Abstract: Various embodiments described in the application relate to an apparatus, system, and method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The system can comprise an apparatus comprising at least one conduit operatively connected to one or more pumps for providing discrete volumes separated from one another by a fluid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.

Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an optical waveguide structure upon a substrate in accordance with the steps of: (a) forming a layer of base coat material upon the substrate, (b) forming a layer of cladding material having a predetermined refractive index upon the base coat layer, (c) applying a channel waveguide pattern defining structure to the layer of cladding material, (d) applying a patterning agent to transfer the pattern of the channel waveguide pattern defining structure to a predetermined depth or depths into the cladding material layer to define a waveguide trench pattern, (e) removing any remaining residue of channel waveguide pattern defining structure, (f) forming a thick coat layer of waveguide material having a higher refractive index than the cladding material onto the cladding material and into the waveguide trench pattern, (g) planarizing the waveguide material substantially to the plane of a topmost surface of the cladding material in order to reduce the thickness of the thick coat layer,