Abstract: A nanocalorimeter device includes a substrate having test cells, each test cell comprising a sample location. Each sample location includes a reaction surface suitable for an enthalpic reaction of constituents of liquid droplets, droplet movement and configured to merge the droplets, and a layer of thermochromic material thermally coupled to the reaction surface. The thermochromic material is configured to exhibit a spectral shift in light emanating from the thermochromic material in response to a change in temperature of the merged droplets.

Abstract: A test vessel includes one or more test locations configured to contain a medium suitable for culturing a live substance. A thermochromic material is thermally coupled to the one or more test locations. The thermochromic material is configured to exhibit a spectral shift in light emanating from the thermochromic material in response to an increase or decrease in energy conversion by the live substance that causes a change in temperature of the thermochromic material.

Abstract: A method for detecting an enthalpy change includes providing a first mixture and a second mixture to a drop generator. The first mixture includes a ligand. The second mixture contains a target molecule. The method further includes generating a drop in the drop generator. The drop includes the target molecule, a temperature-sensitive reporter compound, and the ligand. The method also includes measuring a property of the temperature-sensitive reporter compound in the drop to determine an amount of enthalpy change that has occurred.

Abstract: Approaches for determining object position in a flow path are disclosed. A system includes a spatial filter having a length disposed along a longitudinal axis of the flow path and a width along a lateral axis of the flow path. The spatial filter has mask features configured to modulate light. Light emanating from objects moving along the flow path is detected. The detected light has a component along a detection axis that makes a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal and lateral axes. An electrical output signal that includes information about the trajectory depth of the object is generated in response to the detected light.

Abstract: A device for delivery of particles into biological tissue includes at least one conduit and a propellant source configured to release a propellant into the conduit. A source of first particles is configured to release first particles into the conduit. A source of second particles is configured to release second particles into the conduit. The second particles comprise a functional material intended to interact with the biological tissue and having a density less than a density of the first particles. The propellant source and the conduit are configured to propel the particles in a collimated stream toward the biological tissue. The first particles are configured to penetrate the biological tissue to create micropores that increase porosity of the biological tissue and the second particles configured to enter the porous biological tissue.

Abstract: A method for detecting an enthalpy change includes providing a first mixture and a second mixture to a drop generator. The first mixture includes a ligand. The second mixture contains a target molecule. The method further includes generating a drop in the drop generator. The drop includes the target molecule, a temperature-sensitive reporter compound, and the ligand. The method also includes measuring a property of the temperature-sensitive reporter compound in the drop to determine an amount of enthalpy change that has occurred.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a host structure that includes a waveguide configured to deliver measurement light to a compartment at least partially within the host structure. The compartment is configured to reversibly engage a fluidic optical cartridge. The host structure also includes a detector configured to receive and process output light emanating from the fluidic optical cartridge as well as electronics to process signals from the detector.

Abstract: A urine capturing arrangement is configured to receive urine from a user of a toilet, and a chamber is fluidically coupled to the capturing arrangement. A diverter is fluidically coupled between the capturing arrangement and the chamber. The diverter is configured to divert a volume of the received urine to the chamber. A detection unit is configured to sense for presence of a predetermined characteristic in the volume of the urine and to generate at least one electrical signal comprising information about the predetermined characteristic.

Abstract: A device includes a spatial filter arranged in a Cartesian coordinate system having orthogonal x, y, and z axes. The spatial filter has mask features that are more light transmissive and mask features that are less light transmissive. The mask features are arranged along the x-axis in the flow direction of a flow path. A detector is positioned to detect light emanating from at least one object in the flow path, the object having a width along the y-axis, a thickness along the z-axis, and a length along the x-axis. Light emanating from the object is time modulated according to the mask features as the object moves along the flow path. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying electrical signal in response to the detected light that includes information about the width or thickness of the object.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting concentration of an analyte in a fluid. A first container includes (i) an optical cavity detection region, (ii) a reservoir for one or more modifiers of one or more optical properties of the optical cavity detection region, and (iii) a set of one or more bounding regions through which objects in the fluid can transfer into the container. The optical cavity detection region and the reservoir define separate areas of the first container. The movement of the one or more modifiers between the reservoir and the optical cavity detection region is responsive to changes in concentration of the analyte. A second container includes an optical cavity detection region, and a set of one or more bounding regions through which objects in the fluid can transfer into the container. Also provided are optical components for guiding light into the optical cavity detection regions of the first and second containers.

