Abstract: A microfluidic device contains a first layer having a plurality of channels, a second layer having a plurality of droplet makers, and a third layer having a plurality of through-holes connecting the plurality of channels to the plurality of droplet makers. The channels have a height of at least 4 times greater than the height of the droplet makers. The microfluidic device has at least 500 droplet makers in an area less than 10 cm2. The channels are formed by direct laser-micromachining and the droplet makers are formed by soft lithography molding.

Abstract: A magnetic separation filter has an unsupported magnetically soft material layer having a plurality of pores, and, optionally, a passivation layer disposed on the magnetically soft material layer. The magnetic separation filter may be part of a microfluidic device having a lateral flow channel and a vertical flow magnetic separation filter. The magnetic separation device may be used to separate magnetically tagged particles, such as cells.

Abstract: A high-throughput optofluidic device for detecting fluorescent droplets is disclosed. The device uses time-domain encoded optofluidics to detect a high rate of droplets passing through parallel microfluidic channels. A light source modulated with a minimally correlating maximum length sequences is used to illuminate the droplets as they pass through the microfluidic device. By correlating the resulting signal with the expected pattern, each pattern formed by passing droplets can be resolved to identify individual droplets.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a construct formed from perfluoropolyether and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. The construct includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid, an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid, and a plurality of channels extending through the construct. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The construct further includes a plurality of microdroplet generators configured to produce microdroplets, each of the microdroplet generators in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the construct includes an outlet formed in the construct and in fluid connection with the plurality of microdroplet generators.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes at least one substrate formed of one or more silicon wafers. The substrate includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid; an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid; and a plurality of channels. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The substrate further includes a plurality of droplet generators configured to produce microdroplets. Each of the droplet generators are in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the substrate includes one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets. The number of the plurality of droplet generators is more than two greater than a number of the one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes at least one substrate formed of one or more silicon wafers. The substrate includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid; an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid; and a plurality of channels. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The substrate further includes a plurality of droplet generators configured to produce microdroplets. Each of the droplet generators are in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the substrate includes one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets. The number of the plurality of droplet generators is more than two greater than a number of the one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets.

Abstract: A high-throughput optofluidic device for detecting fluorescent droplets is disclosed. The device uses time-domain encoded optofluidics to detect a high rate of droplets passing through parallel microfluidic channels. A light source modulated with a minimally correlating maximum length sequences is used to illuminate the droplets as they pass through the microfluidic device. By correlating the resulting signal with the expected pattern, each pattern formed by passing droplets can be resolved to identify individual droplets.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a construct formed from perfluoropolyether and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. The construct includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid, an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid, and a plurality of channels extending through the construct. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The construct further includes a plurality of microdroplet generators configured to produce microdroplets, each of the microdroplet generators in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the construct includes an outlet formed in the construct and in fluid connection with the plurality of microdroplet generators.

Abstract: A high-throughput optofluidic device for detecting fluorescent droplets is disclosed. The device uses time-domain encoded optofluidics to detect a high rate of droplets passing through parallel microfluidic channels. A light source modulated with a minimally correlating maximum length sequences is used to illuminate the droplets as they pass through the microfluidic device. By correlating the resulting signal with the expected pattern, each pattern formed by passing droplets can be resolved to identify individual droplets.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for analyzing droplets are disclosed. A described microfluidic device includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel formed on the substrate. The microfluidic channel includes passages where each passage has a mask pattern configured to modulate a signal of a droplet passing through that passage, such that droplets passing through the passages produce signals. The microfluidic device also includes a detector configured to detect the signals. Methods of analyzing droplets with a microfluidic device having a microfluidic channel formed on a substrate are disclosed. A described method includes passing droplets through the passages, modulating signals from the droplets using mask patterns formed on the passages; and detecting the signals.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an integrated circuit and a first substrate layer having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the first substrate layer is connected to the integrated circuit. The first substrate layer is in fluid communication with the integrated circuit. The microfluidic device also includes a second substrate layer having a surface area substantially larger than that of the first substrate layer. The second substrate layer includes a first and second surface. The first surface of the second substrate layer is connected to the second surface of the first substrate layer. The second substrate layer includes a first fluid inlet. The second substrate layer is in fluid communication with the integrated circuit through the first substrate layer.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for analyzing droplets are disclosed. A described microfluidic device includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel formed on the substrate. The microfluidic channel includes passages where each passage has a mask pattern configured to modulate a signal of a droplet passing through that passage, such that droplets passing through the passages produce signals. The microfluidic device also includes a detector configured to detect the signals. Methods of analyzing droplets with a microfluidic device having a microfluidic channel formed on a substrate are disclosed. A described method includes passing droplets through the passages, modulating signals from the droplets using mask patterns, formed on the passages; and detecting the signals.

