A liquid transfer device includes a transfer unit, a reaction chamber, and a collecting unit. The collecting unit receives a sample solution. The transfer unit includes a piston assembly, a pipette, and a reagent adding unit, a portion of the piston assembly is received in the pipette. The piston assembly moves back and forth along the pipette and the reagent adding unit can receive a reagent. In a first state, the transfer unit is disposed above the collecting unit. In moving away from the collecting unit, the piston deforms the pipe to intake a sample. In a second state, the piston assembly can move closer to the reaction chamber to deform the pipe and release the reacted sample.

The present teaching relates to photo-responsive hydrogels comprising a copolymer comprising N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), a polymerisable derivative of benzospiropyran, a cross-linking agent and an acid, the acid having a pKa of less than 6, wherein the hydrogel is operably responsive to exposure to water so as to undergo spontaneous protonation and swelling. The photo-responsive hydrogels described can be used in the field of microfluidic platforms.

Devices, systems and methods for holding and transferring small volume fluid samples are disclosed. Holding vessels, including holding vessels having two or more internal compartments for holding small volume fluid samples, are disclosed. Transfer vessels for receiving small volume fluid samples from such holding vessels are disclosed. Transfer vessels for combining small volume fluid samples from such holding vessels are disclosed. Methods for providing small volume fluid samples for analysis with small loss of sample are disclosed. Methods for providing small volume fluid samples for analysis using automated sample analysis devices and systems, with small loss of sample, are disclosed.

Provided are microfluidics systems, devices, and networks for generating partitions. The microfluidics systems, devices, and networks may facilitate efficient merging of one or more channels in a microfluidic network and prevent blockage of a channel segment, such as by gas (e.g., air) bubbles or by one or more particles in a fluid.

Methods, devices, and kits are provided for performing PCR in <20 seconds per cycle, with improved efficiency and yield.

In one embodiment described herein, a cartridge is provided comprising a cartridge frame; a plurality of diluents each in an expandable container; a plurality of reagents each in an expandable container; and a plurality of mixing vessels comprising empty expandable containers.

Disclosed is a test tube rack designed to hold a plurality of test tubes suspended in a bath. The rack is a unitary design having an outer rim with an internal diameter sized to fit over a rim of a vessel that forms the bath. The rack includes a plurality of openings sized to fit a test tube. A top end of each opening includes a plurality of raised portions and a plurality of lowered portions. The raised portions support an outwardly flared rim of a test tube placed in the opening and thus suspends the test tube in the vessel. A central hub joins the plurality of openings together. The rack is formed from a temperature resistant material and can be utilized with both cold and hot baths. The rack is economical and readily scalable to work in conjunction with a variety of vessel sizes.

A microfluidic device for image multiplexing includes a base structure and a fluid well insert. The base structure comprises an optical window. The fluid well insert configured to be coupled to the base structure and to retain a microscope slide for mounting a biological sample within the microfluidic device. The fluid well insert is further configured to provide a fluid to the biological sample. A fluid well insert lid is coupled to the fluid well insert or the fluid well insert comprises a fluid well insert lid.

The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and, in particular, to systems and methods for coalescing or fusing droplets. In certain aspects, two or more droplets within a microfluidic channel are brought together and caused to coalesce without using electric fields or charges. For example, in certain embodiments, droplets stabilized with a surfactant may be disrupted, e.g., by exposing the droplets to a solvent able to alter the surfactant, which may partially destabilize the droplets and allow them to coalesce. In some instances, the droplets may also be physically disrupted to facilitate coalesce. In addition, in some cases, the positions of one or more droplets may be controlled within a channel using a groove in a wall of the channel. For example, a droplet may at least partially enter the groove such that the position of the droplet is at least partially controlled by the groove.

Disclosed is a liquid-sealed cartridge in which a liquid is transferred by a centrifugal force generated when the liquid-sealed cartridge is rotated around a rotation shaft, including: a liquid storage portion configured to store the liquid therein; a seal having an outer peripheral portion connected to the liquid storage portion, the seal being configured to seal the liquid storage portion; a flow path connected to the liquid storage portion via the seal, through which the liquid in the liquid storage portion is transferred by the centrifugal force in a direction away from the rotation shaft, wherein, when the seal receives a pressing force, the seal is inclined in a pressing direction, with one portion of the outer peripheral portion thereof remaining connected with the liquid storage portion, and the other portion of the outer peripheral portion being separated from the liquid storage portion.