Certain embodiments are directed to finite step emulsification device and/or methods that combine finite step emulsification with gradients of confinement for the formation of a 2D monolayer array of droplets with low size dispersion.

An example apparatus comprises a first microfluidic channel fluidically coupled to a first reservoir containing a carrier fluid, the first microfluidic channel including a reaction region, a fluid droplet generator, and a fluid ejector fluidically coupled to the first microfluidic channel and disposed downstream from the reaction region of the first microfluidic channel. The fluid droplet generator includes a portion of the first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel that intersects the first microfluidic channel and is fluidically coupled to a second reservoir containing a reaction fluid, where the reaction fluid including a plurality of cells and fluorescently-labeled capture reagents to form reaction products with a target molecule secreted by the plurality of cells.

A method for preparing droplets using a microfluidic chip system is provided. The microfluidic chip system includes a droplet generation device, a power generation device, a collection bottle, a connection device, and a preparation platform, the droplet generation device includes a chip body, the chip body defines a continuous phase inlet for receiving a continuous phase and a dispersed phase inlet for receiving a dispersed phase. The power generation device is activated to form a pressure difference among the collection bottle, the connection device, and the chip body, wherein the pressure difference promotes the dispersed phase and the continuous phase to converge and flow into the collection bottle in form of the droplets.

The present disclosure provides better aspiration and dispensing of fluids by an innovative mechanism by (i) offsetting the diameter of a bottom tube with a narrower top piston when the two are moved together in the same chamber to give extremely fine resolution, thereby eliminating the need for any skinny or filamentous piston, (ii) letting the bottom tube move in the chamber alone without offset to give high flow, (iii) an at-the-ready space between the tube and piston in the chamber to permit contact-free blowoff, including viscous samples, and (iv) a frame, adjustable knob and readable volume gage that let the mechanism operate as a handheld pipettor apparatus for various volumes.

The present disclosure provides better aspiration and dispensing of liquids by an innovative mechanism by (i) offsetting the diameter of a bottom tube with a narrower and tapered top piston when the two are moved together in the same chamber to give extremely fine resolution, thereby eliminating the need for any skinny or filamentous piston, (ii) using thick walled compliant O-rings to seal against the different diameters of the tapered piston to given an additional order of magnitude range of resolution, (iii) letting the bottom tube move in the chamber alone without offset to give high flow, and (iv) an at-the-ready space between the tube and piston in the chamber to permit contact-free blowoff, including viscous samples.

Particle sorter nozzles are provided. Nozzles of interest include an elongate body, and a gas inlet radially positioned at the proximal end of the elongate body. Gas inlets of the subject nozzles include a radial airflow path configured to provide a gas to the channel. The elongate body includes an opening at a proximal end configured to engage in a liquid-receiving relationship with a flow cell, an opening at a distal end for emitting liquid droplets, and a channel configured to transport liquid through the elongate body from the proximal to the distal end. Also provided are particle sorters having the subject nozzles, methods of using and assembling the subject particle sorters, and kits.

A method and droplet dispenser for depositing single particles onto a target. For example, a single particle depositing method with improved rate of dispensing single particles and/or increased recovery of rare particles and/or with an extended applicability with different types of particles and/or operation conditions. The depositing method may be capable of increasing the rate of dispensing single cells without decreasing the recovery rate. Testing a single particle condition is combined with testing a zero particle condition and/or the particle type condition. The ejection and sedimentation regions are tested with regard to the presence of a single particle in the ejection, and further particle arrangements allowing a single particle deposition are identified and tested and/or the particle type detection is added to the dispenser control. Accordingly, the speed and recovery rate of dispensing single particles of interest can be improved.

An instrument for energizing molecules contained in a sample solution may include a droplet generator configured to generate droplets of the sample solution. The droplet generator illustratively has an elongated nozzle defining an orifice at one end thereof from which the droplets exit the droplet generator, and the orifice illustratively defines a first longitudinal axis centrally therethrough. A molecule energizing source is configured to produce a molecule energizing field, and is positioned relative to the nozzle orifice such that the molecule energizing field extends into at least some of the generated droplets along a direction non-parallel with the first longitudinal axis. The molecule energizing field illustratively carries energy which heats at least one of the generated droplets sufficiently to induce structural changes in at least one molecule contained in the at least one of the generated droplets.

Systems, devices, and methods for dispensing a of fluidic sample to each of a plurality of targets are disclosed. An example apparatus for dispensing a fluidic sample includes an inlet port to input a sample material, and a first sample nozzle and a second sample nozzle fluidically coupled to the inlet port to expel the sample material, wherein a tubular junction fluidically couples the inlet port to a first tubular fluid path that terminates in the first sample nozzle and to a second tubular fluid path that terminates in the second sample nozzle, wherein a cross-sectional area of the tubular junction is less than an average cross-sectional area of the first tubular fluid path and the second tubular fluid path, and wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular junction is selected to draw the sample material from the inlet port into the tubular junction via capillary action.

This invention generally relates to systems and methods for the formation and/or control of fluidic species, and articles produced by such systems and methods. In some cases, the invention involves unique fluid channels, systems, controls, and/or restrictions, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention allows fluidic streams (which can be continuous or discontinuous, i.e., droplets) to be formed and/or combined, at a variety of scales, including microfluidic scales. In one set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be produced from a channel, where a cross-sectional dimension of the fluidic stream is smaller than that of the channel, for example, through the use of structural elements, other fluids, and/or applied external fields, etc. In some cases, a Taylor cone may be produced. In another set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be manipulated in some fashion, for example, to create tubes (which may be hollow or solid), droplets, nested tubes or droplets, arrays of tubes or droplets, meshes of tubes, etc. In some cases, droplets produced using certain embodiments of the invention may be charged or substantially charged, which may allow their further manipulation, for instance, using applied external fields. Non-limiting examples of such manipulations include producing charged droplets, coalescing droplets (especially at the microscale), synchronizing droplet formation, aligning molecules within the droplet, etc. In some cases, the droplets and/or the fluidic streams may include colloids, cells, therapeutic agents, and the like.