Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, a converter having a first port and a second port, the converter comprises: a piezoelectric transformer (PT) having a first port and a second port; one or more first switches configured to operate in accordance with a first switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the first port of the converter to the first port of the PT, the first switching sub-sequence having at least six (6) stages; and one or more second switches configured to operate in accordance with a second switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the second port of the PT to the second port of the converter.

Abstract: This work provides a method and device for performing quantitative and sensitive multiplex nucleic acid detection at the point-of-care using magnetoresistive (MR) detection. Temperature calibration of the MR sensor elements is performed per-element, rather than assuming the same calibration parameters apply to each element of the MR sensor array. It can include a digitally controlled fluidic system to allow automated wash and reagent injection, an on-chip temperature management system to achieve on-chip polymerase chain reactions (PCR), and a portable magnetoresistive sensor platform. This approach requires minimal user involvement beyond adding the sample and simple top-level control, making it highly desirable for point-of-care applications.