Abstract: A micro-channel electrode structure includes a layer and an electrode micro-channel formed in the layer, the electrode micro-channel having an electrode micro-channel bottom forming the bottom of the electrode micro-channel and an electrode micro-channel top forming the top the electrode micro-channel. The electrode micro-channel is at least partially filled with an electrode that extends along the electrode micro-channel and extends from the electrode micro-channel bottom toward the electrode micro-channel top. A fluid micro-channel adapted to carry a fluid is formed in the layer. An electrical power source is connected to the electrode. The fluid micro-channel intersects the electrode micro-channel in the layer to form a micro-channel intersection and the electrode extends from the electrode micro-channel into the micro-channel intersection without occluding the fluid micro-channel.

Abstract: Dynamically-variable graphic displays, including a panel comprised of a plurality of electrostatic particles and a plurality of electrodynamic contacts supported within a nonconductive substrate, wherein each electrostatic particle is situated within a channel in the nonconductive substrate such that the nonconductive substrate comprises a plurality of channels oriented in one direction. Also included within the invention are dynamically-variable graphic display panels comprising electrostatic particles that each comprise a plurality of sectors, each having a different color and a fixed magnetic polarity relative to said sectors, and a plurality of electrodynamic contacts, each contact located adjacent to an electrostatic particle and positioned for interaction with one of the electrostatic particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the measurement of a concentration of a charged species in a sample, the sample having a plurality of types of charged species and at least one insoluble component. The method comprises: providing the sample on a surface of a partly permeable layer; allowing components of the sample to pass through the partly permeable layer into a channel; and separating the components into sections, such that each at least one of the sections substantially comprises a single type of the plurality of the types of charged species, and determining the charge concentration in the at least one of the sections.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a microfluidic platform for optical biosensing, the platform including an optical substrate, a layer provided on the substrate, and a channel formed within the layer through which fluid can flow, the channel including a constriction that is adapted to trap a microsphere suspended in the fluid when the fluid flows through the channel.

Abstract: Methods of concentrating beads in a droplet and/or loading beads on a fluidic device are provided, including among other things, a method of concentrating beads in a droplet, the method comprising: (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising: (i) an interior droplet operations volume; and (ii) a reservoir exterior to the interior volume; (iii) a droplet established in a liquid path extending from the reservoir into the interior volume; (b) providing magnetically responsive beads in the portion of the droplet which is in the reservoir; (c) magnetically attracting the magnetically responsive beads through the liquid path into the portion of the droplet which is in the interior volume; and (d) forming a droplet comprising one or more of the magnetically responsive beads in the interior volume.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for fabricating a three-dimensional, charge-trapping memory device with improved long term data retention. A corresponding three-dimensional, charge-trapping memory device is also provided which includes a stack of alternating word line layers and dielectric layers. A charge-trapping layer is deposited in a memory hole. The refractive index of portions of the charge-trapping layer which are adjacent to the word line layers is increased relative to the refractive index of portions of the charge-trapping layer which are adjacent to the dielectric layers. This can be achieved by doping the portions of the charge-trapping layer which are adjacent to the word line layers. In one approach, the charge-trapping layer is SiON and is doped with Si or N. In another approach, the charge-trapping layer is HfO and is doped with Hf. In another approach, the charge-trapping layer is HfSiON and is doped with Hf, Si or N.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-shielding structure, a method for manufacturing the structure, a display device and a method for displaying with the display device. Said light-shielding structure comprises a plurality of micro light-shielding boxes, each of the micro light-shielding boxes comprises a sealed cavity provided with a transparent solvent, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed oppositely, and at least one rotator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode. Said rotator comprises a light-shielding portion and a transparent portion, and said light-shielding portion has an electrical property different with that of said transparent portion. The light-shielding structure in the embodiments of the present invention comprises at least one rotator, which is controlled to rotate by means of the electrodes at two sides thereof.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that reduce cavitation in interaction chambers are described herein. In an embodiment, an interaction chamber for a fluid processor or fluid homogenizer includes an inlet chamber having an inlet hole and a bottom end, an outlet chamber having an outlet hole and a top end, a microchannel placing the inlet hole in fluid communication with the outlet hole, wherein an entrance to the microchannel from the inlet chamber is offset a distance from the bottom end, and at least one of: (i) a tapered fillet located on a side wall of the microchannel at the microchannel entrance; (ii) a side wall of the microchannel converging inwardly from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber; (iii) a top wall and/or bottom wall of the microchannel angled from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber; and (iv) a top fillet that extends around a diameter of inlet chamber.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided, the apparatus including a substrate, multiple arrays of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein corresponding electrodes in each array are connected to a common electrical signal, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate first side surface and patterned to cover the electrodes.

