Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for the management of fluid flow utilizing different adjacent wettability regions to form a fluidic network structure on a substrate. The fluidic network structure may include liquid-absorptive fluidic channels, where the fluid can flow within these channels and be removed from the substrate. Fluid can be moved by gravitational force, compression force, capillary force and surface tension force.

Abstract: Thin-film pressure sensors are disclosed herein. Such sensors include one or more electrodes in contact with a sensing material. As the sensor deforms the capacitance of the sensor varies and is measurable either between two electrodes of the sensor, or between the one electrode of the sensor and an electrode formed by the surface to which the sensor is applied, such as skin. The sensing material can be an ionic material such as an ionic composite including an ionic liquid.

Abstract: A liquid column-based normal/shear pressure/force sensing device having an elastic electrolyte-electrode contact with large interfacial capacitance to achieve high sensitivity and resolution with flexible and transparent constructs.

Abstract: This invention includes the implementation of several unconventional droplet manipulations on a superhydrophobic-patterned surface microfluidic platform, which may be applied to automated biological analyzes and point-of-care diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus which utilizes an electrolytic droplet retained between a first and second sensing electrode within a housing. Contact between the electrolyte droplet and the electrodes form electric double layers (EDL) having interfacial EDL capacitance proportional to interface contact area which varies in response to mechanical pressure applied to deform exterior portions of the housing. The electrolyte contains a sufficient percentage of glycerol to prevent evaporative effects. Preferably, the sensing electrodes are modified with depressions, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions to increase central anchoring of the electrolyte droplet within the housing. The inventive pressure sensor provides high sensitivity and resolution which is beneficial to numerous applications, and is particularly well-suited for medical sensing applications.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus which utilizes an electrolytic droplet retained between a first and second sensing electrode within a housing. Contact between the electrolyte droplet and the electrodes form electric double layers (EDL) having interfacial EDL capacitance proportional to interface contact area which varies in response to mechanical pressure applied to deform exterior portions of the housing. The electrolyte contains a sufficient percentage of glycerol to prevent evaporative effects. Preferably, the sensing electrodes are modified with depressions, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions to increase central anchoring of the electrolyte droplet within the housing. The inventive pressure sensor provides high sensitivity and resolution which is beneficial to numerous applications, and is particularly well-suited for medical sensing applications.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus which utilizes an electrolytic droplet retained between a first and second sensing electrode within a housing. Contact between the electrolyte droplet and the electrodes form electric double layers (EDL) having interfacial EDL capacitance proportional to interface contact area which varies in response to mechanical pressure applied to deform exterior portions of the housing. The electrolyte contains a sufficient percentage of glycerol to prevent evaporative effects. Preferably, the sensing electrodes are modified with depressions, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions to increase central anchoring of the electrolyte droplet within the housing. The inventive pressure sensor provides high sensitivity and resolution which is beneficial to numerous applications, and is particularly well-suited for medical sensing applications.

Abstract: A microfluidic electronic device is disclosed. This microfluidic electronic device may include a separate actuator mechanism from a microfluidic cartridge. The microfluidic cartridge may include a fluid reservoir coupled to a nozzle by a channel, where the fluid reservoir holds a fluid with a solvent and a material in solution, and the microfluidic cartridge may be remateably coupled to the microfluidic electronic device. During operation of the microfluidic electronic device, the microfluidic cartridge supplies fluid to the nozzle via the channel, and the actuator mechanism drives droplets from the nozzle without contact between the actuator mechanism and the fluid. Furthermore, the droplets may be driven from the nozzle onto a substrate without contact between the substrate and the nozzle, and a positioning mechanism in the microfluidic electronic device may accurately position the nozzle relative to the substrate.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for bonding a first substrate and a second substrate. During operation, the system starts by treating a first surface of the first substrate and a second surface of the second substrate with a hydrophilic treatment. The system then transfers a first oligomer layer onto the treated first surface and a second oligomer layer onto the treated second surface. Next, the system treats the first oligomer layer and the second oligomer layer for hydrophilic activation. The system subsequently brings the first oligomer layer into contact with the second oligomer layer, thereby allowing the two oligomer layers to adhere and form a single bonding layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. In particular, each of the first oligomer layer and the second oligomer layer is a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer.

Abstract: This invention includes the implementation of several unconventional droplet manipulations on a superhydrophobic-patterned surface microfluidic platform, which may be applied to automated biological analyses and point-of-care diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus which utilizes an electrolytic droplet retained between a first and second sensing electrode within a housing. Contact between the electrolyte droplet and the electrodes form electric double layers (EDL) having interfacial EDL capacitance proportional to interface contact area which varies in response to mechanical pressure applied to deform exterior portions of the housing. The electrolyte contains a sufficient percentage of glycerol to prevent evaporative effects. Preferably, the sensing electrodes are modified with depressions, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions to increase central anchoring of the electrolyte droplet within the housing. The inventive pressure sensor provides high sensitivity and resolution which is beneficial to numerous applications, and is particularly well-suited for medical sensing applications.

Abstract: A measurement system takes measurements of intraocular pressure and displaced ocular volume for determination of aqueous outflow resistance A device with a ?gid outer wall, a flexible inner wall, and an inflatable bladder in between is placed over the eye A pressure measurement system is coupled to the bladder and is configured to measure a pressure of fluid within the bladder A hydraulic unit is coupled to the bladder and configured to control a flow of fluid between the bladder and an external reservoir, and to measure a change of volume in the bladder created by the pressure applied to the eye Both the pressure measurement system and hydraulic unit are directly controlled by and communicated with a microprocessor/computer In addition, the microprocessor computes the outflow resistance of the eye as a function of the pressure in the bladder and the change of volume in the bladder over time.

Abstract: Aqueous humor flow control for managing intraocular pressure in an eye. Excessive pressure due to formation of a fibrous capsule and valve resistance is relieved by bypassing the valve element or by providing a secondary discharge port. Removal of resistance is enabled by physical manipulation, external stimulus, chemical action or biological action. A resistor inserted in an intake conduit provides a predetermined resistance to flow and thus, a desired intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Aqueous humor flow control for managing intraocular pressure in an eye. Excessive pressure due to formation of a fibrous capsule and valve resistance is relieved by bypassing the valve element or by providing a secondary discharge port. Removal of resistance is enabled by physical manipulation, external stimulus, chemical action or biological action. A resistor inserted in an intake conduit provides a predetermined resistance to flow and thus, a desired intraocular pressure.