Abstract: A microfluidic device has a layer that has a capillary break formed by a capillary sluice. The capillary sluice has a lower surface and an upper surface. An input channel is coupled to the capillary break. A first electrode is disposed proximate the lower surface. The first electrode is coupled to the voltage source. A second electrode is spaced a first predetermined distance from the first electrode coupled to the voltage source. A third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode and positioned within the input channel from the first electrode coupled to the voltage source.

Abstract: An apparatus and concomitant method for controlling the delivery of fluids and, in particular, to the delivery of fluids to a receptor, e.g., delivery of pigments to a printing media or delivery of fluids to a reaction cell.

Abstract: Provided is a device that moves liquid comprising: a channel; and, an electrode-based pump comprising two or more electrodes which when powered form stronger or weaker electric field lines between the electrodes, wherein the electrodes are arrayed so that (a) the strongest electric field lines cross a cross-section of the channel or (b) the electrodes are concentrically arrayed around the channel such that the strongest electric field lines parallel the channel on more than one face of the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid distribution system, which is useful in a number of contexts, including in accomplishing various synthetic, diagnostic and drug screening reactions. The distribution system can comprise an alpha reservoir and a beta reservoir, a first set of parallel and adjacent first and second feeder channels and a second set of parallel and adjacent third and fourth feeder channels which are offset from the first and second feeder channels, wherein (a) the first and third feeder channels are connected to the alpha reservoir via a first connector channel that is situated above or below the second and fourth feeder channels and are independent of the beta reservoir and (b) the second and fourth feeder channels are connected to the beta reservoir via a second connector channel that is situated above or below the first and third feeder channels and are independent of the alpha reservoir. The distribution system is preferably a microscale distribution system.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses for detecting light from, for example, closely spaced detection sites. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for measuring the amount of light emitted from or transmitted through two or more detection sites of a first set of detection sites on a planar substrate while spatially resolving the measurements for each detection site of the first set, the apparatus comprising: for each detection site of the first set, an addressable source of a light beam directed to that detection site at a first angle; and an array detector comprising a plurality of light responsive pixels, wherein for each detection site of the first set there is at least one light responsive pixel that receives light emitted from or transmitted through that detection site at a second angle that can be the same as the first angle.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses for detecting light from, for example, closely spaced detection sites.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode which emits radiation in the 2-5 micrometer wavelength range and operates at room temperature. The laser diode includes an active layer of an In.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As.sub.y Sb.sub.1-y alloy and a separate cladding layer on each side of the active layer. One of the cladding layers is of n-type conductivity and the other cladding layer is of p-type conductivity. At least the n-type cladding layer, and preferably both cladding layers, are of either an InAlPSb or an InGaPSb alloy.