Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for detecting the presence, absence, and/or characteristics of bacteria. A microfluidic device for characterizing bacteria is provided. The device contains one or more bacteria trapping channels, and one or more pneumatic channels in contact with the bacteria trapping channels, wherein the one or more pneumatic channels are configured to reduce the height of the one or more bacteria trapping channels to thereby trap bacteria in the one or more bacteria trapping channels if said bacteria are present in a liquid biological sample that is introduced into the microfluidic device. Also provided is a method for identifying bacteria that may be used with the microfluidic device.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to techniques for isolating bacterial cells from a biological sample comprising red blood cells. Using an aggregating agent and an anticoagulant during sedimentation permits separation of bacterial pathogens in the sample from red blood cells. The separated sedimentation layer, which is enriched in any bacterial pathogens, can be centrifuged and resuspended to concentrate the bacteria for additional analysis, such as bacterial identification and/or antibiotic susceptibility tests.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis system capable of sample preparation and processing can include at least one inlet channel having a non-fouling, slippery surface to autonomously transport a fluid sample to a chamber by a geometry of the at least one inlet channel. The at least one inlet channel can include a first end, which is open and exposed, and a second end connected to the chamber for mixing and reaction of the fluid sample, and the at least one inlet channel can include a converging or diverging angle.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis system capable of sample preparation and processing can include at least one inlet channel having a non-fouling, slippery surface to autonomously transport a fluid sample to a chamber by a geometry of the at least one inlet channel. The at least one inlet channel can include a first end, which is open and exposed, and a second end connected to the chamber for mixing and reaction of the fluid sample, and the at least one inlet channel can include a converging or diverging angle.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis system capable of sample preparation and processing can include at least one inlet channel having a non-fouling, slippery surface to autonomously transport a fluid sample to a chamber by a geometry of the at least one inlet channel. The at least one inlet channel can include a first end, which is open and exposed, and a second end connected to the chamber for mixing and reaction of the fluid sample, and the at least one inlet channel can include a converging or diverging angle.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for detecting the presence, absence, and/or characteristics of bacteria. A microfluidic device for characterizing bacteria is provided. The device contains one or more bacteria trapping channels, and one or more pneumatic channels in contact with the bacteria trapping channels, wherein the one or more pneumatic channels are configured to reduce the height of the one or more bacteria trapping channels to thereby trap bacteria in the one or more bacteria trapping channels if said bacteria are present in a liquid biological sample that is introduced into the microfluidic device. Also provides is a method for identifying bacteria that may be used with the microfluidic device. The method includes contacting a sample that contains bacteria with a carbon nanotube and microwave energy such that a probe is introduced into the bacteria.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic chip for generating a plurality of droplets comprising plural droplet-forming units serially connected together, an inlet for receiving the loading fluid and providing the loading fluid to the plural droplet-forming units, and an outlet for discharging the loading fluid remained after passing through the plural droplet-forming units. Each of the individual droplet-forming unit include an inflow channel, a neck channel, a droplet-forming well and a bypass channel therearound, a restricted flow port element, and an outflow channel, the arrangement of which allows the microfluidic chip to form robust and stable droplets for reliable and flexible drug screening assays using a small sample input size.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for a system on a chip having non-uniform channel spacings is provided. In an example, a chip is provided that includes a first functional block having a rectilinear shape, the first processing unit having on a side a plurality of channel spacings. A first channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and a second functional block. A second channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and the second functional block. The width of the second channel spacing is non-uniform with the width of the first channel spacing.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for a system on a chip having non-uniform channel spacings is provided. In an example, a chip is provided that includes a first functional block having a rectilinear shape, the first processing unit having on a side a plurality of channel spacings. A first channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and a second functional block. A second channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and the second functional block. The width of the second channel spacing is non-uniform with the width of the first channel spacing.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions, which when executed by the processor direct the processor to provide control data indicating application of a stimulus to a biological system, obtain sensor data indicating measurements of a response of the biological system to the stimulus, determine fitting parameters of a biological system model based on the response of the biological system to the stimulus, and predict a magnitude of the stimulus that, when applied to the biological system, will yield an optimized response of the biological system based on the model.

