A method for preparing a nanoporous membrane includes alternatively repeating, on the surface of a porous substrate, the laminating of a hydrophilic homopolymer and the laminating of an amphiphilic block or graft copolymer to provide a polymer multilayer film in which the alternative laminate of the hydrophilic homopolymer and the amphiphilic block or graft copolymer is formed. The polymer multilayer film is annealed to form a microphase separated polymeric membrane. The laminating of a hydrophilic homopolymer and the laminating of a supramolecular structure compound are alternatively repeated, on the surface of the polymeric membrane, to form the alternative laminate of the hydrophilic homopolymer and the supramolecular structure compound.

Systems and methods for plasmonic heating by combined use of thin plasmonic film-based 2D and 3D structures and a light-emitting diode (LED) for nucleic acids amplification through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described.

In a nanopore sensor, a nanopore disposed in a support structure has a nanopore diameter and nanopore resistance, R.sub.Pore. A fluidic passage, disposed in fluidic connection between a first fluidic reservoir and the nanopore, has a cross-sectional extent, along at least a portion of the fluidic passage length, that is greater than the diameter of the nanopore and that is less than the fluidic passage length. The fluidic passage has a fluidic passage resistance, R.sub.FP, of at least about 10% of the nanopore resistance, R.sub.Pore, and no more than about 10 times the nanopore resistance, R.sub.Pore. The nanopore is disposed in fluidic connection between the fluidic passage and a second fluidic reservoir. At least one electrical transduction element is disposed at the fluidic passage and electrically connected to produce an indication of electrical potential local to the fluidic passage.

Sensors having dimensions on the order of nanometers can be arranged in an array. The sensors can detect substances found in an environment. The array of sensors can be disposed on a substrate along with circuitry to control the operation of the array of sensors.

Disclosed is a device for moving a liquid in a substantially loss-free operation, the device made of at least a photothermal film; a pyroelectric crystal over the photothermal film; and a superomniphobic surface over the pyroelectric crystal, wherein the device is configured to move the liquid in the substantially loss-free operation with a beam of light.

Embodiments of the present application relate to patterned polymer sheets and processes to prepare the same for sequencing applications. In particular, flexible micro- and nano-patterned polymer sheets are prepared and used as a template surface in sequencing reaction and new polish-free methods of forming isolated hydrogel plugs in nanowells are described.

Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of ion migration and binding, utilizing a nanopipette adapted for use in an electrochemical sensing circuit. The nanopipette may be functionalized on its interior bore with metal chelators for binding and sensing metal ions or other specific binding molecules such as boronic acid for binding and sensing glucose. Such a functionalized nanopipette is comprised in an electrical sensor that detects when the nanopipette selectively and reversibly binds ions or small molecules. Also disclosed is a nanoreactor, comprising a nanopipette, for controlling precipitation in aqueous solutions by voltage-directed ion migration, wherein ions may be directed out of the interior bore by a repulsing charge in the bore.

Methods are used for obtaining, cataloguing, and/or storing data derived from a biological source using a flow cell body, electrodes, and an imaging assembly. The data may include DNA and/or RNA obtained from a biological source, such as from the cells of an organism. The methods may be used to obtain, catalog, and/or store data such as DNA or RNA sequence from a pathogen such as a virus and/or a bacteria, human health data over time, and immune system information from an individual. The data obtained using the disclosed methods may be used for a variety of different purposes, including the manufacture of vaccine compositions, and for restoring the immune system of an individual who has undergone an immune system depleting event. The methods may be used for storage of biological cells, which may be used for the screening of compounds, such as small molecules with potential for therapeutic indications.

Provided are a microfluidic chip, and an apparatus and a method for detecting biomolecules by using the microfluidic chip. According to an example embodiment, the microfluidic chip includes: a first storage configured to accommodate a sample, the sample including target materials; a plurality of second storages connected to the first storage, the plurality of second storages including reactants for the target materials; and a plurality of well arrays connected to the plurality of second storages, respectively, and configured to accommodate a solution of the sample, in which the reactants for the target materials are dissolved.

Sample partitioning devices and methods of making and using the same are described. A sample partitioning device includes a first film having an array of discrete stems each extending from a first major surface thereof, and a second film having an array of discrete wells formed into a second major surface thereof. The stems of the first film and the wells of the second film are mated with each other. The mated stems and wells are separable from each other, and during the removal of the stems from the wells, one or more voids are created inside the wells to suction an aqueous test sample into the wells.