Abstract: A new algorithm is taught for identifying compounds from spectroscopic or mass spectra data, wherein the improved order of operations of the present invention are defined as 1) background noise removal, 2) deconvolution by smoothing peaks, finding peaks and grouping peaks into unknown compounds, 3) preparing correlation values for combinations of unknown compound and target compound pairs, 4) sorting the combinations of unknown compound and target compound pairs by their correlation values, 5) removing complete ions from the mass spectra data using a peak, a retention time, and a retention window, and 6) matching unknown compounds to target compounds such that no target compound appears twice.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to flow assays including at least one electrically-actuated valve configured to control fluid flow. Methods of operating such flow assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing a droplet comprising one or more reagents, the method comprising, depositing a first aqueous droplet comprising the one or more reagents on a surface; drying the droplet to yield a dried composition on the surface comprising the one or more reagents; covering the dried composition with oil; and causing a second aqueous droplet in the oil to contact the dried composition and thereby resuspend one or more reagents.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sequencing nucleic acids are disclosed herein. Devices are also provided herein for measuring DNA with nano-pores sized to allow DNA to pass through the nano-pore. The capacitance can be measured for the DNA molecule passing through the nano-pore. The capacitance measurements can be correlated to determine the sequence of base pairs passing through the nano-pore to sequence the DNA.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer are described herein. In one example, an agitation stimulus level such as an electrical agitation stimulus is applied to a lipid bilayer wherein the agitation stimulus level tends to facilitate the formation of nanopores in the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, a change in an electrical property of the lipid bilayer resulting from the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer is detected, and a nanopore has formed in the lipid bilayer is determined based on the detected change in the lipid bilayer electrical property.

Abstract: A sensing system includes a processing unit and sensor chip. The sensor chip includes a microelectrode array, a droplet space over the microelectrode array, and a plurality of control units coupled together in a daisy-chain configuration. Each of the control units is coupled to a respective one of the microelectrodes of the microelectrode array. The control units are controlled by the processing unit to drive movement of a droplet in the droplet space, and to inspect the droplet via the microelectrodes.

Abstract: A simulation device includes a deformation unit and a calculation unit. The deformation unit deforms a spherical potential region of each of a plurality of particles when a deformable continuum is represented by the plurality of particles into an ellipsoidal potential region based on the amount of deformation of each of the plurality of particles. The calculation unit calculates reaction force between the particles based on the potential region of each of the plurality of particles deformed into the ellipsoidal shape.

Abstract: An integrated sensor for detecting the presence of an environmental material and/or condition includes a sensing structure and first and second bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). The first BJT has a base that is electrically coupled with the sensing structure and is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a change in stored charge in the sensing structure. The second BJT is configured to amplify the output signal of the first bipolar junction transistor. The first and second BJTs and the sensing structure are monolithically formed a common substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for conducting analyses, particularly microfluidic devices for the detection of target analytes.

Abstract: Provided are integrated analysis devices having features of macroscale and nanoscale dimensions, and devices that have reduced background signals and that reduce quenching of fluorophores disposed within the devices. Related methods of manufacturing these devices and of using these devices are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for strengthening cementitious concrete by placing a nanoparticle carrier liquid in contact with a first surface of a concrete section and inducing a current across the concrete section at sufficient magnitude and for sufficient time that nanoparticles in the nanoparticle carrier liquid migrate through a significant depth of the concrete section.

