An imaging system for imaging biological samples includes at least one main channel including at least one imaging space, the at least one main channel configured to transport the samples in a fluid, at least one reorientation unit configured to manipulate an orientation of the samples in the fluid, and at least one imaging unit configured to receive detection light emitted by the samples in the at least one imaging space.

The present disclosure provides devices and methods using Plasma coil r separating a fluid—e.g., plasma or serum—from whole blood. In some embodiments, the devices and methods use hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces to encourage whole blood to contact a selective membrane that extracts the desired fluid component from the blood.

A micro-fluidic device includes at least one inlet and a curvilinear microchannel having a trapezoidal cross section defined by a radially inner side, a radially outer side, a bottom side, and a top side, the cross section having a) the radially inner side and the radially outer side unequal in height, or b) the radially inner side equal in height to the radially outer side, and wherein the top side has at least two continuous straight sections, each unequal in width to the bottom side.

Provided herein are microfluidic circuits that include at least one device for forming a quantity of drops of a solution in a carrier fluid and at least one storage zone for storing drops produced by the microfluidic device. Such microfluidic circuits are useful, for example, for the analysis of a solution containing a biological sample.

A thermo-gravimetric analysis system includes a chamber having an interior; and a sample crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, the sample crucible configured to hold a sample material. The system further includes a reference crucible connected to and inside of the chamber; and a metal organic framework (MOF) crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, separate from the sample crucible, the MOF crucible including an MOF material.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a method for convective intracellular delivery including providing cells and molecules to a microchannel having compressive surfaces, wherein the compressive surfaces define compression gaps having a height of from 20 and 80% of the average cell diameter; and a plurality of relaxation spaces disposed between the compressive surfaces; flowing the cell medium through the microchannel, wherein as the cell medium flows through the microchannel, the plurality of cells undergo a convective intracellular delivery process comprising: compressing the plurality of cells, wherein the compressing causes the plurality of cells to undergo a loss in intracellular volume (V.sub.loss); and passing the plurality of cells to a first relaxation space, wherein the plurality of cells undergo a gain in volume (V.sub.gain) and absorb a portion of the plurality of molecules.

The present invention relates to a sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten iron, the sampler comprising: a carrier tube having an immersion end; and a sample chamber assembly arranged on the immersion end of the carrier tube, the sample chamber assembly comprising a cover plate and a housing, wherein the housing comprises: an immersion end having a first opening for an inflow conduit and an opposing end having a second opening for a gas coupler, a first face extending between the immersion end and the opposing end, the first face having a first depression proximate the immersion end and a second depression, the first depression being an analysis zone and the second depression being a ventilation zone, a portion of the analysis zone overlying a distribution zone which is in direct flow communication with the first opening and configured to receive the molten steel from the inflow conduit, wherein the first depression having a cross sectional circle segment profile along a central longitudinal axis that is concavely or triangularly shaped, wherein the cover plate and the housing are configured to be assembled together to form a sample cavity including the distribution zone, the analysis zone and the ventilation zone, such that an analysis surface of a solidified steel sample formed within the sample cavity lies in a first plane, and wherein the first and second openings are spaced apart from the first plane.

The invention also relates to a sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten iron, the sampler comprising: a carrier tube having an immersion end; a sample chamber assembly arranged on the immersion end of the carrier tube, the sample chamber assembly comprising a cover plate and a housing, wherein the cover plate comprising a sealing member configured to provide a substantially gas tight seal between the cover plate and the housing, wherein the sealing member consist of an essentially non-contaminating material for the samples in the sample chamber.

The invention relates to a microfluidic system based on active control of flow resistance and balancing pressures in microfluidic channels and an improved method for disposable microfluidic devices and cartridges for use in, but not limited to, in-vitro diagnostics. The microfluidic system and device of the invention does not utilize mechanical moving parts to control the fluid flow and has no external fluidic connection to the instrument or fluidics controller.

This disclosure describes microfluidic tissue biopsy and immune response drug evaluation devices and systems. A microfluidic device can include an inlet channel having a first end configured to receive a fluid sample optionally containing a tissue sample. The microfluidic device can also include a tissue trapping region at the second end of the inlet channel downstream from the first end. The tissue trapping region can include one or more tissue traps configured to catch a tissue sample flowing through the inlet channel such that the fluid sample contacts the tissue trap. The microfluidic device can also include one or more channels providing an outlet.

A microorganism screening system includes a container configured to store a liquid containing microorganism particles and a liquid medium, and a microorganism separation device. The microorganism separation device includes a hydrodynamic separation device and a liquid feeding unit configured to supply the liquid from the container to the hydrodynamic separation device. The hydrodynamic separation device includes a curved flow channel having a rectangular cross-section, and is configured to separate the liquid into a first segment containing relatively large microorganism particles and a second segment containing relatively small microorganism particles through use of a vortex flow generated in the liquid flowing through the curved flow channel. Screening for microorganisms can be performed efficiently.