Abstract: A method of efficiently bonding two surfaces using nitrogen plasma, and a structure manufactured by using the same.

Abstract: A fluid control apparatus including a detecting unit including a light source for irradiating light toward a microfluidic device, and a photodetector for detecting light reflected from the microfluidic device, a transporting unit for moving the detecting unit; and a determining unit for controlling a transporting operation by the transporting unit, where determining a state of a fluid at a particular position relative to the microfluidic device is based on light reflected from the microfluidic device, and method of using same.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure describe a microfluidic device and a method of manufacturing the same. An embodiment of the microfluidic device includes a first substrate in which a micro-flow path and a valve seat protruding toward the micro-flow path are formed; a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate and in which a cavity corresponding to the valve seat is formed; and a polymer film disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and comprising a bonding unit bonded to the first and second substrates and a variable unit having a variable shape according to pneumatic pressure of the cavity, wherein the variable unit has a curvature and is spaced apart from the valve seat when pneumatic pressure is not provided to the variable unit.

Abstract: A gene analysis device including an illumination optical system radiating exciting light onto a sample solution; a microfluidic device for forming a bio-reaction space of the sample solution and including at least one micro-chamber in which a reflection pattern is formed; and a detection optical system for detecting a fluorescence signal generated by a bio-reaction in the micro-chamber and comprising a photodetector.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined 5 section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field 10 application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: Provided is a method for quantifying an initial concentration of a nucleic acid from a real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) extracted from organism or virus is amplified using an enzyme. Then, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid is found by calculating the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid has half of its maximum value, or the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the amplification efficiency has the maximum or the minimum value, or the prior-to-amplification fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid. Accordingly, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid can be calculated without differentiation or integration.

Abstract: Provided is a method for quantifying an initial concentration of a nucleic acid from a real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) extracted from organism or virus is amplified using an enzyme. Then, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid is found by calculating the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid has half of its maximum value, or the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the amplification efficiency has the maximum or the minimum value, or the prior-to-amplification fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid. Accordingly, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid can be calculated without differentiation or integration.

Abstract: A fluorescence detecting optical system, and a multi-channel fluorescence detection apparatus comprising same, comprising a light source that emits excitation light, a polarizer that transmits light having a predetermined polarization component, a polarizing beam splitter that transmits light having a predetermined polarization component and reflects light having a different polarization component than the predetermined polarization component, and a quarter-wave plate converting linearly polarized to circularly polarized light or vice versa.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection optical system detects fluorescence beams with two or more different wavelengths and maintains a focal position through an automatic focusing function. A multi-channel fluorescence detection apparatus includes the fluorescence detection optical system. The fluorescence detection optical system includes an automatic focusing unit which receives light reflected off a microfluidic device and determines a focal point by using an astigmatic method or a knife edge method, and an actuator which adjusts a position of an objective lens according to control of the automatic focusing unit. In addition, the fluorescence detection optical system may include a plurality of dual band pass filters, dichroic devices, etc., which provide light beams emitted from at least two light sources and transfer fluorescence generated from the microfluidic device to a photodetector.

Abstract: Provided is a method of amplifying a nucleic acid using rolling cyclic amplification (RCA), including amplifying a nucleic acid together with formation of a single-strand circular DNA template using RCA by reacting a reaction solution including: (a) two hairpin oligos, (b) a target nucleic acid, (c) a DNA ligase, (d) an endonuclease, (e) a DNA polymerase, and (f) a primer.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid flowing along a channel, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The valve unit includes a channel formed in a platform; a valve filler which includes a phase transition material that is disposed in the channel in a solid state at room temperature to close the channel and is melted when energy is applied thereto; and at least one capillary channel which extends from a sidewall of the channel and into which the valve filler flows when the valve filler is melted, wherein the at least one capillary channel has a cross-sectional area which is less than a cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined 5 section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field 10 application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: A gene analysis apparatus includes a sample preparation chip in which a polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) sample is prepared, a PCR chip in which a PCR is performed on the PCR sample, and a package layer on which the sample preparation chip and the PCR chip are mounted. The package layer includes a channel through which a material flows from the sample preparation chip to the PCR chip. The sample preparation chip and the PCR chip are on a same side or on opposing sides of the package layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining an initial concentration of a target nucleic acid within a sample using real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Amplification efficiencies of the target nucleic acid with respect to amplification time are obtained from signals of amplified products, and an amplification efficiency function with respect to amplification time is formulated employing the amplification efficiencies.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection optical system comprises a light source which emits excitation light, a collimating lens which condenses the excitation light emitted from the light source into substantially parallel light, an objective lens which focuses the excitation light on a microchamber of a microfluidic device, an optical detector which measures an intensity of a fluorescence signal generated in the microchamber by the excitation light, a beam splitter which transmits or reflects the excitation light emitted from the light source toward the objective lens, and reflects or transmits the fluorescence signal generated in the microchamber toward the optical detector, and a beam shaping lens which is disposed between the beam splitter and the objective lens and expands an optical spot of the excitation light in one direction in accordance with a shape of the microchamber.

Abstract: An elastic valve and a microfluidic device including the same are provided. The elastic valve includes a channel dented by external pressure so as to be elastically restituted; and a plurality of channel closing protrusions, which comprise elastomer as a material, which are protruded from at least one inner side surface of the channel toward an opposite inner side surface, and which are separated from each other so as not to interrupt a flow of fluids, wherein, when external pressure is applied in order to dent the channel, the plurality of channel closing protrusions are deformed so as to be elastically restituted, thereby closing the channel.

Abstract: A polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) apparatus includes a PCR chip holder which accommodates and supports a PCR chip, a housing which supports ends of the PCR chip holder, a temperature control element which moves perpendicularly with respect to the PCR chip holder in a space between the housing and the PCR chip holder in the housing, and an elastic unit which elastically biases the temperature control element toward the PCR chip holder, between the temperature control element and the housing. The temperature control element includes a top surface which is selectively contacted to a bottom surface of the PCR chip.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including at least one microvalve which controls a flow of a fluid, where the at least one microvalve includes: a pneumatic layer, a fluidic layer disposed opposite to the pneumatic layer; an elastomer membrane disposed between the pneumatic layer and the fluidic layer; and an asymmetric valve seat protruding from a surface of the fluidic layer toward a surface of the elastomer membrane and asymmetrically dividing a space between the fluidic layer and the elastomer membrane.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including a microvalve includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, an elastic film between the first and second substrates, a microfluidic channel on the second substrate, a valve seat of the second substrate protruding in the microfluidic channel, and a fine structure on a surface of the elastic film, facing the valve seat and which contacts the valve seat when the microvalve is operated.