Embodiments of present application are directed to micro fluidic devices and particularly digital micro fluidic devices with improved droplet operations, and methods of improving droplet operations in micro fluidic devices.

Systems and methods are described for propelling a liquid droplet in a Leidenfrost state. A microfluidic device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a solid structure having a patterned surface, the patterned surface including at least a first patterned region having a first Leidenfrost temperature with respect to a fluid material and a second patterned region having a second Leidenfrost temperature with respect to the fluid, the first patterned region adjacent to the second patterned region, the first patterned region defining a path over which a droplet of the fluid is configured to travel in a Leidenfrost state.

A microfluidic device may include a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a first microfluidic passage extending between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, a second microfluidic passage extending from the second fluid chamber, a first fluid actuator adjacent the first microfluidic passage and proximate the first fluid chamber to inertially pump fluid away from the first fluid chamber and a second fluid actuator adjacent the first microfluidic passage and proximate the second fluid chamber to menially pump fluid towards the first fluid chamber.

A microfluidic device is useful for modelling drug transmission across the vasculature and vascular barriers. The device includes a frame, a fluid-permeable lumen configured to carry a fluid through the frame in a first direction, a first chamber surrounding the lumen, and a second chamber surrounding the first fluid-permeable chamber. At least one surface of the first chamber is configured for deposition of a first population of endothelial cells. An outer surface of the second chamber is configured for deposition a second population of cells. The second chamber is configured to carry a fluid through the frame in a second direction. The fluid-permeable lumen is configured to allow the fluid to permeate through a wall of the lumen into the first chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber are in fluid communication with each other.

An analysis system may perform operations on an analyte that may be combined with multiple regents prior to being introduced into a flow cell. The instrument may include a volume into which the reagents to be combined with the analyte are aspirated one-by-one. The volume may be formed as a serpentine channel in a valve manifold associated with sippers for aspirating the reagents. The reagents may then be mixed by cycling a pump to move the reagents within the mixing volume or channel. For this, the reagents may be aspirated from a recipient into the volume or channel, ejected back into the recipient, and this process may be performed repeatedly to enhance mixing

A digital dispense system for preparing and analyzing a plurality of samples. The system includes two or more fluid droplet ejection devices. Each fluid droplet ejection device contains a fluid droplet ejection cartridge containing at least one fluid to be dispensed. The fluid droplet ejection cartridge is attached to a translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism is provided for moving a sample tray along a production path in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction through the two or more fluid droplet ejection devices.

A single junction sorter for a microfluidic particle sorter, the single-junction sorter comprising: an input channel, configured to receive a fluid containing particles; an output sort channel and an output waste channel, each connected to the input channel for receiving the fluid therefrom; a bubble generator, operable to selectively displace the fluid around a particle to be sorted and thereby to create a transient flow of the fluid in the input channel; and a vortex element, configured to cause a vortex in the transient flow in order to direct the particle to be sorted into the output sort channel.

Disclosed are a gene detection chip, in which a gene detection channel is formed by an injection port, a microchannel, a reaction cell, and an exit port. The surface of the reaction cell has an aptamer, and the aptamer is modified with a fluorescent label. A detection method and a manufacturing method of the gene detection chip and a microfluidic control chip system are also disclosed. Upon a gene detection being performed, the fluorescent light of the fluorescent label is firstly quenched, and then a sample solution is introduced into the reaction cell through the injection port. If the sample solution has target gene, the target gene will hybridize and combine with the aptamer on the surface of the reaction cell, so as to recover the fluorescent light; if the sample solution does not have the target gene, the fluorescent light stays in the quenched state.

An analysis system may perform operations on an analyte that may be combined with multiple regents prior to being introduced into a flow cell. The instrument may include a volume into which the reagents to be combined with the analyte are aspirated one-by-one. The volume may be formed as a serpentine channel in a valve manifold associated with sippers for aspirating the reagents. The reagents may then be mixed by cycling a pump to move the reagents within the mixing volume or channel. For this, the reagents may be aspirated from a recipient into the volume or channel, ejected back into the recipient, and this process may be performed repeatedly to enhance mixing.

Compositions, devices, and methods are disclosed for the modification of polymer surfaces with coatings having a dispersion of silicone polymer and hydrophobic silica. The surface coatings provide the polymer surface with high hydrophobicity, as well as increased resistance to biofouling with proteinaceous material. The polymer surfaces can be particularly useful in microfluidic devices and methods that involve the contacting of the covalently modified polymer surfaces with emulsions of aqueous droplets containing biological macromolecules within an oil carrier phase.