In accordance with one embodiment, a method for automatically coordinating droplets for optically controlled microfluidic systems, comprising using light to move one or a plurality of droplets simultaneously, applying an algorithm to coordinate droplet motions and avoid droplet collisions, and moving droplets to a layout of droplets. In another embodiment, a system for automatically coordinating droplets for optically controlled microfluidic systems, comprising using a light source to move one or a plurality of droplets simultaneously, using an algorithm to coordinate droplet motions and avoid droplet collisions, and using a microfluidic device to move droplets to a layout of droplets.

The present invention provides a fluid inspection device comprising at least one channel including a top channel surface and a bottom channel surface, and a first spacing formed therebetween; at least one chamber communicating with the at least one channel from which a fluid flows into the at least one chamber and including a top chamber surface, a bottom chamber surface and a fluid-filling area and a through opening communicating with the at least one chamber and the outside. A second spacing is formed between the top chamber surface of at least one portion of the fluid-filling area and a corresponding bottom chamber surface thereof, wherein the second spacing is smaller than the first spacing. The fluid inspection device prevents bubbles from producing in the chamber and obstructing the inspection and further allows less required fluid amount in the chamber.

A droplet actuator for manipulating a fluid using an electrical field includes a droplet arranged on or over an electrode. The droplet includes a set of beads arranged substantially in a monolayer on or over a surface of the droplet actuator.

Example paper substrate diagnostic apparatus and related methods and systems are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a hydrophobic substrate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The apparatus includes a detection zone on a first surface of the substrate, the detection zone defining an area to sense an analyte in a sample, the detection zone comprising a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and a layer of hydrophilic ink disposed on the two electrodes and an area between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus also includes a channel comprising hydrophilic ink disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the channel having an inlet section adjacent the first end of the substrate, a middle section, and an outlet section in contact with the layer of hydrophilic ink. The channel is to transfer a fluid sample from the inlet section to the layer of hydrophilic ink.

Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms or apparatus configured to separate particles of varying size within a fluid flow, or filter particles from a fluid flow, via an array of anchored-liquid drops or anchored-gas drops.

Apparatus for processing liquids or liquid-based substances includes a plurality of volumes at least two of which are defined at least in part by one or more phaseguides inside the volume and/or in a conduit connected thereto for controlling aliquoting of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances inside the volume. Each volume has an upstream and downstream side with respect to meniscus advancement direction via which it may be filled with or emptied of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances. The apparatus also includes at least one common upstream-side conduit connected to supply a liquid or liquid-based substance via a plurality of the inlet or extraction conduits, a plurality of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined level of stability and one or more of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined different stability compared with the stability of at least one of the other phaseguides whereby to control the preference order in which the volumes fill and/or empty. The stability is determined by the value and radius of an acute angle along a said phaseguide at the downstream side of the phaseguide.

During droplet operations in a droplet actuator, bubbles often form in the filler fluid in the droplet operations gap and interrupt droplet operations. The present invention provides methods and systems for performing droplet operations on a droplet in a droplet actuator comprising maintaining substantially consistent contact between the droplet and an electrical ground while conducting multiple droplet operations on the droplet in the droplet operations gap and/or reducing the accumulation of electrical charges in the droplet operations gap during multiple droplet operations. The methods and systems reduce or eliminate bubble formation in the filler fluid of the droplet operations gap, thereby permitting completion of multiple droplet operations without interruption by bubble formation in the filler fluid in the droplet operations gap.

Provided is a liquid droplet collection device including: a substrate having a hydrophobic surface; and a hydrophilic channel arranged in the hydrophobic surface, wherein the hydrophilic channel includes: a first-generation channel including a plurality of tapered channel portions radially extending from an origin point and monotonically tapering with increasing distance from the origin point; and a second-generation channel that includes a plurality of tapered channel portions radially extending from an origin point and monotonically tapering with increasing distance from the origin point, and is scaled down in size as compared to the first-generation channel, wherein the second-generation channel is joined to the first-generation channel to face the same direction as the first-generation channel, and wherein one of the tapered channel portions of the second-generation channel overlaps a distal end portion of one of the tapered channel portions of the first-generation channel, and the hydrophilic channel monotonically tapers from a proximal end of one of the tapered channel portions of the first-generation channel to a distal end of one of the tapered channel portions of the second-generation channel.

The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.