Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

Function fabrication in a microfluidic device manufactured with a custom 3D printer. The functions may include, for example, transporting or routing fluid, fluid mixing through flow and/or diffusion, blocking fluid (valve), pumping fluid, providing chemical reaction regions, providing analyte capture regions, and providing analyte separation regions. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas.

A microfluidic valve formed in a body having a first and a second surface; an inlet channel extending in the body from the second surface; a first transverse channel extending in the body in a transverse direction with respect to the inlet channel; and an outlet channel extending in the body from the first surface. The inlet channel, the first transverse channel and the outlet channel form a fluidic path. The microfluidic valve further has an occluding portion, formed by the body and extending over the transverse channel; and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the occluding portion and configured to move the occluding portion from an opening position of the valve, where the occluding portion does not interfere with the fluidic path, and a closing position of the valve, where the occluding portion interferes with and interrupts the fluidic path.

A linear compressor includes a discharge valve detachably attached to a front end surface of a cylinder to open and close a compression space of the cylinder; and a valve spring elastically supporting a rear surface of the discharge valve to press the discharge valve toward the front end surface of the cylinder. The discharge valve includes reinforced fiber, and the reinforced fiber is arranged parallel to the front end surface of the cylinder. Accordingly, while a rigidity of the discharge valve is improved, a weight of the valve is reduced to enhance responsiveness of the valve, suppress abrasion of the cylinder, and reduce striking sound.

A fluid control apparatus includes a piezoelectric pump and valve. The valve includes a second valve housing, second seal member, diaphragm, first seal member, and first valve housing and has a structure in which they are laminated in sequence. The first valve housing includes a second vent and third vent, has a valve seat, and includes six cavities. The second valve housing has a first vent and first vent and includes a valve seat and six first protrusions. The second valve housing further includes six second protrusions nearer the outer edges than the six first protrusions, as seen in the x-axis direction in plan view.

A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A micro channel structure includes a substrate, a supporting layer, a valve layer, a second insulation layer, a vibration layer and a bonding-pad layer. A flow channel is formed on the substrate. A conductive part and a movable part are formed on the supporting layer and the valve layer, respectively. A first chamber is formed at the interior of a base part and communicates to the hollow aperture. A supporting part is formed on the second insulation layer. A second chamber is formed at the interior of the supporting layer and communicates to the first chamber through the hollow aperture. A suspension part is formed on the vibration layer. By providing driving power sources having different phases to the bonding-pad layer, the suspension part moves upwardly and downwardly, and a relative displacement is generated between the movable part and the conductive part, to achieve fluid transportation.

The disclosed device may include a first layer of fluidic transducers and a second layer of fluidic transducers. Each transducer in the first layer may include a first electrode coupled to a first substrate of the first layer, a second electrode coupled to a second substrate of the first layer, and a fluid channel between the first and second electrodes of the first layer. Each transducer in the second layer may include a first electrode coupled to a first substrate of the second layer, a second electrode coupled to a second substrate of the second layer, and a fluid channel between the first and second electrodes of the second layer. The second layer of fluidic transducers may be positioned on the first layer of fluidic transducers. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

A method for large scale integration of haptic devices is described. The method comprises forming a first elastomer layer of a large scale integration (LSI) device on a substrate according to a specified manufacturing process, the first elastomer layer having a plurality of fluid based circuits, the first elastomer layer adhering to a plurality of formation specifications. The method further comprises curing the first elastomer layer. Additionally, one or more additional elastomer layers of the LSI device are formed with the first elastomer layer according to the specified manufacturing process, the one or more additional elastomer layers having a plurality of fluid based circuits, the one or more additional elastomer layers adhering to the plurality of formation specifications.

Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.