Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a microchannel, which defines a flow path for a liquid. It further includes a liquid-pinning trench, which is arranged so as to form an opening that extends across the flow path. In addition, the device includes an electrode extending across the flow path so as to at least partly overlap the trench. The trench and overlapping electrode make up an electrowetting gate, which allows an efficient, reliable, and easy-to-implement flow control mechanism. In addition, such a mechanism requires relatively low actuation voltages (less than 10 V) to resume the liquid flow. Thus, a microfluidic chip having gates such as described herein can be controlled with a portable system, e.g., a smartphone connectivity. The present devices may notably be embodied as point-of-care diagnostic devices. Related devices, as well as methods of operation and methods of fabrication of such devices, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A test device is configured for diagnostic testing and includes an optical readable medium, in turn including a pattern of spots of material arranged on a surface of the device. Several patterns may be provided. The patterns accordingly formed may be human and/or machine readable. They may notably encode security information, e.g., indicating whether the device has already been used. The spots may notably be inkjet spotted. In addition, a method is provided for decoding information encoded in a pattern of such a test device. In embodiments, liquid is introduced in the device, which comprises additional spots having a substantially different solubility than spots forming the actual pattern. Thus, the additional spots get solubilized in and flushed by the liquid as the latter wets them, and an initially hidden pattern may be read, which is formed of the remaining spots (not solubilized). Encoding methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microfluidic device. The device includes an input microchannel, a set of m distribution microchannels, a set of m microfluidic modules and a set of m nodes. The m microfluidic modules (m?2) are in fluidic communication with the m distribution microchannels, respectively. The one or more nodes of the set of m nodes branch from the input microchannel, and further branch to a respective one of the set of m distribution microchannels. In addition, a subset, but not all, of the nodes are altered. The nodes of the set of m nodes have different liquid pinning strengths. As a result, the extent in which a liquid passes through one or more of the m microfluidic modules varies based on the different liquid pinning strengths, in operation. Additional sets of nodes may be provided to allow liquid to pass through ordered pairs of modules.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microfluidic device, which comprises distinct, parallel levels, including a first level and a second level. It further includes: a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a node. This node comprises: an inlet port, a cavity, a via, and an outlet port. The cavity is formed on the first level and is open on a top side. The inlet port is defined on the first level; it branches from the first microchannel and communicates with the cavity through an ingress thereof. The outlet port, branches to the second microchannel on the second level. The via extends from the bottom side of the cavity, down to the outlet port, so the cavity may communicate with the outlet port. In addition, the cavity comprises a liquid blocking element to prevent an aqueous liquid filling the inlet port to reach the outlet port.

Abstract: A method for optically reading information encoded in a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device including an input microchannel, microfluidic modules, and sets of nodes. Nodes of a first set connect the input microchannel to one of the microfluidic modules, and nodes of a second set connect the one of the microfluidic modules to another to form an ordered pair of the microfluidic modules, where the nodes of the first and second sets have different liquid pinning strengths. A liquid loaded into the input microchannel causes an ordered passage of the liquid through each of the microfluidic modules in an order determined by the liquid pinning strengths of the nodes. The passage of the liquid produces an optically readable dynamic pattern which evolves in accordance with the ordered passage of the liquid through the device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microfluidic device. The device includes an input microchannel, a set of m distribution microchannels, a set of m microfluidic modules and a set of m nodes. The m microfluidic modules (m?2) are in fluidic communication with the m distribution microchannels, respectively. The one or more nodes of the set of m nodes branch from the input microchannel, and further branch to a respective one of the set of m distribution microchannels. In addition, a subset, but not all, of the nodes are altered. The nodes of the set of m nodes have different liquid pinning strengths. As a result, the extent in which a liquid passes through one or more of the m microfluidic modules varies based on the different liquid pinning strengths, in operation. Additional sets of nodes may be provided to allow liquid to pass through ordered pairs of modules.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing an authenticated packaged product. A digital signature, dependent on unique message data for the product, is generated via a digital signature scheme using a secret signing key. The message data is provided on at least one of the product and packaging. The digital signature is provided on the other of the product and packaging, and the product is packed in the packaging. The digital signature can be generated via a fuzzy-message digital signature scheme having a verification algorithm for verifying the digital signature in relation to fuzzy data within a predetermined difference measure of the message data. Methods and systems for authenticating such packaged products are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing an authenticated packaged product. A digital signature, dependent on unique message data for the product, is generated via a digital signature scheme using a secret signing key. The message data is provided on at least one of the product and packaging. The digital signature is provided on the other of the product and packaging, and the product is packed in the packaging. The digital signature can be generated via a fuzzy-message digital signature scheme having a verification algorithm for verifying the digital signature in relation to fuzzy data within a predetermined difference measure of the message data. Methods and systems for authenticating such packaged products are also provided.

Abstract: A test device is configured for diagnostic testing and includes an optical readable medium, in turn including a pattern of spots of material arranged on a surface of the device. Several patterns may be provided. The patterns accordingly formed may be human and/or machine readable. They may notably encode security information, e.g., indicating whether the device has already been used. The spots may notably be inkjet spotted. In addition, a method is provided for decoding information encoded in a pattern of such a test device. In embodiments, liquid is introduced in the device, which comprises additional spots having a substantially different solubility than spots forming the actual pattern. Thus, the additional spots get solubilized in and flushed by the liquid as the latter wets them, and an initially hidden pattern may be read, which is formed of the remaining spots (not solubilized). Encoding methods are also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including one or more microchannels. Each microchannel comprising: a microchannel portion with a longitudinal liquid barrier that defines first and second regions. The device includes one or more first liquid passages at the level of the longitudinal barrier. A liquid inlet allows liquid to enter the first region and a liquid outlet allows liquid to leave the microchannel portion. A transverse liquid barrier between the microchannel portion and the liquid outlet holds liquid in the first region. The device includes one or more second liquid passages at the level of the transverse liquid barrier. A liquid pump displaces liquid through a microchannel portion. The first liquid passages allow excess liquid in the first region to flow into the second region, transversally to the longitudinal barrier. The second liquid passages allow excess liquid in the longitudinal portion to be discharged via the liquid outlet.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method. A device includes one or more microchannels. Each microchannel comprising: a microchannel portion with a longitudinal liquid barrier that defines first and second regions. The device includes one or more first liquid passages at the level of the longitudinal barrier. A liquid inlet allows liquid to enter the first region and a liquid outlet allows liquid to leave the microchannel portion. A transverse liquid barrier between the microchannel portion and the liquid outlet holds liquid in the first region. The device includes one or more second liquid passages at the level of the transverse liquid barrier. A liquid pump displaces liquid through a microchannel portion. The first liquid passages allow excess liquid in the first region to flow into the second region, transversally to the longitudinal barrier. The second liquid passages allow excess liquid in the longitudinal portion to be discharged via the liquid outlet.