Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical morphologies widely exist in natural and biomimetic materials, which impart preferential functions including liquid and mass transport, energy conversion, and signal transmission for various applications. While notable progress has been made in the design and manufacturing of various hierarchical materials, the state-of-the-art approaches suffer from limited materials selection, high costs, as well as low processing throughput. Herein, by harnessing the configurable elastic crack engineering-controlled formation and configuration of cracks in elastic materials, an effect normally avoided in various industrial processes, the present invention provides a facile and powerful technique to enable the faithful transfer of arbitrary hierarchical structures with broad material compatibility and structural and functional integrity.

Abstract: A solar and thermal regulating window structure including: an optically-transparent housing frame; a reversible liquid absorbent material layer positioned in the housing frame; a thermally-reflective layer having high solar transmittance and high thermal reflectance positioned over the liquid absorbent material layer; a liquid, being absorbed in the liquid absorbent material layer below a selected transition temperature, and being positioned over the liquid absorbent material layer above the selected transition temperature, such that when below the selected transition temperature, the window structure facilitates indoor solar heating through solar transmittance during daytime and facilitates indoor heat insulation through thermal reflectance during daytime and nighttime, when above the selected transition temperature, the window structure facilitates indoor heat dissipation through thermal emission; and an optical film with high transmittance for both solar and thermal radiation, configured to seal the liquid

Abstract: The present application provides methods, devices, systems and non-transitory computer readable storage media for image processing. In an aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method of image processing, the method comprising: receiving a low resolution image of an object; generating an edge map of the low resolution image by an edge extractor; and inputting the edge map and the low resolution image to a neural network to reconstruct a super resolution image of the object, wherein the neural network is trained using a multicomponent loss function.

Abstract: Methods of quantification, isolation, and characterization of exosomes are provided. Exosomes can be quantified by contacting a sample with a capture bead comprising a bead and a first binding agent, and a second binding agent. The first binding agent binds to a first biomolecule in the exosomes to produce a first complex and the second binding agent binds to a second biomolecule in the exosomes of the first complex to produce a second complex. The first complexes and the second complexes are quantified based on a detectable signal conjugated to the second binding agent. A microwell or a droplet generation is utilized to quantify the first complexes and the second complexes. Quantifying the exosomes is used to diagnose a cancer in a subject. In such methods, the first and the second binding agents bind to cancer biomarkers present in the exosomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for monitoring events occurred in a single cell or examining cell characteristics in a single cell in a massive parallel and real-time manner. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a single-cell culturing system for culturing and monitoring a large number of cells independently at single-cell level. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and devices for studying or monitoring single-cell response to an external stimulus in a massive parallel and real-time manner. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and devices for studying or monitoring drug response at single-cell level in a massive parallel and real-time manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic circuit for generating uniform droplets despite fluctuations in pressure, and manufacturing methods and uses thereof. Said circuit comprises microfluidic channels for carrying a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. In one embodiment, the ratio of the flow resistance of the dispersed phase to that of the continuous phase is equal to the ratio of the flow rate of the continuous phase to that of the dispersed phase. In one embodiment, the present microfluidic circuit comprises two features to achieve the desired ratio of flow resistance and flow rate of the dispersed phase and continuous phase: (a) using a single pressure source which applies identical pressure to the inlets of the upstream channels carrying the two phases, and (b) the flow resistance of the dispersed phase and continuous phase is much higher than the flow resistance of the downstream channel so that the flow resistance of the downstream channel become negligible.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting and quantifying multiple biomolecules at single-molecule level using an integrated droplet microfluidic system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides real-time and digital measurement of multiple biomolecules in a sample, thereby quantifying multiple biomolecules in an absolute and simultaneous manner. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a diagnostic method for a disease, comprising real-time and digital measurement of multiple biomolecules in a sample using the method or device described herein.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical morphologies widely exist in natural and biomimetic materials, which impart preferential functions including liquid and mass transport, energy conversion, and signal transmission for various applications. While notable progress has been made in the design and manufacturing of various hierarchical materials, the state-of-the-art approaches suffer from limited materials selection, high costs, as well as low processing throughput. Herein, by harnessing the configurable elastic crack engineering-controlled formation and configuration of cracks in elastic materials, an effect normally avoided in various industrial processes, the present invention provides a facile and powerful technique to enable the faithful transfer of arbitrary hierarchical structures with broad material compatibility and structural and functional integrity.

Abstract: Devices having nanochannels suitable for confinement and alignment of DNA molecules, as well as methods of fabricating the same and methods of using the same for DNA analysis, are provided. A device can include a dynamically-controlled, unified microchannel-nanochannel platform suitable for confinement and alignment of DNA molecules. The nanochannels can be reversibly formed within nanoslits formed in a deformable substrate or base layer.

