Abstract: A pipetting system identifies and records data regarding pipetting events, including the time and well into which a pipette dispenses liquid and the volume of liquid dispensed into the well. The pipetting system also measures and records other data regarding the context of pipetting events. This other data includes the speed of pipetting, the pressure exerted on a plunger of the pipette by a finger of a user, and the temperature, humidity and lighting conditions at a well tray into which the liquid is dispensed. The pipetting system includes a pipette that has multiple cylinders and multiple corresponding pistons. Each cylinder has different diameter. Thus, a down-stroke of the pistons causes each of the cylinders to expel a different amount of air. A rotatable mechanism selects which cylinder is connected by an airway to a pipette tip and which other cylinders vent directly to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, hierarchical, nanometer-precise assembly is performed: A first structural unit is attached to a solid substrate in a first fluidic flow. A second structural unit is attached to the first structural unit in a second fluidic flow, a third structural unit is attached to the second structural unit in a third fluidic flow, and so on, until a target structure comprising the structural units is assembled. The first, second, third and so on fluidic flows are separate and occur in order in a temporal sequence. During the temporal sequence, a specific permutation of nucleobases is used repeatedly, in separate fluidic flows which occur at different times, to form multiple attachments between structural units in an assembly. The assembled target structure is removed from the solid substrate. Attachments between the structural units may be formed by nucleobase pairing.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, hierarchical, nanometer-precise assembly is performed: A first structural unit is attached to a solid substrate in a first fluidic flow. A second structural unit is attached to the first structural unit in a second fluidic flow, a third structural unit is attached to the second structural unit in a third fluidic flow, and so on, until a target structure comprising the structural units is assembled. The first, second, third and so on fluidic flows are separate and occur in order in a temporal sequence. During the temporal sequence, a specific permutation of nucleobases is used repeatedly, in separate fluidic flows which occur at different times, to form multiple attachments between structural units in an assembly. The assembled target structure is removed from the solid substrate. Attachments between the structural units may be formed by nucleobase pairing.