Abstract: A detector apparatus includes a field-effect transistor configured to undergo a change in amplitude of a source-to-drain current when at least a portion of a charge-tagged molecule translocates through the nanopore. In some implementations, the field-effect transistor is a carbon nanotube field effect transistor and the nanopore is located in a membrane. In other implementations, the field-effect transistor is a carbon nanotube field effect transistor and the nanopore is implemented in the form of a nano-channel in a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A process for recovering a solid product from a solid/liquid mixture. The process includes filtering a solid/liquid mixture to form a filter cake in a first solid-liquid separation zone. The filter cake comprises the solid product. The first solid-liquid separation zone comprises a rotary pressure filter apparatus configured to apply a pressure differential across at least one filter member, and the filter cake is formed on the filter member. The filter cake is then washed with fluid in the rotary filter apparatus to form a wet filter cake. The wet filter cake is then transferred to a reslurrying zone. The wet filter is mixed with a reslurrying fluid to form a slurry, and the slurry is transferred to a second solid/liquid separation zone, where the solid product is separated from the slurry.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an electrophoretic display (EPD) device and a method for manufacturing the EPD device. The EPD device includes an electrophoretic substrate and a drive substrate arranged opposite to each other and a plurality of microcups disposed between the electrophoretic substrate and the drive substrate, each microcup includes a cup body for defining an accommodating space; a thickness of the cup body on one side of the microcup closer to the electrophoretic substrate is less than a thickness of the cup body on one side of the microcup closer to the drive substrate; and a cup surface of the microcup is a cambered surface which is away from a vertical central axis of the microcup and concave towards the cup body.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light incident surface formed on a lateral side, a reflection surface formed on a bottom, and a light exit surface formed on a top. The light guide plate includes a plurality of voids formed therein at one side close to the reflection surface. Each of the voids contains therein a plurality of high reflectivity particles. The light guide plate has a reflection surface that is a planar surface to help achieve total reflection and includes a plurality of voids that contain air and high reflectivity particles sealed therein arranged at the side adjacent to the reflection surface so that a portion of the light entering the light guide plate through a light incident surface and irradiating the voids is reflected by the voids to project out through a light exit surface.

Abstract: Methods and devices for conducting chemical or biochemical reactions that require multiple reaction temperatures are described. The methods involve moving one or more reaction droplets or reaction volumes through various reaction zones having different temperatures on a microfluidics apparatus. The devices comprise a microfluidics apparatus comprising appropriate actuators capable of moving reaction droplets or reaction volumes through the various reaction zones.

Abstract: A method for separating electrically charged species contained in a solution by an isotachophoresis method applied in an electrophoresis device, the isotachophoresis method being coupled to isotopic measurement using a mass spectrometer. The method notably comprises a step of stopping the voltage applied to the terminal of the electrophoresis capillary and transient application of a counter-pressure making it possible to utilize the length of the capillary several times and extend the separation distance artificially.

Abstract: A belt for use in a belt separation apparatus and a method to separate a particle mixture based on tribo-electric charging of particles is disclosed. The belt is particularly suitable for tribo-electric separation of particles that tend to accumulate on the edges of the belt separation apparatus and/or tend to compound, or blend, with the belt material. The belt comprises impermeable longitudinal edges, apertures interior to the longitudinal edges of the belt, and periodic notches formed in the longitudinal edges of the belt at periodic locations in the edge of the belt.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a cavitation sensor for detecting bubbles in a liquid is provided. The cavitation sensor may include: a substrate having an insulative surface; and an electrode arrangement provided on or within the insulative surface of the substrate. The electrode arrangement may include a first electrode and a second electrode being isolated from each other by the insulative surface, each of the first and the second electrode including a sensing portion. The spacing between the sensing portion of the first electrode and the sensing portion of the second electrode is adapted to allow charge flow between the first electrode and the second electrode caused by cavitation occurring at the sensing portion.

Abstract: A biomolecule detection apparatus comprising a nanopore device having a front surface and rear surface and including a nanopore having a nano-sized diameter; a reservoir disposed adjacent to a rear surface of the nanopore device; and a power supply unit comprising a first electrode disposed in a front of the nanopore device; a second electrode disposed inside the reservoir; and a third electrode disposed adjacent the nanopore and between the first electrode and the second electrode; as well as a method of using the biomolecule detection apparatus to detect a biomolecule in a sample.

