Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods that utilize ion concentration polarization within nanoliter scale droplets for concentration enrichment, separation, and substitution of charges species are disclosed. Such devices and methods can be used for separation of multiple species by mobility of each species and for the alteration and manipulation of the droplet composition by ion exchange.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods that utilize ion concentration polarization within water-in-oil nanoliter scale droplets for concentration enrichment, separation, and substitution of charges species are disclosed. Such devices and methods can be used for separation of multiple species by mobility of each species and for the alteration and manipulation of the droplet composition by ion exchange.

Abstract: High-throughput microfluidic devices comprising one or more fluidic microchannels each with at least one flow-through 3D structure comprising a 3D electrode, or alternatively a 3D permselective structure, and optional secondary bead bed(s) are disclosed. Such devices can be used for counter-flow focusing of charged species via ion concentration polarization and in situ quantification of electrokinetically enriched charged species from an ionically conductive solution by both optical and electrical detection.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods that introduce ions into, and extract ions from, water-in-oil nanoliter scale droplets are disclosed. The droplets are in simultaneous contact with both an anion-permselective membrane and a cation-permselective membrane at opposing sides. When a voltage bias is applied across the system, anions and cations migrate across the respective permselective membranes and either into or out of the droplet.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of cell assay units is disclosed. Each cell assay unit in turn comprises at one bipolar electrode, micropocket, reaction chamber, and leak channel. In some embodiments, the cell assay unit further comprises two or more split BPEs inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix and then analyze the isolated cell inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed device can isolate and analyze cells in a high-throughput fashion and without any modification or labelling to the cells. Cells isolated using the disclosed devices does not lose their vitality.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods that utilize ion concentration polarization within water-in-oil nanoliter scale droplets for concentration enrichment, separation, and substitution of charges species are disclosed. Such devices and methods can be used for separation of multiple species by mobility of each species and for the alteration and manipulation of the droplet composition by ion exchange.

Abstract: High-throughput microfluidic devices comprising one or more fluidic microchannels each with at least one flow-through 3D structure comprising a 3D electrode, or alternatively a 3D permselective structure, and optional secondary bead bed(s) are disclosed. Such devices can be used for counter-flow focusing of charged species via ion concentration polarization and in situ quantification of electrokinetically enriched charged species from an ionically conductive solution by both optical and electrical detection.

Abstract: A portable device for removal of metabolic waste from the blood of patient having kidney disease or in need of hemodialysis is provided. Methods of hemodialysis employing the portable device beneficially obtain a dialysate by electrokinetic means from excess fluid in the peripheral blood of the patient in need thereof. The methods employ a branched microfluidic channel for the use of ion concentration polarization to separate charged from neutral species in blood to obtain the dialysate for undergoing hemodialysis. Beneficially the methods and device are resistant to biofouling, remove the need for a dialysate and/or dialysate reservoir, and provide a disposable, wearable device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of wireless bipolar electrodes is disclosed. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix. The disclosed device can isolate cells in a high-throughput fashion and without any modification or labelling to the cells. Cells isolated using the disclosed devices does not lose their vitality.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of cell assay units is disclosed. Each cell assay unit in turn comprises at one bipolar electrode, micropocket, reaction chamber, and leak channel. In some embodiments, the cell assay unit further comprises two or more split BPEs inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix and then analyze the isolated cell inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed device can isolate and analyze cells in a high-throughput fashion and without any modification or labelling to the cells. Cells isolated using the disclosed devices does not lose their vitality.

Abstract: A portable device for removal of metabolic waste from the blood of patient having kidney disease or in need of hemodialysis is provided. Methods of hemodialysis employing the portable device beneficially obtain a dialysate by electrokinetic means from excess fluid in the peripheral blood of the patient in need thereof. The methods employ a branched microfluidic channel for the use of ion concentration polarization to separate charged from neutral species in blood to obtain the dialysate for undergoing hemodialysis. Beneficially the methods and device are resistant to biofouling, remove the need for a dialysate and/or dialysate reservoir, and provide a disposable, wearable device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of wireless bipolar electrodes is disclosed. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix. The disclosed device can isolate cells in a high-throughput fashion and without any modification or labelling to the cells. Cells isolated using the disclosed devices does not lose their vitality.

Abstract: Disclosed are microfluidic devices and systems for the desalination of water. The devices and systems can include an electrode configured to generate an electric field gradient in proximity to an intersection formed by the divergence of two microfluidic channels from an inlet channel. Under an applied bias and in the presence of a pressure driven flow of saltwater, the electric field gradient can preferentially direct ions in saltwater into one of the diverging microfluidic channels, while desalted water flows into second diverging channel. Also provided are methods of using the devices and systems described herein to decrease the salinity of water.