Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for electromanipulation of at least one cell or cell-like structure having cell-like membranes, the method comprising the steps: (a) at least one cell or cell-like structure is transported from one or more sample containers located on a chip through microchannel(s) located on said chip into a chamber located on said chip, wherein said chamber contains electrode(s) connected to a voltage generator, wherein said microchannel provides a fluid contact between the sample containers, (b) said cell or cell-like structure(s) is placed close to said at least one electrode, and (c) an electrical field is applied and focused on said cell or cell-like structure(s), said electrical field being of a strength sufficient to obtain pore-formation or fusion of said at least one cell or cell-like structure with another cell or cell-like structure(s) present in said chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fluid. A method for treating a fluid may include combining two or more separate streams into a common stream and then splitting the common stream into a new set of separate streams wherein the separate streams may possess different properties. The separate streams may be combined to produce a gradient, such as a concentration gradient or shear gradient. The apparatus of the invention may provide a network of fluidic channels that may be used to manipulate a fluid to produce, for example, a gradient or a series of solutions containing a substance at varying concentrations.

Abstract: A method and system for performing biochemical detection or analysis on micro- and nano-scale subcellular component within a single biological cell is provided. An integrated platform device and method to perform the biochemical analysis is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention employ complexly shaped, high-surface-area channels for separation and purification of molecules, including important biopolymers such as proteins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and other molecular components of living cells. The relatively large internal surface areas of the complexly shaped channels employed in embodiments of the present invention provide, in comparison to traditional, simply shaped separation channels, increased heat dissipation during electrokinetic separation, and a decreased tendency for bulk-solution flow. Heat dissipation prevents high temperatures that can denature proteins and that can induce thermal currents within the separation channel. Bulk-solution flow within a separation channel can overwhelm the generally linear, electrical-potential-induced migration of molecules that leads to efficient and well-resolved molecular separations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of a microscopic network of containers and nanotubes, constituted of surfactant membranes, said method comprising partitioning of one mother container into two daughter containers in communication with each other through a nanotube, followed by partitioning of one or both of the resulting daughter containers resulting in new daughter containers, wherein the partitioning of daughter containers is repeated until a desired number of containers is obtained. Also disclosed are microscopic networks of containers and nanotubes obtainable by the above mentioned method, and microscopic networks of at least two containers constituted of surfactant membranes and at least one nanotube constituted of surfactant membranes, said nanotube forming communication between said containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for penetration of lipid bilayer membranes in order to insert at the tip of a hollow needle-shaped object, such as a micropipet-, into a container formed of a lipid bilayer membrane, wherein said container is placed between said needle-shaped object, with the tip of said needle-shaped object placed in contact with said conainer in such a way that it applies a mechanical force to the lipid membrane of said container, thus mechanically straining it, and a second electrode, whereupon a transient electric pulse of 1-to-103 V/cm is applied between the electrodes, resulting in a focused electrical field over said container C which induces a dielectric breakdown of the lipid bilayer causing the needle-shaped object to penetrate the container. Disclosed is also an electroinjection method based on the above method, wherein substances are introduced through the needle-shaped object and into the container after penetration of the needle-shaped object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for permeabilisation of a cell structure consisting of a single cell, an intracellular structure or an organelle comprising the following steps: (a) microelectrodes, preferably two carbon fibre electrodes or hollow fibre electrodes, are provided, (b) the microelectrodes are connected to a power supply, (c) the electrodes, individually controlled by high-graduation micromanipulators, are placed close to the cell structure at an appropriate inter-electrode distance, and (d) a highly focused electric field of a strength sufficient to obtain electroporation is applied between the electrodes. The method may be used in order to transfer cell impermeant solutes, such as drugs or genes, into the cell structure or out of the cell structure, in biosensors, in the treatment of tumours and neurodegenerative diseases and in the study of biophysical processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for electromanipulation of at least one cell or cell-like structure having cell-like membranes, comprising the following consecutive steps: (a) at least one cell or cell-like structure is transported from one or more sample containers located on a chip through at least one microchannel located on said chip into a chamber located on said chip, wherein said chamber contains at least one electrode connected to a voltage generator, and wherein said microchannel provides a fluid contact between the sample containers, (b) either said at least one cell or cell-like structure is placed or aligned close to said at least one electrode, or said at least one electrode is placed or aligned close to said at least one cell or cell-like structure in said chamber, and (c) an electrical field is applied and focused on said at least one cell or cell-like structures, said electrical field being of a strength sufficient to obtain pore-formation in said at least one cell or cell-like structure or sufficient t

