Abstract: A reagent cartridge including (a) a support having reservoirs; (b) a main channel within the support, the channel having first and second ends exiting the support; (c) a pump channel that connects to the main channel between the first and second ends; (d) a valve manifold in the support, including (i) a first passage at the first end of the main channel, (ii) a second passage at the second end of the main channel, (iii) a first master valve between the pump channel and the first end of the main channel, (iv) a second master valve between the pump channel and the second end of the main channel, and (v) reservoir valves for regulating flow from individual reservoirs to the main channel. The valves can be normally closed diaphragm valves formed by magnetic pistons attached to an elastomeric sheet that is sandwiched in the support.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus that can include (a) a scan actuator including a linear actuator and a mount for a removeable vessel, wherein the mount has a mechanical fastener that is configured to engage a complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel, and wherein the linear actuator is configured to translate the mount while the mechanical fastener engages the complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel; (b) a reference surface; and (c) a preload configured to urge the vessel to contact the reference surface, wherein the linear actuator is configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface while the preload urges the vessel to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: Provided herein is a valve manifold comprising (a) an elastomer sheet attached to a plurality of magnetic pistons, wherein the magnetic pistons project from a first side of the elastomer sheet; (b) a foot component comprising a first surface and a plurality of shafts that orthogonally pass through the first surface; and (c) a body component comprising a second surface, a groove that laterally passes along the second surface, and a plurality of reservoir channels that orthogonally pass through the second surface, wherein the elastomer sheet is compressed between the foot component and the body component.

Abstract: Provided herein and methods and apparatuses for sequencing nucleic acids. For example, provided is an analytical detection apparatus, including (a) a stage configured to support a flow cell; (b) a detector configured to observe a detection channel of the flow cell when the flow cell is supported by the stage; (c) a plurality of fluid delivery channels, wherein each of the fluid delivery channels fluidically connects a reservoir to the detection channel of the flow cell; and (d) a first heater configured to heat the plurality of fluid delivery channels.

Abstract: Provided herein and methods and apparatuses for sequencing nucleic acids. For example, provided is an analytical detection apparatus, including (a) a stage configured to support a flow cell; (b) a detector configured to observe a detection channel of the flow cell when the flow cell is supported by the stage; (c) a plurality of fluid delivery channels, wherein each of the fluid delivery channels fluidically connects a reservoir to the detection channel of the flow cell; and (d) a first heater configured to heat the plurality of fluid delivery channels.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: A reagent cartridge including (a) a support having reservoirs; (b) a main channel within the support, the channel having first and second ends exiting the support; (c) a pump channel that connects to the main channel between the first and second ends; (d) a valve manifold in the support, including (i) a first passage at the first end of the main channel, (ii) a second passage at the second end of the main channel, (iii) a first master valve between the pump channel and the first end of the main channel, (iv) a second master valve between the pump channel and the second end of the main channel, and (v) reservoir valves for regulating flow from individual reservoirs to the main channel. The valves can be normally closed diaphragm valves formed by magnetic pistons attached to an elastomeric sheet that is sandwiched in the support.

Abstract: An analytical system that includes a flow cell, a liquid delivery component, a gas delivery component and a bubble generator component, wherein the liquid delivery component is configured to deliver liquid from one or more reservoirs to the bubble generator component, wherein the gas delivery component is configured to deliver gas from one or more source to the bubble generator component, and wherein the bubble generator component is configured to mix liquids from the liquid delivery component with gas from the gas delivery component to deliver a fluid foam to the inside of the flow cell, wherein the fluid foam includes bubbles of the gas in the liquid.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus that can include (a) a scan actuator including a linear actuator and a mount for a removeable vessel, wherein the mount has a mechanical fastener that is configured to engage a complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel, and wherein the linear actuator is configured to translate the mount while the mechanical fastener engages the complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel; (b) a reference surface; and (c) a preload configured to urge the vessel to contact the reference surface, wherein the linear actuator is configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface while the preload urges the vessel to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: A reagent cartridge including (a) a support having reservoirs; (b) a main channel within the support, the channel having first and second ends exiting the support; (c) a pump channel that connects to the main channel between the first and second ends; (d) a valve manifold in the support, including (i) a first passage at the first end of the main channel, (ii) a second passage at the second end of the main channel, (iii) a first master valve between the pump channel and the first end of the main channel, (iv) a second master valve between the pump channel and the second end of the main channel, and (v) reservoir valves for regulating flow from individual reservoirs to the main channel. The valves can be normally closed diaphragm valves formed by magnetic pistons attached to an elastomeric sheet that is sandwiched in the support.

Abstract: An analytical system that includes a flow cell, a liquid delivery component, a gas delivery component and a bubble generator component, wherein the liquid delivery component is configured to deliver liquid from one or more reservoirs to the bubble generator component, wherein the gas delivery component is configured to deliver gas from one or more source to the bubble generator component, and wherein the bubble generator component is configured to mix liquids from the liquid delivery component with gas from the gas delivery component to deliver a fluid foam to the inside of the flow cell, wherein the fluid foam includes bubbles of the gas in the liquid.

Abstract: Provided herein and methods and apparatuses for sequencing nucleic acids. For example, provided is an analytical detection apparatus, including (a) a stage configured to support a flow cell; (b) a detector configured to observe a detection channel of the flow cell when the flow cell is supported by the stage; (c) a plurality of fluid delivery channels, wherein each of the fluid delivery channels fluidically connects a reservoir to the detection channel of the flow cell; and (d) a first heater configured to heat the plurality of fluid delivery channels.

Abstract: An analytical system that includes a flow cell, a liquid delivery component, a gas delivery component and a bubble generator component, wherein the liquid delivery component is configured to deliver liquid from one or more reservoirs to the bubble generator component, wherein the gas delivery component is configured to deliver gas from one or more source to the bubble generator component, and wherein the bubble generator component is configured to mix liquids from the liquid delivery component with gas from the gas delivery component to deliver a fluid foam to the inside of the flow cell, wherein the fluid foam includes bubbles of the gas in the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: A reagent cartridge including (a) a support having reservoirs; (b) a main channel within the support, the channel having first and second ends exiting the support; (c) a pump channel that connects to the main channel between the first and second ends; (d) a valve manifold in the support, including (i) a first passage at the first end of the main channel, (ii) a second passage at the second end of the main channel, (iii) a first master valve between the pump channel and the first end of the main channel, (iv) a second master valve between the pump channel and the second end of the main channel, and (v) reservoir valves for regulating flow from individual reservoirs to the main channel. The valves can be normally closed diaphragm valves formed by magnetic pistons attached to an elastomeric sheet that is sandwiched in the support.