Abstract: A droplet generator apparatus and droplet generation method based on high aspect ratio induced droplet self-breakup are provided. The droplet generator apparatus includes a channel (1) and a nozzle (2) connected to the channel(1), and the aspect ratio of the channel (1) can be 3.0 or greater. The apparatus may further include a blocking rail (10) that is positioned in front of the nozzle (2), a supplying rail(9) that is positioned in front of the nozzle (2), and a supplying trench (8) formed in a space between the nozzle (2) and the supplying rail (9).

Abstract: Devices having nanochannels suitable for confinement and alignment of DNA molecules, as well as methods of fabricating the same and methods of using the same for DNA analysis, are provided. A device can include a dynamically-controlled, unified microchannel-nanochannel platform suitable for confinement and alignment of DNA molecules. The nanochannels can be reversibly formed within nanoslits formed in a deformable substrate or base layer.

Abstract: A droplet generator apparatus and droplet generation method based on high aspect ratio induced droplet self-breakup are provided. The droplet generator apparatus includes a channel (1) and a nozzle (2) connected to the channel(1), and the aspect ratio of the channel (1) can be 3.0 or greater. The apparatus may further include a blocking rail (10) that is positioned in front of the nozzle (2), a supplying rail(9) that is positioned in front of the nozzle (2), and a supplying trench (8) formed in a space between the nozzle (2) and the supplying rail (9).

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method, system, and apparatus for providing an orientation independent electroosmotic pump. In some embodiments, the method includes an anode and a cathode at different electrical potentials, the anode and cathode are each sealed in an ion-exchange membrane and at least partially immersed in an electrolyte contained in a reservoir of an electroosmotic pump, collecting gases generated by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolyte within a space defined by the ion-exchange membranes that seal the anode and cathode, recombining the collected gases to produce a liquid using a catalyst, the catalyst being located outside of the reservoir, and introducing the produced liquid into the fluid reservoir through an osmotic membrane.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods of fabricating porous silicon. One application of such porous silicon is in the fabrication of electro-osmotic pumps and electro-osmotic pump substrates. The method can comprise operations performed on a silicon wafer. A liner material can be deposited on the silicon wafer, and a photoresist layer can be deposited on the liner material. The photoresist layer can be adapted to define a predetermined pattern on the silicon wafer. Then, porous silicon can be formed on the silicon wafer according to the predefined pattern. As a result, solid silicon can support porous silicon regions of the silicon wafer, providing a support structure for the pumping medium. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A pumping medium for an electro-osmotic pump made of porous silicon. The porous silicon may result in a lower required pumping voltage and a smaller form factor for an equivalent flow rate and pressure generation as compared to conventional glass frits. The porous silicon may also provide a better thermodynamic efficiency over conventional glass frits for use in electro-osmotic pumps. The increased efficiency of the porous silicon may provide an low-power, high flow rate, high pressure, small form factor, vibration-free pump for cooling microelectronic devices, such as integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: A composition of matter and methods to produce the same. The composition of matter includes a thin film and a plurality of smooth-surfaced through-holes extending through the thin film. The thin film may have a thickness of between 200 nm and 150 ?m. The through-holes may have a diameter of between 20 nm and 2500 nm.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods according to the present invention preferably utilize electroosmotic pumps in fluid handling and field sampling applications. The electroosmotic pumps used in these applications are capable of generating high pressure and flow without moving mechanical parts and the associated generation of unacceptable electrical and acoustic noise, as well as the associated reduction in reliability. Having multiple small flow channels in parallel provides both a high flow rate and high pressure in liquid handling. These electroosmotic pumps are fabricated with materials and structures that improve performance, efficiency, and reduce weight and manufacturing cost relative to presently available micropumps. These electroosmotic pumps also allow for recapture of evolved gases and deposited materials, which may provide for long-term closed-loop operation.

Abstract: An “in-plane” electroosmotic pump may reduce deterioration of performance due to electrolytic gas generation. By controlling the flow of gas generated at the electrodes, while allowing ionic current, the gas may be prevented from fouling the narrow slots which act as pumping channels.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method, system, and apparatus for providing an orientation independent electroosmotic pump. In some embodiments, the method includes an anode and a cathode at different electrical potentials, the anode and cathode are each sealed in an ion-exchange membrane and at least partially immersed in an electrolyte contained in a reservoir of an electroosmotic pump, collecting gases generated by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolyte within a space defined by the ion-exchange membranes that seal the anode and cathode, recombining the collected gases to produce a liquid using a catalyst, the catalyst being located outside of the reservoir, and introducing the produced liquid into the fluid reservoir through an osmotic membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods according to the present invention preferably utilize electroosmotic pumps in fluid handling and field sampling applications. The electroosmotic pumps used in these applications are capable of generating high pressure and flow without moving mechanical parts and the associated generation of unacceptable electrical and acoustic noise, as well as the associated reduction in reliability. Having multiple small flow channels in parallel provides both a high flow rate and high pressure in liquid handling. These electroosmotic pumps are fabricated with materials and structures that improve performance, efficiency, and reduce weight and manufacturing cost relative to presently available micropumps. These electroosmotic pumps also allow for recapture of evolved gases and deposited materials, which may provide for long-term closed-loop operation.