Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a variety of microfluidic devices and solid, typically electrically conductive devices that can be formed using such devices as molds. In certain embodiments, the devices that are formed comprise conductive pathways formed by solidifying a liquid metal present in one or more microfluidic channels (such devices hereinafter referred to as "microsolidic" devices). In certain such devices, in which electrical connections can be formed and/or reformed between regions in a microfluidic structure; in some cases, the devices/circuits formed may be flexible and/or involve flexible electrical components. In certain embodiments, the solid metal wires/conductive pathways formed in microfluidic channel(s) may remain contained within the microfluidic structure. In certain such embodiments, the conductive pathways formed may be located in proximity to other microfluidic channel(s) of the structure that carry flowing fluid, such that the conductive pathway can create energy (e.g. electromagnetic and/or thermal energy) that interacts withy and/or affects the flowing fluid and/or a component contained therein or carried thereby. In other embodiments, a microsolidic structure may be removed from a microfluidic mold to form a stand-alone structure. In certain embodiments, the solid metal structures formed may interact with light energy incident upon a structure or may be used to fabricate a light-weight electrode. Another aspect of the invention relates to the formation of self-assembled structures that may comprise these electrically conductive pathways/connections.
Abstract:
Provided in some embodiments are novel planar well-bearing components made of a thixotropic material, the components having a relatively homogeneous thickness, and on which a surface is located an array of wells, where the bottoms of the individual wells of a component being relatively coplanar, each well of a size and shape suitable for retaining a cell therein. Provided in some embodiments are novel methods for producing a planar well-bearing component useful for holding and studying living cells including impressing a well-array into a surface of a thixotropic material.
Abstract:
A thin walled multi-well plate for PCR use comprising: (i) a deck and skirt portion said deck and skirt portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; (ii) a plurality of wells for holding chemical reactants, each well comprising a well wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; wherein the deck and skirt portion and the plurality of wells are of integral construction and formed from the same plastics material, and wherein the deck and skirt portion has a mean thickness from 1.5mm ± 10% to 3mm ± 10%.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a microfluidic device, comprising a laminate of first and second films, one or each film including an integrally thermoformed structure such that the films together define an enclosed volume (19) for fluid containment therebetween, characterised in that each film itself comprises a laminate of a relatively higher softening temperature thermoplastic polymeric material (14,17) and with respect thereto, a relatively lower melt temperature thermoplastic polymeric material (15,16), the respective relatively low melt temperature thermoplastic polymeric materials of each film being melted together to attach the said first and second films together. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the microfluidic device.
Abstract:
Es werden eine Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme oder Manipulation eines Fluids, insbesondere einer Flüssigkeit, sowie ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer derartigen Vorrichtung vorgeschlagen. Eine flache, nicht vorgeformte Deckfolie wird auf einen Träger auflaminiert, wobei allein durch das Auflaminieren eine dreidimensional geformte oder gewölbte Kammerwand gebildet wird, die eine Kammer für das Fluid partiell begrenzt. Die Vorrichtung ist einfach herstellbar und universell einsetzbar.
Abstract:
A microscale polymer-based apparatus comprises a substrate formed from a first polymer material and at least one active region integrated with the substrate. The at least one active region is patterned from a second polymer material that is modified to perform at least one function within the at least one active region.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a bioreactor or a lab-on-a-chip system and bioreactors or lab-on-a-chip systems produced therewith. At least two different components are connected to one another here. It is an object of the present invention to specify a method with which bodies with very different melting points, specifically a ceramic and a polymer, can be connected to one another, independently of whether or not the surfaces to be connected are accessible from the outside. In the method according to the invention, a first body, made of polymer which is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength ?, and a second body, made of a ceramic which absorbs electromagnetic radiation of the at least one wavelength ?, are interconnected. The first body can at least partially melt. In a first step, the first body and the second body are arranged in a contacting manner, forming contact faces in the process, such that the body can be melted in at least one area of its contact face to the other body. In a second step, the at least one meltable area of the contact face is caused to melt by irradiating electromagnetic radiation of the wavelength ? through the first body onto the meltable area of the contact face.
Abstract:
A fluidic device (100) comprising a substrate (101) and a transport medium (103) provided on the substrate (101) to define a transport path for transporting a fluidic sample (104) driven by an electric force.
Abstract:
A three-wafer channel or column structure for a fluid analyzer. The structure may have a support member, membrane, or support wafer containing heaters and interactive elements. The membrane may have a channel of one wafer facing the interactive element side and a space of another wafer facing the other side. The membrane may have perforations to equalize the pressures on both sides of the membrane. A detector in the membrane may have exposure to both the channel and space for good sensitivity, as the sample may be on both sides of the membrane. The wafers may be bonded with a thin film of non-flowing viscous material. Capillaries may be attached to an inlet and outlet of the channel and be parallel to an elongated dimension of the channel.