Abstract: A multilayered microfluidic chip integrating separation channels and a common piezoelectric pump dispensing to a blotting membrane is described. A top layer with separation channels is connected with vias through a middle layer to a nozzle area in a bottom layer that has a piezoelectric pump. Because each via is very near a separate orifice in the bottom layer, the buffer fluid in the bottom layer will quickly dispense analyte emerging from the via. The analyte is pumped out of the orifice carried by the buffer fluid. A common reservoir of buffer fluid, connected with the pump membrane, is used. Electrodes may be placed near the entrance of each separation channel and share a terminating electrode in the common reservoir.

Abstract: A flat bar piezoelectric actuator affixed to a pressure chamber with one or more separation capillary tubes exiting near respective nozzle orifices is disclosed. The flat actuator against a flat wall of the pump chamber causes a relatively planar pressure wave to pass by the end of each capillary, transporting a precise amount of separated analyte from the capillary out of the nozzle orifice. The nozzle may or may not be tapered. Multiple nozzles can form an inkjet print head that ejects precise droplets of analyte and sheath fluid. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of using them are disclosed that position an end of a capillary electrophoresis tube within an internal tapered nozzle region of an inkjet print head or other microfluidic pump. The capillary electrophoresis tube can extend through an inlet of the microfluidic pump and leave space for a sheath liquid to enter the pump and mix with separated analytes eluted from the capillary electrophoresis tube. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic electrophoresis column, sheath liquid pump, and exit channel, all on the same monolithic chip. Material is separated in the electrophoresis column and passed into the exit chamber in response to a voltage potential between a first electrode within the electrophoresis column and a terminating electrode integrated into the chip. The terminating electrode can be in the sheath liquid pump chamber, the sheath liquid reservoir, or a separate flow channel that intersects the exit channel along with the electrophoresis column and sheath liquid pump chamber. The flow of sheath liquid into the exit chamber entrains separated analytes into an effluent that is dispensed out of the exit chamber via a discharge outlet.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic separation column connected via an exit channel to one or more sheath flow channels. The flow of separated material through the separation column is at least partially driven by a voltage potential between a first electrode within the separation column and a terminating electrode within at least one of the sheath flow channels. The separation column, exit channel, sheath flow channels, and electrodes are all within a single monolithic chip. The presence of an on-chip terminating electrode allows for separated material to be entrained in the sheath fluids and ejected onto a surface that can be non-conductive. The presence of multiple sheath flows allows for sheath flow fluids to have different compositions from one another, while reducing the occurrence of sheath flow fluids entering the separation column.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic separation column connected via an exit channel to one or more sheath flow channels. The flow of separated material through the separation column is at least partially driven by a voltage potential between a first electrode within the separation column and a terminating electrode within at least one of the sheath flow channels. The separation column, exit channel, sheath flow channels, and electrodes are all within a single monolithic chip. The presence of an on-chip terminating electrode allows for separated material to be entrained in the sheath fluids and ejected onto a surface that can be non-conductive. The presence of multiple sheath flows allows for sheath flow fluids to have different compositions from one another, while reducing the occurrence of sheath flow fluids entering the separation column.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of using them are disclosed that position an end of a capillary electrophoresis tube within an internal tapered nozzle region of an inkjet print head or other microfluidic pump. The capillary electrophoresis tube can extend through an inlet of the microfluidic pump and leave space for a sheath liquid to enter the pump and mix with separated analytes eluted from the capillary electrophoresis tube. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic separation column connected via an exit channel to one or more sheath flow channels. The flow of separated material through the separation column is at least partially driven by a voltage potential between a first electrode within the separation column and a terminating electrode within at least one of the sheath flow channels. The separation column, exit channel, sheath flow channels, and electrodes are all within a single monolithic chip. The presence of an on-chip terminating electrode allows for separated material to be entrained in the sheath fluids and ejected onto a surface that can be non-conductive. The presence of multiple sheath flows allows for sheath flow fluids to have different compositions from one another, while reducing the occurrence of sheath flow fluids entering the separation column.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of using them are disclosed that position an end of a capillary electrophoresis tube within an internal tapered nozzle region of an inkjet print head or other microfluidic pump. The capillary electrophoresis tube can extend through an inlet of the microfluidic pump and leave space for a sheath liquid to enter the pump and mix with separated analytes eluted from the capillary electrophoresis tube. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that analyze a biological or other fluid sample using an electrophoresis or other separation method and then emit the fluid sample with separated constituents using an electrohydrodynamic spray to form a Taylor cone and jet, without dispersion into droplets, onto a substrate that moves with respect to the emitter. Electrodes can be shared between the electrophoresis and electrospray elements, and an adjunct fluid can help draw the separated sample into the Taylor cone. A micro-machined capillary channel on a chip can supply multiple lines to a substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic electrophoresis column, sheath liquid pump, and exit channel, all on the same monolithic chip. Material is separated in the electrophoresis column and passed into the exit chamber in response to a voltage potential between a first electrode within the electrophoresis column and a terminating electrode integrated into the chip. The terminating electrode can be in the sheath liquid pump chamber, the sheath liquid reservoir, or a separate flow channel that intersects the exit channel along with the electrophoresis column and sheath liquid pump chamber. The flow of sheath liquid into the exit chamber entrains separated analytes into an effluent that is dispensed out of the exit chamber via a discharge outlet.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the separation and dispensing of material using a microfluidic separation column connected via an exit channel to one or more sheath flow channels. The flow of separated material through the separation column is at least partially driven by a voltage potential between a first electrode within the separation column and a terminating electrode within at least one of the sheath flow channels. The separation column, exit channel, sheath flow channels, and electrodes are all within a single monolithic chip. The presence of an on-chip terminating electrode allows for separated material to be entrained in the sheath fluids and ejected onto a surface that can be non-conductive. The presence of multiple sheath flows allows for sheath flow fluids to have different compositions from one another, while reducing the occurrence of sheath flow fluids entering the separation column.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of using them are disclosed that position an end of a capillary electrophoresis tube within an internal tapered nozzle region of an inkjet print head or other microfluidic pump. The capillary electrophoresis tube can extend through an inlet of the microfluidic pump and leave space for a sheath liquid to enter the pump and mix with separated analytes eluted from the capillary electrophoresis tube. The small volume of mixed sheath liquid and analyte can then be jetted through the nozzle at a moving surface, either continuously or as discrete droplets. Relative positions on the surface can indicate separation distances of dispensed analytes.