Abstract: A method for optimization of a response of a biological system includes: (1) obtaining measurements of a biological system in response to varying concentrations of drugs in a drug combination; (2) fitting the measurements into a model of the biological system; and (3) using the model of the biological system, predicting concentrations of the drugs in the drug combination to yield an optimized response of the biological system.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording method is a method to perform information recording on a magnetic recording medium by a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having a magnetic pole and a heating element, and the method includes: performing annealing treatment of the heating element through applying first energy to the heating element and heating the heating element; and performing information recording to a predetermined recording region of the magnetic recording medium after the annealing treatment. The information recording is performed through rotating the magnetic recording medium as well as floating the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head above the magnetic recording medium, and applying second energy to the heating element to heat a predetermined recording region of the magnetic recording medium as well as applying a write magnetic field from the magnetic pole to the predetermined recording region.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic diagnostic methods and devices using electrokinetic modules for the isolation of targets (e.g., cells, bacteria, biomolecules) from biological samples, PCR amplification of DNA isolated from the targets, and real-time quantification of the amplified DNA using impedance sensing. Sample preparation, PCR amplification, and impedance sensing are thus performed using a single integrated platform.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording method is a method to perform information recording on a magnetic recording medium by a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having a magnetic pole and a heating element, and the method includes: performing annealing treatment of the heating element through applying first energy to the heating element and heating the heating element; and performing information recording to a predetermined recording region of the magnetic recording medium after the annealing treatment. The information recording is performed through rotating the magnetic recording medium as well as floating the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head above the magnetic recording medium, and applying second energy to the heating element to heat a predetermined recording region of the magnetic recording medium as well as applying a write magnetic field from the magnetic pole to the predetermined recording region.

Abstract: A method for optimization of a response of a biological system includes: (1) obtaining measurements of a biological system in response to varying concentrations of drugs in a drug combination; (2) fitting the measurements into a model of the biological system; and (3) using the model of the biological system, predicting concentrations of the drugs in the drug combination to yield an optimized response of the biological system.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating biological systems, for example to elicit a more desired biological response from a biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, the invention operates by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system. In one aspect, the systems and methods of the invention use at least one optimization algorithm to modify the actuator's control inputs for stimulation, responsive to the sensor's output of response signals. The invention can be used, e.g., to optimize any biological system, e.g., bioreactors for proteins, and the like, small molecules, polysaccharides, lipids, and the like. Another use of the apparatus and methods includes is for the discovery of key parameters in complex biological systems.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating biological systems, for example to elicit a more desired biological response from a biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, the invention operates by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system In one aspect, the systems and methods of the invention use at least one optimization algorithm to modify the actuator's control inputs for stimulation, responsive to the sensor's output of response signals. The invention can be used, e.g., to optimize any biological system, e.g., bioreactors for proteins, and the like, small molecules, polysaccharides, lipids, and the like. Another use of the apparatus and methods includes is for the discovery of key parameters in complex biological systems.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating, e.g., optimizing and controlling, biological systems, e.g., for eliciting a more desired biological response of biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, systems and methods of the invention operate by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system, e.g., a bioreactor. In alternative aspects, systems include a device for sustaining cells or tissue samples, one or more actuators for stimulating the samples via biochemical, electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and/or optical stimulation, one or more sensors for measuring a biological response signal of the samples resulting from the stimulation of the sample.

Abstract: A slider mounted CPP GMR or TMR read head sensor is protected from electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage and from noise and cross-talk from an adjacent write head by means of a balanced resistive/capacitative shunt. The shunt includes highly resistive interconnections between upper and lower shields of the read head and a grounded slider substrate and a low resistance interconnection between the lower pole piece of the write head and the substrate. The capacitances between the pole piece and the upper shield, the upper shield and the lower shield and the lower shield and the substrate are made equal by either forming the shields and pole piece with equal surface areas and separating them with dielectrics of equal thicknesses, or by keeping the ratio of area to insulator thicknesses equal.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating, e.g., optimizing and controlling, biological systems, e.g., for eliciting a more desired biological response of biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, systems and methods of the invention operate by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system, e.g., a bioreactor. In alternative aspects, systems include a device for sustaining cells or tissue samples, one or more actuators for stimulating the samples via biochemical, electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and/or optical stimulation, one or more sensors for measuring a biological response signal of the samples resulting from the stimulation of the sample.