Abstract: Compatibility in polymer compounds is determined by the kinetics of mixing and chemical affinity. Compounds like reinforcing filler/elastomer blends display some similarity to colloidal solutions in that the filler particles are close to randomly dispersed through processing. Applying a pseudo-thermodynamic approach takes advantage of this analogy between the kinetics of mixing for polymer compounds and true thermally driven dispersion for colloids. The results represent a new approach to understanding and predicting compatibility in polymer compounds based on a pseudo-thermodynamic approach.

Abstract: Compatibility in polymer compounds is determined by the kinetics of mixing and chemical affinity. Compounds like reinforcing filler/elastomer blends display some similarity to colloidal solutions in that the filler particles are close to randomly dispersed through processing. Applying a pseudo-thermodynamic approach takes advantage of this analogy between the kinetics of mixing for polymer compounds and true thermally driven dispersion for colloids. The results represent a new approach to understanding and predicting compatibility in polymer compounds based on a pseudo-thermodynamic approach.

Abstract: Compatibility in polymer compounds is determined by the kinetics of mixing and chemical affinity. Compounds like reinforcing filler/elastomer blends display some similarity to colloidal solutions in that the filler particles are close to randomly dispersed through processing. Applying a pseudo-thermodynamic approach takes advantage of this analogy between the kinetics of mixing for polymer compounds and true thermally driven dispersion for colloids. The results represent a new approach to understanding and predicting compatibility in polymer compounds based on a pseudo-thermodynamic approach.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fully-integrated, disposable biochip for point-of-care testing of clinically relevant parameters. Specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the biochip is designed for POCT (point-of-care-testing) of an array of metabolic parameters including partial pressure of oxygen, Glucose, and Lactate concentration from venous blood samples. The biochip is fabricated on a low-cost plastic substrate using mass manufacturing compatible fabrication processes. Furthermore, the biochip contains a fully-integrated metallic micro-needle for blood sampling. The biochip also uses smart passive microfluidics in conjunction with low-power functional on-chip pressure generators for microfluidic sequencing. The design, configuration, assembly and operation of the biochip are ideally suited for a disposable biochip specifically targeted towards POCT applications.

Abstract: A functional on-chip pressure source using a solid propellant chemical material is disclosed which, upon heating to a critical temperature, liberates a precise amount of gas which, when liberated within an enclosed cavity coupled to a liquid in a microfluidic channel, raises the pressure and causes precise displacement of the liquid. The functional on-chip pressure source may be easily integrated with a disposable biochip, may be fabricated using low-cost, high volume manufacturing techniques, uses very low power, and may provide a dynamically variable output pressure across a broad spectrum of pressures. Embodiments of the present invention address significant challenges in the development of disposable microfluidic biochips including providing a reliable solution for pumping liquids in a microfluidic system and immediately applying the solution to a variety of microfluidic biochip applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fully-integrated, disposable biochip for point-of-care testing of clinically relevant parameters. Specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the biochip is designed for POCT (point-of-care-testing) of an array of metabolic parameters including partial pressure of oxygen, Glucose, and Lactate concentration from venous blood samples. The biochip is fabricated on a low-cost plastic substrate using mass manufacturing compatible fabrication processes. Furthermore, the biochip contains a fully-integrated metallic micro-needle for blood sampling. The biochip also uses smart passive microfluidics in conjunction with low-power functional on-chip pressure generators for microfluidic sequencing. The design, configuration, assembly and operation of the biochip are ideally suited for a disposable biochip specifically targeted towards POCT applications.

Abstract: The morphology of a polymer alloy displaying miscibility over some region of composition and temperature may be varied by thermodynamically altering the miscibility, such as raising the temperature for an LCST system, to phase separate the components then quenching the alloy below the glass transition temperature of the matrix phase. Such phase separated alloys have improved toughness.