Abstract: A method of setting phases of a multitude of transmit elements of a phased array includes, in part, setting a phase of a first transmit element to N different values during each of N different time intervals, transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the first transmit element at each of the N time intervals, measuring a power of the electromagnetic signal at a receiving unit during each of the N time intervals, and selecting coefficients of a basis function such that a difference between a power value computed by the basis function and the measured power value associated with each of the N phases is smaller than a threshold value. The threshold value is optionally defined by a minimum of the sum of squares of the difference between a power value computed by the basis function and the power value for each of the N phases.

Abstract: PC board fluidic devices for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are disclosed. The devices comprise a printed circuit board and a PCR chamber. The PCR chamber is a fluidic chamber and is located in, or is part of, the PC board. The PC board can include a coil trace heating element with a temperature sensor and controller.

Abstract: A method of setting phases of a multitude of transmit elements of a phased array includes, in part, setting a phase of a first transmit element to N different values during each of N different time intervals, transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the first transmit element at each of the N time intervals, measuring a power of the electromagnetic signal at a receiving unit during each of the N time intervals, and selecting coefficients of a basis function such that a difference between a power value computed by the basis function and the measured power value associated with each of the N phases is smaller than a threshold value. The threshold value is optionally defined by a minimum of the sum of squares of the difference between a power value computed by the basis function and the power value for each of the N phases.

Abstract: PC board fluidic devices for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are disclosed. The devices comprise a printed circuit board and a PCR chamber. The PCR chamber is a fluidic chamber and is located in, or is part of, the PC board. The PC board can include a coil trace heating element with a temperature sensor and controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a PCR chamber for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction and a printed circuit board (PCB) fluidic device. The PCR chamber is a fluidic chamber and is located in, or is part of, the printed circuit board (PCB) fluidic device. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction and a method for performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction are further disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with great speed and specificity. The system employs a heat block containing a liquid composition to rapidly transfer heat to and from reaction vessels. The system makes use of the reflective properties of the liquid metal to reflect signal from the PCR into the vessel and out the top. In this way, the signal can be measured by an optical assembly in real time without removing the vessels from the heat block.

Abstract: Methods for fabrication of microfluidic systems on printed circuit boards (PCB) are described. The PCB contains layers of insulating material and a layer or layers of metal buried within layers of insulating material. The metal layers are etched away, leaving fully enclosed microfluidic channels buried within the layers of insulating material.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor device including a first sensor element and a second sensor element; a dielectric substrate material formed in two layers, and a sensing hole which penetrates the dielectric substrate material from its upper surface to its lower surface. The first sensor element is receivable in the sensing hole; and second sensor element includes a first conducting ring disposed on an upper surface of said dielectric substrate and surrounding said sensing hole. The second conducting ring is disposed on a lower surface of the dielectric substrate and surrounds the sensing hole. The first sensor element and the second sensor are capable of producing a variable response when the first sensor element is disposed in the sensing hole.

Abstract: A printed circuit structure containing a fluidic chamber configured to receive an aqueous solution containing a sample to be analyzed and fluorophore for polymerase chain reaction analysis. The printed circuit structure also contains a heating element that provides for temperature cycling of the fluidic chamber to support polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular with great speed and specificity. The system employs a heat block containing a liquid composition to rapidly transfer heat to and from reaction vessels. The system makes use of the reflective properties of the liquid metal to reflect signal from the PCR into the vessel and out the top. In this way, the signal can be measured by an optical assembly in real time without removing the vessels from the heat block.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with great speed and specificity. The system employs a heat block containing a liquid composition to rapidly transfer heat to and from reaction vessels. The system makes use of the reflective properties of the liquid metal to reflect signal from the PCR into the vessel and out the top. In this way, the signal can be measured by an optical assembly in real time without removing the vessels from the heat block.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions involving heating and cooling of samples in sample vessels utilizing a heat block comprising a liquid. The method can be used to perform multiple nucleic acid amplification reactions simultaneously in which each of the reactions is performed so as to have temperature profiles. The apparatus can be used for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with control and uniformity.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for providing heating and cooling of samples in sample vessels having uniform temperature profiles. The apparatus can be used for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with control and uniformity. The system employs a heat block containing a liquid composition to efficiently transfer heat to and from reaction vessels.

Abstract: By use of the vias a microfluidic autoregulator is fabricated comprising an origin of a fluid, a sink for the fluid, a main flow channel coupling the origin and the sink, a valve communicated to the main flow channel to selectively control flow of fluid therethrough, and means dependent on flow through the main flow channel for creating a pressure differential across the valve to at least partially activate the valve to control flow of fluid through the main flow channel. The means for dependent on flow for creating a pressure differential comprises either a dead-end detour channel from the flow channel to the valve, or a loop channel fed back to the control chamber of the valve.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor device including a first sensor element and a second sensor element; a dielectric substrate material formed in two layers, and a sensing hole which penetrates the dielectric substrate material from its upper surface to its lower surface. The first sensor element is receivable in the sensing hole; and second sensor element includes a first conducting ring disposed on an upper surface of said dielectric substrate and surrounding said sensing hole. The second conducting ring is disposed on a lower surface of the dielectric substrate and surrounds the sensing hole. The first sensor element and the second sensor are capable of producing a variable response when the first sensor element is disposed in the sensing hole.

Abstract: Pixel devices, comprising ink particles differing in electrical charge, mass and/or shape contained within a fluidic structure, and related arrays methods and systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a high efficiency coupling structure for extracting illumination such as fluorescent radiation from a chemical reaction vessel such as a cuvette. The cuvette is provided with a mirrored surface. An end cap for the cuvette includes a probe portion that exhibits total internal reflection. Lenses are provided in various embodiments that improve the light collection and directing properties of the end cap. A fast optical system for free space coupling of optical radiation emanating from a chemical processing cuvette that uses the end cap as an element is also described.

Abstract: Methods for fabrication of microfluidic systems on printed circuit boards (PCB) are described. The PCB contains layers of insulating material and a layer or layers of metal buried within layers of insulating material. The metal layers are etched away, leaving fully enclosed microfluidic channels buried within the layers of insulating material.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions involving heating and cooling of samples in sample vessels utilizing a heat block comprising a liquid. The method can be used to perform multiple nucleic acid amplification reactions simultaneously in which each of the reactions is performed so as to have temperature profiles. The apparatus can be used for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with control and uniformity.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for providing heating and cooling of samples in sample vessels having uniform temperature profiles. The apparatus can be used for performing PCR, and real time PCR in particular, with control and uniformity. The system employs a heat block containing a liquid composition to efficiently transfer heat to and from reaction vessels.