Abstract:
Multiwell droplet actuators, systems and methods are provided. According to one embodiment, a substrate is provided and comprises: (a) one or more input ports for introduction of one or more reagents and/or samples; (b) a regular array of processing wells; and (c) a network of droplet transport pathways comprising pathways that provide direct or indirect droplet transport from each of the input ports to each of the one or more processing wells. Varying droplet actuators and systems related thereto are also provided.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for transferring physical layer control information from a central access point to individual subscriber units while maintaining transparency to higher layers. Adaptation of wireline MAC protocols to wireless applications is greatly facilitated. Subscriber unit power level may be controlled from the central access point.
Abstract:
Highly effective systems and methods for synchronizing OFDM receiver parameters to an OFDM transmitter are provided. These parameters may include carrier frequency, burst timing, and cyclic prefix length. These systems and methods incorporate special structural features into the OFDM signal to facilitate synchronization. In one embodiment, a supplemental cyclic prefix is added to an OFDM signal to facilitate synchronization. In an alternative embodiment, a synchronization burst with a periodic structure is used to facilitate synchronization. According to the present invention, synchronization may be maintained even if low cost analog oscillator components are used.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling subscriber unit power level using power measurements made on access request transmissions. Since a subscriber unit access request typically precedes a subscriber unit data transmission by a relatively short period of time, the data transmission power level will then be based on a recent power measurement. The access request may also trigger a sequence of power control steps including the transmission of special upstream power measurement transmissions which can be used as the basis for even more accurate power control. These power control features are particularly useful in fading environments such as found in a wireless system.
Abstract:
Improved adjustment of transmission power in a communication system is provided. In one embodiment, in a point to multipoint communication system, transmission power of a subscriber unit is controlled based on power measurements made at a central access point. Power measurement information based on transmissions occurring at irregular intervals may be combined in a beneficial manner to control transmission output power. In one embodiment, a power regulation process determines a series of difference values indicating the differences between desired received power level at the central access point and measured received power level. A smoothing process is applied to the difference values. One or more parameters of the smoothing process vary with elapsed time since a last available power measurement.
Abstract:
Methods for sampling a liquid flow are provided. The method includes supplying a continuous liquid flow from a continuous flow fluid input source to a surface along a first flow path. The method additionally includes sampling the continuous liquid flow by performing an electric field-based technique to split off a sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow, whereby the sample droplet is distinct from the liquid flow and controllable independently of the liquid flow, wherein the electric field-based technique is performed by providing a set of electrodes on the surface and selectively biasing the set of electrodes, whereby the sample droplet is formed on one of the set of electrodes.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to droplet-based particle sorting. According to one embodiment, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a suspension of particles; and (b) electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations using droplets comprising particles. A method of transporting a particle is also provided, wherein the method includes providing a droplet comprising the particle and transporting the droplet on a droplet microactuator.
Abstract:
Systems for controlling a droplet microactuator are provided. According to one embodiment, a system is provided and includes a controller, a droplet microactuator electronically coupled to the controller, and a display device displaying a user interface electronically coupled to the controller, wherein the system is programmed and configured to permit a user to effect a droplet manipulation by interacting with the user interface. According to another embodiment, a system is provided and includes a processor, a display device electronically coupled to the processor, and software loaded and/or stored in a storage device electronically coupled to the controller, a memory device electronically coupled to the controller, and/or the controller and programmed to display an interactive map of a droplet microactuator. According to yet another embodiment, a system is provided and includes a controller, a droplet microactuator electronically coupled to the controller, a display device displaying a user interface electronically coupled to the controller, and software for executing a protocol loaded and/or stored in a storage device electronically coupled to the controller, a memory device electronically coupled to the controller, and/or the controller.
Abstract:
Methods for amplifying nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA, on a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate are disclosed. The amplification can be achieved through a variety of methods such as thermocycling or isothermally. The printed circuit board substrate can comprise an array of electrodes for transporting droplets and can be part of a sandwich structure including a top plate parallel to the printed circuit board substrate.
Abstract:
A method for automatically inserting an interactive HTML object into an existing web page without the user having any knowledge of programming in HTML or server-side scripts. The method is contained in a utility and referred as “WEB Content Customization” (WCC). The WCC utility is launched from a web authoring tool, such as a desktop publishing computer program, when the user selects the option to insert interactive HTML object into their web page. The WCC utility provides a user with the ability to customize their web page by inserting interactive HTML object using the same web site authoring computer program module, such as a desktop publishing computer application program that was used to create the web page. The WCC utility creates a dialog box in the web-authoring tool and opens the remote site in the dialog box. The dialog contains at least one window that displays a list of the available interactive HTML object that the user may select. Once the user selects an interactive HTML object, the WCC utility then transfers the associated block of HTML code from the remote site to the web-authoring tool, where the block of HTML is inserted directly into the electronic file.