Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acids includes mixing a biological sample with a solid-phase substrate to produce a sample fluid. The nucleic acids in the sample fluid bind to the solid-phase substrate. The method also includes flowing the sample fluid in a fluid conduit to a trapping site. The trapping site may include a chamber. The method may further include applying a magnetic field to trap the solid-phase substrate of the sample fluid flowing through the fluid conduit at the trapping site. The method further includes flowing a wash buffer through the fluid conduit to remove impurities from the solid-phase substrate. The method further includes flowing an immiscible fluid through the fluid conduit to remove residual sample fluid and/or wash buffer. The method further includes flowing an elution buffer through the fluid conduit to elute nucleic acids from the solid-phase substrate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a supply amount of electrode slurry includes: (1) supplying the slurry from a first tank to a coater; (2) supplying the slurry from a second tank connected to the first tank to the first tank for a predetermined time, when the storage amount of the slurry in the first tank decreases and the level of the first tank reaches a first predetermined level; and (3) automatically interrupting the supply of the slurry from the second tank to the first tank after the predetermined time has elapsed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various microfluidic devices that may be used in thermal cyclic fluid samples. Some of these devices may include a plurality of microwells that may be coupled by interconnected fluidic channels. These microwells may not be physically separated and yet may include features allowing for effective isolation of target molecules within each microwell. Other devices may include a plurality of microwells that may not be interconnected. The devices may also include mechanisms for causing a fluid to flow across the device. The devices may also include light-absorbing films for converting light energy to heat so as to allow for thermal cycling of samples within the microwells.

Abstract: A method any system for performing optical PCR. The method includes binding nucleic acids in a sample fluid bind to a solid-phase substrate. The method also includes flowing the sample fluid in a fluid conduit to a trapping site. The trapping site may include a chamber. The method may further include applying a magnetic field to trap the solid-phase substrate of the sample fluid flowing through the fluid conduit at the trapping site. The method further includes flowing a wash buffer through the fluid conduit to remove impurities from the solid-phase substrate. The method further includes flowing an immiscible fluid through the fluid conduit to remove residual sample fluid and/or wash buffer. The method further includes flowing an elution buffer through the fluid conduit to elute nucleic acids from the solid-phase substrate and performing optical PCR on the eluted nucleic acids.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various microfluidic devices that may be used in thermal cyclic fluid samples. Some of these devices may include a plurality of microwells that may be coupled by interconnected fluidic channels. These microwells may not be physically separated and yet may include features allowing for effective isolation of target molecules within each microwell. Other devices may include a plurality of microwells that may not be interconnected. The devices may also include mechanisms for causing a fluid to flow across the device. The devices may also include light-absorbing films for converting light energy to heat so as to allow for thermal cycling of samples within the microwells.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various reaction vessel configurations that include a housing component; a reaction chamber defined by the housing component; and a light absorbing layer conforming to a portion of an interior-facing surface of the housing component that defines the reaction chamber, the light absorbing layer comprising multiple discrete regions. An energy source may direct light at one or more of the discrete regions of the light absorbing layer so as to heat the discrete regions and ultimately heat a solution within a reaction chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a first reaction chamber filled with a first material; a first light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber filled with a second material; a second light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the second reaction chamber; a temperature sensor disposed within the second reaction chamber; and one or more energy sources configured to direct light at the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region. A processor may be employed to determine a first temperature of the first material from a second temperature of the second material measured by the temperature sensor. Methods of manufacturing such a reaction vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate chuck. More particularly, a substrate chuck including a chucking film made of a flexible material capable of elastic deformation to cover a mounting region of an upper surface of a surface plate on which a substrate is to be mounted; and a substrate chuck for gripping the substrate by applying suction pressure to a lower part of the chucking film to form a vacuum between the chucking film and the substrate; and a substrate scrubbing apparatus including the substrate chuck are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various reaction vessel configurations that include a housing component; a reaction chamber defined by the housing component; and a light absorbing layer conforming to a portion of an interior-facing surface of the housing component that defines the reaction chamber, the light absorbing layer comprising multiple discrete regions. An energy source may direct light at one or more of the discrete regions of the light absorbing layer so as to heat the discrete regions and ultimately heat a solution within a reaction chamber.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a reaction vessel assembly that includes the following: a reaction vessel including a housing component; a reaction chamber defined by the housing component; and a light absorbing layer conforming to a portion of an interior-facing surface of the housing component that defines the reaction chamber, the light absorbing layer comprising a multiple discrete regions; and an energy source configured to direct light through at least a portion of the housing component at one or more of the discrete regions of the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a reaction chamber defined by opposing first and second interior-facing surfaces of the housing; a first light absorbing layer conforming to the first interior-facing surface of the housing component; and a second light absorbing layer conforming to the second interior-facing surface of the housing component; a first energy source configured to direct light through the housing at the first light absorbing layer; and a second energy source configured to direct light through the housing at the second light absorbing layer.

