Abstract: A fluid impermeable transducer includes an assembly of a transducer head and a casing, and an actuator disposed in the casing rearward of the back of the transducer head and operable to transmit acoustic energy through the transducer head. The transducer head and casing define a working portion of the transducer that is fluid impermeable.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing samples in a multi-well reaction vessel can include inserting a multi-well reaction vessel into a heating chamber of a thermal cycler, enclosing the multi-well reaction vessel in the heating chamber, and compressing a bottom surface of the multi-well reaction vessel into a compliant thermally conductive insert to increase a thermal contact area between the bottom surface and the compliant thermally conductive insert. The compliant thermally conductive insert can be placed between the multi-well reaction vessel and a heating element of the thermal cycler, where heat flux from the heating element passes through the compliant thermally conductive insert to the reaction vessel. The compliant thermally conductive insert can include an elastically deformable creped graphite sheet that can reversibly deform according to different compression profiles depending on the topography or flexure of the reaction vessel and/or heating element.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein employ focused acoustic energy applied to a reservoir containing a fluid to eject a fluid sample from the fluid sample reservoir, e.g. to an inlet of an analytical device. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample traverses an air gap separating the inlet of the analytical device from an upper surface of the fluid in the fluid sample reservoir. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample comprises one or more droplets ejected from the fluid sample reservoir, which can contain particles suspended in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes. Related methods and an acoustic extraction system are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes. Related methods and an acoustic extraction system are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for ejecting a droplet from a reservoir using focused acoustic radiation having a plurality of nonsimultaneous and discrete frequency ranges. Such frequency ranges may be used to control droplet volume and/or velocity. Optionally, satellite fluid ejection from the reservoir is suppressed.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving transfection of host cells using sonoporation. An acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship with respect to a reservoir containing host cells to be transfected, exogenous material to be incorporated into the host cells, and a cell-compatible fluid medium. The acoustic radiation generator is activated to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation into the reservoir in a manner effective to enable transfection of the host cells with the exogenous material.

Abstract: A container may include a tubular sidewall defining interior and exterior surfaces of the container, and including first and second regions disposed relative to one another along a major axis of the tubular sidewall. The container further may include an identification mark embedded within the tubular sidewall at a plurality of sectors about the tubular sidewall within the first region. Each sector may have a width, and the identification mark is machine readable by a reader viewing any arbitrary one or more of the sectors. An exemplary method for preparing such a container is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid impermeable transducer includes an assembly of a transducer head and a casing, and an actuator disposed in the casing rearward of the back of the transducer head and operable to transmit acoustic energy through the transducer head. The transducer head and casing define a working portion of the transducer that is fluid impermeable.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for extracting a target analyte from a sample using acoustic ejection technology. The method involves applying focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir housing a fluid composition that contains a target analyte and comprises an upper region and a lower region, where the concentration of the target analyte in the upper region differs from that in the lower region. The focused acoustic energy is applied in a manner that is effective to result in the ejection of a fluid droplet from from the fluid composition into a droplet receiver, wherein the concentration of the analyte in the droplet corresponds to either the concentration of the analyte in the upper region or the concentration of the analyte in the lower region, and wherein the concentration of the analyte is substantially uniform throughout the droplet. The fluid composition may comprise an ionic liquid, used in the extraction of ionic target analytes.