Abstract: Microfluidic devices for capturing particles, such as cells, are disclosed. An example device includes a main fluid channel, a first interaction chamber in fluid communication with the main fluid channel, a first particle trap extending from a first wall of the main fluid channel and positioned between the main fluid channel and the first interaction chamber, and a second particle trap extending from a second wall of the main fluid channel and positioned between the main fluid channel and the first interaction chamber. The first particle trap and the second particle trap are in fluid communication both via the first interaction chamber and via the main fluid channel. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A switching device for opening and closing an electrical line, including: two fixed contact terminals separated from one another, an operating member, comprising a contact piece, at least one flexible strip comprising at least one end part attached to a fixed support, the flexible strip or strips being adapted to exert a return force on the contact piece to return it from its closed position to its open position in the absence of a motive force on the operating member, the operating member comprising two electrically insulating pusher arms, spaced apart from one another and each attached to an end part of the contact piece; each flexible strip comprising two other end parts, each attached to one of the two push arms or to a part of the operating member that is itself attached to, or forms an integral part of, one of the pusher arms.

Abstract: A switching device for opening and closing an electrical line, including: two fixed contact terminals separated from one another, an operating member, comprising a contact piece, at least one flexible strip comprising at least one end part attached to a fixed support, the flexible strip or strips being adapted to exert a return force on the contact piece to return it from its closed position to its open position in the absence of a motive force on the operating member, the operating member comprising two electrically insulating pusher arms, spaced apart from one another and each attached to an end part of the contact piece; each flexible strip comprising two other end parts, each attached to one of the two push arms or to a part of the operating member that is itself attached to, or forms an integral part of, one of the pusher arms.

Abstract: A switching device for opening and closing an electrical line, including: two fixed contact terminals separated from one another, an operating member, comprising a contact piece, at least one flexible strip comprising at least one end part attached to a fixed support, the flexible strip or strips being adapted to exert a return force on the contact piece to return it from its closed position to its open position in the absence of a motive force on the operating member, the operating member comprising two electrically insulating pusher arms, spaced apart from one another and each attached to an end part of the contact piece; each flexible strip comprising two other end parts, each attached to one of the two push arms or to a part of the operating member that is itself attached to, or forms an integral part of, one of the pusher arms.

Abstract: A switching device for opening and closing an electrical line, including: two fixed contact terminals separated from one another, an operating member, comprising a contact piece, at least one flexible strip comprising at least one end part attached to a fixed support, the flexible strip or strips being adapted to exert a return force on the contact piece to return it from its closed position to its open position in the absence of a motive force on the operating member, the operating member comprising two electrically insulating pusher arms, spaced apart from one another and each attached to an end part of the contact piece; each flexible strip comprising two other end parts, each attached to one of the two push arms or to a part of the operating member that is itself attached to, or forms an integral part of, one of the pusher arms.

Abstract: Methods of encapsulating cargo in a microgel droplet, microgel droplets prepared according the provided methods, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The methods of preparing cargo-encapsulated microgels generally include flowing through a flow-focusing nozzle of a microfluidic device a macromer phase, an oil phase, and a crosslinker phase to form microgel droplets by oil-water emulsion. The phases are pumped, injected, or flowed through the microfluidic device such that as the macromer phase approaches the flow focusing nozzle, the co-flowing oil phase shields the macromer from contact with the crosslinker phase until flow instability occurs and macromer phase droplets form. After flow instability occurs, the crosslinker diffuses from the crosslinker phase into the droplets in an effective amount to covalently crosslink the macromer into a microgel network encapsulating the cargo in the crosslinked macromer.

Abstract: Methods of encapsulating cargo in a microgel droplet, microgel droplets prepared according the provided methods, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The methods of preparing cargo-encapsulated microgels generally include flowing through a flow-focusing nozzle of a microfluidic device a macromer phase, an oil phase, and a crosslinker phase to form microgel droplets by oil-water emulsion. The phases are pumped, injected, or flowed through the microfluidic device such that as the macromer phase approaches the flow focusing nozzle, the co-flowing oil phase shields the macromer from contact with the crosslinker phase until flow instability occurs and macromer phase droplets form. After flow instability occurs, the crosslinker diffuses from the crosslinker phase into the droplets in an effective amount to covalently crosslink the macromer into a microgel network encapsulating the cargo in the crosslinked macromer.