Abstract:
An energy harvesting device and a method of using the energy harvesting device to generate an electrical charge are described. The energy harvesting device comprises a mass and at least two tethers, at least one of which comprises a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection of the at least two tethers. Each of the tethers comprises a first end coupled to the mass and a second end coupled to a reference structure, and the tethers are arranged about the mass such that the mass is moveable within a straightline path relative to the reference. The movement of the mass causes the deflection of the tethers, resulting in the generation of an electric charge. The device is preferably operable at the microscale.
Abstract:
A scalable laboratory and process automation platform comprising: a first module, the first module comprising: a first instrument housing, the first instrument housing comprising: a side shell; a bottom cover attached to the bottom of the side shell, the side shell generally comprising four walls; a top cover attached to the top of the side shell; a power port located in the side shell; an upstream daisy-chain connection port located in the side shell; a downstream daisy-chain connection port located in the side shell; the first instrument housing configured to house any component from the following group of mechanical or electrical components comprising: circuit boards, sensors, motors, solenoids, solenoid valves, rotary valves, heating assemblies, piston pump, fluidic control elements like pumps or valves, pneumatic control elements, air flow controllers, vacuum/air-pressure valves, air/gas pumps, vacuum pumps, piston pump modules, fluidic valves with a piston pump head to provide bidirectional pumping capability, air pressure supply and air flow controller and pneumatic valves being combined with a fluidic manifold and valves to provide a precision liquid and droplet dispensing platform; linear motion stages, rotary motion stages, linear motion module, pump head; sensor modules, computer vision modules, motion controller modules, dispensing modules, actuator modules, linear actuators, grippers, light sensors, fluorescence meters, photomultipliers, camera sensors, microscope heads, spectrometer units, mechanical actuators, cover removers for a microwell plate, thermal incubation modules, magnetic bead extraction modules, and mixing modules; a first circuit board located inside the first instrument housing and mounted to the bottom cover, the circuit board in communication with the power port, the upstream daisy-chain connection port, the downstream daisy-chain connection port, and the component. A scalable laboratory and process automation platform comprising: a meta-instrument housing, configured to house a plurality of modules; a backplane located in the meta-instrument housing; each of the plurality of modules comprising: an instrument housing, the first instrument housing configured to house any component from the following group of mechanical or electrical components comprising: circuit boards, sensors, motors, solenoids, solenoid valves, rotary valves, heating assemblies, piston pump, fluidic control elements like pumps or valves, pneumatic control elements, air flow controllers, vacuum/air-pressure valves, air/gas pumps, vacuum pumps, piston pump modules, fluidic valves with a piston pump head to provide bidirectional pumping capability, air pressure supply and air flow controller and pneumatic valves being combined with a fluidic manifold and valves to provide a precision liquid and droplet dispensing platform; linear motion stages, rotary motion stages, linear motion module, pump head; sensor modules, computer vision modules, motion controller modules, dispensing modules, actuator modules, linear actuators, grippers, light sensors, fluorescence meters, photomultipliers, camera sensors, microscope heads, spectrometer units, mechanical actuators, cover removers for a microwell plate, thermal incubation modules, magnetic bead extraction modules, and mixing modules; where each of the modules are in communication with each other through connections with the backplane.
Abstract:
Disclosed are systems, devices, methods, and other implementations, including a device to detect at least one target species in a sample, with the device including a microfluidic channel configured to receive the sample containing the at least one target species and a biocompatible ferrofluid in which the at least one target species is suspended, a detector to determine the at least one target species in the sample, and at least two of electrodes positioned proximate the microfluidic channel, the at least two electrodes configured to generate controllable magnetic forces in the sample containing the ferrofluid when a controllable at least one electrical current is applied to the at least two electrodes. The generated controllable magnetic forces causes the at least one target species to be directed towards the detector. Also disclosed are devices for separating target species in a ferrofluid, and for focusing target species suspended in a ferrofluid.
Abstract:
Disclosed are systems, devices, methods, and other implementations, including a device to detect at least one target species in a sample, with the device including a microfluidic channel configured to receive the sample containing the at least one target species and a biocompatible ferrofluid in which the at least one target species is suspended, a detector to determine the at least one target species in the sample, and at least two of electrodes positioned proximate the microfluidic channel, the at least two electrodes configured to generate controllable magnetic forces in the sample containing the ferrofluid when a controllable at least one electrical current is applied to the at least two electrodes. The generated controllable magnetic forces causes the at least one target species to be directed towards the detector. Also disclosed are devices for separating target species in a ferrofluid, and for focusing target species suspended in a ferrofluid.
Abstract:
A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.
Abstract:
A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic Channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.
Abstract:
An energy harvesting device (FIG. 1) and a method of using the energy harvesting device to generate an electrical charge are described. The energy harvesting device comprises a mass (2) and at least two tethers (4, 6, S and 10), at least one of which comprises a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection of the at least two tethers. Each of the tethers comprises a first end (12) coupled to the mass (2) and a second end (14) copied to a reference structure (16), and the tethers are arranged about the mass such that the mass is moveable within a straight line path relative to the reference. The movement of the mass causes the deflection of the tethers, resulting in the generation of an electric charge. The device is preferably operable at the microscale.
Abstract:
An improved microfluidic device and method of using the microfluidic device to measure natural motile response of a living moiety to a chemotactic agent. The invention comprises integrating microfluidic containment trenches within the microfluidic devices for cellular trapping, manipulation and real-time analysis of biological phenomena, including chemotaxis. The invention captures the design methodology for these traps, as well as the fabrication means and the associated external control mechanism that allows rapid, reversible and fully controlled changes in the chemical environment to which trapped cells are exposed.