Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: The present technology generally relates to stopped-flow microfluidic devices. Select embodiments of the present technology include microfluidic devices having a first porous element configured to receive a first fluid and a second porous element configured to receive a second fluid. The second porous element can have one or more legs overlapping with the first porous element. The device can be configured such that (a) delivery of the first fluid to the first porous element causes the first fluid to flow along the length of the first porous element without substantially wetting the one or more legs, and (b) delivery of the second fluid to the second porous element causes the second fluid to flow into the overlapping regions of the first porous element, thereby substantially stopping flow of the first fluid along at least a portion of the first porous element.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a first porous element having a first pore size and configured to receive a fluid at its proximal portion, and a second porous element having a second pore size greater than the first pore size and configured to receive a fluid at its proximal portion. The first porous element can be positioned across the second porous element such that an overlapping region exists between the porous elements where the porous elements are in fluid communication. Before delivery of the fluid to the second porous element, the fluid pressure at the overlapping region is greater than the capillary pressure of the second porous element such that a fluid delivered to the first porous element wicks through its overlapping portion without wetting the second porous element.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to systems for disrupting biological samples and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, system includes a vessel configured to receive the biological sample, a permanent magnet configured to be positioned within the vessel, an electromagnet configured to be positioned proximate the vessel, and a current source operably coupled to the electromagnet and configured to transmit an alternating current. In some embodiments, when the biological sample is placed within the vessel and the alternating current is transmitted to the electromagnet, the electromagnet produces an alternating magnetic field that causes the permanent magnet to rotate within the vessel, thereby lysing at least one of the cells of the biological sample.