Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system based on active control of flow resistance and balancing pressures in microfluidic channels and an improved method for disposable microfluidic devices and cartridges for use in, but not limited to, in-vitro diagnostics. The microfluidic system and device of the invention does not utilize mechanical moving parts to control the fluid flow and has no external fluidic connection to the instrument or fluidics controller.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrophoretic chip comprising: (a) a non-conductive substrate designed to support elements of said electrophoretic chip; (b) an electrode structure for conducting current through said electrophoretic chip, printed on said non-conductive substrate and comprising a counter electrode and at least one working electrode, each electrode comprising a conductive low-resistance ink layer printed on the non-conductive substrate, and a carbon ink layer printed on top of and fully or partially covering said conductive low-resistance ink layer; (c) a dielectric ink insulator layer placed on top of, and covering, said electrode structure, said dielectric ink insulator layer having at least one opening above the counter electrode and at least one opening above said at least one working electrode, thereby forming at least one addressable location; and (d) a molecule capturing matrix spotted on and covering said at least one addressable location, thereby creating at least one microgel regi

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system based on active control of flow resistance and balancing pressures in microfluidic channels and an improved method for enhancing reactions with magnetic beads used in disposable microfluidic devices and cartridges for use in, but not limited to, in-vitro diagnostics. The microfluidic system and device of the invention does not utilize mechanical moving parts to control the fluid flow and has no external fluidic connection to the instrument or fluidics controller. The microfluidic system and device combines magnetic control over the movement of magnetic detection beads with electric field and convective enhancement of the movement of analytes and/or or reagentss surrounding the magnetic detection beads, thereby enabling movement of magnetic beads and analytes in the same direction or in different directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system based on active control of flow resistance and balancing pressures in microfluidic channels and an improved method for disposable microfluidic devices and cartridges for use in, but not limited to, in-vitro diagnostics. The microfluidic system and device of the invention does not utilize mechanical moving parts to control the fluid flow and has no external fluidic connection to the instrument or fluidics controller.

Abstract: A computerized automated diagnostic system including a cartridge configured to contain reagents for carrying out a diagnostic biological process and to receive a biological sample to be tested using the reagents and an instrument operative to interact with the cartridge to carry out multiple steps in the diagnostic biological process, the cartridge having multiple operative states including a non-functionalized state in which the cartridge does not include the reagents and does not include the biological sample, a partially functionalized state in which the cartridge does include the reagents and does include the biological sample and in which a carbon array assembly is mounted onto the cartridge and forms part of the cartridge and a fully functionalized state upon insertion of the cartridge, onto which the carbon array assembly is mounted, into clamped engagement with the instrument.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in in-vitro diagnostics, the cartridge including a cartridge housing, a cartridge element, disposed within the cartridge housing and defining a plurality of operational volumes, at least some of the plurality of operational volumes being mutually linearly aligned, a fluid solution transporter operative to transfer fluid solutions from at least one of the plurality of operational volumes to at least another of the plurality of operational volumes, the fluid solution transporter including a linearly displaceable transport element operative to sequentially communicate with interiors of the at least some of the plurality of operational volumes and a venter, including a linearly displaceable venting element, operative in coordination with the fluid solution transporter to vent at least one of the plurality of operational volumes.

Abstract: A room-temperature shelf-storable electrophoretic array for use in a method of rapidly detecting the presence of at least one nucleic acid target molecule, from among a multiplicity of pre-selected nucleic acid target molecules, in a solution, the electrophoretic array including a multiplicity of immobilized, mutually spaced and mutually electrically separated microgel deposits, each of the multiplicity of immobilized mutually spaced and mutually electrically separated microgel deposits containing materials suitable for performing rolling circle amplification and binding of at least one of the multiplicity of pre-selected nucleic acid target molecules, each of the microgel deposits containing at least the following elements pre-anchored therein: an RCA probe specific to of at least one of the multiplicity of pre-selected nucleic acid target molecules and at least one primer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrophoretic chip comprising: (a) a non-conductive substrate designed to support elements of said electrophoretic chip; (b) an electrode structure for conducting current through said electrophoretic chip, printed on said non-conductive substrate and comprising a counter electrode and at least one working electrode, each electrode comprising a conductive low-resistance ink layer printed on the non-conductive substrate, and a carbon ink layer printed on top of and fully or partially covering said conductive low-resistance ink layer; (c) a dielectric ink insulator layer placed on top of, and covering, said electrode structure, said dielectric ink insulator layer having at least one opening above the counter electrode and at least one opening above said at least one working electrode, thereby forming at least one addressable location; and (d) a molecule capturing matrix spotted on and covering said at least one addressable location, thereby creating at least one microgel regi

