Abstract: A sample preparation blister pack can include a plurality of reservoirs formed as blisters. The reservoirs can have an actuatable barrier layer and a seal barrier layer with contents of the reservoirs between the actuatable barrier layer and the seal barrier layer. The contents can be to facilitate isolating a biological component from a biological sample. The individual reservoirs can be adapted to release the contents through the seal barrier layer upon actuation of the actuatable barrier layer. The blister pack can have a width and a length and the reservoirs can be lined up along the length. In this example, a first reservoir contains an inert mechanical fluid and a second reservoir contains a reagent, a buffer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A fluidic device can include interconnected volumes including a bulk fluid volume fluidically connected in series with a capillary volume to receive a density gradient column, a reservoir of a reconstitution buffer positioned outside the interconnected volumes, and a buffer inlet chamber to receive reconstitution buffer from the reservoir of reconstitution buffer. The fluidic device can also include a reactant chamber connected to the buffer inlet chamber by a fluid channel, wherein the reactant chamber contains a reactant, and a reactant injection channel connecting the reactant chamber to the capillary volume to inject the reconstitution buffer and reactant into the capillary volume.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve can include a substrate having a microfluidic channel formed in the substrate. A sealing layer can be over the microfluidic channel. A flexible blister layer can be over the sealing layer. The flexible blister layer can include a blister formed as a distended portion with a blister volume between the flexible blister layer and the sealing layer. The microfluidic valve can be actuatable by puncturing the sealing layer by pressing on the blister. Actuating the microfluidic valve can either allow fluid to flow through the microfluidic channel or block fluid from flowing through the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: An example molded fluidic die assembly includes a fluidic die including an electrical component and a fluidic architecture on a first face of the fluidic die, the fluidic architecture including a front face; circuitry; an electrical connection coupling the circuitry to the electrical component on the first face of the fluidic die; and a continuous molded compound that surrounds the fluidic die and encompasses the electrical connection.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve can include a substrate having a microfluidic channel formed in the substrate. A sealing layer can be over the microfluidic channel. A flexible blister layer can be over the sealing layer. The flexible blister layer can include a blister formed as a distended portion with a blister volume between the flexible blister layer and the sealing layer. The microfluidic valve can be actuatable by puncturing the sealing layer by pressing on the blister. Actuating the microfluidic valve can either allow fluid to flow through the microfluidic channel or block fluid from flowing through the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: An electrostatic liquid-ejection actuation mechanism includes a membrane, a frame, and one or more deformable beams. The frame has two sides and a number of cross members that are non-parallel to the two sides. The two sides and the cross members define one or more areas individually corresponding to one or more liquid chambers. The deformable beams are disposed between the membrane and the frame. The deformable beams individually correspond to the liquid chambers, and define a number of slits. Each slit is adjacent to one of the two sides of the frame. The deformable beams have a width that is less than a width of the liquid chambers, due at least to the slits.

Abstract: An electrostatic liquid-ejection actuation mechanism includes a membrane, a frame, and one or more deformable beams. The frame has two sides and a number of cross members that are non-parallel to the two sides. The two sides and the cross members define one or more areas individually corresponding to one or more liquid chambers. The deformable beams are disposed between the membrane and the frame. The deformable beams individually correspond to the liquid chambers, and define a number of slits. Each slit is adjacent to one of the two sides of the frame. The deformable beams have a width that is less than a width of the liquid chambers, due at least to the slits.

Abstract: A method of indicating the progress of a sacrificial material removal process, the method, comprising; freeing a portion of a member, the member being disposed in a cage and laterally surrounded by the sacrificial material; and preventing the freed portion of the member from floating away by retaining the freed member.

Abstract: In one embodiment an electrostatic actuator includes: a first conductor associated with each chamber; a second conductor having a plurality of flexible first parts supported by a plurality of second parts, each flexible first part forming at least part of a wall of each chamber and each flexible first part located opposite a corresponding one of the first conductors across a gap; and a voltage source operatively connected to each of the first conductors for selectively applying a voltage between each of the first conductors and the second conductor In another embodiment, an electrostatic actuator includes: a plurality of rigid conductors arranged adjacent to one another along a chamber; and a flexible conductor disposed opposite to and spanning the plurality of first conductors across a gap, the flexible conductor forming at least part of one wall of the chamber such that flexing the flexible conductor flexes the wall to change the volume of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first member, a second member and a flexure. The flexure has a central portion connected to the first member, outer portions connected to the second member and an intermediate portion spaced from the first member and the second member.

Abstract: In one embodiment an electrostatic actuator includes: a first conductor associated with each chamber; a second conductor having a plurality of flexible first parts supported by a plurality of second parts, each flexible first part forming at least part of a wall of each chamber and each flexible first part located opposite a corresponding one of the first conductors across a gap; and a voltage source operatively connected to each of the first conductors for selectively applying a voltage between each of the first conductors and the second conductor In another embodiment, an electrostatic actuator includes: a plurality of rigid conductors arranged adjacent to one another along a chamber; and a flexible conductor disposed opposite to and spanning the plurality of first conductors across a gap, the flexible conductor forming at least part of one wall of the chamber such that flexing the flexible conductor flexes the wall to change the volume of the chamber.

Abstract: An electronic device for at least partially displaying a pixel of an image, the device comprising first and second reflectors defining an optical cavity therebetween, the optical cavity being selective of an electromagnetic wavelength at an intensity by optical interference, the device having a concentric control structure comprising at least an inner and an outermost electrode, the optical cavity being controlled only by the inner electrode.

Abstract: A method of indicating the progress of a sacrificial material removal process, the method, comprising; freeing a portion of a member, the member being disposed in a cage and laterally surrounded by the sacrificial material; and preventing the freed portion of the member from floating away by retaining the freed member.

Abstract: A MEMS device and method include a mechanical plate that is raised or lowered by pivoting a lever coupled to the mechanical plate by a flexible beam.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a first portion and a second portion. Both the first portion and the second portion include a planar electrode, a polar solvent, and a non-polar solvent. The polar solvent and the non-polar solvent are supported by the first planar electrode. A coating of molecules is attached to the first planar electrode and includes a head end. The head end changes between a first shape and a second shape.