Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for effecting processing of samples, including essentially isothermal amplification of nucleic acids, at multiple reaction locations in a single device. In some embodiments, the disclosed devices and methods provide for effecting parallel sample processing in several hundred locations on a single device.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: A device is described having a first surface having a plurality of first areas and a second surface having a plurality of second areas. The first surface and the second surface are opposed to one another and can move relative to each other from at least a first position where none of the plurality of first areas, having a first substance, are exposed to plurality of second areas, having a second substance, to a second position. When in the second position, the plurality of first and second areas, and therefore the first and second substances, are exposed to one another. The device may further include a series of ducts in communication with a plurality of first second areas to allow for a substance to be disposed in, or upon, the plurality of second areas when in the first position.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic system comprising a microchannel, a carrier fluid comprising a fluorinated oil in the microchannel, at least one plug comprising an aqueous plug-fluid in the microchannel and substantially surrounded on all sides by the carrier-fluid, and a fluorinated surfactant comprising a functional group capable of selectively binding a target molecule is disclosed. A compound for use therewith and a method of synthesizing a fluorinated surfactant are also provided.

Abstract: A method for sampling and/or introducing a matter to an environment comprises introducing a first array of plugs through a first microchannel of a device into an exchange region of the device in which mass transport between the environment and the plug fluid of at least one plug in the first array of plugs occurs and a second array of plugs is formed. The exchange region is in fluid communication with the first microchannel. The method further comprises directing the second array of plugs into a second microchannel downstream of and in fluid communication with the exchange region.

Abstract: This invention provides devices and methods that enable co-incubation of microorganisms. Also provided are methods of making such devices for co-incubation of microorganisms, and various applications of such devices.

Abstract: Methods of detecting organisms e.g. bacteria using stochastic confinement effects with microfluidic technologies involving plugs are provided. Signal amplification methods for the detection of molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming microstructures. An article including a metal atom precursor is disproportionally exposed to electromagnetic radiation in an amount and intensity sufficient to convert some of the precursor to elemental metal. Additional conductive material may then be deposited onto the elemental metal to produce a microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic systems and, in particular, fluidic arrays and methods for using them to promote interaction of materials. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a microfluidic system. The microfluidic system includes a first fluid path and a second fluid path segregated from the first fluid path by a first convection controller at a first contact region, wherein at least one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path has a cross-sectional dimension of less than about 1 millimeter. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of promoting interaction. In another aspect, the invention relates to a device and method for performing titrations.

Abstract: A microfluidic system comprises a microchannel, a carrier fluid in the microchannel, and at least two plugs in the microchannel. Each plug comprises a plug fluid that is substantially immiscible with the carrier fluid. The microfluidic system further comprises at least one spacer in the microchannel between two plugs. Each spacer comprises a spacer fluid that is substantially immiscible with the carrier fluid and the plug fluid, and both of the following conditions are satisfied: (?c-r+?t-r>?c-t) and (?c-t+yt-r>yc-r), where ?c-r is the interfacial force between the carrier fluid and the plug fluid, ?t-r is the interfacial force between the spacer fluid and the plug fluid, and ?c-t is the interfacial force between the carrier fluid and the spacer fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic technology enabling rapid and economical manipulation of reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for assaying clotting activity. The apparatus includes an inlet for a blood fluid and two or more patches of material in the vessel. The material is capable of initiating a clotting pathway in a blood fluid. This invention also provides an apparatus for measuring clot propagation, which includes a region with material capable of initiating a clotting pathway, and a region where the clot propagation is monitored. Also provided are methods for assaying clotting activity, assaying the integrity of a blood clotting pathway, assaying the effect of a substance on the integrity of a blood clotting pathway, monitoring clot propagation, and preventing clot propagation from one vessel to another.

Abstract: A method of forming microstructures. An article including a metal atom precursor is disproportionally exposed to electromagnetic radiation in an amount and intensity sufficient to convert some of the precursor to elemental metal. Additional conductive material may then be deposited onto the elemental metal to produce a microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic systems, including switches for fluidic systems. The switches of the present invention may be particularly applicable to microfluidic systems. The switches of the invention may include a switching region having more than one position corresponding to more than one aspect ratio. Alternatively, the switches of the invention may include multiple inlets and a system for the selective supply of carrier fluid. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling a fluid in a microfluidic system and may be performed using the switches of the present invention.