Abstract: A microfluidic device contains a first layer having a plurality of channels, a second layer having a plurality of droplet makers, and a third layer having a plurality of through-holes connecting the plurality of channels to the plurality of droplet makers. The channels have a height of at least 4 times greater than the height of the droplet makers. The microfluidic device has at least 500 droplet makers in an area less than 10 cm2. The channels are formed by direct laser-micromachining and the droplet makers are formed by soft lithography molding.

Abstract: A high-throughput optofluidic device for detecting fluorescent droplets is disclosed. The device uses time-domain encoded optofluidics to detect a high rate of droplets passing through parallel microfluidic channels. A light source modulated with a minimally correlating maximum length sequences is used to illuminate the droplets as they pass through the microfluidic device. By correlating the resulting signal with the expected pattern, each pattern formed by passing droplets can be resolved to identify individual droplets.

Abstract: A magnetic separation device has a membrane having a plurality of pores, a magnetically soft material layer disposed on the membrane, and a passivation layer disposed on the magnetically soft material layer. The magnetic separation device may be part of a microfluidic device having a lateral flow channel and a vertical flow magnetic separation filter. The magnetic separation device may be used to separate magnetically tagged particles, such as cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes at least one substrate formed of one or more silicon wafers. The substrate includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid; an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid; and a plurality of channels. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The substrate further includes a plurality of droplet generators configured to produce microdroplets. Each of the droplet generators are in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the substrate includes one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets. The number of the plurality of droplet generators is more than two greater than a number of the one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets.

Abstract: A magnetic separation filter has an unsupported magnetically soft material layer having a plurality of pores, and, optionally, a passivation layer disposed on the magnetically soft material layer. The magnetic separation filter may be part of a microfluidic device having a lateral flow channel and a vertical flow magnetic separation filter. The magnetic separation device may be used to separate magnetically tagged particles, such as cells.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to apparatuses for microdroplet generation and methods of manufacturing such apparatuses. In accordance with one aspect, a method for manufacturing a microdroplet generator having a plurality of flow-focusing generators includes forming a cavity between a first plate and a second plate, the second plate being a soft master. The cavity defining the plurality of flow focusing generators, a first plurality of channels, and a second plurality of channels. The method further includes supplying a resin to the cavity, applying pressure to one or both of the first plate or the second plate; and curing the resin.

Abstract: Determining a presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample includes mixing multiple magnetic particles with the fluid sample, in which the magnetic particles are each bound to one or more binding moieties that specifically bind to the target analyte, flowing the fluid sample containing the magnetic particles through a fluidic channel, exposing the fluid sample in the fluidic channel to a magnetic field, measuring a signal from a Hall effect sensor while the fluid sample flows through the fluidic channel, and determining whether the target analyte is present in the fluid sample when the measured signal is in a first range of values.

Abstract: A portable magnetic resonance system includes a permanent magnet, a nuclear magnetic resonance probe, and control electronics. The control electronics are configured to transmit to the probe a magnetic resonance excitation signal having an excitation frequency f, receive from the probe a magnetic resonance measurement signal, detect in the magnetic resonance measurement signal a magnetic resonance frequency f0, and automatically adjust the excitation frequency f until the difference between the excitation frequency and the magnetic resonance frequency is approximately equal to a target offset.