Abstract: The present invention provides a microfabricated device and methods for high throughput single cell screening of a heterogeneous population. The present invention is partly based upon but not limited to sorting by monitoring cell secreted factors that accumulate in time (hours, days, weeks) as cells are cultured in the microbubble well niche the architecture of which facilitate the accumulation. In certain embodiments, the device and method comprises a means to identify effective drugs for personalize therapeutics such as but not limited to discovery of monoclonal antibody therapeutics.

Abstract: A microfabricated device and method having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities that is used for high throughput single cell screening. The substrate of the device is preferably fabricated in a low elastic modulus polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The architecture of the cavity forms a small volume micro-niche that seeded cells can rapidly condition to promote survival and proliferation which can be monitored for hours to days to weeks. The cavity architecture allows independent assays to be conducted with minimal influence from nearest neighbor cavities. Methods are disclosed to use the device to, for example, screen single cells by clonal proliferation, clonal morphology, secreted factors, secretion rate, surface markers, and cell functional characteristics including but not limited to migration, drug resistance, the ability to block or promote signaling pathways, or to enhance opsonization.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding technique.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding (GEM) technique.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding technique.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding (GEM) technique.

Abstract: An ink set for reducing intercolor bleed and a multi-colored ink jet printing process utilizing the same is provided. The ink set comprises a black ink composition and a plurality of color ink jet ink compositions comprising a colorant and an ink vehicle. The ink vehicle of at least one of the color inks matches the ink vehicle of the black ink. An ink set may also be a hybrid ink set comprising a black/color ink subset that includes a black ink composition and at least one color ink composition, and a color/color ink subset that includes a plurality of color ink compositions, wherein the ink vehicle of the color ink composition(s) in the black/color ink subset matches the ink vehicle of the black ink composition and the ink vehicles of at least one of the color inks in the color/color subsets match the ink vehicle of another color ink in the color/color ink subset.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for bonding a first article to a second article which comprises (a) providing a first article comprising a polymer having photosensitivity-imparting substituents; (b) providing a second article comprising metal, plasma nitride, silicon, or glass; (c) applying to at least one of the first article and the second article an adhesion promoter selected from silanes, titanates, or zirconates having (i) alkoxy, aryloxy, or arylalkyloxy functional groups and (ii) functional groups including at least one photosensitive aliphatic >C═C< linkage; (d) placing the first article in contact with the second article; and (e) exposing the first article, second article, and adhesion promoter to radiation, thereby bonding the first article to the second article with the adhesion promote. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion promoter is employed in microelectrical mechanical systems such as thermal ink jet printheads.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes an ink reservoir having an fluid inlet for receiving ink, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A channel plate structure that is etched from silicon defines a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the reservoir for directing ink from the reservoir. Support structure is provided near the top portion of the reservoir and extending within the reservoir. The support structure is formed to divide the reservoir into at least a pair of reservoir regions and to provide support to the channel plate structure while permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow to all of the channels at the bottom portion of the reservoir. In addition to forming printheads for ink jet printers, the invention may be applied to other microchannel fluidic devices.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes an ink reservoir having an fluid inlet for receiving ink, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A channel plate structure that is etched from silicon defines a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the reservoir for directing ink from the reservoir. Support structure is provided near the top portion of the reservoir and extending within the reservoir. The support structure is formed to divide the reservoir into at least a pair of reservoir regions and to provide support to the channel plate structure while permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow to all of the channels at the bottom portion of the reservoir. In addition to forming printheads for ink jet printers, the invention may be applied to other microchannel fluidic devices.

