Abstract: Devices and method for forming a switch including a heater layer including a first heater pad, a second heater pad, and a heater line connecting the first heater pad and the second heater pad, a phase change material (PCM) layer positioned in a same vertical plane as the heater line, and a floating spreader layer including a first portion positioned in the same vertical plane as the heater line and the PCM layer, in which the first portion has a first width that is less than or equal to a distance between proximate sidewalls of the first heater pad and the second heater pad.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated slide handling for imaging applications are described herein. In certain aspects, an automated slide handler may be operatively coupled to a slide hotel and/or one or more imaging systems described herein. The automated slide handler may be a robotic arm with up to 6 degrees of freedom. Automated slide handling may include sample preparation, such as sectioning and staining. Suitable imaging systems include a fluorescence microscope or an imaging mass cytometer. Methods and systems disclosed herein enable high throughput profiling of tissue sections.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a sensed information transmitting circuit, a control information slave circuit and a mode switching circuit. The sensed information transmitting circuit converts sensed information into a transmission signal compliant with a signal format of a first transmission protocol. The control information slave circuit converts a received signal received from a signal transmission interface into control information according to a second transmission protocol, thereby to configure the sensing device;. The mode switching circuit to activates one of the sensed information transmitting circuit and the control information slave circuit based on a signal on a clock channel of the signal transmission interface, a signal on a data channel of the signal transmission interface or a signal on a power rail of the sensing device, thereby to transmit or receive signals through the signal transmission interface.