Abstract: Provided are a membrane and carrier head using the membrane for polishing apparatus. The membrane comprises a first fixing flap extending inwards from the upper part of a side portion, a second fixing flap extending upwards from the upper part of the side portion, wherein the second fixing flap has a first inclined part, a second inclined part and a third extending part of extending upwards whereby a compensation force generated by the inclined parts realize the constant pressing force to the edge of a substrate during a polishing process.

Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acids includes mixing a biological sample with a solid-phase substrate to produce a sample fluid. The nucleic acids in the sample fluid bind to the solid-phase substrate. The method also includes flowing the sample fluid in a fluid conduit to a trapping site. The trapping site may include a chamber. The method may further include applying a magnetic field to trap the solid-phase substrate of the sample fluid flowing through the fluid conduit at the trapping site. The method further includes flowing a wash buffer through the fluid conduit to remove impurities from the solid-phase substrate. The method further includes flowing an immiscible fluid through the fluid conduit to remove residual sample fluid and/or wash buffer. The method further includes flowing an elution buffer through the fluid conduit to elute nucleic acids from the solid-phase substrate.

Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method providing fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. Thermal cycling for PCR takes place in an optical cavity formed in a microfluidic channel or chamber with thin light absorbing metal films disposed on at least two opposing walls that provide uniform heating between the walls by photothermal light to heat conversion. The opposing metal films may be sized for equal light absorption from a single light source orthogonal to the two opposing films to produce an even temperature elevation between the equally heating films upon a single light exposure. Uniform temperature elevation may also be achieved with films made from two different materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are described.

Abstract: Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a first reaction chamber filled with a first material; a first light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber filled with a second material; a second light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the second reaction chamber; a temperature sensor disposed within the second reaction chamber; and one or more energy sources configured to direct light at the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region. A processor may be employed to determine a first temperature of the first material from a second temperature of the second material measured by the temperature sensor. Methods of manufacturing such a reaction vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasmonic heating by combined use of thin plasmonic film-based 2D and 3D structures and a light-emitting diode (LED) for nucleic acids amplification through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are provided. The system includes a polymeric fluidic device comprising one or more reaction wells. A first light absorbing material is disposed on a first support to define a reaction well and first and second ports are coupled to the reaction wells. The first and second ports are configured to allow input of a fluidic sample into the reaction well. A lyophilized reagent is pre-loaded in the reaction well. A light source is configured to illuminate the first light absorbing material. A first portion of light illuminated onto the first light absorbing material is absorbed into the first light absorbing material and is configured to elevate the temperature of the first light absorbing material to heat the fluidic sample within the reaction well.

Abstract: Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a first reaction chamber filled with a first material; a first light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber filled with a second material; a second light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the second reaction chamber; a temperature sensor disposed within the second reaction chamber; and one or more energy sources configured to direct light at the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region. A processor may be employed to determine a first temperature of the first material from a second temperature of the second material measured by the temperature sensor. Methods of manufacturing such a reaction vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing the insulation member includes manufacturing a 3D printing material using a mixed material in which one or more materials selected from among polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one or more fillers selected from among TiO2, SiO2, and AlO3, and a curing agent are mixed, and which contains different amounts of the fillers at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction, and sequentially stacking the manufactured 3D printing material using a 3D printer to thus manufacture a target insulation member so that the mixed material containing different amounts of the fillers at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the insulation member is sequentially stacked.