Abstract: An exemplary device and method for microfluidic transport is disclosed as providing inter alia a valve membrane sheet (400), an inlet channel (140) and an outlet channel (150). The valve membrane sheet effectively confines transport of fluid from the inlet channel to the outlet channel where fluid may be purged. The valve membrane sheet also generally provides means for preventing or otherwise substantially decreasing the incidence of purged fluid re-entering the inlet channel. Accordingly, the reduction of backflow generally tends to enhance overall pumping performance and efficiency. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve micropump operation in any microfluidic application.

Abstract: An exemplary method for making a micropump device is disclosed as providing inter alia a substrate (300), an inlet opening (310), and outlet opening (340), a pump chamber (370) and flapper valves (350, 360). The fluid inlet channel (310) is generally configured to flow a fluid through/around the inlet opening flapper valve (350). The outlet opening flapper valve (360) generally provides means for preventing or otherwise decreasing the incidence of outlet fluid re-entering either the pumping cavity (370) and/or the fluid inlet channel (310). Accordingly, the reduction of backflow generally tends to enhance overall pumping efficiency. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve micropump operation in any microfluidic application.

Abstract: An exemplary composition of matter and method for making high-efficiency, low-loss capacitors is disclosed as including inter alia a B2O3—Bi2O3—ZnO glass in admixture with material typically comprising about 30-40 wt % cubic phase (Bi0.5Zn0.5)(Zn0.5Nb1.5)O7 and about 60-70 wt % pseudo-orthorhombic phase Bi2(Zn1/3Nb1/3)2O7 (e.g., “BZN”). The mixture effectively reduces the sintering temperature of BZN from the range of about 950-1050° C. to the range of about 850-900° C., thereby rendering BZN suitable for cofiring with, for example, existing LTCC dielectrics. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, configured, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to further improve or otherwise optimize the sintering temperature of BZN and/or BZN-based materials.

Abstract: An exemplary composition of matter and method for making high-efficiency, low-loss capacitors is disclosed as including inter alia a B2O3—Bi2O3—ZnO glass in admixture with material typically comprising about 30-40 wt % cubic phase (Bi0.5Zn0.5)(Zn0.5Nb1.5)O7 and about 60-70 wt % pseudo-orthorhombic phase Bi2(Zn1/3Nb1/3)2O7 (e.g., “BZN”). The mixture effectively reduces the sintering temperature of BZN from the range of about 950-1050° C. to the range of about 850-900° C., thereby rendering BZN suitable for cofiring with, for example, existing LTCC dielectrics. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, configured, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to further improve or otherwise optimize the sintering temperature of BZN and/or BZN-based materials.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices that allow for simultaneous multiple biochip analysis. In particular, the devices are configured to hold multiple cartridges comprising biochips comprising arrays such as nucleic acid arrays, and allow for high throughput analysis of samples.

Abstract: An exemplary method for making a micropump device is disclosed as providing inter alia a substrate (300), an inlet opening (310), and outlet opening (340), a pump chamber (370) and flapper valves (350, 360). The fluid inlet channel (310) is generally configured to flow a fluid through/around the inlet opening flapper valve (350). The outlet opening flapper valve (360) generally provides means for preventing or otherwise decreasing the incidence of outlet fluid re-entering either the pumping cavity (370) and/or the fluid inlet channel (310). Accordingly, the reduction of backflow generally tends to enhance overall pumping efficiency. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve micropump operation in any microfluidic application.

Abstract: An exemplary device and method for microfluidic transport is disclosed as providing inter alia a passive check valve (100), a fluid inlet channel (210), a fluid outlet channel (220) and a pumping cavity (240). The fluid inlet channel (210) is generally configured to flow a fluid through the check valve (100). The check valve (100) generally provides substantially passive means for preventing or otherwise decreasing the incidence of purged outlet fluid reentering either the pumping cavity (240) or the fluid inlet channel (210). Accordingly, the reduction of backflow generally tends to enhance overall pumping performance and efficiency. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve micropump operation in any microfluidic application.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for enhancing mixing and hybridization kinetics in microfluidic assays. More particularly, the present invention is a device and method wherein changing the volume of a gas pocket within a microfluidic device enhances mixing and reaction kinetics therein. In an embodiment sonic frequency is applied to the gas pocket resulting in microstreaming phenomena, thereby resulting in enhanced mixing and reaction kinetics. In another embodiment, the gas pocket is fluidly connected to a microfluidic channel and the volume of the pocket is changed (e.g., by heating and cooling of the gas therein), which cause oscillating flow within the microfluidic channel, thereby resulting in enhanced mixing and reaction kinetics therein.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic micropump including a monolithic ceramic package formed of a plurality of ceramic layers defining therein an integrated first ball check valve, and a second ball check valve in microfluidic communication with the first ball check valve, and an actuator characterized as actuating a pumping motion, thereby pumping fluids through the first ball check valve and the second ball check valve.

