Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090014394 | DROPLET EXTRACTION FROM A LIQUID COLUMN FOR ON-CHIP MICROFLUIDICS - A refill droplet facilitates the extraction of a droplet laterally from a channel in a microfluidic apparatus. Such extraction allows a discrete band of separated particles or solute molecules to be excised from a fluid stream and processed and analyzed separately. An extraction point is located along the length of the channel and includes an EWOD surface or similar microfluidic technology to extract a droplet. An opening in the channel opposite the extraction means is equipped with microfluidic technology to transport a refill droplet to the opening. The refill droplet is moved into the channel or column to occupy the area previously occupied by the extracted droplet. This prevents distortion or mixing of the bands of particles or molecules within the channel and prevents the draining of any portion of the fluidic system. | 01-15-2009 |
20090042319 | Biosensor Detection By Means Of Droplet Driving, Agitation, and Evaporation - Methods of improving microfluidic assays are disclosed. Assays can be improved (better signal to noise ratio) by using sessile drop evaporation as an analyte concentration step (enhanced signal) and repeated passes of wash droplets as a means to reduce non-specific binding (noise reduction). In addition multiple massively parallel analyses improve the statistical precision of the analyses. | 02-12-2009 |
20090283407 | METHOD FOR USING MAGNETIC PARTICLES IN DROPLET MICROFLUIDICS - Methods of utilizing magnetic particles or beads (MBs) in droplet-based (or digital) microfluidics are disclosed. The methods may be used in enrichment or separation processes. A first method employs the droplet meniscus to assist in the magnetic collection and positioning of MBs during droplet microfluidic operations. The sweeping movement of the meniscus lifts the MBs off the solid surface and frees them from various surface forces acting on the MBs. A second method uses chemical additives to reduce the adhesion of MBs to surfaces. Both methods allow the MBs on a solid surface to be effectively moved by magnetic force. Droplets may be driven by various methods or techniques including, for example, electrowetting, electrostatic, electromechanical, electrophoretic, dielectrophoretic, electroosmotic, thermocapillary, surface acoustic, and pressure. | 11-19-2009 |
20100025207 | ELECTROSTATICALLY DRIVEN HIGH SPEED MICRO DROPLET SWITCH - An electrostatically driven high-speed micro droplet switch includes a substrate having an upper surface containing one or more signal electrodes that are selectively connected via a droplet. The switch includes at least one actuation electrode disposed beneath the upper surface of the substrate, the at least one actuation electrode operatively coupled to drive circuitry. The switch includes a frame disposed on or above the upper surface of the substrate that is configured to hold the droplet in substantially the same location during operation of the switch. In one aspect, the frame is configured to absorb variations in the volume of the droplet placed on the switch, leaving the active meniscus not affected by the variation in volume. | 02-04-2010 |
20100096266 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REAL-TIME FEEDBACK CONTROL OF ELECTRICAL MANIPULATION OF DROPLETS ON CHIP - A device for generating droplets includes a substrate comprising a reservoir site configured to hold a liquid and including a first electrode, a droplet creation site including a second electrode, and droplet separation site disposed between the reservoir site and the droplet creation site and containing an electrode. The device includes control circuitry operatively coupled to the first, second, and third electrodes. The control circuitry is configured to measure the fluid volume on the electrodes and independently adjust an applied voltage to increase/decrease the quantity of fluid. The device can move fluid onto the creation site or back onto to the reservoir site. When the fluid volume is at the desired value or range, a driving voltage is delivered to the first and second electrodes to form a new droplet. The device may generate droplets having a uniform or user-defined size smaller than the electrode. | 04-22-2010 |
20110171518 | Three dimensional Battery Architectures and Methods of Making Same - A three-dimensional electrode structure for use in a battery comprising a porous three-dimensional substrate formed from a first electrically conductive material, an ion-conducting dielectric material disposed on the porous three dimensional substrate, and a second electrically conductive material disposed on the ion-conducting dielectric material, wherein the ion-conducting dielectric material separates the first electrically conductive material from the second electrically conductive material. | 07-14-2011 |
20110272575 | LOCALIZED DROPLET HEATING WITH SURFACE ELECTRODES IN MICROFLUIDIC CHIPS - A microfluidic device for droplet manipulation includes a substrate, a plurality of electrically addressable thin-film electrodes disposed on the substrate, at least one of the plurality of electrodes comprising a heating element in the form of a patterned electrode. A hydrophilic region is disposed in or above a portion of the heating element. The hydrophilic region may be permanent or electronically actuable. The thin-film electrodes have multi-function capabilities including, for instance, heating, temperature sensing, and/or sample actuation. | 11-10-2011 |
20120148931 | SELF-PUMPING MEMBRANELESS FUEL CELL - The present invention is directed to a device, and method of operation, for a fuel cell which uses bubble-based pumping to self-pump the fuel to the anode, and a single, common channel separating the anode from the cathode through which a mixed fuel and electrolyte flow. The fuel cell includes a single channel having two of its sides formed by the anode and the cathode, each having a suitable catalyst. A bubble generating region is formed in the anode and cathode reaction area of the channel. A one-way valve is located upstream of the bubble generating region. A vent for venting bubbles is disposed over a portion of the channel downstream of the bubble generating region. The fuel cell may be advantageously used to build miniature fuel cells for miniature electronic devices, or scaled to build larger fuel cells for larger electronic devices. | 06-14-2012 |
20120264932 | DIGITAL MICROFLUIDIC PLATFORM FOR RADIOCHEMISTRY - Disclosed herein are methods of performing microchemical reactions and electro- wetting-on-dielectric devices (EWOD devices) for use in performing those reactions. These devices and method are particularly suited for preparing radiochemical compounds, particularly compounds containing | 10-18-2012 |
20120305400 | MONOLITHICALLY FORMED EWOD DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A monolithic fabrication method of parallel-plate electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) chips for digital microfluidics of picoliter droplets is disclosed. Instead of assembling a second substrate to form a top plate, the top plate is generated in situ as a thin-film membrane that forms a monolithic cavity having a gap height on the order of micrometers with excellent accuracy and uniformity. The membrane is embedded with EWOD driving electrodes and confines droplets against the device substrate to perform digital microfluidic operations. Two main attributes of the monolithic architecture that distinguish it from tradition methods are: (i) it enables excellent control of droplet dimensions down to the micrometer scale, and (ii) it does not require the typical alignment and assembly steps of the two plates. | 12-06-2012 |
20130122195 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RESTORING AND MAINTAINING SUPERHYDROPHOBICITY UNDER LIQUID - A superhydrophobic surface includes a plurality of microfeatures disposed on a substrate and a gas generator disposed within the microfeatures, the gas generator configured to generate a gas within the microfeatures. Gas is generated within the microfeatures when at least a portion of the microfeatures is in a wetted state to restore the microfeatures to a dewetted state. Gas generation is self-regulating in that gas generation automatically starts when a wetted condition exists and stops when sufficient gas has been generated to recover a dewetted state that restores superhydrophobicity. | 05-16-2013 |
20140342255 | MICROSTRUCTURED CATHODE FOR SELF-REGULATED OXYGEN GENERATION AND CONSUMPTION - A fuel cell is disclosed with a self-regulated oxygen supply used in conjunction with a self-pumping fuel supply (e.g., a self-pumping anode). The cathode side of the fuel cell includes a gas diffusion electrode interposed between the fuel chamber and the oxidant chamber (e.g., H | 11-20-2014 |