A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

The present inventive concept relates to a microfluidic system for pressure-assisted capillary-driven flowing of a liquid. The system comprises: a first sub-system comprising a capillary flow channel, having a first flow resistance, arranged to receive the liquid and to flow the liquid along the capillary flow channel; a second sub-system comprising a pressure-assisting flow channel, having a second flow resistance, arranged to receive the liquid from the capillary flow channel, and to provide a pressure-assisted flow of the liquid in a direction away from the capillary flow channel; and a capillary valve, having a third flow resistance, comprising a capillary portion, wherein the capillary portion at a first end is connected to an interface between the capillary flow channel and the pressure-assisting flow channel, and at a second end is communicating with gaseous medium. The first flow resistance is larger than the third flow resistance, and the second flow resistance is larger than the third flow resistance, such that the liquid is flowing predominantly by capillary action in the capillary flow channel until a forefront of the liquid has reached the interface with the pressure-assisting flow channel, and by pressure-assisted capillary action after the forefront of the liquid has reached the interface with the pressure-assisted flow channel The present inventive concept further relates to a diagnostic device and a lab-on-a-chip device, comprising the microfluidic system.

A microfluidic valve may include a first portion of a liquid conduit to contain a gas, a second portion of a liquid conduit to contain a liquid, and a constriction between the first portion and the second portion and across which a capillary meniscus is to form between the gas and the liquid. The microfluidic valve may further include a drop jetting device within the second portion to open the valve by breaking the capillary meniscus across the constriction.

Embodiments of the invention provide a microfluidic chip having microfluidic structures formed on a surface. The structures form an input channel, an output channel, auxiliary channels, and a hydraulic resistor structure connecting the input channel to the output channel via the auxiliary channels. The resistor structure includes N flow resistor portions (N≥2), which are connected to the auxiliary channels. The chip further includes at least N−1 actuatable valves, which are arranged in respective ones of the auxiliary channels. The actuation state of the valves can determine the effective hydraulic resistance of the resistor structure. The valves can be electrogates, each including a liquid-pinning trench arranged in a respective one of the auxiliary channels that define a flow path for a liquid introduced therein, so as to form an opening that extends across said flow path. Each electrogate can further include an electrode extending across the flow path.

A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

A microfabricated valve with no moving parts. In one embodiment, the valve includes a reservoir of a liquid that is in fluid communication with an outlet channel having a throat that is less than 100 microns wide. Preferably, the channel is an elongated slit. The configuration of channel is adapted and configured such that surface tension of the liquid prevents flow out of the channel. A heater increases the temperature of the meniscus of the fluid, until a portion of the fluid is ejected from the channel. The ejection of the fluid creates both a thrusting effect and a cooling effect.

A fluidic system having a first volume, a second volume and a membrane geometrically separating the two volumes, which has an open-pore microstructure for the passage of a first medium and a second medium. There is a contact angle (Θ) between the interface of the media and the pore surface. A first electrical field in the region of the membrane and a first electromagnetic radiation and a first heating of the membrane define a first state (Z.sub.1), in which the membrane is not wetted or is less wetted by the first medium and is more heavily wetted by the second medium such that a first contact angle Θ.sub.1>90° is formed between the pore surface and the interface. The first medium and the second medium and the pore surface have a surface energy of which at least one surface energy can be reversibly changed in such a way that a second contact angle Θ.sub.2<Θ.sub.1 occurs between the pore surface and the interface in a second state (Z.sub.2).

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.