Abstract: In certain embodiments this invention provides a pulsed-laser triggered microfluidic switching mechanism that can achieve a switching time of 70 ?s. This switching speed is two orders of magnitude shorter than that of the fastest switching mechanism utilized in previous ?FACS.

Abstract: An electronic ink display of a device has a set of charged pigment particles suspended within a fluid. The charged pigment particles and the fluid are positioned between a first surface and a second surface of the display. An electrical charge is able to be applied that causes the charged pigment particles to move within the fluid. Movement of the charged particles results in the charged pigment particles being rearranged to form text or images viewable through the first surface. A luminescent substance is positioned between the first surface and the second surface. When activated, the luminescent substance emits visible light that is transmitted through the first surface.

Abstract: A system and method employing at least one semiconductor device, or an arrangement of insulating and metal layers, having at least one detecting region which can include, for example, a recess or opening therein, for detecting a charge representative of a component of a polymer, such as a nucleic acid strand proximate to the detecting region, and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The system and method can thus be used for sequencing individual nucleotides or bases of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The semiconductor device includes at least two doped regions, such as two n-typed regions implanted in a p-typed semiconductor layer or two p-typed regions implanted in an n-typed semiconductor layer. The detecting region permits a current to pass between the two doped regions in response to the presence of the component of the polymer, such as a base of a DNA or RNA strand.

Abstract: The invention relates transiently attaching drag-tags to molecules during electrophoresis. The invention includes running buffers having drag-tags that transiently attach to lipophilic moieties attached to the molecules. The lipophilic moieties can be covalently or ionically bonded to the molecules. One particular aspect of the invention is a nucleoside analog or a nucleic acid analog comprising a lipophilic moiety. The invention is also directed to methods of separating molecules that comprise a lipophilic moiety. The methods generally comprise transiently attaching a drag-tag to the lipophilic moiety during a separation modality. These methods can be used to separate the molecules by size or weight, to measure a hydrodynamic radius of a drag-tag, or to separate a plurality of drag-tag by their hydrodynamic radius.

Abstract: A liquid mixing apparatus includes a flow channel configured to supply a liquid therethrough; a vortex-flow generating unit including a conductive member and an electrode, and configured to generate a vortex flow in the liquid in the flow channel by an electric field, the conductive member being provided in the flow channel, the electrode applying the electric field to the conductive member; a directional-flow generating unit connected to an end portion of the flow channel and configured to generate a flow of the liquid in a direction along the flow channel; and a switching unit configured to switch between the vortex flow and the directional flow.

Abstract: Electrotransfer is performed in an instrument that receives electroblotting cassettes and that contains an integrated power supply, controls, and a display that allows the user to monitor and control each of a plurality of cassettes individually through electrical contacts within the housing that mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the cassettes.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to micro-fluidic devices and related methods of fractionating samples of analytes, such as peptides or proteins, according to their isoelectric points. The disclosed micro-fluidic devices and related methods provide a fractionation sufficient to enhance the performance of immunochemistry and/or tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry workflows. Such methods and devices are capable of fractionating complex samples in a short time, using a small amount of sample, do not require high voltages and are further characterized by their high degree of reproducibility and ease of use.

Abstract: Methods are provided for manipulating droplets. The methods include providing the droplet on a surface comprising an array of electrodes and a substantially co-planer array of reference elements, wherein the droplet is disposed on a first one of the electrodes, and the droplet at least partially overlaps a second one of the electrodes and an intervening one of the reference elements disposed between the first and second electrodes. The methods further include activating the first and second electrodes to spread at least a portion of the droplet across the second electrode and deactivating the first electrode to move the droplet from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Methods for distinguishing between an aqueous non-blood sample (e.g., a control solution) and a blood sample. In one aspect, the methods include using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or an aqueous non-blood sample based on at least two characteristics (e.g., amount of interferent present and reaction kinetics). The method can also include calculating a discrimination criteria based upon at least two characteristics. Various aspects of a system for distinguishing between blood samples and an aqueous non-blood sample are also provided herein.

