use of a high throughput lab-on-a-chip format to determine the functional profile of antibodies elicited by infection or vaccination against infection for any pathogen. It can be used to evaluate vaccines, evaluate whether vaccinated individuals show indices of protection, determine whether individuals display resistance or susceptibility to infection, discover new vaccine antigens, discover and test therapeutic interventions, or evaluate mechanisms of disease.

Abstract: An automated fully integrated on-chip ultra-high-throughput droplet microfluidic screening platform (PolyChip) has been developed that integrates the cultivation and manipulation of cells (e.g., microbial) communities with “on the fly” sorting and analyses. The PolyChip system enables continuous operation of the entire process, from cell-encapsulated droplet generation, culture, merging with other cell-encapsulated droplets, culture, merging with reagent-laden droplets, culture, followed by detection and sorting.

Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of a material to corrosion includes generating, via an inlet in a monitoring device, a laminar flow of material comprising a plurality of microorganisms. The plurality of microorganisms comprises at least one microorganism type. The method also includes forming, inside the monitoring device, in response to the laminar flow, a biofilm comprising at least one microorganism type. In addition, the method includes applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes during the laminar flow.

Abstract: The microfluidic platform device of the claimed invention makes use of a high throughput lab-on-a-chip format to determine the functional profile of antibodies elicited by infection or vaccination against infection for any pathogen. It can be used to evaluate vaccines, evaluate whether vaccinated individuals show indices of protection, determine whether individuals display resistance or susceptibility to infection, discover new vaccine antigens, discover and test therapeutic interventions, or evaluate mechanisms of disease.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a microfluidic apparatus and methods for screening and isolating a target cell from a population of cells. The apparatus comprises a first microfluidic layer comprising microfluidic channels; a second microfluidic layer comprising microfluidic channels; and a microfluidic cell analysis layer comprising a top hanging blocking structure located directly below each location where the first layer microfluidic channels overlap with the second layer microfluidic channels and a cell trap juxtaposed to each of the top hanging blocking structures. The top hanging blocking structures can close or open the juxtaposed cell trap when either or both the first or second layer microfluidic channels located directly above the top hanging blocking structure are sufficiently pressurized and/or sufficiently depressurized.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a microfluidic apparatus and methods for screening and isolating a target cell from a population of cells. The apparatus comprises a first microfluidic layer comprising microfluidic channels; a second microfluidic layer comprising microfluidic channels; and a microfluidic cell analysis layer comprising a top hanging blocking structure located directly below each location where the first layer microfluidic channels overlap with the second layer microfluidic channels and a cell trap juxtaposed to each of the top hanging blocking structures. The top hanging blocking structures can close or open the juxtaposed cell trap when either or both the first or second layer microfluidic channels located directly above the top hanging blocking structure are sufficiently pressurized and/or sufficiently depressurized.

Abstract: The present invention includes an assembly with a magnet for magnetic resonance having a substrate with an imaging surface and an opening within the substrate adjacent the imaging surface. The present invention enhances the sensitivity and reduces the acquisition time of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy by cooling the coil using microfluidic channels through which a cryogenic fluid is pumped. Various embodiments have been detailed for clinical imaging or detection in which the integrated coil/microfluidic cryo-cooling system is outside the patient body or in vivo imaging or detection in which the integrated coil/microfluidic cryo-cooling system is inside the patient.