The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods related to single molecule detection. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for sequence-specific detection of a nucleic acid target using current fluctuations as a readout for protein binding to the nucleic acid target. As described herein, certain aspects of the bioelectronic devices and method can be used to detect and identify any nucleic acid target for the purpose of diagnosis and/or treatment.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a sample Sample Preparation System preparation system is described. The system includes a reaction chamber to hold at least one fluid. An inlet impedance sensor of the system detects a level of conductivity through at least one inlet of the reaction chamber and an outlet impedance sensor detects a level of conductivity through at least one outlet of the reaction chamber. A controller of the system, based on measured levels of conductivity, determines a state of a reaction within the reaction chamber.

A high temperature corrosion sensor is provided having (i) a housing having an external wall and an internal wall, the internal wall of the housing forming a chamber of the housing, (ii) a stainless steel tube inserted into the chamber, (iii) a ceramic tube wherein at least a portion of the ceramic tube is inserted into the stainless steel tube, (iv) an airflow tube that extends through the chamber, and (v) a sensor probe having a first working electrode, a second working electrode, a reference electrode, a positive electrical resistance, a negative electrical resistance, and a thermocouple, wherein at least a portion of each are encapsulated into a ceramic casting that is located at one end of the housing. Methods of measuring corrosion within a power plant environment are provided.

The present disclosure is directed to a gas sensor device that detects gases with large molecules (e.g., a gas with a molecular weight between 150 g/mol and 450 g/mol), such as siloxanes. The gas sensor device includes a thin film gas sensor and a bulk film gas sensor. The thin film gas sensor and the bulk film gas sensor each include a semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) film, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The SMO film of the thin film gas sensor is an thin film (e.g., between 90 nanometers and 110 nanometers thick), and the SMO film of the bulk film gas sensor is an thick film (e.g., between 5 micrometers and 20 micrometers thick). The gas sensor device detects gases with large molecules based on a variation between resistances of the SMO thin film and the SMO thick film.

A system and method monitoring the properties of curing concrete systems to assist in adjusting curing conditions to produce predetermined properties in the hardened or cured concrete. The apparatus and method achieves this by providing a low-cost, minimally invasive means for gaining insight into the conditions of the curing concrete by using electrical impedance analysis. Sensors are distributed throughout the system to collect and transmit electrical impedance data, which is then interpreted in reference to correlations with other relevant physical and chemical properties.

A system and method for antibiotic susceptibility testing efficiently determines whether bacteria are alive or have been killed by antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic susceptibility testing device includes at least one reservoir into which a bacteria solution is introduced and a microfluidic channel connected to the reservoir, wherein the cross-sectional size of the microfluidic channel is selected to be comparable to the size of the bacterium to be tested. Furthermore, the electrical resistance or voltage signal across the microchannel is monitored as bacteria swim into and out of the channel. Alternatively, a small population of bacteria can be immobilized in the microchannel. The resistance or voltage signal fluctuates when the bacteria are alive and moving in and out of the channel or wiggling on the microchannel walls. If the bacteria are dead, they have limited motility and the signal fluctuations are significantly smaller. By monitoring the signal fluctuations, the antibiotic susceptibility testing device can determine whether or not bacteria are alive, thus enabling antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria.

A method for automated microbial detection includes collecting air particles into a solid-state sampler, the air particles including microbes, charging the air particles using a plasma field generated by propulsion electrodes, focusing the charged air particles toward a sample well of a microfluidic testing cartridge, tagging the charged air particles with a fluorescence marker, and detecting a quantity of the microbes using a fluorescence detector.

The present disclosure is directed to a gas sensor device that detects gases with large molecules (e.g., a gas with a molecular weight between 150 g/mol and 450 g/mol), such as siloxanes. The gas sensor device includes a thin film gas sensor and a bulk film gas sensor. The thin film gas sensor and the bulk film gas sensor each include a semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) film, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The SMO film of the thin film gas sensor is an thin film (e.g., between 90 nanometers and 110 nanometers thick), and the SMO film of the bulk film gas sensor is an thick film (e.g., between 5 micrometers and 20 micrometers thick). The gas sensor device detects gases with large molecules based on a variation between resistances of the SMO thin film and the SMO thick film.

Methods of assessing cytolysis of cancer cells are provided, which include: providing a cell-substrate impedance monitoring device operably connected to an impedance analyzer, adding target cells characterized as cancer cells to a well of the device adding effector cells to the well to form a test well, where the effector cells are immune cells obtained or derived from a same patient as the target cells; monitoring cell-substrate impedance of the test well before and after adding the effector cells and optionally deriving an impedance-based parameter from the impedance; and determining effectiveness of effector cell killing of the target cells by comparing the impedance or impedance-based curves over time.

Concrete can be one of the most durable building materials and structures made of concrete can have a long service life. Consumption is projected to reach approximately 40 billion tons in 2017. Despite this the testing of concrete at all stages of its life cycle is still in its early stages although testing for corrosion is well established. Further many of the tests today are time consuming, expensive, and provide results only after it has been poured and set. Embodiments of the invention provide concrete suppliers, construction companies, regulators, architects, and others with rapid testing and performance data regarding the cure, performance, corrosion of concrete at different points in its life cycle based upon a simple electrical tests that remove subjectivity, allow for rapid assessment, are integrable to the construction process, and provided full life cycle assessment. Wireless sensors can be embedded from initial loading through post-cure into service life.