Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of particles (73) suitable for use as supports for solid supported chemical reactions. The use of a metal-containing sacrificial layer to liberate the photolithographically-produced particles (73) results in their having superior utility in multi-step reaction sequences. The particles may comprise a predetermined diffraction pattern identifier. A method for reading such an encoding is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An absorption cell for microfluidic chemical analysis made from tinted or coloured polymers, for example polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), in which microfluidic channels are cut. Light is coupled into the absorption cell via two windows (typically 200 um thick) that are retained at either end of the channel. Absorption is measured using a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode butted against the windows. Spurious scattered and/or reflected light is absorbed by the coloured polymer over the length of the measurement cell, while very little light loss occurs at the coupling windows.
Abstract:
An electro-optic display comprising at least two separate layers of electro-optic material, with one of these layers being capable of displaying at least one optical state which cannot be displayed by the other layer. The display is driven by a single set of electrodes between which both layers are sandwiched, the two layers being controllable at least partially independently of one another. Another form of the invention uses three different types of particles within a single electrophoretic layer, with the three types of particles being arranged to shutter independently of one another.
Abstract:
An analysis method for identifying and counting particles expressing a specific antigenic marker is proposed. One example (but not exclusive) is CD4+T- lymphocyte analysis in blood. The method comprises obtaining a sample comprising particles in suspension, labeling the particles expressing the specific marker with an impedance label, and measuring the labeled sample using a dual frequency system to discriminate at least the labeled particles expressing the specific marker. The method allows an accurate count of particles e.g. the number CD4+ T-lymphocytes in a blood flow. A corresponding device is also provided.
Abstract:
An electro-optic display comprising at least two separate layers of electro-optic material, with one of these layers being capable of displaying at least one optical state which cannot be displayed by the other layer. The display is driven by a single set of electrodes between which both layers are sandwiched, the two layers being controllable at least partially independently of one another. Another form of the invention uses three different types of particles within a single electrophoretic layer, with the three types of particles being arranged to shutter independently of one another.
Abstract:
There is described a device which has a surface coated with a biomolecule in a pre-determined pattern. The molecule is attached to the surface via a photosensitive binding moiety itself attached to the surface via a linking moiety. Preferably the linking moiety is avidin or a derivative thereof and the photosensitive binding moiety is photobiotin or a derivative thereof. The pattern of binding of the biomolecule is determined by the selective irradiation of non-irradiation of the photosensitive binding moiety. In a preferred embodiment two or more different ligands are bound to the surface in a pre-determined pattern. The device according to the invention may be of use in multi-analyte sensors in molecular electronics, in directional propagation of cell growth and in altering the behaviour of cells. The device may also be used to bind nucleotides which are subsequently manipulated or used as a probe or template.