Abstract: A self-assembled engineered lattice of nanometer-scale silica particles, or other suitable particles generally resembling regularly-sized spheres, is configured in a separation bed for electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, chromatography, or other voltage-induced separation of analytes. After separation, the analytes are immobilized on the separation bed and then ionized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) for use with a mass spectrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with polymers that activate to immobilize the analytes or assist with MALDI. The separation can occur in two dimensions.

Abstract: Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gases and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and methods allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable infield cleaning of optical components and to enable re-configuration between open- and closed-path analyzer configurations. In closed path configurations, the sample flow path is thermally isolated from the remainder of the gas analyzer to provide more accurate temperature measurements. Composite plastic/metal sample cells are presented with achieve this thermal isolation without compromising analyzer performance.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that analyze a biological or other fluid sample using an electrophoresis or other separation method and then emit the fluid sample with separated constituents using an electrohydrodynamic spray to form a Taylor cone and jet, without dispersion into droplets, onto a substrate that moves with respect to the emitter. Electrodes can be shared between the electrophoresis and electrospray elements, and an adjunct fluid can help draw the separated sample into the Taylor cone. A micro-machined capillary channel on a chip can supply multiple lines to a substrate.

Abstract: A self-assembled engineered lattice of nanometer-scale silica particles, or other suitable particles generally resembling regularly-sized spheres, is configured in a separation bed for electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, chromatography, or other voltage-induced separation of analytes. After separation, the analytes are immobilized on the separation bed and then ionized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) for use with a mass spectrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with polymers that activate to immobilize the analytes or assist with MALDI. The separation can occur in two dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and kits which enable or utilize an immunologically-based assay, such as a Western immunoassay, to separate, detect or to monitor an analyte or a mixture of analytes such as biomolecules.

Abstract: Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components.

Abstract: Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components.