Abstract: A method of identifying at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture introduced into a flow apparatus, includes: introducing a first flow into a first input channel in the apparatus which contains the fluid mixture; introducing additional flows of buffer solution into a plurality of buffer input channels in the apparatus, the plurality of buffer channels which are disposed on either side of the first input channel; wherein the first flow and additional flows have a flow direction along a length of the apparatus; identifying selected components of the plurality of components using a detector apparatus; emitting a light beam from a laser which damages or kills selected components of the plurality of components; receiving the first flow and the additional flows in at least one channel disposed at the other end of the apparatus, after operation of the light beam on the selected components.

Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.

Abstract: A biological sample processing system (1) includes a liquid droplet manipulation instrument (20) with an electrode array (21) for inducing a movement of a liquid droplet (19) by electrowetting; a substrate (22); and a control unit (23). An electrode selector (34) of the control unit (23) is configured to individually select and provide each electrode (35) of the electrode array (21) with a voltage. The control unit (23) includes a central processing unit (36) for individually selecting at least one electrode (35) and for providing the selected electrode(s) (35) with an individual voltage pulse. The biological sample processing system (1) also includes a cartridge (40) with a container (2).

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of immobilizing carbon nanotubes on a surface, wherein the method comprises: (1) mixing carbon nanotubes with a superacid to form a carbon nanotube solution; and (2) exposing the carbon nanotube solution to the surface. The exposing results in the immobilization of the carbon nanotubes on the surface. In some embodiments, the method occurs without the utilization of carbon nanotube wrapping molecules. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to systems that comprise immobilized carbon nanotubes on a surface, as developed by the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: Constricted nanochannel devices suitable for use in analysis of macromolecular structure, including DNA sequencing, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating such devices and for analyzing macromolecules using such devices.

Abstract: The flow of particles (18) in an aperture (10) between two reservoirs (14) and (15) is controlled by suspending the particles (18) in a fluid (17) within the aperture (10), applying a potential difference across the aperture (10) so as to tend to electrophoretically transport the particles (18) between a region of higher potential field and a region of lower potential in the fluid (17), applying a pressure differential across the aperture (10) so as to tend to transfer the fluid (17) with the particles (18) therein though the aperture (10) from a high-pressure reservoir (14) to a low-pressure reservoir (15), and adjusting the potential difference and/or the pressure differential across the aperture (10) in order to achieve precise control over the translation of the particles (18) within the aperture (10).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrophoretic or electrophoretically assisted enrichment of sperm cells along a channel placed between two chambers. According to certain preferred embodiments, the methods and apparatuses may be used, simultaneous to sperm cell enrichment for the separation of said sperm cells from a pre-treatment chemical compound with which they have been contacted to improve their fertilization ability when subsequently used, for example, in intrauterine insemination or another method of insemination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to droplet-based surface modification and washing. According to one embodiment, a method of splitting a droplet is provided, the method including providing a droplet microactuator including a droplet including one or more beads and immobilizing at least one of the one or more beads. The method further includes conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the droplet to yield a set of droplets including a droplet including the one or more immobilized beads and a droplet substantially lacking the one or more immobilized beads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that decreases deformation during manufacturing of the device, provides a firm joint without use of an adhesive, and allows chemical modification of a channel during manufacturing of the device. The device includes two joined substrates, and a concavity is formed on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the two substrates so as to make a channel, where the two substrates are joined together by a covalent bond via a crosslinking agent (A), and the crosslinking agent (A) is exposed on an inner wall surface of the channel.

Abstract: The present teachings comprise a device and method for lysing and/or purifying biological sample. The device can comprise a cartridge having a chamber containing a biological sample receiving region, a plurality of electrodes, and one or more sieving matrices. The electrodes can be configured to lyse the biological sample through the production of a pulsed electrical field. The electrodes can also be configured to heat lyse the biological sample. The electrodes can also be configured to electrophoretically move the biological sample through one or more sieving matrices. A portion of the sample can be isolated on a membrane. The portion of the sample isolated on the membrane can be amplified and detected. A portion of the sample can be isolated in a collection area present in the cartridge. The portion of the sample isolated in the collection area can be removed from the cartridge.