Abstract: A microchannel fluidic device, such as an ink jet printhead, includes an fluid reservoir for receiving ink or other fluid from a supply. The reservoir has an inlet in communication with the supply, and an outlet. A plurality of nozzles are in fluid communication with the reservoir for delivering ink or fluid from the reservoir. The outlet of the reservoir is constructed and arranged such that air bubbles in the reservoir are ejected by differential pressure between the inlet and outlet, rather than being forced through nozzles. An overflow reservoir captures fluid ejected from the outlet during priming operations thereby to reduce waste, to enable treatment of the fluid, and/or to recirculate the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for bonding a first article to a second article which comprises (a) providing a first article comprising a polymer having photosensitivity-imparting substituents; (b) providing a second article comprising metal, plasma nitride, silicon, or glass; (c) applying to at least one of the first article and the second article an adhesion promoter selected from silanes, titanates, or zirconates having (i) alkoxy, aryloxy, or arylalkyloxy functional groups and (ii) functional groups including at least one photosensitive aliphatic >C═C< linkage; (d) placing the first article in contact with the second article; and (e) exposing the first article, second article, and adhesion promoter to radiation, thereby bonding the first article to the second article with the adhesion promote. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion promoter is employed in microelectrical mechanical systems such as thermal ink jet printheads.

Abstract: Plain paper is processed through a plain paper optimizer system prior to image formation on a recording surface. The optimizer system adds a fixing fluid during application of pressure and, optionally, heat to the paper surface. The surface contacted by the fixing fluid is enhanced, forming images of improved print quality. In one embodiment, plain paper is treated in an optimizer system, which has a heat and fuser assembly with silicone oil as the fixing fluid, and is transported into the print zone of an ink jet printer. Images printed on the treated surface demonstrate improvements in image quality manifested by reduction of both edge raggedness and intercolor bleeding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for bonding a first article to a second article which comprises (a) providing a first article comprising a polymer having photosensitivity-imparting substituents; (b) providing a second article comprising metal, plasma nitride, silicon, or glass; (c) applying to at least one of the first article and the second article an adhesion promoter selected from silanes, titanates, or zirconates having (i) alkoxy, aryloxy, or arylalkyloxy functional groups and (ii) functional groups including at least one photosensitive aliphatic >C═C< linkage; (d) placing the first article in contact with the second article; and (e) exposing the first article, second article, and adhesion promoter to radiation, thereby bonding the first article to the second article with the adhesion promote. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion promoter is employed in microelectrical mechanical systems such as thermal ink jet printheads.

Abstract: An ink status system for determining the status of a consumable supply of ink contained in an ink container. The ink status system includes a first conductor, disposed on a first wall of the ink container, being aligned with the first wall such that the consumable supply of ink contacts a decreasing portion of the first conductor during consumption thereof and an ink sensing circuit, coupled to the first conductor, generating a continuously variable ink level signal as a function of the decreasing portion of the first conductor being contacted by the consumable supply of ink during consumption thereof. The ink status system is used in a liquid ink printer to determine the amount of ink remaining in an ink tank or ink cartridge. A liquid ink printhead of the printer includes the necessary circuitry to generate a signal indicating the status of the ink which can include ink levels as well as ink types or colors.

Abstract: A nozzle plate for ink jet cartridges which are manufactured from a relatively thin film of material, such as, for example, polyimide, polyarylene ether, or composite of a number of materials deposited on a rigid substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and photolithographically processed from the rigid substrate to produce a large quantity of interconnected nozzle plates which may be removed as a sheet of interconnected nozzle plates for ease of handling. The nozzle plates are aligned and bonded to the nozzle bearing front faces of the cartridges.

Abstract: A thermal ink-jet ejector having a fluid flow channel extending between an ink inlet and a nozzle for the ejection of liquid ink therefrom, includes a rear channel diffuser disposed between the heating element and the inlet, and/or a front channel diffuser disposed between the heating element and the nozzle. Each diffuser includes an arrangement of tapers which decrease the flow impedance of liquid ink flowing toward the nozzle, and increase the flow impedance of liquid ink flowing toward the inlet. The arrangement increases the kinetic energy of droplets being ejected, and also increases the speed of re-fill of the channel with liquid ink following ejection.