A microfluidic movement control method utilizing light, a device, and a microtubule actuator (2). The microtubule actuator (2) is prepared by utilizing a light-induced deformed smart polymer material. The smart polymer material forms, by an exciting beam, asymmetrical deformation, and is induced to produce a capillary action to drive a microfluid movement. The embodiment can drive microfluids having various polarities and compositions, and can drive creep of the microfluid, and can even drive the microfluid to generate a 3D movement trail. The embodiment has found a wide range of potential applications in controllable microfluidic transport, micro-reaction systems, micro-mechanic systems, IC laboratories, and others.

The present invention relates to fluidic systems for controlling one or more fluids and/or one or more reagents. These systems can be used in combination with one or more devices for assaying, processing, and/or storing samples. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for dispensing fluid in a controlled manner and/or introducing pause(s) when implementing assays or processes.

This invention discloses methods for producing modified cellulose, modified nanocellulose, modified nanocellulose functionalized with other functional species, and derivatives thereof. The present invention also provides cellulose, nanocellulose, and their derivatives that are safe to use inside an animal or human body and are biocompatible without costly purification. These cellulose or nanocellulose materials can be used in many different applications, including carrier for pharmaceutical active agents and other medical devices.

A microfluidic product utilizing gradient surface energy coatings for fluid control comprising a plurality of fluid passages wherein at least one fluid passage comprises a coating configured to control liquid flow wherein the coating configured to control liquid flow comprises a gradient surface energy coating from a proximal location to a distal location on a surface of the fluid passage. The product can include uniform regions and surface gradient regions in the same passage. Coating compositions and product dimensions can be selected to provide control over different flow properties including fluid velocity, reduction and acceleration of fluid flow, and starting and stopping fluid flow.

A microfluidic product utilizing gradient surface energy coatings for fluid control comprising a plurality of fluid passages wherein at least one fluid passage comprises a coating configured to control liquid flow wherein the coating configured to control liquid flow comprises a gradient surface energy coating from a proximal location to a distal location on a surface of the fluid passage. The product can include uniform regions and surface gradient regions in the same passage. Coating compositions and product dimensions can be selected to provide control over different flow properties including fluid velocity, reduction and acceleration of fluid flow, and starting and stopping fluid flow.

A microfluidic product utilizing gradient surface energy coatings for fluid control comprising a plurality of fluid passages wherein at least one fluid passage comprises a coating configured to control liquid flow wherein the coating configured to control liquid flow comprises a gradient surface energy coating from a proximal location to a distal location on a surface of the fluid passage. The product can include uniform regions and surface gradient regions in the same passage. Coating compositions and product dimensions can be selected to provide control over different flow properties including fluid velocity, reduction and acceleration of fluid flow, and starting and stopping fluid flow.

A biological sample collection device can include a sample collection vessel having a sample collection chamber with an opening configured to receive a biological sample into the sample collection chamber. The sample collection chamber can also include elongate ridges disposed along and projecting inwardly from an interior portion thereof. The sample collection vessel can also include a connection member disposed on an exterior portion and a fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir can include a reagent chamber having an open end and a closed end with an elongate member disposed at the closed end that is sized and shaped to engage the elongate ridges of the sample collection vessel when arranged within the fluid reservoir. The sample collection vessel can also include a sealing cap having internal threads for engaging external threads of the fluid reservoir and a complementary connection member to couple the sample collection vessel and the sealing cap.

A micropump that pumps liquid using electrothermally-induced flow is described, along with a corresponding self-regulating pump and infusion pump. The micropump has applications in microfluidic systems, such as biochips. The self-regulating infusion pump is useful for administration of large and small volumes of liquids such as drugs to patients and can be designed for a wide range of flow rates by combining multiple micropumps in one infusion pump system. The micropump uses electrode sequences on opposing surfaces of a flow chamber that are staggered with respect to each other. The opposing surfaces include staggered electrodes that have the same phase and same electrode sequence. As such electrodes with the same phase are staggered and not eclipsed.

A micropump includes a body with an inlet and an outlet defined therein. A channel connects the inlet to the outlet. The micropump further includes a magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloy positioned within the channel. The MSM alloy selectively forms a barrier between the inlet and the outlet. The micropump also includes an electrode and/or a transparent window positioned along a surface of the channel. A cavity is selectively formed within a surface of the MSM alloy due to a magnetic field. The cavity is selectively moveable between a first position adjacent to the inlet, a second position adjacent to the electrode and/or the transparent window, and a third position adjacent to the outlet, by altering the magnetic field. By altering a magnetic field applied to the MSM alloy, a fluid may be pumped from the inlet to the electrode and/or the transparent window where the fluid may be analyzed. The fluid may be subsequently pumped to the outlet.

The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of simultaneously levitating a droplet above a nominally rigid surface and controlling its position and motion in a direction along the nominally rigid surface generally for use in microfluidics.