A system for characterization and counting of molecules and/or polymers includes: a base substrate; an electrode layer configured to route one or more electrodes for applying; a chip 130 coupled to the electrode layer and configured to mate with a recessed portion of the base substrate; a sealing layer positioned adjacent to the electrode layer; a second substrate positioned adjacent to the sealing layer; and a set of fasteners coupling the second substrate, the sealing layer, the electrode layer, the chip, and the base substrate together as an assembly. Embodiments of the system can be used for molecular quantification, sizing, and characterization of DNA, RNA, and polymers, as well as characterization of macromolecular interactions (e.g., DNA-protein interactions, RNA-protein interactions, protein-protein interactions). Methods of manufacturing and applications of the system are also described.

In one embodiment, a fluid transfer film for transferring a fluid comprises an extruded polymer layer having a thickness less than 5 millimeters; an input side and an output side where the fluid flows in a flow direction through an active region from the input side to the output side; and more than 10 fluid channels defined by interior surfaces within the extruded polymer layer formed during in an extrusion process, each fluid channel of the more than 10 fluid channels is separated spatially in at least 1 row in a thickness direction of the fluid transfer film, the more than 10 fluid channels have a channel density across the active region greater than 5 fluid channels per centimeter, wherein the interior surfaces defining the more than 10 fluid channels are hydrophilic, and the fluid flows through the more than 10 fluid channels by at least capillary action.

This work develops a novel microfluidic method to fabricate conductive graphene-based 3D micro-electronic circuits on any solid substrate including, Teflon, Delrin, silicon wafer, glass, metal or biodegradable/non-biodegradable polymer-based, 3D microstructured, flexible films. It was demonstrated that this novel method can be universally applied to many different natural or synthetic polymer-based films or any other solid substrates with proper pattern to create graphene-based conductive electronic circuits. This approach also enables fabrication of 3D circuits of flexible electronic films or solid substrates. It is a green process preventing the need for expensive and harsh postprocessing requirements for other fabrication methods such as ink-jet printing or photolithography. We reported that it is possible to fill the pattern channels with different dimensions as low as 10×10 μm. The graphene nanoplatelet solution with a concentration of 60 mg/mL in 70% ethanol, pre-annealed at 75° C. for 3 h, provided ˜0.5-2 kOhm resistance. The filling of the pattern channels with this solution at a flow rate of 100 μL/min created a continuous conductive graphene pattern on flexible polymeric films. The amount of graphene used to coat 1 cm.sup.2 of area is estimated as ˜10 μg. A second method regarding the transfer of graphene material-based circuits with small features size (5 μm depth, 10 μm width) from any solid surface to flexible polymeric films via polymer solvent casting approach was demonstrated. This method is applicable to any natural/synthetic polymer and their respective organic/inorganic solvents.

Laminated microfluidic structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some instances, a laminated microfluidic structure is provided which includes a distended region having a sipper port at the bottom and an internal channel that fluidically connects the sipper port to a location outside of the distended region. Thermoforming and/or injection molding techniques for manufacturing such laminated microfluidic structures are provided. In other instances, a laminated microfluidic structure may be co-molded with a polymeric material to produce an integrated laminated microfluidic structure and housing.

Structure and assembly of fluidic sensor devices are disclosed. A fluid sensor in some possible embodiments comprises a unitary/monolithic base body structure, or a base body structure assembled from two or more separate body elements configured to attach one to the other, and the base body structure having a fluid channel passing along the base body structure, an opening formed in said base body structure and fluidly communicating with the channel, and a sealing element comprising one or more sensing elements patterned thereon and sealably attached over the at least one opening such that its one or more sensing elements become located over the at least one opening.

In an apparatus for manufacturing a micro-channel and a method for manufacturing a micro-channel, the apparatus includes a base member and a holding chamber. The base member includes a first base member having a concave portion and a convex portion, and a second base member covering the concave portion to form a channel. The holding chamber holds the base member thereinside, to form a space uniformly applying a pressure on a surface of the base member. Accordingly, the pressure is uniformly applied on an entire surface of the base member and thus the micro-channel may be manufactured.

The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a microfluidic chip comprising a solid material obtained from a sol-gel solution, the process comprising successively: a) casting a sol-gel solution made with tetraethyl orthosilicate onto a mold presenting a relief pattern and having a different thickness over the whole of the mold; b) gelling the sol-gel solution; c) unmolding and drying the gel obtained in b), so as to obtain a solid glass; and d) bonding said solid glass to a support, so as to obtain the microfluidic chip.

A novel microfluidic chip is proposed for performing a chemical or biochemical test in a metered reaction volume. The microfluidic chip has a body which defines an inner flow volume. An inlet has been provided to the body for connecting the inner flow volume to the ambient space. A waste channel forms part of the inner flow volume and is in fluid communication with the inlet. A sample channel also forms part of the inner flow volume and is in fluid communication with the inlet. The sample channel includes a first hydrophobic stop and a second hydrophobic stop at a distance from the first hydrophobic stop so as to provide a metered reaction volume there between. An expelling channel is in fluid communication with the metered reaction volume of the sample channel through the first hydrophobic stop. A sample reservoir is in fluid communication with the metered reaction volume of the sample channel through the second hydrophobic stop.

The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device comprising a set of micro-structured electrodes. The electrodes are made of a fusible alloy such as Field's Metal and are patterned on a layer of PDMS. The molten fusible alloy is poured over the patterned PDMA layer and a suction force is applied to ensure uniformity of flow of the molten metal. A second layer comprising a flow channel orthogonal to the direction of the micro-structured electrodes is disposed under the first layer to form the microfluidic device. The device shows enhanced sensitivity to RBC detection at high frequencies that are also bio-compatible (above 2 MHz). Multiple layers of the micro-structures electrodes can be sandwiched between layers of flow channels to provide a 3D microfluidic device.

A method for producing a detection system for biomolecules in a medium involves providing a first detector section having a first channel region and a second detector section having a second channel region. A membrane having at least one pore is provided and the first detector section and the second detector section are arranged on opposite sides of the membrane, such that at least part of the first channel region and the second channel region are separated by the membrane and the first channel region and the second channel region are connected to each another to form a channel system, in order to form a flow path for the medium through the at least one pore of the membrane. Along the flow path, through the membrane, bioreceptors are bound and/or coupled to the membrane in order to determine a concentration of the biomolecules in the medium by means of a measurement of the flow along the flow path.