The present disclosure proposes a micro power generation device including a plurality of generators stacked one above the other. Each of the plurality of generators includes: an upper electrode and a lower electrode spaced up and down; a spacer provided between peripheral edges of the upper electrode and the lower electrode; an upper friction material layer provided on a side of the upper electrode facing the lower electrode; and a lower friction material layer provided on a side of the lower electrode facing the upper electrode. The upper friction material layer, the lower friction material layer and the spacer together form a cavity. An intermediate spacer is provided between each adjacent two generators, each adjacent two generators and the intermediate spacer together form an intermediate cavity, and the intermediate cavity is filled with gas. A cavity of an upper one of any two adjacent generators communicates with the intermediate cavity between the two adjacent generators.

A method for producing a cavity in a substrate composed of hard brittle material is provided. A laser beam of an ultrashort pulse laser is directed a side surface of the substrate and is concentrated by a focusing optical unit to form an elongated focus in the substrate. Incident energy of the laser beam produces a filament-shaped flaw in a volume of the substrate. The filament-shaped flaw extends into the volume to a predetermined depth and does not pass through the substrate. To produce the filament-shaped flaw, the ultrashort pulse laser radiates in a pulse or a pulse packet having at least two successive laser pulses. After at least two filament-shaped flaws are introduced, the substrate is exposed to an etching medium which removes material of the substrate and widens the at least two filament-shaped flaws to form filaments. At least two filaments are connected to form a cavity.

Disclosed herein are novel 3D microelectrode arrays (3D MEA) that include a substrate body (e.g. chip), microneedles, traces, and a well, wherein the 3D MEA provides for transfer of electrical signals on one side of the substrate body to the other side of the substrate body. Methods for using 3D MEAs to grow electrogenic cells and obtain electrophysiological signals are disclosed as well. Fabrication techniques for producing the 3D MEAs are also disclosed.

A microelectronic socket structure and a method of forming the same. The socket structure comprises: a socket structure housing defining a cavity therein; and an interconnection structure including: a contact element disposed at least in part within the cavity, and configured to be electrically coupled to a corresponding microelectronic package, the contact element corresponding to one of a signal contact element or a ground contact element; and a conductive structure disposed at least in part within the cavity, electrically coupled to the contact element, and having an outer contour that is non-conformal with respect to an outer contour of the contact element.

Provided is a channel device that is capable of increasing the concentration of fine particles in a liquid only by use of fluid-dynamic flows without relying on electrostatic interactions. A channel device (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main channel (11) configured to allow a liquid containing fine particles to flow therethrough; a chamber (15) that is provided at an end of the main channel (11) and that is configured to store target fine particles which have increased in concentration; and a side channel (12) that is connected to a side face of the main channel (11) and that is configured to allow unwanted liquid to drain therethrough, wherein at least one of a height and a width of the side channel (12) is smaller than a particle size of the fine particles.

A fluidic device for capturing or detecting a sample substance contained in a solution includes at least two continuous circulation flow channels selected from the group consisting of: a first type continuous circulation flow channel which is formed of a first circulation flow channel and a second circulation flow channel and which is configured to circulate the solution in the first circulation flow channel and then circulate the solution in the second circulation flow channel; and a second type continuous circulation flow channel which is formed of a third circulation flow channel and a fourth circulation flow channel and which is configured to circulate the solution in the third circulation flow channel and then circulate and mix the solution in both of the third and fourth circulation flow channels, wherein any one of the circulation flow channels has a capturing section which captures the sample substance, and/or a detecting section which detects the sample substance.

A fluidic device for capturing or detecting a sample substance contained in a solution includes at least two continuous circulation flow channels selected from the group consisting of: a first type continuous circulation flow channel which is formed of a first circulation flow channel and a second circulation flow channel and which is configured to circulate the solution in the first circulation flow channel and then circulate the solution in the second circulation flow channel; and a second type continuous circulation flow channel which is formed of a third circulation flow channel and a fourth circulation flow channel and which is configured to circulate the solution in the third circulation flow channel and then circulate and mix the solution in both of the third and fourth circulation flow channels, wherein any one of the circulation flow channels has a capturing section which captures the sample substance, and/or a detecting section which detects the sample substance.

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic architecture having at least one channel disposed therein. Steps can include pouring an uncured polymeric material into a mould to produce a first layer; at least partially curing the first layer; and forming the at least one channel by disposing a support material on the first layer; pouring an uncured polymeric material onto the first layer to form a second layer to thereby encapsulate the support material; and at least partially curing the second layer such that the first layer and second layer together form the microfluidic architecture; wherein the support material undergoes a phase change during the process of forming the at least one channel. The phase change of the support material enables the material to be more easily disposed and/or removed after formation of the channel.

Micro gas chromatographic devices are provided having a microfluidic separation column and a plurality of capillaries where the capillaries have been independently configured in terms of the capillary length, capillary width, the packing density and packing geometry of the capillary using one or more micro pillars, the tortuosity of the capillary path, and the presence and identity of the stationary phase for use in micro gas chromatographic separation of complex mixtures of compounds. Through the plurality of capillaries, the devices are capable of discriminating between complex samples even in instances where complete separation of the components is not possible. Methods of fabrication and methods of use of the devices are also provided. The devices can be readily fabricated using known techniques. The devices can be used for the analysis of complex mixtures of compounds containing tens or hundreds of compounds in which just a few differ in presence or concentration.

Wettable structures that retain liquid layers are defined at surfaces of substrates. The wettable structures include grooves or ridges that are spaced apart by between 10 nm and 10 μm and can be defined in substrate or in a layer formed on a surface of the substrate. In typical examples, wettable structures are defined with hydrophobic materials or at hydrophobic surfaces and produce hydrophilic surfaces.