Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be used for identifying, tracking, and sorting the particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method of producing a microfluidic sorting apparatus. The method includes providing an injection-molded substrate comprising a network of channels; bonding an insulating film to an upper surface of the substrate to cover the network of channels; and depositing a conductive film on the insulating film. The substrate can be separated from the conductive film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles or droplets flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles or droplets can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles or droplets interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be attached to a system for identifying, tracking, and sorting the droplets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be used for identifying, tracking, and sorting the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be used for identifying, tracking, and sorting the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid conductive wires and methods for making and using the same. Liquid conductive wires can be used in flexible, reconfigurable, dynamic and transparent electronic devices. Liquid conductive wires can be used in a variety of systems including, but not limited to, soft robotics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be used for identifying, tracking, and sorting the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles or droplets flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles or droplets can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles or droplets interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be attached to a system for identifying, tracking, and sorting the droplets.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to facilitate simultaneous high-resolution microscopic imaging of cells and detection of side-scattered light from such cells using an immersion objective. A container maintains a volume of an immersion oil or other immersion fluid in contact with the immersion objective and with a stage that contains a sample of the cells. The container also includes a window through which the cells can be illuminated off-axis to generate side-scattered light. The side-scattered light can then be detected through the immersion objective. The container maintains the immersion fluid in contact with an internal surface of the window to control the geometry of the optical interface between the off-axis illumination source and the immersion fluid. These systems permit high-throughput identification and imaging of cells for biological research, improvement of side-scatter cell classifiers, improved high-throughput cell sorting, and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for self-assembly of arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures using specifically-designed patterns on nucleic acid scaffolds. The methods involve using the nucleic acid scaffolds as templates on which a second material patterned, as seed nuclei. The patterns are then selectively plated with metal using an electro-less plating process to create arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures that are not constrained by the structure of the scaffold. The methods herein use controlled-growth processes to actively select the dimensions, positions, and alignments of the patterns to create different arbitrary shapes of metal nanostructures.

Abstract: Microfluidic valves constructed from elastomeric materials as the valve body components and employing shape memory alloy in wire form as the valve actuator. Various configurations of individual valves having both normally open and normally closed states are described. Apparatus using such valves and providing logic functionality with fluidic logic outputs are discussed. Apparatus that can be used for materials processing at the nano- or micro-scale are presented. Various forms of logical control of valve arrays are explained.

Abstract: Pixel devices, comprising ink particles differing in electrical charge, mass and/or shape contained within a fluidic structure, and related arrays methods and systems.

Abstract: Microfluidic valves constructed from elastomeric materials as the valve body components and employing shape memory alloy in wire form as the valve actuator. Various configurations of individual valves having both normally open and normally closed states are described. Apparatus using such valves and providing logic functionality with fluidic logic outputs are discussed. Apparatus that can be used for materials processing at the nano- or micro-scale are presented. Various forms of logical control of valve arrays are explained.

Abstract: A printing method to fabricate three-dimensional microfluidic components is disclosed. A three-dimensional mold made of a first wax is formed. A sacrificial material made of a second wax is provided as a temporary support and then dissolved. A component material is poured onto the mold and cured. The first wax is then melted away. In this way three-dimensional interconnected fluidic components comprising channels, vias and control sections can be obtained.