Abstract: Disclosed is a system with (a) a microplate comprising a metallic material for heating one or more samples during thermocycling. The microplate comprises one or more barcodes on a side of the microplate. The system may comprise a barcode reader for reading the one or more barcode. The system may also comprise a first temperature block configured to receive the microplate and/ or provide a denaturing temperature to the one or more samples contained in the microplate, during the thermocycling. The system may also comprise a second temperature block configured to receive the microplate and/or provide an extension temperature to the one or more samples contained in the microplate, during the thermocycling. The system may also comprise a conveyor configured to move the microplate between a sensing device, the first temperature block, and the second temperature block, during the thermocycling.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.

Abstract: A microplate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5° C./second.

Abstract: A microplate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5° C./second.

Abstract: A rotational actuator assembly employs a first torsion actuator having a shape memory alloy (SMA) tube with a first trained twist direction and a second torsion actuator having a SMA tube with an opposite trained twist direction collinear with the first torsion actuator with abutting proximal ends. A central fitting joins the proximal ends. A control system for temperature control of the first torsion actuator and second torsion actuator about an average temperature provides combined antagonistic rotation of the central fitting.

Abstract: A microplate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5° C./second.

Abstract: A rotational actuator assembly employs a first torsion actuator having a shape memory alloy (SMA) tube with a first trained twist direction and a second torsion actuator having a SMA tube with an opposite trained twist direction collinear with the first torsion actuator with abutting proximal ends. A central fitting joins the proximal ends. A control system for temperature control of the first torsion actuator and second torsion actuator about an average temperature provides combined antagonistic rotation of the central fitting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heating of samples in specimen carriers, and more particularly to the heating of zones of a specimen carrier for differential heating of samples in a specimen carrier. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for heating samples, the apparatus comprising: a specimen carrier in the form of a metallic sheet in which sheet a matrix of sample wells is incorporated, means for applying electrical heating current through the carrier, characterised by a plurality of electrical current sources, each connected in series across the carrier and together providing a variety of different possible current flow paths whereby localised regions of the carrier may be selectively heated. In one embodiment of the current applied is alternating current. In another aspect of the invention the current provided by the sources is direct current.