Abstract: A system is configured to determine a color distribution of an object moving along a flow direction relative to a spatial filter. The light emanating from the object is time modulated according to the mask features of the spatial filter. First and second detectors are arranged to sense the modulated light. The first detector senses light having a first wavelength spectrum and generates a first electrical output signal in response to the sensed light. The second detector light senses light having a second wavelength spectrum and generates a second electrical output signal in response to the sensed light. Signals from the first and second detectors include information about color distribution of the object.

Abstract: Approaches for determining object position in a flow path are disclosed. A system includes a spatial filter having a length disposed along a longitudinal axis of the flow path and a width along a lateral axis of the flow path. The spatial filter has mask features configured to modulate light. Light emanating from objects moving along the flow path is detected. The detected light has a component along a detection axis that makes a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal and lateral axes. An electrical output signal that includes information about the trajectory depth of the object is generated in response to the detected light.

Abstract: Spatially modulated light emanating from an object moving along a flow path is used to determine various object characteristics including object length along the flow direction. Light emanating from at least one object moving along in a flow path along a flow direction of a spatial filter is sensed. The intensity of the sensed light is time modulated according to features of the spatial filter. A time varying electrical signal is generated which includes a plurality of pulses in response to the sensed light. Pulse widths of at least some of the pulses are measured at a fraction of a local extremum of the pulses. The length of the object along the flow direction is determined based on the measured pulse widths.

Abstract: A device includes a spatial filter arranged in a Cartesian coordinate system having orthogonal x, y, and z axes. The spatial filter has mask features that are more light transmissive and mask features that are less light transmissive. The mask features are arranged along the x-axis in the flow direction of a flow path. A detector is positioned to detect light emanating from at least one object in the flow path, the object having a width along the y-axis, a thickness along the z-axis, and a length along the x-axis. Light emanating from the object is time modulated according to the mask features as the object moves along the flow path. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying electrical signal in response to the detected light that includes information about the width or thickness of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a host structure that includes a waveguide configured to deliver measurement light to a compartment at least partially within the host structure. The compartment is configured to reversibly engage a fluidic optical cartridge. The host structure also includes a detector configured to receive and process output light emanating from the fluidic optical cartridge as well as electronics to process signals from the detector.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus that includes a fluidic structure and optical components. The fluidic structure includes a transparent channel through which objects in an analyte fluid can travel along respective paths during operation of the apparatus. The optical components are configured to provide measurement light to the objects traveling through the transparent channel. The fluidic structure is configured to reversibly engage with a host structure. The host structure includes a source of the measurement light and electronics to receive and process output light emanating from the objects traveling in the channel. The fluidic structure makes an air-tight seal when engaged with the host structure.

Abstract: Analysis of a system and/or sample involves the use of absorption-encoded micro beads. Each type of micro bead is encoded with amounts of the k dyes in a proportional relationship that is different from proportional relationships of the k dyes of others of the n types of absorption-encoded micro beads. A system and/or a sample can be analyzed using information obtained from detecting the one or more types of absorption-encoded micro beads.

Abstract: Analysis of a system and/or sample involves the use of absorption-encoded micro beads. Each type of micro bead is encoded with amounts of the k dyes in a proportional relationship that is different from proportional relationships of the k dyes of others of the n types of absorption-encoded micro beads. A system and/or a sample can be analyzed using information obtained from detecting the one or more types of absorption-encoded micro beads.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions for use in assays, the compositions comprising at least one latent fluorophore including at least one enzyme-reactive quenching group and a conjugative group; and a support connectable to the latent fluorophore by the conjugative group. The disclosure further relates to methods of measuring the presence and/or concentration of an analyte, as well as methods of measuring the relative activity of at least two enzymes.

Abstract: An apparatus for merging and mixing two droplets using electrostatic forces includes a substrate on which are disposed a first originating electrode, a center electrode, and a second originating electrode. The electrodes are disposed such that a first gap is formed between the first originating electrode and the center electrode and a second gap is formed between the second originating electrode and the center electrode. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. A first droplet is deposited asymmetrically across the first gap, and a second droplet is deposited asymmetrically across the second gap. Voltage potentials are placed across the first gap and second gap, respectively, whereby each droplet is moved toward the other such that they collide together, causing the droplets to merge and mix, and causing oscillations within the collided droplet.