Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and systems for separating motile pathogenic bacterial cells from samples. The disclosure also provides for methods of determining whether a sample is contaminated by pathogenic bacteria. The devices and systems disclosed herein are useful for screening water sources, environmental testing sites, food sources, and bodily fluids for the presence, absence, or quantity of bacterial cells in a sample representative of the screened sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for collecting microbes in a sample. The present invention provides apparatuses, systems, or devices, configured to receive a test sample, comprising one or more sealable containers configured to receive a test sample comprising a liquid portion, at least one outlet port, and comprising at least one filtration filter and at least one concentration filter fluidly connected in sequence to the at least one outlet port to form a filtered outlet port.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapidly separating pathogen from a test sample, such as a food sample, for efficient detection of pathogen are disclosed. A simultaneous microfiltration and elutriation approach was used to separate pathogen, such as bacterial cells, from a test sample, such a food sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and systems for separating motile pathogenic bacterial cells from samples. The disclosure also provides for methods of determining whether a sample is contaminated by pathogenic bacteria. The devices and systems disclosed herein are useful for screening water sources, environmental testing sites, food sources, and bodily fluids for the presence, absence, or quantity of bacterial cells in a sample representative of the screened sources.

Abstract: A method and system for a folding microfluidic device comprises creating at least one folding line in a material, forming a plurality of layers of a microfluidic device in said material, and folding the material at the fold lines to create a self-aligned multilayered microfluidic device. The material can comprise a carrier material with an adhesive layer on the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A device and method for the formation of vesicles is disclosed herein. The device comprises a fluid introduction zone and a vesicle formation zone. The fluid introduction zone comprises a first inlet and a second inlet configured and disposed to provide parallel flow of an outer flow stream, flowing from the first inlet, sheathing an inner flow stream, flowing from the second inlet. The vesicle formation zone is configured and disposed to receive the parallel flow of the outer flow stream sheathing the inner flow stream and configured for a controlled and substantially uniform dispersion of an organic material, flowing in the inner flow stream, at a plane perpendicular to the vesicle formation zone.

Abstract: A magnetic connector assembly for microfluidic devices comprises a first magnetic connector with at least one orifice extending therethrough and a second magnetic connector. The first and second connectors are configured to magnetically attract each other. In one aspect, the first magnetic connector is configured to sealingly engage a surface of a microfluidic chip with the second magnetic connector disposed on an opposite side of the microfluidic chip. The first magnetic connector is configured to seal with the microfluidic chip about a channel opening in the microfluidic chip and provide flow communication between the channel opening and the orifice in the first magnetic connector. In at least one other aspect, the first magnetic connector and second magnetic connector each have at least one orifice and are configured to change a flow communication therebetween upon a rotation of the first or second magnetic connector with respect to the other magnetic connector.

Abstract: A method and system for a folding microfluidic device comprises creating at least one folding line in a material, forming a plurality of layers of a microfluidic device in said material, and folding the material at the fold lines to create a self-aligned multilayered microfluidic device. The material can comprise a carrier material with an adhesive layer on the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A method for microfabrication of a microfluidic device having sub-millimeter three dimensional relief structures is disclosed. In this method, homogeneous surfaces, which do not exhibit apparent pixel geometry, emerge from the interaction of the overlapping of diffracted light under opaque pixels and the nonlinear polymerization properties of the photoresist material. The method requires a single photolithographic step and allows for the fabrication of microstructures over large areas (centimeters) with topographic modulation of features smaller than 100 micrometers. The method generates topography that is useful in a broad range of microfluidic applications.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is described, capable of generating multiple spatial chemical gradients simultaneously inside a microfluidic chamber. The chemical gradients are generated by diffusion, without convection, and can either be maintained constant over long time periods, or modified dynamically. A representative device is described with a circular chamber in which diffusion occurs, with three access ports for the delivery and removal of solutes. A gradient typically forms in minutes, and can be maintained constant indefinitely. Gradients overlapping with different spatial location, and a controlled rotation of a gradient formed by diffusion are demonstrated. The device can also be used to evaluate chemotactic responses of bacteria or other microorganisms in the absence of convective flow.

Abstract: A magnetic connector assembly for microfluidic devices comprises a first magnetic connector with at least one orifice extending therethrough and a second magnetic connector. The first and second connectors are configured to magnetically attract each other. In one aspect, the first magnetic connector is configured to sealingly engage a surface of a microfluidic chip with the second magnetic connector disposed on an opposite side of the microfluidic chip. The first magnetic connector is configured to seal with the microfluidic chip about a channel opening in the microfluidic chip and provide flow communication between the channel opening and the orifice in the first magnetic connector. In at least one other aspect, the first magnetic connector and second magnetic connector each have at least one orifice and are configured to change a flow communication therebetween upon a rotation of the first or second magnetic connector with respect to the other magnetic connector.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is described, capable of generating multiple spatial chemical gradients simultaneously inside a microfluidic chamber. The chemical gradients are generated by diffusion, without convection, and can either be maintained constant over long time periods, or modified dynamically. A representative device is described with a circular chamber in which diffusion occurs, with three access ports for the delivery and removal of solutes. A gradient typically forms in minutes, and can be maintained constant indefinitely. Gradients overlapping with different spatial location, and a controlled rotation of a gradient formed by diffusion are demonstrated. The device can also be used to evaluate chemotactic responses of bacteria or other microorganisms in the absence of convective flow.

Abstract: A method for microfabrication of a microfluidic device having sub-millimeter three dimensional relief structures is disclosed. In this method, homogeneous surfaces, which do not exhibit apparent pixel geometry, emerge from the interaction of the overlapping of diffracted light under opaque pixels and the nonlinear polymerization properties of the photoresist material. The method requires a single photolithographic step and allows for the fabrication of microstructures over large areas (centimeters) with topographic modulation of features smaller than 100 micrometers. The method generates topography that is useful in a broad range of microfluidic applications.

Abstract: A three dimensional microfluidic device for passive sorting and storing of liquid plugs is provided with homogeneous surfaces from the exposure of a photopolymer through binary masking motifs, i.e., arrays of opaque pixels on a transparency mask. The device includes sub-millimeter three-dimensional relief microstructures to aid in the channeling of fluids. The microstructures have topographically modulated features smaller than 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A method and microfluidic platform is provided for providing a closed loop, microfluidic circulatory system having the steady flow of fluid therethrough. A first flow path is filled with a first fluid. The first flow path has an inlet and an outlet. A passageway extending through a first tube is filled with a second fluid. The passageway has first and second ends. The first end of the passageway is interconnected to the inlet of the first flow path and the second end of the passageway is interconnected to the outlet of the first flow path. A pump pumps the first and second fluids in steady flow through the first flow path and the passageway.