Abstract: A flow cell for confining molecules in a fluid. The flow cell includes an upper substrate, an upper support member, a center substrate, a membrane, a lower support member and a lower substrate. The lower support member comprises an imaging chamber it is positioned below the membrane and above the lower substrate. In one embodiment the membrane comprises a nanopore and nanoscale groove extending through the membrane. In another embodiment the lower substrate comprises an upper face in communication with the imaging chamber, and the upper face comprises a plurality of nanoscale grooves extending partially through the lower substrate. In both embodiments the upper substrate, upper support member, center substrate and membrane are displaceable through the imaging chamber, thereby causing molecules in the imaging chamber to be confined or trapped through the nanoscale groove(s) of the membrane or of the lower substrate.

Abstract: A flow cell for confining molecules in a fluid. The flow cell includes an upper substrate, an upper support member, a center substrate, a membrane, a lower support member and a lower substrate. The lower support member comprises an imaging chamber it is positioned below the membrane and above the lower substrate. In one embodiment the membrane comprises at least one perforation comprising a nanopore and nanoscale groove extending through the membrane, vertically aligned and in fluidic communication with both the sensing chamber and the imaging chamber. In another embodiment the lower substrate comprises an upper face in communication with the imaging chamber, the upper face comprises a plurality of nanoscale grooves extending partially into the lower substrate and vertically aligned and in fluid communication with at least one sensing chamber.

Abstract: A flow cell for confining molecules in a fluid. The flow cell includes a first substrate and a second substrate being spaced apart by support members. The first and second substrates and the support members define a fluidic chamber to receive the fluid. At least one of the first and second substrates has a nanoscale surface topography including at least one nanoscale groove. At least one of the first and second substrates is displaceable through the fluidic chamber to contact the first substrate against the second substrate. Contact between the first substrate and the second substrate causes displacement of the molecules into the at least one nanoscale groove.