Abstract: A lateral flow diagnostic device (4) comprises a substrate (5) of porous material; channel boundaries (11) defining a fluid flow channel (6) within the substrate (5); and a test site (10) disposed at a predetermined location along the fluid flow channel (6), the test site (10) comprising an analyte detection substance for detecting presence of a target analyte in fluid flowing along the fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel (6) has a constricted portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than another portion of the fluid flow channel. The test site (10) is disposed within the constricted portion of the fluid flow channel.

Abstract: A method of making a fluid flow device comprises providing a substrate of porous material, depositing a radiation-sensitive substance onto the substrate in a pattern defining one or more regions intended to receive and contain fluid during use of the device or occupying an area within such a region, such that the radiation-sensitive substance extends at least partly through the thickness of the substrate below the pattern, and exposing radiation onto the substrate thereby delivering energy to the radiation-sensitive substance in at least part of the pattern to change the radiation-sensitive substance from a first state to a second state through at least part of the thickness of the substrate. One of the first state and the second state may be less permeable than the other.

Abstract: A method of making a fluid flow device comprises: providing a substrate of porous material (2) impregnated with a light-sensitive substance (5) in a first state and which is configured to change from the first state to a second state when exposed to light (3), the second state being a solid state that is resistant to a solvent and the first being removable with the solvent; the substrate having a fluid flow channel (7) defined therein, the channel having a depth; exposing a beam of light (3) onto an area of the substrate surface within the fluid flow channel to deliver energy to a volume of the substrate below the area to change the light-sensitive substance to the second state; during exposure, creating a partial barrier to flow of fluid along the channel by controlling the amount of energy delivered to the volume below at least part of the area to change the light-sensitive substance to the second state in a volume of the substrate within the fluid flow channel that has a depth less than the depth of the fl

Abstract: A method of making a fluid flow device comprises providing a substrate of porous material, depositing a radiation-sensitive substance onto the substrate in a pattern defining one or more regions intended to receive and contain fluid during use of the device or occupying an area within such a region, such that the radiation-sensitive substance extends at least partly through the thickness of the substrate below the pattern, and exposing radiation onto the substrate thereby delivering energy to the radiation-sensitive substance in at least part of the pattern to change the radiation-sensitive substance from a first state to a second state through at least part of the thickness of the substrate. One of the first state and the second state may be less permeable than the other.

Abstract: A method of making a fluid flow device comprises: providing a substrate of porous material (2) impregnated with a light-sensitive substance (5) in a first state and which is configured to change from the first state to a second state when exposed to light (3), the second state being a solid state that is resistant to a solvent and the first being removable with the solvent; the substrate having a fluid flow channel (7) defined therein, the channel having a depth; exposing a beam of light (3) onto an area of the substrate surface within the fluid flow channel to deliver energy to a volume of the substrate below the area to change the light-sensitive substance to the second state; during exposure, creating a partial barrier to flow of fluid along the channel by controlling the amount of energy delivered to the volume below at least part of the area to change the light-sensitive substance to the second state in a volume of the substrate within the fluid flow channel that has a depth less than the depth of the fl

Abstract: A method of micro-structuring a surface of a sample of ferroelectric material, the method comprising: (a) taking a sample of ferroelectric material having a −z face which is to be etched; (b) illuminating the −z face with ultraviolet light to define illuminated and unilluminated parts of the surface; and (c) immersing the −z face in an etchant to selectively remove the unilluminated parts of the −z face at a greater rate than the illuminated parts. The method can be carried out using pulsed ultraviolet light to etch lithium niobate crystals cut for etching on the −z face, and may further be combined with ablation to produce multi-level surface structures.

Abstract: A method of micro-structuring a surface of a sample of ferroelectric material, the method comprising: (a) taking a sample of ferroelectric material having a −z face which is to be etched; (b) illuminating the −z face with ultraviolet light to define illuminated and unilluminated parts of the surface; and (c) immersing the −z face in an etchant to selectively remove the unilluminated parts of the −z face at a greater rate than the illuminated parts. The method can be carried out using pulsed ultraviolet light to etch lithium niobate crystals cut for etching on the −z face, and may further be combined with ablation to produce multi-level surface structures.