Abstract: A method including (a) providing an amplification reagent including an array of sites, and a solution having different target nucleic acids; and (b) reacting the amplification reagent to produce amplification sites each having a clonal population of amplicons from a target nucleic acid from the solution. The reacting can include simultaneously transporting the nucleic acids to the sites at an average transport rate, and amplifying the nucleic acids that transport to the sites at an average amplification rate, wherein the average amplification rate exceeds the average transport rate. The reacting can include producing a first amplicon from a nucleic acid that transports to each of the sites, and producing subsequent amplicons from the nucleic acid or from the first amplicon, wherein the average rate at which the subsequent amplicons are generated exceeds the average rate at which the first amplicon is generated.

Abstract: Example super-resolution microscopy systems are described herein that are configured for relatively high throughput. The disclosed microscopy systems can be to generate an array of sub-diffraction activated areas for imaging. The microscopy systems can be to utilize imaging techniques that employ time delay integration to build up super-resolution images over time. The disclosed microscopy systems can utilize long-lived fluorophores in conjunction with wide field and patterned illumination to generate super-resolution images of a sample with relatively high throughput.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: A microarray is designed capture one or more molecules of interest at each of a plurality of sites on a substrate. The sites comprise base pads, such as polymer base pads, that promote the attachment of the molecules at the sites. The microarray may be made by one or more patterning techniques to create a layout of base pads in a desired pattern. Further, the microarrays may include features to encourage clonality at the sites.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: An example method includes contacting a substrate coated with a sol-gel material with a stamp that includes a plurality of protruding features. While contacting the coated sol-gel material with the stamp, the example method further includes curing the coated sol-gel material so as to form a patterned sol-gel layer that includes a plurality of wells. The stamp is separated from the patterned sol-gel layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a patterned substrate including a plurality of base pads, using a nano-imprint lithography process. A capture substance is attached to each of the plurality of base pads, optionally through a linker, the capture substance being adapted to promote capture of a target molecule.

Abstract: Substrates comprising dual functional polymer layered surfaces and the preparation thereof by using UV nano-imprinting processes are disclosed. The substrates can be used as flow cells, nanofluidic or microfluidic devices for biological molecules analysis.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: An example of an array includes a support, a cross-linked epoxy polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) resin film on a surface of the support, and a patterned hydrophobic polymer layer on the cross-linked epoxy POSS resin film. The patterned hydrophobic polymer layer defines exposed discrete areas of the cross-linked epoxy POSS resin film, and a polymer coating is attached to the exposed discrete areas. Another example of an array includes a support, a modified epoxy POSS resin film on a surface of the support, and a patterned hydrophobic polymer layer on the modified epoxy POSS resin film. The modified epoxy POSS resin film includes a polymer growth initiation site, and the patterned hydrophobic polymer layer defines exposed discrete areas of the modified epoxy POSS resin film. A polymer brush is attached to the polymer growth initiation site in the exposed discrete areas.

Abstract: A structured substrate (100) including a substrate body (102) having an active side (104). The substrate body (102) includes reaction cavities or sites (106) that open along the active side (104) and interstitial regions (118) that separate the reaction cavities (106). The structured substrate (100) includes an ensemble amplifier (120) positioned within each of the reaction cavities (106). The ensemble amplifier (120) includes a plurality of nanostructures (116), such as dimers, trimers, bowtie nanoantenna, nanorods, nanorings, nanoplugs, configured to at least one of amplify electromagnetic energy (108) that propagates into the corresponding reaction cavity (106) or amplify electromagnetic energy (110), such as emitted fluorescence, that is generated within the corresponding reaction cavity (106). Preferably the nanostructures (116) within the cavities (106) are covered with a organic material such as a gel (122).

Abstract: Imprinted substrates are often used to produce miniaturized devices for use in electrical, optic and biochemical applications. Imprinting techniques, such as nanoimprinting lithography, may leave residues in the surface of substrates that affect bonding and decrease the quality of the produced devices. An imprinted substrate with residue-free region, or regions with a reduced amount of residue for improved bonding quality is introduced. Methods to produce imprinted substrates without residues from the imprinting process are also introduced. Methods include physical exclusion methods, selective etching methods and energy application methods. These methods may produce residue-free regions in the surface of the substrate that can be used to produce higher strength bonding.

Abstract: Structured substrate including (a) a plurality of nanoparticles distributed on a solid support, (b) a gel material forming a layer in association with the plurality of nanoparticles, and (c) a library of target nucleic acids in the gel material.

Abstract: A method including (a) providing an amplification reagent including an array of sites, and a solution having different target nucleic acids; and (b) reacting the amplification reagent to produce amplification sites each having a clonal population of amplicons from a target nucleic acid from the solution. The reacting can include simultaneously transporting the nucleic acids to the sites at an average transport rate, and amplifying the nucleic acids that transport to the sites at an average amplification rate, wherein the average amplification rate exceeds the average transport rate. The reacting can include producing a first amplicon from a nucleic acid that transports to each of the sites, and producing subsequent amplicons from the nucleic acid or from the first amplicon, wherein the average rate at which the subsequent amplicons are generated exceeds the average rate at which the first amplicon is generated.

Abstract: An array including a solid support having a plurality of contours along its exterior surface. A first subset of contours is positioned along the exterior surface of the solid support to form a first pattern of features and a second subset of contours is positioned along the exterior surface to form a second pattern of features. The contours of the first subset are juxtaposed with the second subset along the exterior surface, whereby the first and second patterns form an interleaved pattern. The features of the first pattern occur at a first elevation z1 and the features of the second pattern occur at a second elevation z2. The features of the first pattern are configured to attach analytes at a different elevation relative to analytes attached to the features of the second pattern.

Abstract: A method including (a) providing an amplification reagent including an array of sites, and a solution having different target nucleic acids; and (b) reacting the amplification reagent to produce amplification sites each having a clonal population of amplicons from a target nucleic acid from the solution. The reacting can include simultaneously transporting the nucleic acids to the sites at an average transport rate, and amplifying the nucleic acids that transport to the sites at an average amplification rate, wherein the average amplification rate exceeds the average transport rate. The reacting can include producing a first amplicon from a nucleic acid that transports to each of the sites, and producing subsequent amplicons from the nucleic acid or from the first amplicon, wherein the average rate at which the subsequent amplicons are generated exceeds the average rate at which the first amplicon is generated.

Abstract: A microarray is designed capture one or more molecules of interest at each of a plurality of sites on a substrate. The sites comprise base pads, such as polymer base pads, that promote the attachment of the molecules at the sites. The microarray may be made by one or more patterning techniques to create a layout of base pads in a desired pattern. Further, the microarrays may include features to encourage clonality at the sites.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a nucleic acid includes synthesizing one or more nucleic acid fragments on a substrate. The synthesized one or more nucleic acid fragments may be amplified on the substrate. The method also includes sequencing the synthesized or amplified one or more nucleic acid fragments on the substrate. The sequencing may provide feedback to designs of the one or more nucleic acid fragments. The method further includes harvesting the synthesized or amplified one or more nucleic acid fragments based on sequencing. The synthesized or amplified one or more nucleic acid fragments may be assembled to generate a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

Abstract: A microarray is designed capture one or more molecules of interest at each of a plurality of sites on a substrate. The sites comprise base pads, such as polymer base pads, that promote the attachment of the molecules at the sites. The microarray may be made by one or more patterning techniques to create a layout of base pads in a desired pattern. Further, the microarrays may include features to encourage clonality at the sites.