Abstract: The present invention generally relates to double emulsion droplet compositions, polymer particles that can be formed from such double emulsion droplet compositions, and to methods and apparatuses for making such compositions and particles. A double emulsion generally describes larger droplets that contain smaller droplets therein. These double emulsion droplet compositions can be used to create a variety of materials including polymer particles and polymeric shells and are further useful for encapsulating a variety of species including catalyst compounds and pharmaceutical agents. The double emulsion droplet compositions disclosed herein are readily formed using planar droplet (“digital”) microfluidic devices without channels, and either air or an immiscible liquid as an ambient medium.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to double emulsion droplet compositions, polymer particles that can be formed from such double emulsion droplet compositions, and to methods and apparatuses for making such compositions and particles. A double emulsion generally describes larger droplets that contain smaller droplets therein. These double emulsion droplet compositions can be used to create a variety of materials including polymer particles and polymeric shells and are further useful for encapsulating a variety of species including catalyst compounds and pharmaceutical agents. The double emulsion droplet compositions disclosed herein are readily formed using planar droplet (“digital”) microfluidic devices without channels, and either air or an immiscible liquid as an ambient medium.

Abstract: Methods for activating and/or reactivating a metal oxide surface for deposition, immobilizing, and/or growing a biological sample (e.g., an oligonucleotide, a polynucleotide, functionalized particle, a polymer, etc.) thereon are disclosed. The metal oxide surface (e.g., zirconium oxide) can be activated and/or reactivated by exposing the metal oxide surface to various activation and/or treatment protocols capable of enhancing a slide's activity relative to the activity of an untreated slide. The activation and/or treatment protocol can include subjecting the slide (or at least the metal oxide layer) to an oxygen plasma treatment and/or a peroxide solution for an amount of time sufficient to activate and/or reactivate the metal oxide surface. Activated sequencing slides capable of incorporation, for example, into various embodiments of a flow cell for use in NGS platforms are also disclosed herein.