Abstract: The invention is to provide a method of profiling a sample comprising a plurality of cells, the method comprising: flowing cells from the sample through a first array of pillars to obtain one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the first array; flowing cells from the sample through a second array of pillars that is different from the first array of pillars to obtain on one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the second array; and deriving a biophysical signature of the sample based on at least the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the first array and/or the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the second array. The method further comprises determining a health status of a subject based on the biophysical signature of the sample. The invention is also to provide a sample profiling system.

Abstract: A spiral inertial microfluidics device has been designed for use as a microfluidic sorting device. The device includes a spiral microchannel in which particles or cells of different sizes go through regions having different magnitudes of inertial and/or drag forces and equilibrate at different lateral positions in the microchannel so that those particles or cells of different sizes are separated. Using different focusing characteristics of larger versus smaller particles/cells in the spiral microchannel, adventitious agents (AAs) such as bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, etc. can be selectively removed from cells such as those producing therapeutic enzymes or monoclonal antibodies or those comprising the product itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for size-based separation of undifferentiated cells from a population of cells using curvilinear microfluidic channels. The curvilinear microfluidic channels may be a spiral microfluidic channels. The differentiated cells are spinal cord progenitor cells (SCPCs), neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and/or cells differentiated therefrom. The method may comprise flowing an input population of cells through first and second sequentially connected and fluidically communicating curvilinear microfluidic channels, wherein the first channel is coupled to an inlet and the second channel is coupled to one or more outlets, wherein the first curvilinear microfluidic channel has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second curvilinear microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Devices and methods for microfluidic parallel sample processing are described. According to an embodiment a microfluidic system for parallel sample processing is provided. The microfluidic system comprises one or more modules, each module comprising: one or more microfluidic chips arranged in a microfluidic chip stack, each of the one or more microfluidic chips comprising a plurality of processing channels, each processing channel comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a processing section, a combined sample inlet fluidically coupled to each processing channel inlet and configured to concatenate a plurality of the processing channel inlets, and a combined sample outlet fluidically coupled to each processing channel outlet and configured to concatenate a plurality of the processing channel outlets.

Abstract: Chondrogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be determined using magnetic resonance relaxometry by measuring T2 relaxation value of the MSCs.

Abstract: A sequentially stacked multi-stage desalination system includes a single pair of electrodes, including an anode and a cathode; at least one ion concentration polarization device; and at least one electrodialysis device coupled with the ion concentration polarization device and configured to receive liquid flow from the ion concentration polarization device. Each ion concentration device and electrodialysis device is positioned between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Senescent cells can be detected using magnetic resonance relaxometry.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a scalable concentration device and method of use thereof based on electrokinetics.

Abstract: Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.

Abstract: A device for purifying and/or concentrating a first water stream containing ionic impurities includes a first and second ion exchange membrane and a first porous membrane. The ion exchange membranes have the same charge, and a channel into which the first water stream can be directed is defined between the first and second ion exchange membranes. The channel has an inlet end and a return flow end and comprises a first and second outlet. The inlet and at least the first outlet are located on the inlet end of the channel and are separated by the first porous membrane that traverses the length of the channel between the ion exchange membranes and terminates at a return flow zone that is at least partially closed. At least part of the first water stream flows through the first porous membrane, joining a first return flow stream.

Abstract: Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.

Abstract: A spiral inertial microfluidics device has been designed for use as a microfluidic sorting device. The device includes a spiral microchannel in which particles or cells of different sizes go through regions having different magnitudes of inertial and/or drag forces and equilibrate at different lateral positions in the microchannel so that those particles or cells of different sizes are separated. Using different focusing characteristics of larger versus smaller particles/cells in the spiral microchannel, adventitious agents (AAs) such as bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, etc. can be selectively removed from cells such as those producing therapeutic enzymes or monoclonal antibodies or those comprising the product itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides return flow ICP and ED systems and methods that can be used for water desalination and/or concentration of a wide range of target brine and other aqueous and contaminated streams.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a method of profiling a sample comprising a plurality of cells, the method comprising: flowing cells from the sample through a first array of pillars to obtain one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the first array; flowing cells from the sample through a second array of pillars that is different from the first array of pillars to obtain on one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the second array; and deriving a biophysical signature of the sample based on at least the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the first array and/or the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the second array. The method further comprises determining a health status of a subject based on the biophysical signature of the sample. The invention is also to provide a sample profiling system.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a closed loop system for maintaining a predetermined concentration of a target ion in a region in proximity to a cell, such as a nerve cell. The device includes a controller and an ion-selective electrode assembly operatively connected to the controller, wherein the ion-selective electrode configuration is configured to sense the concentration of the target ion by potentiometric measurement and to convey the concentration to the controller. The controller is configured to modulate the current to the ion-selective electrode assembly based on the concentration of the target ion to control the concentration of the target ion so as to maintain the predetermined concentration of the target ion.

Abstract: Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for detection of antibodies in a biological sample. The method includes steps of: immobilizing antigens specific to the antibodies between at least two electrodes; binding the antibodies from the biological sample to the antigens; binding probes linked with an enzyme to the antibodies; exposing the enzyme to a metal substrate; depositing a metal layer based on exposing the enzyme to the metal substrate; measuring an electrical property of the metal layer between a first electrode of the at least two electrodes and a second electrode of the at least two electrodes; and detecting, based on measuring the electrical property of the metal layer, the antibodies in the biological sample.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a scalable concentration device and method of use thereof based on electrokinetics.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of recirculation loops in single- or multi-stage electrical desalination processes such as Ion Concentration Polarization (ICP) desalination and concentration processes.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for quickly, efficiently and continuously fractionating biomolecules, such as DNAs and proteins based on size and other factors, while allowing imaging of the separated biomolecules as they are processed within the apparatus. The apparatus employs angled nanochannels to first preconcentrate and then separate like molecules. Its embodiments offer improved detection sensitivity and separation resolution over existing technologies and multiplexing capabilities.