This disclosure provides a diagnostic system including a detection zone adapted to receive a volume of biological fluid. The detection zone includes a plurality of micro-scale and nano-scale features that render the detection zone superhydrophobic. Analytes (e.g., proteins and/or other molecules) are concentrated when the volume of biological fluid is allowed to evaporate on the detection zone. Concentrating the analytes in the detection zone by evaporation can advantageously increase the sensitivity of detection of the analyte. In various implementations, microfluidic channels can be integrated with the diagnostic system to convey the volume of biological fluid to the detection zone. In various implementations, the microfluidic channels can have a lower hydrophobic characteristic than the surrounding to realize self-driven microfluidic channels that convey the biological fluid to the detection zone without using any external devices.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a digital microfluidic system is provided. The digital microfluidic system includes a device, a control electronics, a field programmed gate array (FPGA), and a computer. The device includes a droplet on an electrode array, where the electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes. The control electronics connects to the device and provides an actuation pulse to the electrodes, where the control electronics generates a capacitance-derived frequency signal. The FPGA connects to the control electronics and collects the capacitance-derived frequency signal. The computer connects to the FPGA, the computer uses a frequency of the capacitance-derived frequency signal to calculate a precise droplet position and generates a duration voltage signal.

A droplet actuator for manipulating a fluid using an electrical field includes a droplet arranged on or over an electrode. The droplet includes a set of beads arranged substantially in a monolayer on or over a surface of the droplet actuator.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device for manipulating a substance, the device comprising at least three series of interdigitated electrode pairs, wherein each electrode of each pair is connected to an electrode in an adjacent pair in the respective series by an electrical path, and a dielectric layer disposed on the at least three series of interdigitated electrode pairs, the dielectric layer comprising one or more sub layers. The at least three series of interdigitated electrode pairs are selectively and independently energisable to produce an electric field at a top surface of the dielectric layer so that a substance on the top surface may be manipulated by the electric field. The device further comprises one or more groups of the interdigitated electrode pairs, each group having a longitudinal axis, wherein in each group the respective interdigitated electrode pairs are arranged along the respective longitudinal axis such that along the respective longitudinal axis no two adjacent pairs are from a single one of the at least three series, and no pair is adjacent to two other pairs from a single one of the at least three series.

Provided are a microfluidic chip and a manufacturing method thereof, and a microfluidic device. The microfluidic chip comprises a first substrate structure comprising a plurality of pin areas comprising a first and a second pin area, a detection area, and a grounding trace. The detection area comprises a plurality of first scan lines extending along a first direction, each of which being connected to the first pin area through a corresponding first scan trace; a plurality of first data lines extending along a second direction, each of which being connected to the second pin area through a corresponding first data trace; a plurality of detection units, each of which comprising a first switching transistor connected to a corresponding first scan line and data line, a driving electrode, and a first hydrophobic layer. The grounding trace is connected to at least one detection unit and one of the pin areas.

A panel and its drive method are provided. The panel includes: a substrate, an array layer and an electrode array layer, where the array layer is on a side of the substrate; the electrode array layer is on a side of the array layer away from the substrate; and the array layer includes an active layer, a gate metal layer and a source/drain metal layer; the substrate includes a plurality of drive units arranged in an array, a plurality of scan line groups and a plurality of data line groups; the scan line group includes first scan lines and second scan lines adjacent to the first scan lines, extending in a first direction; and the data line group includes first data lines and second data lines adjacent to the first data lines, extending in a second direction.

In situ-generated microfluidic capture structures incorporating a solidified polymer network, methods of preparation and use, compositions and kits therefor are described. Microfluidic capture structures may be advantageously used for assays performed within the microfluidic environment, providing flexibility in assaying micro-objects such as biological cells. Assay reagents and analytes may be incorporated within the microfluidic capture structures.

There is provided a magnetic digital microfluidic system for performing an assay, the system comprising, abase member comprising at least one magnet disposed thereon; the magnet being configured to immobilise a droplet of reaction mixture doped with magnetic particles; and a droplet manipulator configured to be moveably mountable on the base member, said droplet manipulator comprising at least one test unit, each test unit comprising at least one mixing element for mixing the droplet of reaction mixture; wherein the mixing element is arranged to induce mixing as the droplet manipulator is moved in relation to the base member along an alignment path. There is also provided a method of performing an assay with the magnetic digital microfluidic system as disclosed herein.

An apparatus includes a polymer base layer having a surface. A die that includes a fluid manipulation surface that is substantially coplanar with the surface of the polymer base layer. The die includes a control electrode to generate an electric field to perform microfluidic manipulation of fluid across the fluid manipulation surface of the die.

An inverted microwell provides rapid and efficient microanalysis system and method for screening of biological particles, particularly functional analysis of cells on a single cell basis. The use of an inverted open microwell system permits identification of particles, cells, and biomolecules that may be combined to produce a desired functional effect also functional screening of secreted antibody therapeutic activity as well as the potential to recover cells and fluid, and optionally expand cells, such as antibody secreting cells, within the same microwell.