Methods of sorting T lymphocytes in a microfluidic device are provided. The methods can include flowing a fluid sample comprising T lymphocytes through a region of a microfluidic device that contains an array of posts. The array of posts can be configured to have a critical size (D.sub.c) that separates activated T lymphocytes from naïve T lymphocytes. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an array of posts configured to separate activated T lymphocytes from naïve T lymphocytes, compositions enriched for T lymphocytes, particularly activated T lymphocytes that are known to be reactive to an antigen of interest, and methods of treating subjects suffering from a pathogenic disorder or cancer by administering such compositions.

A microfluidic apparatus, and its drive circuit and drive method are provided in the present disclosure. The drive circuit includes at least one switch unit, where the switch unit includes a first signal input terminal, a signal output terminal, first and second control signal terminals, a signal terminal, a first module, a second module, and a third module. The first module is electrically connected to the first signal input terminal, the signal output terminal and the second module; and the second module is electrically connected to the first control signal terminal. The first control signal terminal is configured to control the first module and the second module to be in conduction or disconnection, and the second control signal terminal is configured to control the third module to in conduction or disconnection, thereby controlling the signal output terminal to output a first or second signal.

The invention provided herein relates to methods for protein synthesis, characterisation and purification on a digital microfluidic device.

Provided are an active matrix substrate having a reduced driving voltage and excellent adhesion between a dielectric layer and a water-repellent layer and a microfluidic device including the substrate. The active matrix substrate includes an array electrode, a dielectric layer covering the array electrode, and a first water-repellent layer in this order on a first substrate. The dielectric layer includes a silicon nitride film located on the side in contact with the first water-repellent layer, and the silicon nitride film has a surface layer region containing oxygen in the surface on the side in contact with the first water-repellent layer.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a control-engaged electrode-driving method for droplet actuation is provided. The method includes, a first voltage is provided to a first electrode for licking off a droplet. A second voltage is naturally discharged to a third voltage for maintaining a droplet movement. A fourth voltage is provided to the first electrode for accelerating the droplet. Naturally discharging from the second voltage to the third voltage and providing the fourth voltage to the first electrode are repeated. The first voltage is provided to a second electrode when a centroid of the droplet reaching a centroid of the first electrode. Naturally discharging from the second voltage to the third voltage and providing the fourth voltage to the second electrode are repeated.

A method and system for performing biomolecule extraction are provided that use liquid-to-liquid extraction (LLE) in combination with an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device to provide a biomolecule extraction solution that has high extraction efficiency and that is less costly and easier to use than current state of the art methods and systems. The system and method are well suited for, but not limited to, extraction of DNA, RNA and protein molecules.

Devices and systems are provided in which one or more electrochemical sensors are integrated within a digital microfluidic device. According to one example embodiment, a two-electrode electrochemical sensor is integrated into a top or bottom plate of a digital microfluidic device, where the counter electrode is provided within a defined spatial region, and where the working electrode is formed such that it is spatially distributed within the spatial region associated with the counter electrode. The working electrode may be provided as one or more elongate segments that are spatially distributed within, and/or surround a perimeter of, the counter electrode. The area of the working electrode may be selected to be smaller than that of the counter electrode in order to improve the performance of the electrochemical sensor.

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for sorting a particle based on a characteristic of a particle.

The present invention relates to droplet-based surface modification and washing. According to one embodiment, a method of splitting a droplet is provided, the method including providing a droplet microactuator including a droplet including one or more beads and immobilizing at least one of the one or more beads. The method further includes conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the droplet to yield a set of droplets including a droplet including the one or more immobilized beads and a droplet substantially lacking the one or more immobilized beads.

This invention discloses methods for producing modified cellulose, modified nanocellulose, modified nanocellulose functionalized with other functional species, and derivatives thereof. The present invention also provides cellulose, nanocellulose, and their derivatives that are safe to use inside an animal or human body and are biocompatible without costly purification. These cellulose or nanocellulose materials can be used in many different applications, including carrier for pharmaceutical active agents and other medical devices.