Optically-actuated microfluidic devices permit the use of spatially-modulated light to manipulate micro-objects such as biological cells. Systems and methods are described for providing sequences of light patterns to move and direct a plurality of micro-objects within the environment of a microfluidic device. The sequenced light patterns provide improved efficiency in directing the transport of the plurality of micro-objects. Other embodiments are described.

The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.

A biosensor system includes an array of biosensors with a plurality of electrodes situated proximate the biosensor. A controller is configured to selectively energize the plurality of electrodes to generate a DEP force to selectively position a test sample relative to the array of biosensors.

The disclosed embodiments relate to nanotechnology and to nano-electronics and molecular electronic sensors. In an exemplary embodiment, a nano-sensor having a nanoparticle complex attached at each end to a respective nano-electrode. An exemplary nanoparticle complex includes a biomolecule coupled at each end to a metallic nanoparticle to form a dumbbell-shaped molecular bridge. A method to manufacture single molecule dumbbell nanowires for forming conductive molecular bridges includes the steps of: providing a double-stranded nucleic acid with terminal 3′ thiol modification on both the strands conjugated to a gold (Au) nanoparticle (AuNP) on each end; purifying single biomolecule dumbbells from aggregates using size-exclusion chromatography; imaging the eluted products by electron microscopy to validate formation of single molecule dumbbells; trapping a single molecule dumbbell between a pair of nanoelectrodes on a substrate, the electrodes separated by a nanogap; and measuring the conductivity of a trapped single molecule dumbbell.

The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.

A chip for sample separation including a first substrate, a first electrode, a first dielectric layer, a second substrate, a second electrode, a second dielectric layer, and a flow channel layer is provided. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the first electrode and includes a first opening. The second electrode is disposed on the second substrate. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the second electrode and includes a second opening. An area of the first electrode exposed by the first opening is smaller than an area of the second electrode exposed by the second opening. The flow channel layer is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer and includes a through hole. The through hole communicates between the first opening and the second opening.

The present invention describes a device for sorting small particles using electric fields. The device described herein comprises one or more electrically conducting structures suspended in a fluid flow stream used to redirect the movement of particles in the flow stream. The electrically conducting structures are longitudinally disposed at a center axis of a fluidic channel. As particles flow in the fluid, electric fields on the suspended conductors move the small particles from one flow region to another, allowing them to be redirected to different endpoints.

This invention describes a device to collect a subset of small particles, such as cells, utilizing one or more electric fields formed by conductors attached to an insulating structure. The invention utilizes one or more conducting materials which are connected to a voltage source to generate the electric fields. The conductors are placed in a liquid sample containing one or more populations of particles. Some of the particles may be attracted to or repelled from the conductors due to the electric fields. If attracted, the particles attach to the conductors, after which, the conductors are removed from the sample and placed into a second sample to collect the particles. Particles that are attracted to the conductors may be drawn into a cavity or tube via suction. Alternatively, particles that are repelled by the electric field are preferentially excluded from being drawn into a suction cavity placed near the conductors.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for high efficiency electronic sequencing of nucleic acids and molecular detection.

Methods and apparatus for detection and/or identification of analytes including bacteria using dielectrophoresis and electroosmotic traps. Switching between different frequencies of an applied electric field results in movement of the analyte between dieiectrophoresis and electroosmotic trapping states. The use of edge-based sensing techniques enables the use of electrodes with a larger form factor than nanowire sensors. Signal modulation based on analyte contact with the electrode edge is also described.