A material for manipulating liquid includes a porous substrate having first and second surfaces; and a wedge-shaped transport element disposed on one of the first and second surfaces, wherein the wedge-shaped transport element has a narrow end and a wide end, the wide end connected to a first reservoir, wherein the wedge-shaped transport element is configured to pass liquid from the narrow end to the wide end to the first reservoir, regardless of gravity, and wherein the first reservoir is configured to pass liquid away from the substrate in a z-direction opposite from the surface on which a liquid is deposited. The surface on which the wedge-shaped transport element is disposed is one of hydrophobic or superhydrophobic, and the wedge-shaped transport element is one of a) superhydrophilic when the first surface is hydrophobic, b) superhydrophilic when the first surface is superhydrophobic, and c) hydrophilic when the first surface is superhydrophobic.

A method for manipulating a microdroplet of a reaction medium in an immiscible carrier medium with a target molecule bound to a solid support for the purposes of effecting a chemical transformation is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (a) bringing the microdroplet into contact with the solid support under conditions where the microdroplet and solid support are caused to combine, (b) allowing the reaction medium to react with the target molecule and (c) thereafter exerting a force to induce the reaction medium to become detached from the solid support and reform a microdroplet in the carrier fluid. In one embodiment the solid support is a particle, bead or the like.

A fluidic assembly comprising a fluid analysis apparatus (30), the fluid analysis apparatus (30) comprising: a fluid measurement device (34); a fluidic device including a flow cell (36) arranged in a measurement region of the fluid measurement device (34), the flow cell (36) constructed of at least one first fluoropolymer material, the flow cell (36) including a channel, the channel containing a sample segment (52) that is carried in a fluorinated fluid carrier (54), wherein the sample segment (52) and fluorinated fluid carrier (54) are immiscible.

A method for rapid isolation of a biological compound (e.g. protein) from an aqueous sample is described herein. The method uses a porous hydrophobic membrane that has an average pore size significantly greater than the size of the biological compound. The method permits the biological compound to attach to the membrane while the aqueous solvent rapidly moves through the membrane under the application of a vacuum. The biological compound that is attached to the membrane can be washed, optionally digested, and eluted for analysis.

The present invention relates to a method for three dimensional printing of a porous object enabling the capillary transport of hydrophilic fluids, for use as liquid handling device, for example as a point of care diagnostic device. The invention also provides the porous object obtainable or obtained by such methods, and its use in liquid handling or as a point of care diagnostic device.

A detection chip, a using method for the same, and a reaction system. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-cavity defining layer, and a heating electrode. The micro-cavity defining layer is on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The heating electrode is on the first substrate and is closer to the first substrate than the micro-cavity defining layer, and is configured to heat a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The orthographic projection of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers on the first substrate is within the orthographic projection of the heating electrode on the first substrate.

Lateral flow devices, methods and kits for performing lateral flow assays are provided.

A method and microfluidic device are provided for containing a droplet having an outer surface at a predetermined location. The microfluidic device includes a plate having an upper surface and a central region communicating with the upper surface. The central region is adapted for receiving a droplet of fluid thereon. The central region includes an outer periphery that defines a first fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid on the central region from flowing therepast. A second fluid constraint extends about the first fluid constraint. The second fluid constraint is configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast. A third fluid constraint extends about the second fluid constraint. The third fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast.

An embodiment for a microfluidic device is provided. The device comprises two areas, arranged side-by-side, and a trigger channel. They include a first area, which is delimited by a first liquid pinning barrier, and a second area, which is delimited by a second liquid pinning barrier. The latter extends parallel to the first liquid pinning barrier to delimit a corridor. The trigger channel extends through the corridor between the two areas. In addition, the trigger channel connects the first liquid pinning barrier with the second liquid pinning barrier, allowing a first liquid pinned at the first liquid pinning barrier and a second liquid pinned at the second liquid pinning barrier to be contacted, each, by a reverse flow of the second liquid in the trigger channel and thereby start mixing at a level of the corridor, in operation. The invention is further directed to related methods of operation.

Disclosed are cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods for isolating analytes from biological samples. In various aspects, the cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material from complex fluids.