Abstract: A fluidic pump (108) comprises an electrolyte cavity (110) and a pump outlet (115) fluidically coupled to the electrolyte cavity that are within at least a portion of a fluid guiding structure (105), two electrodes (112, 113) extending from the fluid guiding structure into the electrolyte cavity; and a vapor permeable membrane (120) that prevents an electrolyte (125) in the electrolyte cavity from passing through the pump outlet while allowing gas to flow through the pump outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides low cost microfluidic devices having embedded metal conductors. The devices of the invention comprise a electronic component comprising a substrate having a first surface, a layer of electrically-conductive material deposited on a portion of the first substrate surface, a first sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the first substrate surface and on the layer of electrically-conductive material, a second sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the first sublayer of insulating material, and a third sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the layer of dielectric material, and a fluid-handling component having a contoured surface affixed to the electronic component. The devices of the invention are advantageously used for performing electric field lysis and the polymerase chain reaction. The invention further advantageously provides simple, low cost methods for fabricating such microfluidic devices.

Abstract: An exemplary system and method for bonding substrate layers in the presence of chemically active species to form functionalized microfluidic surfaces is disclosed as comprising inter alia a first substrate (100), a second substrate (200), a chemically functional species (120) attached to first substrate (100), and a radiatively absorptive mask material (130) disposed substantially between first substrate (100) and second substrate (200). Mask material (130) is suitably adapted to effectively bond first substrate (100) with second substrate (200) upon exposure of the composite structure to radiation of a predetermined, user-selectable wavelength. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve certain device fabrication parameters and/or performance metrics.

Abstract: A fluidic pump (108) comprises an electrolyte cavity (110) and a pump outlet (115) fluidically coupled to the electrolyte cavity that are within at least a portion of a fluid guiding structure (105), two electrodes (112, 113) extending from the fluid guiding structure into the electrolyte cavity; and a vapor permeable membrane (120) that prevents an electrolyte (125) in the electrolyte cavity from passing through the pump outlet while allowing gas to flow through the pump outlet.