Abstract: Disclosed are methods of manufacturing a SH surface including: creating a master with SH features by: depositing a rigid material onto a first surface, wherein the first surface is a shrinkable platform; shrinking the first surface by heating to create a SH surface, wherein the SH surface has micro- and nano-scale structural features that trap air pockets and prevent water from wetting the surface; forming the master by molding an epoxy with the shrunken first surface having a SH surface, wherein the master acquires the SH features of the first surface; and imprinting the SH features of the master onto a second surface to impart the SH features of the master onto the second surface. Some embodiments relate to a superhydrophobic (SH) surface, an article including a SH surface as disclosed, such as a microfluidic device or a food container.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods of preparing a population of cardiomyocytes by aligning undifferentiated pluripotent cells on a nanosacale textured surface.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a monolithic mold including a plurality of lens forming features that can be used to simultaneously form a plurality of lenses with different sizes and shapes. The mold can be formed by disposing a polymeric material around a plurality of physical objects with different shapes and sized. A method of forming the mold includes providing a substrate that has a surface with regions of low and high wettability. Water is deposited on the surface such that water droplets are formed with different contact angles. The mold is formed around the droplets.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a textured surface on a thermoplastic material that include treating the material with a plasma and subsequently shrinking the substrate to induce formation of textures.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing a mold for making a superhydrophobic surface, comprising contacting a surface of a thermoplastic material with a plasma; coating the surface with a metal; and heating the thermoplastic material to shrink the surface such that the coated metal forms a texture. Also provided are methods of preparing a superhydrophobic surface, as well as a superhydrophobic surface that includes a hydrophilic portion prepared by plasma treatment.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a plurality of extrusions, comprising (a) shrinking a transparent first thermoplastic material comprising a plurality of non-transparent marks, (b) lithographically transferring the pattern of the shrunk non-transparent marks to a layer of photoresist deposited on a second thermoplastic material, and (c) shrinking the second thermoplastic material, thereby generating a plurality of extrusions on the shrunk second thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a biocompatible textured surface on a thermoplastic material comprising treating the material with a plasma and subsequently shrinking the substrate to induce formation of textures. The textured surfaces are useful in one aspect, to align cells such as stem cells.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analysis of individual particles in a microfluidic device. The methods involve the immobilization of an array of particles in suspension and the application of experimental compounds. Such methods can also include electrophysiology studies including patch clamp recording, electroporation, or both in the same microfluidic device. The apparatus provided includes a microfluidic device coupled to a multi-well structure and an interface for controlling the flow of media within the microchannel device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analysis of individual particles in a microfluidic device. The methods involve the immobilization of an array of particles in suspension and the application of experimental compounds. Such methods can also include electrophysiology studies including patch clamp recording, electroporation, or both in the same microfluidic device. The apparatus provided includes a microfluidic device coupled to a multi-well structure and an interface for controlling the flow of media within the microchannel device.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a textured surface on a thermoplastic material that include treating the material with a plasma and subsequently shrinking the substrate to induce formation of textures.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a sample for detection by placing the sample on a shrinkable scaffold and then shrinking the scaffold. An exemplary shrinkable scaffold is a thermoplastic substrate.

Abstract: Method and systems provide improved cell handling in microfluidic systems and devices using lateral cell trapping and methods of fabrication of the same that allow for selective low voltage electroporation and electrofusion.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing an aligned cell population comprising the culturing one or more cells on a surface having a texture, which texture has an average height of from about 100 nanometers to about 5 micrometers, thereby forming an aligned cell population on the textured surface. Also provided is a method to prepare the surface which method comprises the steps of: a) depositing a metal onto an unstressed or pre-stressed thermoplastic material; b) reducing the surface area of the receptive material by at least about 60%; and c) preparing the surface via lithography.

Abstract: This invention provides a microwell array having a plurality of microwells on a hydrophobic surface wherein the microwells each is substantially proximate to each of its adjacent microwells, as well as methods to prepare arrays. Also provided is a plate that comprises at least one microarray, at least one input channel, at least one output channel, and a channel connecting the input and output channel.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare a plurality of microwells suitable for the formation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells. The method requires applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the receptive material by at least about 60% to create a mold. A polymer such as PDMS is then applied to the mold and removed to form the microwells. In an alternative aspect, the plurality of microwells on receptive material are prepared by etching a microwell designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: Method and systems provide improved cell handling in microfluidic systems and devices using lateral cell trapping and methods of fabrication of the same that allow for selective low voltage electroporation and electrofusion.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: Method and systems that provide improved cell handling and assays in microfluidic systems and devices particularly using lateral cell trapping and methods of fabrication of the same.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analysis of individual particles in a microfluidic device. The methods involve the immobilization of an array of particles in suspension and the application of experimental compounds. Such methods can also include electrophysiology studies including patch clamp recording, electroporation, or both in the same microfluidic device. The apparatus provided includes a microfluidic device coupled to a multi-well structure and an interface for controlling the flow of media within the microchannel device.

Abstract: Method and systems provide improved cell handling in microfluidic systems and devices using lateral cell trapping and methods of fabrication of the same that allow for selective low voltage electroporation and electrofusion.