Fluidic devices and related methods are generally provided. The fluidic devices described herein may be useful, for example, for diagnostic purposes (e.g., detection of the presence of one or more disease causing bacteria in a patient sample). Unlike certain existing fluidic devices for diagnostic purposes, the fluidic devices and methods described herein may be useful for detecting the presence of numerous disease causing bacteria in a patient sample substantially simultaneously (e.g., in parallel). In some embodiments, the fluidic devices and methods described herein provide highly sensitive detection of microbes in relatively large fluidic samples (e.g., between 0.5 mL and about 5 mL), as compared to certain existing fluidic detection (e.g., microfluidic) devices and methods. In an exemplary embodiment, increased detection sensitivity of microbial pathogens present in a patient sample (e.g., blood) is performed by selectively removing human nucleic acid prior to sensitive detection of microbial infection. In some embodiments, the fluidic device allows for the identification of microbial pathogens directly from unprocessed blood without having to conduct blood culturing processes.

The present disclosure provides devices and methods using separating a fluide.g., plasma or serumfrom 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 microfluidic synthesis platform includes a microfluidic chip holder that has a computer controlled heating element and cooling element therein. A microfluidic chip is mountable in the microfluidic chip holder. The microfluidic chip is formed by a hydrophobic substrate having patterned thereon a hydrophilic reaction site and a plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways extending outward from the hydrophilic reaction site and terminating at respective loading sites on the substrate, wherein the hydrophilic channels or pathways are tapered with an increasing width in an inward direction toward the hydrophilic reaction site. A fixture is provided for holding a plurality of non-contact reagent dispensing devices above the microfluidic chip at locations corresponding to the loading sites of the plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways, the fixture further holding a moveable collection tube disposed above the hydrophilic reaction site of the microfluidic chip for removing droplets containing reaction products.

A digital microfluidics (DMF) device can be used to extract plasma from whole blood and manipulate the extracted plasma. The device can have a plasma separation membrane disposed between a sample inlet and sample outlet that leads into the DMF device. Once the plasma contacts the actuation electrodes of the DMF device, the plasma can be actively extracted from the whole blood sample by actuating the actuation electrodes to pull the plasma through plasma separation membrane.

Provided is a liquid droplet collection device including: a substrate having a hydrophobic surface; and a hydrophilic channel arranged in the hydrophobic surface, wherein the hydrophilic channel includes: a first-generation channel including a plurality of tapered channel portions radially extending from an origin point and monotonically tapering with increasing distance from the origin point; and a second-generation channel that includes a plurality of tapered channel portions radially extending from an origin point and monotonically tapering with increasing distance from the origin point, and is scaled down in size as compared to the first-generation channel, wherein the second-generation channel is joined to the first-generation channel to face the same direction as the first-generation channel, and wherein one of the tapered channel portions of the second-generation channel overlaps a distal end portion of one of the tapered channel portions of the first-generation channel, and the hydrophilic channel monotonically tapers from a proximal end of one of the tapered channel portions of the first-generation channel to a distal end of one of the tapered channel portions of the second-generation channel.

Microfluidic devices are provided for continuous sampling of biological fluid for extended periods of time, e.g. for periods of time up to and including 10 days. The microfluidic devices can be made from porous hydrophilic substrate, e.g. hydrophilic paper substrates. The devices can include a collection pad, an evaporative pump, and a channel connecting the collection pad and the evaporative pump. Hydrogels at the collection pad can promote collection of sweat or other biological fluids from a subject, which in some aspects is assisted by the use of one or more microneedles on the substrate. An evaporative pump can provide for long periods of sampling by providing continual pumping, e.g. through the use of an evaporation pad where sampled fluid can evaporate.

Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms or apparatus configured to separate particles of varying size within a fluid flow, or filter particles from a fluid flow, via an array of anchored-liquid drops or anchored-gas drops.

A meniscus reducing member for use in a vessel for containing a liquid may include a physical surface feature overlying at least a portion of an interior surface of the vessel. The physical surface feature may have first and second inner surfaces that are generally parallel and at least a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. The first inner surface, second inner surface and third surfaces may be configured to physically alter a receding contact angle between the liquid and the physical surface feature. A coating material may be applied to at least one of the surfaces of the physical surface feature to chemically alter the receding contact angle between the liquid and the coated surface whereby the receding contact angle formed between the liquid and the meniscus reducing member is between about 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

Apparatus, methods, and systems for automated liquid droplet manipulation include an open droplet supporting surface. An actuator can translate the surface in space with at least one degree freedom of movement to influence movement of one or more droplets on the surface. In one embodiment, the surface is patterned with areas that attract the droplets and interstitial areas that repel the droplets to enhance transport of droplets. For example, for water-based droplets the attracting areas can be hydrophilic and the repelling hydrophobic. In one embodiment, the repelling areas are superhydrophobic. Electromechanical movement of the surface avoids expensive and complex microfluidic fabrication and components, and avoids electrowetting requirements.

A microreactor includes: a substrate (2; 102; 202) made of semiconductor material; a plurality of wells (5; 105; 205) separated by walls (6; 106; 206) in the substrate (2; 102; 202); a dielectric structure (7; 107; 207a, 207b) coating at least the top of the walls (6; 106; 206); a cap (3; 103; 203), bonded to the substrate (2; 102; 202) and defining a chamber (10; 110; 210) above the wells (5; 105; 205); and a biasing structure (2, 8, 13; 102, 108, 113; 202, 208a, 208b, 213), configured for setting up a voltage (VB) between the substrate (2; 102; 202) and the chamber (10; 110; 210).