Abstract: A microscale collector and injector device comprises a microscale passive pre-concentrator (?PP) and a microscale progressively-heated injector (?PHI). The ?PP devices comprises first and second substrate portions, a first collection material, a ?PP heater, and an outlet. The first substrate portion defines an array of microscale diffusion channels. The first and second substrate portions cooperate to define a first compartment in fluid communication with the diffusion channels. The first collection material is disposed within the first compartment, at least partially surrounding the outlet. The ?PP heater is disposed in thermal communication with the second substrate portion. The ?PHI device comprises third and fourth substrate portions, a second collection material, and a plurality of ?PHI heaters. The third and fourth substrate portions cooperate to define a second compartment. The second collection material is disposed within the second compartment.

Abstract: A microscale collector and injector device comprises a microscale passive pre-concentrator (?PP) and a microscale progressively-heated injector (?PHI). The ?PP devices comprises first and second substrate portions, a first collection material, a ?PP heater, and an outlet. The first substrate portion defines an array of microscale diffusion channels. The first and second substrate portions cooperate to define a first compartment in fluid communication with the diffusion channels. The first collection material is disposed within the first compartment, at least partially surrounding the outlet. The ?PP heater is disposed in thermal communication with the second substrate portion. The ?PHI device comprises third and fourth substrate portions, a second collection material, and a plurality of ?PHI heaters. The third and fourth substrate portions cooperate to define a second compartment. The second collection material is disposed within the second compartment.

Abstract: A microscale collector and injector device comprises a microscale passive pre-concentrator (?PP) and a microscale progressively-heated injector (?PHI). The ?PP devices comprises first and second substrate portions, a first collection material, a ?PP heater, and an outlet. The first substrate portion defines an array of microscale diffusion channels. The first and second substrate portions cooperate to define a first compartment in fluid communication with the diffusion channels. The first collection material is disposed within the first compartment, at least partially surrounding the outlet. The ?PP heater is disposed in thermal communication with the second substrate portion. The ?PHI device comprises third and fourth substrate portions, a second collection material, and a plurality of ?PHI heaters. The third and fourth substrate portions cooperate to define a second compartment. The second collection material is disposed within the second compartment.

Abstract: A micromachined device such as a solid-state liquid chemical sensor for receiving and retaining a plurality of separate liquid droplets at desired sites, a method of making the device and a method of using the device are provided. The technique works for both aqueous and solvent-based solutions. The device includes a substrate having an upper surface, and a first set of three-dimensional, thin film well rings patterned at the upper surface of the substrate. Each of the wells is capable of receiving and retaining a known quantity of liquid at one of the desired sites through surface tension. A method for patterning a membrane/solvent solution results in reproducibly-sized, uniformly-thick membranes. The patterning precision of this method allows one to place the membranes closer together, making the sensors smaller and less expensive, and the uniform film thickness imparts reproducibility to the sensors.

Abstract: A micromachined device such as a solid-state liquid chemical sensor for receiving and retaining a plurality of separate liquid droplets at desired sites, a method of making the device and a method of using the device are provided. The technique works for both aqueous and solvent-based solutions. The device includes a substrate having an upper surface, and a first set of three-dimensional, thin film well rings patterned at the upper surface of the substrate. Each of the wells is capable of receiving and retaining a known quantity of liquid at one of the desired sites through surface tension. A method for patterning a membrane/solvent solution results in reproducibly-sized, uniformly-thick membranes. The patterning precision of this method allows one to place the membranes closer together, making the sensors smaller and less expensive, and the uniform film thickness imparts reproducibility to the sensors.

Abstract: A micromachined device such as a solid-state liquid chemical sensor for receiving and retaining a plurality of separate liquid droplets at desired sites, a method of making the device and a method of using the device are provided. The technique works for both aqueous and solvent-based solutions. The device includes a substrate having an upper surface, and a first set of three-dimensional, thin film well rings patterned at the upper surface of the substrate. Each of the wells is capable of receiving and retaining a known quantity of liquid at one of the desired sites through surface tension. A method for patterning a membrane/solvent solution results in reproducibly-sized, uniformly-thick membranes. The patterning precision of this method allows one to place the membranes closer together, making the sensors smaller and less expensive, and the uniform film thickness imparts reproducibility to the sensors.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a micro-fluidic sensor system (6) including a micro-conduit (56) for carrying fluid therethrough having a flexible wall portion (18), at least one micro-fluidic actuator having a closed cavity, flexible mechanism defining a wall of the cavity (11) and flexible wall portion (18) of the micro-conduit for deflecting upon an application of pressure thereto, and expanding mechanism (14) disposed in the cavity for selectively expanding the cavity and thereby selectively flexing said expanding mechanism, and sensor mechanism in fluid communication with the micro-conduit for sensing the presence or absence of molecules. The present invention further provides for a micro-fluidic system for moving micro-fluid amounts including a micro-conduit and at least one micro-fluidic actuator in fluid communication with the micro-conduit.

Abstract: A micromachined device such as a solid-state liquid chemical sensor for receiving and retaining a plurality of separate liquid droplets at desired sites, a method of making the device and a method of using the device are provided. The technique works for both aqueous and solvent-based solutions. The device includes a substrate having an upper surface, and a first set of three-dimensional, thin film well rings patterned at the upper surface of the substrate. Each of the wells is capable of receiving and retaining a known quantity of liquid at one of the desired sites through surface tension. A method for patterning a membrane/solvent solution results in reproducibly-sized, uniformly-thick membranes. The patterning precision of this method allows one to place the membranes closer together, making the sensors smaller and less expensive, and the uniform film thickness imparts reproducibility to the sensors.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a pulsating micro chamber including a walled chamber. The walled chamber further includes at least one pulsating portion actuable to pulse and change an interior volume of the walled chamber. The present invention further provides for a micro-fluidic pump including a micro conduit for carrying fluid therethrough and at least one actuating mechanism for peristaltically moving fluids through the micro conduit. The actuating mechanism includes a closed pocket adjacent to the conduit, a flexible mechanism defining a portion of a wall of the micro conduit, and an expanding mechanism disposed within the pocket for expanding a volume of the pocket and thereby flexing the flexible mechanism into the micro conduit thereby changing the volume of the conduit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a micro-fluidic valve including a micro conduit for carrying fluid therethrough and at least one micro actuating mechanism for selectively deflecting at least a portion of a wall of the micro conduit occluding fluid flow through the micro conduit. Additionally, the present invention provides for a mono-stable micro-fluidic valve and for a bi-stable micro-fluidic valve.