Abstract: A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic micropump including a monolithic ceramic package formed of a plurality of ceramic layers defining therein an integrated first ball check valve, and a second ball check valve in microfluidic communication with the first ball check valve, and an actuator characterized as actuating a pumping motion, thereby pumping fluids through the first ball check valve and the second ball check valve.

Abstract: A multilayered microfluidic device having a substantially monolithic structure is formed by sintering together a plurality of green-sheet layers. The substantially monolithic structure has an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for releasing fluid, and an interconnection between the inlet port and the outlet port. The substantially monolithic structure may also include a variety of components to enable useful interaction with the fluid, such as electrically conductive pathways, heaters, fluid sensors, fluid motion transducers, and optically transmissive portions. The components are preferably fabricated using thick-film or green-sheet technology and are preferably co-fired with and sintered to the green-sheet layers to become integral with the substantially monolithic structure.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic micropump including a monolithic ceramic package formed of a plurality of ceramic layers defining therein an integrated first ball check valve, and a second ball check valve in microfluidic communication with the first ball check valve, and an actuator characterized as actuating a pumping motion, thereby pumping fluids through the first ball check valve and the second ball check valve.

Abstract: A method to fabricate a printed circuit board with a low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency comprising the steps of mixing a volume of glass particles, a volume of filler material, and a volume of finely modifier powder. The function of the finely modifier powder is to adjust the low temperature of resonant frequency. The mixture is sintered at a temperature to form a low temperature cofired ceramic which will have a low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency that is approximately zero.

Abstract: Devices (20)/(32) include respectively a conductive layer (22)/(34) having a plurality of ceramic phases (26, 28, 30)/(38, 40, 42). Devices are prepared in a receptacle (10) having a colloidal suspension of ceramic particles, a first electrode (12), a second electrode (14) and a power source (16). A substrate with a conductive layer is affixed to one of the electrodes and a voltage is applied to deposit particles on the conductive layer.

Abstract: A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.

Abstract: A multiphase dielectric composition for a multilayered ceramic device (10), and devices incorporating the same, including a (SrCa)TiO3 dielectric powder and a glass that is substantially free of lead having a weight ratio of about 35 to about 65 parts powder: about 65 to about 35 parts glass, and having a particle size of about 1 to about 2.5 micron (um) and having a dielectric constant (K) of about 18 to about 30 and an electrical Q of at least about 300 to about 550.

Abstract: Low loss piezoelectric ceramic compositions cofirable with silver at a reduced sintering temperature and methods for producing the such compositions are provided. The compositions are binary piezoelectric ceramic compositions having a first component which is characterized by about 95.0 to about 99.5 weight percent of a system represented by a general formula Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3+y wt % MnO2 in which x and y represent weight percentages and wherein x is within a range from 0.0 to about 1.0, and y is within a range from about 0.1 to about 1.0. The compositions also have 0.5 to 5.0 wt % of a second component represented by the general formula w wt % Bi2O3−z wt % CdO in which w and z represent weight percentages and wherein w is within a range from about 0.1 to about 1.0, and z is within a range from about 0.1 to about 2.0. The piezoelectric ceramic compositions are non-reactive with a silver electrode layer when cofired therewith at sintering temperatures of about 900° C.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic transformer made from a piezoelectric ceramic material stacked in a multilayer package which has a driving section 502 formed by alternately stacking piezoelectric ceramic layers polarized in a direction of thickness of the piezoelectric plate. The driving section 502 has internal interdigitated electrode layers 504A, 504B for causing piezoelectric vibration by a driving voltage applied to an input terminal (Vin). A first driven section 506, also made from piezoelectric ceramic layers polarized in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric plate, for generating a first output voltage (Vout1) at a first output by the piezoelectric vibration transmitted from the driving section 502. A second driven section 510, made from piezoelectric ceramic layers polarized in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric plate, for generating a second output voltage (Vout2) at a second output by the piezoelectric vibration transmitted from the driving section 502.

Abstract: A low loss piezoelectric ceramic composition cofirable with silver at a reduced sintering temperature and a process for producing the same is provided. The composition is a binary piezoelectric ceramic composition consisting of a main composition which is characterized by 95.0 to 99.5 weight percent of a system represented by a general formula Pb(Zr.sub.x Ti.sub.1-x)O.sub.3 +yMnO.sub.2 in which 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1.0 and 0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.0 wt. % The composition also contains 0.5 to 5.0 weight percent of an additive represented by a general formula wB.sub.2 O.sub.3 -xBi.sub.2 O.sub.3 -yMeO-zCuO wherein w,x,y, and z are weight percentages of the respective components and w+x+y+z=1. In the composition, Me is one of the metals selected from a group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, and 0.01.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.0.15, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.80, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.60 and 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.55.