Abstract: A cartridge for use in in-vitro diagnostics, the cartridge including a cartridge housing defining a plurality of operational volumes, at least some of the plurality of operational volumes being mutually linearly aligned and a fluid solution transporter operative to transfer fluid solutions from at least one of the plurality of operational volumes to at least another of the plurality of operational volumes, the fluid solution transporter including a linearly displaceable transport element operative to sequentially communicate with interiors of the at least some of the plurality of operational volumes.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing separation of cell particles by dielectrophoresis in three dimensions. In one embodiment the device comprises a flow chamber having microfabricated chip with a plurality of vertical and horizontal electrodes, which may be coated with a protective layer to prevent direct contact between any electrode and a sample. The horizontal electrodes are in electrical communication with a DC or an AC power source, while the vertical electrodes are in electrical communication with an AC power source.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are integrated microfluidic devices and methods of using the devices for large panel detection and multi-step procedures within a single, enclosed structure. The methods and devices provided herein are capable of two-dimensional and three-dimensional fluid pumping along a disc surface and among multiple discs. In an embodiment, one or more pumps are used to propel sample in a direction opposite the direction of centrifugal force such that sample flows both radially outward and radially inward relative to the disc's axis of rotation. This effectively provides an increase in usable disc space for the flow of sample. The disclosed devices and methods reduce, minimize, or eliminate the surface area limitation of known integrated microfluidic devices. Thus, the disclosed devices provide increased usable surface area of a rotating disc structure.

Abstract: Methods for the transport and hybridization of a nucleic acid on an electrode device by providing a low conductivity buffer with a reducing agent to the device. The low conductivity buffer may also contain a zwitterion. A current and voltage is applied to a location of the device to effect electrophoretic transportation of the nucleic acid towards the location. The nucleic acid is then hybridized to a nucleic probed located at the location. The reducing agent in the low conductivity buffer may also be acting as a chaotropic agent.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing separation of cell particles by dielectrophoresis in three dimensions. In one embodiment the device comprises a flow chamber having microfabricated chip with a plurality of vertical and horizontal electrodes, which may be coated with a protective layer to prevent direct contact between any electrode and a sample. The horizontal electrodes are in electrical communication with a DC or an AC power source, while the vertical electrodes are in electrical communication with an AC power source.

Abstract: A new, extremely sensitive, and rapid electronic detection method for direct detection of hybridized genomic targets to specific probes on the microarray is proposed. The method consists of fast electronic accumulation of the DNA target on a particular electrode site at the micro-electrode array, sequential electronic hybridization of oligonucleotide labeled metallic (nano)particles on the target DNA and monitoring the electrochemical AC impedance changes at the electrode site. The method is enhanced by electroplating over the DNA target which serves as the metallization template and over the particles which provide seeds for rapid electroplating. The AC impedance changes are monitored during the electroplating over the DNA target and between the array electrodes sites.

Abstract: Methods for the transport and hybridization of a nucleic acid on an electrode device by providing a low conductivity buffer with a reducing agent to the device. The low conductivity buffer may also contain a zwitterion. A current and voltage is applied to a location of the device to effect electrophoretic transportation of the nucleic acid towards the location. The nucleic acid is then hybridized to a nucleic probed located at the location. The reducing agent in the low conductivity buffer may also be acting as a chaotropic agent.

Abstract: A method to demolish concrete that comprises electrically connecting rebar disposed within the concrete to a power supply, electrically connecting a counter electrode within electro-osmotic communication of the concrete to a power supply, and externally providing electrolyte as supplemental moisture for the concrete. An electric field is created within the concrete and causes water moisture to migrate toward the rebar thereby expediting the corrosion thereof. The corrosion of the rebar generates iron oxides, which because of their greater volume, cause areas of localized pressure within the concrete. As the corrosion process proceeds, an accumulation of oxides increases the localized pressure to cause cracking within the concrete.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy having a solid electrolyte is disclosed. The apparatus has a chamber made of an electronically insulating material, a solid electrolyte coupled to the chamber and an electrode disposed in the chamber. A biasing member is used to urge the electrode towards the solid electrolyte and urge the solid electrolyte toward the substrate. The solid electrolyte is designed to contact the surface to be tested directly with no corrosive or otherwise harmful effect to the surface. A method for the detection of corrosion in bare or coated metallic substrates is also provided.

Abstract: A method to demolish concrete that comprises electrically connecting rebar disposed within the concrete to a power supply, electrically connecting a counter electrode within electro-osmotic communication of the concrete to a power supply, and externally providing electrolyte as supplemental moisture for the concrete. An electric field is created within the concrete and causes water moisture to migrate toward the rebar thereby expediting the corrosion thereof. The corrosion of the rebar generates iron oxides, which because of their greater volume, cause areas of localized pressure within the concrete. As the corrosion process proceeds, an accumulation of oxides increases the localized pressure to cause cracking within the concrete.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formulation for forming an electronically conducting polymer. The formulation contains an electron acceptor comprising a dopant anion and a metal cation selected from Ag+, Fe3+, Cu2+ or combinations thereof. The preferred electron acceptor is a silver salt, preferably selected from AgNO3, AgClO4 and AgNO2. The formulation also contains between 2 and 100 moles of a polymerizable component per mole of the electron acceptor, the polymerizable component being selected from pyrrole, aniline, their oligomers, or combinations thereof. In addition, the formulation includes an aqueous solvent selected from acetonitrile, acetone, and combinations thereof, the aqueous solvent having up to 30 volume percent water.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having at least one cathode adapted to maintain a line of contact with at least one substrate surface during relative movement therebetween. There is at least one anode located in a spaced relationship to the cathode and an electronically insulating member located between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode adapted to provide a gap between the substrate surface and the insulating member. When placed in a plating bath, the electric field is directed toward conducting patterns on a substrate to uniformly plate the patterns while minimizing plating on the electrode. The same device may also be used for electroetching by reversing the polarity of the electrodes.