An apparatus for performing a thermocyclic process, such as amplifying DNA, includes a microfluidic chip with a channel formed therein and one or more thermal distribution elements disposed over portions of the chip. Each thermal distribution element is configured to distribute thermal energy from an external thermal energy source substantially uniformly over the portion of the chip covered by the thermal distribution element. The portion of the chip covered by the thermal distribution element thereby comprises a discrete temperature zone. Other temperature zones can be defined by other thermal distribution elements or by portions of the chip not covered by a thermal distribution element. The channel is configured so that a fluid flowing through the channel would enter and exit the different temperature zones a plurality of times, thereby alternately exposing the fluid to the temperature of each zone for a period of time required for the fluid to traverse the zone.

Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a first reaction chamber filled with a first material; a first light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber filled with a second material; a second light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the second reaction chamber; a temperature sensor disposed within the second reaction chamber; and one or more energy sources configured to direct light at the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region. A processor may be employed to determine a first temperature of the first material from a second temperature of the second material measured by the temperature sensor. Methods of manufacturing such a reaction vessel are also disclosed.

Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a reaction chamber defined by opposing first and second interior-facing surfaces of the housing; a first light absorbing layer conforming to the first interior-facing surface of the housing component; and a second light absorbing layer conforming to the second interior-facing surface of the housing component; a first energy source configured to direct light through the housing at the first light absorbing layer; and a second energy source configured to direct light through the housing at the second light absorbing layer.

The disclosure relates to a fluorescence detection instrument, including a base, a heating module, a detecting module, an illumination module, and an actuation module. The heating module, the detecting module, and the actuation module are disposed on the base. The heating module includes plural heating holders, wherein each of the plural heating holders is adapted to accommodate a light-transmissive reaction container adapted to contain a fluorescent reaction mixture with at least one targeted fluorescent probe respectively. The detecting module is configured with the heating module to form plural detection channels, wherein the plural heating holders are located at the plural detection channels respectively. The actuation module is connected with the illumination module and adapted to drive the illumination module to move to at least one predetermined position to selectively match at least one combination of the heating holder on the corresponding detection channel.

The present invention is generally related to a sample tray for holding a sample of a material ready for a calorimetric or a thermoanalytical investigation and to an apparatus for a calorimetric or a thermoanalytical investigation comprising a calorimetric or a thermoanalytical measuring apparatus and said sample tray associated therewith. The sample tray includes a receptacle adapted to enclose an inner tray space for accommodating the sample and a heat transport means for causing heat to flow between the inner tray space and an outer side of the receptacle.

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for rapidly and uniformly cooling thermal cycling systems comprising selectively heating or cooling a thermal boundary layer at the edge of a bulk fluid flow.

Embodiments include a reaction vessel having a first reaction chamber filled with a first material; a first light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the first reaction chamber; a second reaction chamber filled with a second material; a second light absorbing region adhered to an interior-facing surface of the second reaction chamber; a temperature sensor disposed within the second reaction chamber; and one or more energy sources configured to direct light at the first light absorbing region and the second light absorbing region. A processor may be employed to determine a first temperature of the first material from a second temperature of the second material measured by the temperature sensor. Methods of manufacturing such a reaction vessel are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for performing simultaneous nucleic acid amplification and detection. The systems and methods comprise methods for managing a plurality of protocols in conjunction with directing a sensor array across each of a plurality of reaction chambers. In certain embodiments, the protocols comprise thermocycling profiles and the methods may introduce offsets and duration extensions into the thermocycling profiles to achieve more efficient detection behavior.

The invention, in part, includes systems for conducting continuous directed evolution in a plurality of sample and methods of using the systems. The invention, in part also provides systems for evaluating the suitability of diverse engineered cells to accomplish directed evolution and methods of use of such systems.

Provided is an automatic analyzer having a rapid start-up of a heat block while precisely controlling a temperature of a reaction solution. In the automatic analyzer equipped with a reaction-vessel-holding part, a heat block having a heat source to heat the reaction vessel, and a cooling system having a low temperature region and a high temperature region, an outer peripheral part of or below the reaction-vessel-holding part is defined as a heat transfer space, there are provided a heat transfer passage connecting the heat transfer space and the high temperature region, a heat medium circulating through the high temperature region, the heat transfer passage, and the heat transfer space, and a flow rate control means configured to control a flow rate of the heat medium in the heat transfer passage, and a temperature detection means is provided on a downstream side of the high temperature region.