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for permeabilization of a cell structure consisting of a single cell, an intracellular structure or an organelle comprising the following steps: (a) microelectrodes, preferably two carbon fibre electrodes or hollow fibre electrodes, are provided, (b) the microelectrodes are connected to a power supply, (c) the electrodes, individually controlled by high-graduation micromanipulators, are placed close to the cell structure at an appropriate inter-electrode distance, and (d) a highly focused electric field of a strength sufficient to obtain electroporation is applied between the electrodes. The method may be used in order to transfer cell impermeant solutes, such as drugs or genes, into the cell structure or out of the cell structure, in biosensors, in the treatment of tumours and neurodegenerative diseases and in the study of biophysical processes.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing machine and a fabrication process using the same. The chemical mechanical polishing machine comprises a retainer ring having a plurality of slurry passages at the bottom of the retainer ring. The retainer ring further comprises a circular path. By conducting the slurry through the slurry passages and the circular, a wafer is planarized within the chemical mechanical polishing machine.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing machine and a fabrication process using the same. The chemical mechanical polishing machine comprises a retainer ring having a plurality of slurry passages at the bottom of the retainer ring. The retainer ring further comprises a circular path. By conducting the slurry through the slurry passages and the circular, a wafer is planarized within the chemical mechanical polishing machine.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing machine and a fabrication process using the same. The chemical mechanical polishing machine comprises a retainer ring having a plurality of slurry passages at the bottom of the retainer ring. The retainer ring further comprises a circular path. By conducting the slurry through the slurry passages and the circular, a wafer is planarized within the chemical mechanical polishing machine.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing machine and a fabrication process using the same. The chemical mechanical polishing machine comprises a retainer ring having a plurality of slurry passages at the bottom of the retainer ring. The retainer ring further comprises a circular path. By conducting the slurry through the slurry passages and the circular, a wafer is planarized within the chemical mechanical polishing machine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of uninterrupted slurry supply. A plurality of polishers are provided. A slurry supply system comprises a slurry supply source, a plurality of valve boxes having a corresponding number as the polishers, a plurality of pipes to connect the valve boxes and the slurry supply source and the valve boxes and the polishers, a plurality of bypasses to connect between an inlet and an outlet of each of the valve boxes, and a plurality elbow type manually controlled three-way valve at a plurality of joints of the pipes and the bypasses. A slurry is supplied from the slurry supply source. A flowing direction of the slurry is selected by adjusting the three-way valve to supply the polishers for polishing.

Abstract: A retainer ring is provided for used on the polishing head of a CMP machine, which can allow the slurry being applied to the CMP process to be uniformly distributed over the surface of the wafer. The retainer ring is designed for use on a CMP machine of the type having a polishing table, a polishing pad, a polishing head for holding a semiconductor wafer retained in fixed position, and means for applying a mass of slurry to the wafer. The polishing head is of the type including an air-pressure means which can apply air pressure to a wafer loader used to hold the wafer in position. The retainer ring is formed with a plurality of straight grooves spaced at substantially equal intervals, each being radially inclined in such a manner so as to form an acute angle of attack against the slurry on the outside of said retainer ring when said retainer ring spins. Further, the retainer ring can be additionally formed with at least one circular groove intercrossing all of said straight grooves.