A microchannel for processing cells by compression of the cells including an inlet, ridges and an outlet. Each ridge including a compressive surface and a cell adhesion entity. The outlet configured to remove at least one of a first portion of the cells and a second portion of the cells from the microchannel. Each ridge oriented at an angle of from 25 degrees to 70 degrees relative to a center axis of the microchannel. The cell adhesion entity configured such that the first portion of the cells has a first adhesion property relative to the cell adhesion entity to follow a first trajectory through the microchannel. The cell adhesion entity further configured such that the second portion of the cells has a second adhesion property relative to the cell adhesion entity to follow a second trajectory through the microchannel. The first trajectory is different from the second trajectory.

Provided is a label-free, single biological cell dielectric spectroscopy method, including the steps of: translocating a biological cell through a micropore or channel embedded in a substrate and interfaced with a coplanar waveguide while the biological cell experiences at least one RF field of at least 700 MHz provided via an RF input port to the coplanar waveguide; performing a time domain measurement of at least one RF signal reflected from or transmitted to a device under test (DUT); and determining an amplitude change and a phase change based on the reflected or transmitted at least one RF signal due to the translocating biological cell to determine an internal state or a morphological state of the biological cell. Also disclosed herein are devices for performing the dielectric spectroscopy method.

A system and associated methods including a first light source directed at a sample, the first light source configured to move a plurality of particles within a medium of the sample in response to irradiation by the first light source; a second light source directed at the sample, the plurality of particles providing an optical response to irradiation by the second light source; and a detection system directed at the sample and capable of detecting the optical response of the plurality of particles moved by the first light source and irradiated by the second light source.

A microfluidic device includes: a microchannel defining a flow path; a Brownian motor structure comprising two or more sorting channels having distinct ratchet topographies, the Brownian motor structure in fluid communication with the microchannel; and a filter extending transversely to the microchannel, the filter configured to filter particles, subject to sizes thereof, in a liquid advancing along the flow path, whereby smaller particles of the liquid can pass downstream of the filter in the flow path, and larger particles of the liquid are directed to the Brownian motor structure to be sorted out according to sizes thereof via the sorting channels.

An airborne particle-measuring device quantifies and qualifies contaminants of an air environment in clean-rooms, open spaces, and enclosed spaces such as homes, offices, industrial environments, airplanes in flight, cars and others. The device may include a sensor system, an electronics system, communications and information storage. The sensor system may include a high-power low-wavelength single-frequency continuous laser, an open-cavity high-efficiency mirror having an optical surface tuned to the laser frequency and a flow system that includes a vacuum pump to sample the air. The electronics system may be mounted on a single multilayer PC board with a microprocessor, firmware, electronics and a touch-screen LCD display. Innovations in light source, flow control, analog and digital signal processing, components integration and software allow provision of equipment in a wide range of high-complexity settings that require precise particle measurements.

A method of antimicrobial susceptibility testing comprises: preparing samples of microorganisms suspended in an electrolyte, comprising a first sample of the microorganisms unexposed to antimicrobial agents and a second sample of the microorganisms exposed to an antimicrobial agent; passing the first sample through an impedance flow cytometer to obtain a first impedance signal representing one or more components of impedance values of the unexposed microorganisms; passing the second sample through the impedance flow cytometer to obtain a second impedance signal representing one or more components of the impedance values of the exposed microorganisms; comparing the first impedance signal and the second impedance signal; and determining a susceptibility of the microorganisms to the antimicrobial agent based on any differences between the first impedance signal and second impedance signal. A method of impedance flow cytometry comprises: flowing a sample of fluid comprising particles suspended in an electrolyte along a flow channel; applying electrical signals to current paths through the fluid, the current paths comprising at least a first current path, a second current path, a further first current path and a further second current path, wherein the electrical signals applied to the first current path and the further first current path have a frequency, magnitude and phase and the electrical signals applied to the second current path and the further second current path have substantially equal frequency and magnitude and opposite phase to the electrical signals applied to the first current path and the second current path; detecting current flow in the current paths; producing a first summed signal representing the sum of the current flow detected in the first current path and the second current path, and a second summed signal representing the sum of the current flow detected in the further first current path and the further second current path; and obtaining a differential signal representing the difference between the first summed signal and the second summed signal.

An apparatus for sorting cells from a mixed population of cells using surface acoustic waves is described. Methods for separating cancer cells from a mixed population of cells are provided. Methods for separating cells or particles having different size, density and/or compressibility properties are also provided.

Systems and methods for monitoring air particulate matter are provided herein that capture particles from the air for analysis. Particles are captured using electrostatic and/or mechanical means to deflect particles toward a substrate. Electrostatic precipitation causes charged carriers to deflect towards a charged substrate. Filtration-based means employ filters and/or fibers to capture particles from air flowing therethrough. A sensor such as a camera is used to read the captured particles. An illumination source directs light towards the substrate, causing the particles to scatter light, which the sensor can detect and derive information or imaging therefrom, which can also be used for further particle or pollution analyses. The substrate can be replenished using electrostatic techniques such as reverse electrostatic force, or mechanical means such as cleaning using a brush or replacing a tape substrate. Dynamic PM monitoring detects and makes adjustments such as those related to air volume, imaging characteristics and substrate replenishment.

According to various embodiments, a sensor arrangement for particle analysis may include: a base electrode configured to generate an electrical field for particle attraction; a support layer disposed over the base electrode; a sensor array disposed over the support layer and including or formed from a plurality of sensor elements, wherein each sensor element of the plurality of sensor elements is configured to generate or modify an electrical signal in response to a particle at least one of adsorbed to and approaching the sensor element; and an electrical contact structure may include or be formed from a plurality of contact lines, wherein each contact line of the plurality of contact lines is electrically connected to a respective sensor element of the plurality of sensor elements, such that each sensor element of the plurality of sensor elements is addressable via the contact structure.

According to one embodiment, provided is a single particle analyzing device including a measuring vessel, first and second chambers in the vessel defined by an insulating membrane, a pore opening in the membrane to connect the chambers, and first and second electrodes in the chambers. Electric current flows between the electrodes through the pore. Electrical characteristics are measured during migration of the target from the first chamber to the second chamber to measure the size and shape of the target. (a) t<a <d≦100a or (b) s<L, s<d≦100s, t<L and t<d, wherein a, L and s are the diameter, length and width of the target, d is the diameter of the pore, and t is the thickness of the membrane in the proximity to the pore.