Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for microfluidic processing and/or analysis of samples. The systems include a microfluidic device having a substrate and a thin-film layer formed on the substrate. The thin-film layer may be included in electronics formed on the substrate. The electronics may provide electronic devices configured to sense or modify a property of the sample. The thin-film layer defines an opening for routing movement of fluid and/or sample within the device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of a sample. The microfluidic device includes a substrate portion that at least partially defines a chamber for receiving the sample. The substrate portion includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate portion also includes a plurality of thin-film layers formed on the substrate adjacent the surface. The thin-film layers form a plurality of electronic devices. Each of at least two of the electronic devices is formed by a different set of the thin-film layers.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a first layer, and a second layer positioned on a side of the first layer. The second layer has a side adjacent the side of the first layer and includes a drop ejecting element formed on the side and a fluid pathway communicated with the drop ejecting element. The first layer and the fluid pathway of the second layer form a nozzle, and the nozzle has a cross-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A device for sorting particles. The device may include a channel structure that defines a channel having an inlet and first and second outlets. The device also may include first and second transport mechanisms. The first transport mechanism may be configured to create a particle stream of first particles and one or more second particles. Each particle may move along the channel from the inlet toward the first outlet and may be disposed in a fluid supported by the channel structure. The second transport mechanism may be configured to be pulse-activated to selectively move at least one of the second particles from the particle stream and toward the second outlet.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a first layer, and a second layer positioned on a side of the first layer. The second layer has a side adjacent the side of the first layer and includes barriers defining a fluid chamber on the side, a drop ejecting element formed within the fluid chamber, and a thermal conduction path extended between the fluid chamber and the barriers.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of a sample. The microfluidic device includes a substrate portion that at least partially defines a chamber for receiving the sample. The substrate portion includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate portion also includes a plurality of thin-film layers formed on the substrate adjacent the surface. The thin-film layers form a plurality of electronic devices. Each of at least two of the electronic devices is formed by a different set of the thin-film layers.

Abstract: A device for sorting particles. The device may include a channel structure that defines a channel having an inlet and first and second outlets. The device also may include first and second transport mechanisms. The first transport mechanism may be configured to create a particle stream of first particles and one or more second particles. Each particle may move along the channel from the inlet toward the first outlet and may be disposed in a fluid supported by the channel structure. The second transport mechanism may be configured to be pulse-activated to selectively move at least one of the second particles from the particle stream and toward the second outlet.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a first layer, and a second layer positioned on a side of the first layer. The second layer has a side adjacent the side of the first layer and includes barriers defining a fluid chamber on the side, a drop ejecting element formed within the fluid chamber, and a thermal conduction path extended between the fluid chamber and the barriers.

Abstract: A device for sorting particles. The device may include a channel structure that defines a channel having an inlet and first and second outlets. The device also may include first and second transport mechanisms. The first transport mechanism may be configured to create a particle stream of first particles and one or more second particles. Each particle may move along the channel from the inlet toward the first outlet and may be disposed in a fluid supported by the channel structure. The second transport mechanism may be configured to be pulse-activated to selectively move at least one of the second particles from the particle stream and toward the second outlet.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of a sample. The microfluidic device includes a substrate portion that at least partially defines a chamber for receiving the sample. The substrate portion includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate portion also includes a plurality of thin-film layers formed on the substrate adjacent the surface. The thin-film layers form a plurality of electronic devices. Each of at least two of the electronic devices is formed by a different set of the thin-film layers. The at least two electronic devices may include 1) a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of fluid in the chamber, and 2) an other electronic device configured to sense or modify a property of fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a first layer, and a second layer positioned on a side of the first layer. The second layer has a side adjacent the side of the first layer and includes barriers defining a fluid chamber on the side, a drop ejecting element formed within the fluid chamber, and a thermal conduction path extended between the fluid chamber and the barriers.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a first layer, and a second layer positioned on a side of the first layer. The second layer has a side adjacent the side of the first layer and includes a drop ejecting element formed on the side and a fluid pathway communicated with the drop ejecting element. The first layer and the fluid pathway of the second layer form a nozzle, and the nozzle has a cross-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes at least one inner layer having a fluid passage defined therein, first and second outer layers positioned on opposite sides of the at least one inner layer, and an orifice plate provided along an edge of the first and second outer layers. The first and second outer layers each have a side adjacent the at least one inner layer and include drop ejecting elements formed on the side and fluid pathways communicated with the drop ejecting elements. As such, the fluid pathways of the first and second outer layers communicate with the fluid passage of the at least one inner layer. In addition, the orifice plate includes a first row of orifices communicated with the fluid pathways of the first outer layer and a second row of orifices communicated with the fluid pathways of the second outer layer.

Abstract: A device for sorting particles in parallel. The device may include an input reservoir configured to hold a mixture of first particles and one or more second particles. The device also may include a transport mechanism configured to move portions of the mixture in parallel from the input reservoir. The device may further include a plurality of sorter units in fluid communication with the input reservoir. The plurality of sorter units may be configured to receive the portions of the mixture. In addition, each sorter unit may be configured to selectively move at least one second particle, if received in one of the portions, from a path followed by first particles received in the one portion so that the at least second particle follows a different path.

Abstract: A device for sorting particles. The device may include a channel structure that defines a channel having an inlet and first and second outlets. The device also may include first and second transport mechanisms. The first transport mechanism may be configured to create a particle stream of first particles and one or more second particles. Each particle may move along the channel from the inlet toward the first outlet and may be disposed in a fluid supported by the channel structure. The second transport mechanism may be configured to be pulse-activated to selectively move at least one of the second particles from the particle stream and toward the second outlet.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes at least one inner layer having a fluid passage defined therein, and first and second outer layers positioned on opposite sides of the at least one inner layer. The first and second outer layers each have a side adjacent the at least one inner layer and include drop ejecting elements formed on the side and fluid pathways communicated with the drop ejecting elements. The fluid pathways of the first and second outer layers communicate with the fluid passage of the at least one inner layer, and the at least one inner layer and the fluid pathways of the first outer layer form a first row of nozzles, and the at least one inner layer and the fluid pathways of the second outer layer form a second row of nozzles.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) device for controlled movement of a fluid. The device includes a chamber having a heating element, an inlet, and a constricted egress channel.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes at least one inner layer having a fluid passage defined therein, and first and second outer layers positioned on opposite sides of the at least one inner layer. The first and second outer layers each have a side adjacent the at least one inner layer and include drop ejecting elements formed on the side and fluid pathways communicated with the drop ejecting elements. The fluid pathways of the first and second outer layers communicate with the fluid passage of the at least one inner layer, and the at least one inner layer and the fluid pathways of the first outer layer form a first row of nozzles, and the at least one inner layer and the fluid pathways of the second outer layer form a second row of nozzles.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of a sample. The microfluidic device includes a substrate portion that at least partially defines a chamber for receiving the sample. The substrate portion includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate portion also includes a plurality of thin-film layers formed on the substrate adjacent the surface. The thin-film layers form a plurality of electronic devices. Each of at least two of the electronic devices is formed by a different set of the thin-film layers. The at least two electronic devices may include 1) a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of fluid in the chamber, and 2) an other electronic device configured to sense or modify a property of fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having an ink delivery system that allows air to be absorbed by ink that is being delivered to an ink jet print cartridge that includes a thermal printhead, so that ink delivered to the printhead has an air saturation level of at least 30%. The dissolved air reduces damage to heater resistors of the thermal ink jet printhead that would otherwise be caused by the in rush of ink after an ink drop is fired.