In one implementation, a chemical device is described. The sensor includes a chemically-sensitive field effect transistor including a floating gate structure having a plurality of floating gate conductors electrically coupled to one another. A conductive element overlies and is in communication with an uppermost floating gate conductor in the plurality of floating gate conductors. The conductive element is wider and thinner than the uppermost floating gate conductor. A dielectric material defines an opening extending to an upper surface of the conductive element.

A detachable electrical device can be formed from a kit comprising a pair of component parts adapted for connection to each other, wherein the connected components of the device may be subsequently disconnected, comprising: an array of electrical connectors, each electrical connector comprising an electrically conductive liquid; and an array of electrodes; wherein the arrays can be brought into contact with each other so as to provide a plurality of electrical connections between the electrically conductive liquid of the array of electrical connectors and the electrodes of the array of electrodes, and wherein the electrical connections may be subsequently broken by detaching the electrically conductive liquid from the electrodes of the array.

Provided are methods of detecting a marker for active tuberculosis, and a portable device for carrying out a method of detecting a marker for active tuberculosis. Also provided is a system for carrying out a method of detecting a marker for active tuberculosis, a method for pre-treating a sample stream from a human or animal suspected of having active tuberculosis, a system for pre-treating a sample stream from a human or animal suspected of having active tuberculosis and kits for performing said methods.

Example implementations relate to coagulation sensing. For example, a microfluidic chip for coagulation sensing may include a microfluidic channel, an outlet at an end of the microfluidic channel having an air interface, and an impedance sensor located within the microfluidic channel and within a particular proximity to the air interface, the impedance sensor to determine a stage of a coagulation cascade of a blood sample flowing through the microfluidic channel to the impedance sensor.

Methods for fabricating a biochip for detecting or sequencing biomolecules are shown. Such a biochip may for instance include: a base member; a dielectric layer deposited on the base member and having at least two rows of discrete recesses formed thereon; and two or more electrodes sandwiched between the base member and the dielectric layer and running under respective row of discrete recesses, the two or more electrodes separated from each other along lengths thereof by a portion of the dielectric layer; wherein the dielectric layer defines a continuous operation surface above the electrodes and on which the discrete recesses are deposited for detecting or sequencing of biomolecules, when an electric field is applied through the electrodes, a field gradient is created to draw a biomolecule towards a preferred part of the operation surface.

The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, an easy-to-operate, fully closed component, which can be part of an instrument, for purification of biomolecules from biological samples, and subsequent transfer, and testing of the biomolecules, as well as an instrument comprising the component, and a method for using the component.

The present invention provides a structure for integrating microfluidic devices and electrical biosensors, including: a substrate for carrying an electrical biosensor; a microfluidic channel layer for providing at least a fluid to flow; a cover member for the inflow and outflow of the at least a fluid, and an electrical biosensor, having a biosensing layer and mounted to the cover member in a flip-chip manner; wherein the fluid flows into an inlet, passes the electrical biosensor for sensing and flows out through a fluid outlet.

Biochemical flow cells having sealed inlets and outlets are provided for performing high-volume assays on macromolecules. In one example embodiment, a flow cell with detachable inlet and outlet connectors comprises an inlet manifold, a coverslip, and a substrate disposed below the coverslip to form a reaction chamber, where the substrate is disposed to partially cover the inlet manifold such that a slit is formed along an entire edge of the substrate where fluids can flow from the inlet manifold through the slit, around substantially the entire edge of the substrate, and into the reaction chamber at equalized pressure and without bubbles. In another embodiment, a flow cell comprises an outlet manifold, two or more flow regions each connected to its own loading port via its own flow distribution funnel, each loading port connected to the outlet manifold, and plugs in a wall of the outlet manifold opposite each loading port, such that when a plug is absent from the wall of the outlet manifold, a loading tip may be inserted in its place, passing through the outlet manifold and connecting directly to a loading port.

A rigid mask protects selective portions of a chip including a plurality of wells for biochemical reactions. The rigid mask includes a supporting portion and a plurality of legs, where each leg is provided with a rigid stem and a plate. The plurality of legs are arranged and fixed with respect to the supporting portion in a way aligned to the spatial arrangement of the wells, and are configured in such a way that, when each leg is inserted into the corresponding well, the respective plate covers at least in part the bottom of the well, protecting it during a chemical/physical treatment of side walls of the wells.

The present invention provides novel microfluidic substrates and methods that are useful for performing biological, chemical and diagnostic assays. The substrates can include a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids.