Abstract: A device (100) for detecting an analyte (132) includes a polymer material (112) over a substrate (110); a heat transfer element (114) thermally coupled to the substrate; a temperature modification device (118) thermally coupled to the heat transfer element; a controller (121) to produce a thermal (202) wave emanating from the heat transfer element; a flow cell (122) located and configured to pass a liquid (124) over the polymer material; a temperature sensor (134) to detect a temperature (T2) of the liquid passing over the polymer material; and a processor (123) to calculate a concentration of an analyte (132) in the liquid based at least in part on a phase shift between the thermal wave at the heat transfer element and an attenuated thermal wave (204) in the liquid. Related methods of forming such a device and detecting analytes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte includes a thermocouple coated with an assay polymer. The assay polymer is formulated to bind to the analyte, and a heat transfer property of the assay polymer varies responsive to an amount of the analyte bound thereto. A method of forming a sensor includes coating a thermocouple with an assay polymer. A method for detecting an analyte includes passing a liquid containing an analyte adjacent a thermocouple coated with an assay polymer, binding an analyte to the assay polymer, detecting a temperature of the thermocouple, and calculating a concentration of the analyte in the liquid based at least in part on the heat transfer property of the assay polymer.

Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte includes a thermocouple having an assay polymer over a surface of the thermocouple. The assay polymer is formulated to bind to the analyte, and a heat transfer property of the assay polymer varies responsive to an amount of the analyte bound thereto. A method of forming a sensor includes providing an assay polymer over a thermocouple. A method for detecting an analyte includes passing a liquid containing an analyte adjacent a thermocouple having an assay polymer over a surface thereof, binding an analyte to the assay polymer, detecting a temperature of the thermocouple, and calculating a concentration of the analyte in the liquid based at least in part on the heat transfer property of the assay polymer.

Abstract: A method for characterizing bacteria includes passing a liquid containing an analyte comprising a first bacteria and a second bacteria over and in contact with a polymer material on a substrate. The polymer material is formulated to bind to the first bacteria, and the first bacteria binds to the polymer material with a higher affinity than the second bacteria. A heat transfer property of the polymer material varies based on an amount of the analyte bound thereto. The method further includes binding a portion of the first bacteria and the second bacteria of the analyte to the polymer material, removing at least a portion of the second bacteria from the polymer material, detecting a temperature of the substrate, and calculating a concentration of the first bacteria in the liquid based at least in part on the temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: A device (100) for detecting an analyte (132) includes a polymer material (112) over a substrate (110); a heat transfer element (114) thermally coupled to the substrate; a temperature modification device (118) thermally coupled to the heat transfer element; a controller (121) to produce a thermal (202) wave emanating from the heat transfer element; a flow cell (122) located and configured to pass a liquid (124) over the polymer material; a temperature sensor (134) to detect a temperature (T2) of the liquid passing over the polymer material; and a processor (123) to calculate a concentration of an analyte (132) in the liquid based at least in part on a phase shift between the thermal wave at the heat transfer element and an attenuated thermal wave (204) in the liquid. Related methods of forming such a device and detecting analytes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for characterizing bacteria includes passing a liquid containing an analyte comprising a first bacteria and a second bacteria over and in contact with a polymer material on a substrate. The polymer material is formulated to bind to the first bacteria, and the first bacteria binds to the polymer material with a higher affinity than the second bacteria. A heat transfer property of the polymer material varies based on an amount of the analyte bound thereto. The method further includes binding a portion of the first bacteria and the second bacteria of the analyte to the polymer material, removing at least a portion of the second bacteria from the polymer material, detecting a temperature of the substrate, and calculating a concentration of the first bacteria in the liquid based at least in part on the temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte includes a thermocouple having an assay polymer over a surface of the thermocouple. The assay polymer is formulated to bind to the analyte, and a heat transfer property of the assay polymer varies responsive to an amount of the analyte bound thereto. A method of forming a sensor includes providing an assay polymer over a thermocouple. A method for detecting an analyte includes passing a liquid containing an analyte adjacent a thermocouple having an assay polymer over a surface thereof, binding an analyte to the assay polymer, detecting a temperature of the thermocouple, and calculating a concentration of the analyte in the liquid based at least in part on the heat transfer property of the assay polymer.