A reconfigurable microfluidics multiplexing device for biological and chemical sample analysis which comprises: a cartridge comprising one or more sample fluid tracks (both horizontal and vertical) in a single plane, an array comprising one or more electronically programmable valves capable of being configured to alter fluid steering in the fluid tracks; a means for the array to interface with the fluid tracks; a means to control fluid flow in the fluid tracks; and a user interface to direct control of valves via control logic within the device; wherein, by the interface, valve positions are controllable and alterable.

The microfluidic devices and systems disclosed herein reduce sample loss and help decrease sample processing bottlenecks for applications such as next generation sequencing (NGS). The microfluidic devices include a plurality of reaction modules. Each reaction module may comprise one or more reaction circuits. Each reaction circuit may comprise a single reaction flow channel with each reaction circuit connected by a bridge flow channel. Alternatively, each reaction circuit may comprise two or more reaction flow channels connected by two or more bridge flow channels. The combination of any two bridge flow channels and a portion of the two or more reaction flow channels between the any two bridge flow channels defining may define the reaction circuit. The reaction module may be arranged as nodes connected by bridge flow channels or each reaction module may be arranged in a parallel fashion on the microfluidic device.

A thin gas transportation device includes an inlet plate, a resonance sheet, an actuating element, a first insulation frame attached to the actuating element, a conductive frame, and a second insulation frame attached to the conductive frame. The conductive frame has a conductive outer frame attached to the first insulation frame, an elastic conductive pin, and a conductive piece connected to an outer edge portion of the conductive outer frame. One end of the elastic conductive pin is connected to an inner edge portion of the conductive outer frame, and the other end of the elastic conductive pin extends obliquely toward the actuating element and forms a bent portion. The bent portion presses against the actuating element and is electrically connected to the actuating element, and the bent portion is strip-shaped.

A liquid handling device has an accommodation part for accommodating a liquid, two or more flow paths each opening to a lower part of a side wall surface of the accommodation part, and a liquid movement suppression part that is disposed in the lower part of the side wall between the openings of two of the flow paths that are adjacent to each other and slows or stops the movement of the liquid along the corner formed by the lower surface of the accommodation part and the side wall surface.

A microfabricated valve with no moving parts. In one embodiment, the valve includes a reservoir of a liquid that is in fluid communication with an outlet channel having a throat that is less than 100 microns wide. Preferably, the channel is an elongated slit. The configuration of channel is adapted and configured such that surface tension of the liquid prevents flow out of the channel. A heater increases the temperature of the meniscus of the fluid, until a portion of the fluid is ejected from the channel. The ejection of the fluid creates both a thrusting effect and a cooling effect.

A valve includes a first plate, a second plate, a spacer disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and a flap movably disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate includes a plurality of first apertures extending through said first plate and the second plate includes a plurality of second apertures extending through said second plate. The second apertures are substantially offset from the first apertures. The spacer forms a cavity between the first plate and the second plate and is in fluid communication with the first apertures and the second apertures. The flap has apertures substantially offset from the first apertures and substantially aligned with the second apertures, and the flap is operable to be motivated between said first and second plates in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of the fluid across the valve.

A valve (10) for selectively opening and closing a flow passageway (12) includes (i) a valve body (14) that defines a body passageway (16); (ii) a first valve surface (18) that defines a first valve opening (18A); (iii) an expandable barrier (22); and (iv) an actuation system (24). The expandable barrier (22) is movable in the body passageway (16) between an open configuration (30) in which the barrier (22) is retracted and does not engage the first valve surface (18); and a closed configuration (28) in which the barrier (22) is expanded, engages the first valve surface (18), and blocks the first valve opening (18A). The actuation system (24) selectively moves the barrier (22) between the configurations (28) (30).

Pneumatic devices for implementing finite state machines are provided. In some implementations, the pneumatic device comprises a state register component configured to hold one of a set of possible states. The pneumatic device also comprises a next-state logic block component configured to determine a next state for the state register component based at least in part on a current state of the state register component. A pneumatic programmable logic array (PLA) implementing a next state logic block of a finite state machine is also provided. The pneumatic PLA comprises an elastomeric membrane containing a pattern of holes and disposed between two channel layers of a pneumatic device. The PLA receives one or more input values representing a current state of a state register and one or more input values representing a user input and calculates one or more output values representing a next state for the state register.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of magnetically controlled valve and pump systems that can be used to control and facilitate fluid flow in fluidic devices. Various types of magnetically controlled valves and pumps are described as well as methods of magnetically-controlling such valves and pumps.

A microfluidic check valve includes an inlet bore, an internal chamber, an outlet bore, and a disk freely movable in the chamber between an open position and a closed position. At the open position, the disk permits fluid to flow from the inlet bore, through the chamber, and to the outlet bore. At the closed position, the disk prevents fluid from flowing in the reverse direction from the chamber into the inlet bore. The check valve may be positioned in-line with a fluid conduit, and/or incorporated with various fluidic devices such as, for example, capillary tubes, fittings, and chromatography columns. The check valve is capable of withstanding high fluid pressures, while featuring a small swept volume, such as a nano-scale volume. The check valve may be utilized, for example, to prevent fluid back flow and isolate pressure pulses in fluid flow systems.