Abstract: This invention provides methods for using liquid junction potentials to control the transport of charged particles in fluid streams that are in laminar flow within microfluidic channels. Applications of the methods of this invention include sample preconditioning (removal of interfering substances), electrophoretic separation (fractionation) of charged particles, enhanced or delayed mixing of charged particles across a fluid interface relative to diffusion only, focusing charged particles in a fluid stream in one or two dimensions, and concentration of charged reactants at a fluid interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices for separating and/or detecting targets from biological, environmental, or chemical samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods, compositions, and devices for separating and/or detecting targets from biological, environmental, or chemical samples.

Abstract: An electroösmotic mixing device and a method for mixing one or more fluids for use in meso- or microfluidic device applications. The mixing device provides batch or continuous mixing of one or more fluids in meso- or microfluidic channels. An electric field is generated in the channel in substantial contact with chargeable surfaces therein. No alterations of the geometry of existing flow paths need be made, and the degree of mixing in the device can be controlled by the length of the electrodes, the flow rate past the electrodes, and the voltage applied to those electrodes. The degree of mixing is affected by choice of materials for the chargeable surface (in some cases by the selection of materials or coatings for channel walls) and the ionic strength of the fluids and the type and concentration of ions in the fluids. The ionic strength of fluids to be mixed is sufficiently low to allow electroosmotic flow.

Abstract: An integrally formed Christmas stocking and puppet is provided in combination with a story media sized to be contained within the open-ended cavity of the Christmas stocking. The Christmas stocking includes a sidewall having a first side and a second side, the first side carrying decorative means indicative of the Christmas season and the second side carrying decorative means defining a puppet character. The stocking is reversible such that in a first configuration the second side of the sidewall faces the interior of the stocking cavity and in a second configuration the first side of the sidewall faces the interior of the stocking cavity. The story media is attached to the second side of the sidewall in the vicinity of the closed end of the stocking cavity. A hanger is attached to the first side of the sidewall adjacent the open end of the stocking cavity.