Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mechanically controlling microfluidic movement using a force applicator and an elastically deformable sheet are described herein. These apparatuses may include a mechanical microfluidics actuator devices and a cartridge. A microfluidic droplet may be moved or displaced within an air gap of the cartridge by applying a compressive force locally and selectively reduce the gap width of the air gap near the microfluidic droplet causing the microfluidic droplet to move toward the reduced gap. Compressive forces may also be used to divide, join, mix or perform other operations on the microfluidic droplets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sequencing by synthesis using mechanical compression. These methods and apparatuses may mechanically control microfluidic movement using a force applicator and an elastically deformable sheet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mechanically controlling microfluidic movement using a force applicator and an elastically deformable sheet are described herein. These apparatuses may include a mechanical microfluidics actuator devices and a cartridge. A microfluidic droplet may be moved or displaced within an air gap of the cartridge by applying a compressive force locally and selectively reduce the gap width of the air gap near the microfluidic droplet causing the microfluidic droplet to move toward the reduced gap. Compressive forces may also be used to divide, join, mix or perform other operations on the microfluidic droplets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sequencing by synthesis using mechanical compression. These methods and apparatuses may mechanically control microfluidic movement using a force applicator and an elastically deformable sheet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mechanically controlling microfluidic movement using a force applicator and an elastically deformable sheet are described herein. These apparatuses may include a mechanical microfluidics actuator devices and a cartridge. A microfluidic droplet may be moved or displaced within an air gap of the cartridge by applying a compressive force locally and selectively reduce the gap width of the air gap near the microfluidic droplet causing the microfluidic droplet to move toward the reduced gap. Compressive forces may also be used to divide, join, mix or perform other operations on the microfluidic droplets.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for producing human hepatocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are transgenic rats for the expansion of human hepatocytes, such as those produced using the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods adapted for large volume. For example, described herein are methods and apparatuses for DMF using an air gap having a width of the gap that may be between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those adapted for use with large air gap/large volume, although smaller volumes may be used as well.

Abstract: Compositions for preventing or limiting surface fouling as well as evaporation and methods for their use in air-matrix digital microfluidics (DMF) apparatuses are described. A mobilizing wax material may be used to selectively encapsulate a reaction droplet in the air gap of the apparatus, which permits the at least partially encapsulated reaction droplet to be portable within the DMF apparatus. Additional aqueous droplets may be combined with the encapsulated droplet, by merging with an aqueous droplet having a coating of a secondary material (e.g., an oil or other hydrophobic material) that may allow combining of the droplets. The compositions may be additionally useful in non-DMF applications such as laboratory protocols for hybridization, ligation and amplification.

Abstract: Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods adapted for large volume. For example, described herein are methods and apparatuses for DMF using an air gap having a width of the gap that may be between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those adapted for use with large air gap/large volume, although smaller volumes may be used as well.

Abstract: Air-matrix digital microfluidics (DMF) apparatuses and methods of using them. These methods and apparatuses may include the use of a liquid wax coating material and/or pinning the encapsulated reaction droplet within the air gap using pinning features. Any of these methods may also include separating the liquid wax from an encapsulated aqueous droplet, e.g., using an oil absorbent wick to selectively separate the liquid oil or wax from the aqueous droplet by adsorbing and/or absorbing the liquid wax into the absorbent wick while leaving the aqueous droplet behind.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for producing human hepatocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are transgenic rats for the expansion of human hepatocytes, such as those produced using the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods adapted for large volume. For example, described herein are methods and apparatuses for DMF using an air gap having a width of the gap that may be between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those adapted for use with large air gap/large volume, although smaller volumes may be used as well.

Abstract: A golf club point of impact and relative club velocity indicator for recording the relative velocity and location at which the head of a golf club impacts a golf ball includes:a. a heat sensitive chemical top coating for providing a permanent black image if heat is applied thereto, said coating including a layer of direct thermal face stock,b. a fibrous paper having first and second sides, the first side being secured with the layer of direct thermal face stock, andc. an adhesive backing secured to the second side of the fibrous paper, the adhesive backing being adapted for removable attachment to the striking face of a golf club.