Abstract: A micro fluidic probe head includes a first layer, a second layer, and a first tubing port extending from an upper face of the first layer. The first layer has a first via, enabling fluid communication between the first port and a lower face of the first layer. The second layer includes a first aperture on a face, and a first microchannel enabling fluid communication between an upper face of the second layer, facing the lower face of the first layer, and the first aperture. The head enables fluid communication between the first via and the first microchannel. At least a portion of the first microchannel is a groove open on the upper face of the second layer, closed by a portion of a lower face of a layer of the head. The probe head further comprises a second tubing port, a second via, a second aperture and a second micro channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe head includes a first layer, a second layer, and a first tubing port extending from an upper face of the first layer. The first layer has a first via, enabling fluid communication between the first port and a lower face of the first layer. The second layer includes a first aperture on a face, and a first microchannel enabling fluid communication between an upper face of the second layer, facing the lower face of the first layer, and the first aperture. The head enables fluid communication between the first via and the first microchannel. At least a portion of the first microchannel is a groove open on the upper face of the second layer, closed by a portion of a lower face of a layer of the head. The probe head further comprises a second tubing port, a second via, a second aperture and a second microchannel.

Abstract: A microfluidic surface processing system includes a microfluidic probe head having a processing fluid circuit configured to dispense a surface processing fluid from a processing fluid aperture thereof; a linkage mechanism, configured to apply a force to or modulate a force applied to the microfluidic probe head towards a surface to be processed; and a lifting fluid circuit integral with the microfluidic probe head and distinct from the processing fluid circuit, the lifting fluid circuit designed for dispensing a lifting fluid from a lifting fluid aperture thereof, with pressure such as to counter the force applied or modulated by the linkage mechanism, at the level of the surface.

Abstract: Methods for screening and arranging microorganisms such as viruses in an array using subtractive contact printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming an array of receptors for microorganisms comprises: patterning an array of structures on a first substrate to form a template on a surface of the first substrate; applying a receptor material to a face of a second substrate; and contacting the face of the second substrate with the template to remove a portion of the receptor material from the second substrate, thereby forming an array of receptors on the second substrate.

Abstract: Methods for screening and arranging microorganisms such as viruses in an array using subtractive contact printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming an array of receptors for microorganisms comprises: patterning an array of structures on a first substrate to form a template on a surface of the first substrate; applying a receptor material to a face of a second substrate; and contacting the face of the second substrate with the template to remove a portion of the receptor material from the second substrate, thereby forming an array of receptors on the second substrate.

Abstract: A method for processing a surface involves depositing at least one class of enzymes (2) onto the surface (1); introducing at least a reactant (3) into an environment of the surface (1), and causing interaction between the enzymes (2) and the reactant (3), thereby to cause processing of a region of the surface (1), the processed region of the surface (1) being defined with respect to a region thereof that is proximate (4) to where the enzymes (3) have been deposited.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for determining the osmolarity of a fluid. The apparatus includes at least one micro-fluidic circuit and at least one electrical circuit disposed in communication with the micro-fluidic circuit for determining a property of a fluid contained within the at least one micro-fluidic circuit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microfluidic device having a flow inlet and outlet, generally defining a flow direction. A bypass channel (11) and an auxiliary channel (21) are provided which respectively defines a first and a second flow path toward the same outlet (102). The auxiliary channel connects to a reagent area (215), i.e., designed to receive a reagent (e.g., chemical or biological, such as detection antibodies). It further joins the bypass channel at the level of a junction (J1) downstream the reagent area, with respect to the second flow path, e.g., like a T-junction. Such a solution provides a simple way of adapting the dissolution rate of the reagent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microfluidic probe head (100) with a base layer (120) comprising: at least two processing liquid microchannel (123, 124) in fluid communication with a processing liquid aperture (121, 122) on a face of the base layer; and an immersion liquid microchannel (223, 224) in fluid communication with a immersion liquid aperture (221, 222) on a face of the base layer, wherein the microfluidic probe head is configured to allow, in operation, processing liquid provided through the processing liquid aperture to merge into immersion liquid provided through the immersion liquid aperture. An additional layer can be provided to close the microchannels. Such a multilayered head is compact and easier to fabricate than heads made with unitary construction. The head can further be interfaced with tubing using e.g. a standard fitting for tubing port.

Abstract: A method for processing a surface involves depositing at least one class of enzymes (2) onto the surface (1); introducing at least a reactant (3) into an environment of the surface (1), and causing interaction between the enzymes (2) and the reactant (3), thereby to cause processing of a region of the surface (1), the processed region of the surface (1) being defined with respect to a region thereof that is proximate (4) to where the enzymes (3) have been deposited.

Abstract: A stamp for transferring a pattern to a substrate in the presence of a third medium, includes a permeable hydrophilic matrix for guiding excess third medium away from the surface of the stamp.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe head includes a first layer, a second layer, and a first tubing port extending from an upper face of the first layer. The first layer has a first via, enabling fluid communication between the first port and a lower face of the first layer. The second layer includes a first aperture on a face, and a first microchannel enabling fluid communication between an upper face of the second layer, facing the lower face of the first layer, and the first aperture. The head enables fluid communication between the first via and the first microchannel. At least a portion of the first microchannel is a groove open on the upper face of the second layer, closed by a portion of a lower face of a layer of the head. The probe head further comprises a second tubing port, a second via, a second aperture and a second microchannel.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a chip; a flow channel being disposed in the chip; the flow channel being in communication with an entry port and an exit port; the flow channel being operative to permit the flow of a library from the entry port to the exit port; a substrate; the substrate being disposed upon the chip; the substrate being operative to act as an upper wall for the flow channels; and a plurality of receptors; the plurality of receptors being disposed on the substrate; the plurality of receptors being operative to interact with an element from the library.

Abstract: A method for processing a surface involves depositing at least one class of enzymes (2) onto the surface (1); introducing at least a reactant (3) into an environment of the surface (1), and causing interaction between the enzymes (2) and the reactant (3), thereby to cause processing of a region of the surface (1), the processed region of the surface (1) being defined with respect to a region thereof that is proximate (4) to where the enzymes (3) have been deposited.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a monolayer of molecules on a surface comprises: loading a stamp with seed molecules; transferring seed molecules from the stamp to the surface; and, amplifying the seed molecules via an amplifying reaction to produce the monolayer. The method permit generation of complete monolayers from incomplete or sparse monolayers initially printed on the surface.

Abstract: A stamp for transferring a pattern to a substrate in the presence of a third medium, includes a permeable hydrophilic matrix for guiding excess third medium away from the surface of the stamp.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: Methods for screening and arranging microorganisms such as viruses in an array using subtractive contact printing are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming an array of receptors for microorganisms comprises: patterning an array of structures on a first substrate to form a template on a surface of the first substrate; applying a receptor material to a face of a second substrate; and contacting the face of the second substrate with the template to remove a portion of the receptor material from the second substrate, thereby forming an array of receptors on the second substrate.