The present invention includes a method for thermodynamic formulation of a Langmuir isotherm comprising: (1), (1′) (1), (1′) where n.sub.i is the adsorption amount of gas component i; (1′) is the adsorption maximum amount; P is the gas vapor pressure, and K is the apparent adsorption equilibrium constant in which adsorption and desorption rates are proportional to a concentrations of vacant sites and occupied sites; and substituting the concentration of both a vacant site and an occupied site with site activities, wherein a reference state for the vacant sites is at zero surface coverage while the reference state for the occupied sites is at full surface coverage.

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\left(1^{\prime }\right)& \\ n_i=n_i^0\frac{\mathrm{KP}}{1+\mathrm{KP}}& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

Assays used in conjunction with a thermal contrast reader are disclosed. In the assay, the test strip includes materials that can develop a thermal response if a target analyte is present in a sample. Linear flow assays include nanoparticles with high affinity binding to the analyte. Binding of the nanoparticles with an analyte in the sample is detected using thermal contrast. Analytes over a broad range of concentrations are detected in the linear flow assays. Methods of detecting target analytes and kits comprising lateral flow assays and thermal contrast reader are also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates generally to thermal analyses having direct application of thermal energy to a sample.

Assays used in conjunction with a thermal contrast reader are disclosed. In the assay, the test strip includes materials that can develop a thermal response if a target analyte is present in a sample. Linear flow assays include nanoparticles with high affinity binding to the analyte. Binding of the nanoparticles with an analyte in the sample is detected using thermal contrast. Analytes over a broad range of concentrations are detected in the linear flow assays. Methods of detecting target analytes and kits comprising lateral flow assays and thermal contrast reader are also disclosed.

Various methods for sensing and/or heating that utilize nanostructures or carbon structures, such as nanotubes, nanotube meshes, or graphene sheets, are disclosed. In some methods, at least a pair of contacts are electrically coupled with a given nanostructure or carbon structure to sense a change or to pass a current for heating.

A fluid detecting device for detecting the presence of a substance in a fluid in an area comprising: a heating element arranged in said area, a first thermal sensor arranged adjacent to said heating element adapted to detect a temperature (T1) at said heating element, wherein said heating element is coated with a hydrophobic sorbent adapted to adsorb a substance present in said fluid in said area. The invention further relates to a method for detecting the presence of a substance in a fluid in an area.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a calorimeter for detecting the presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample. The calorimeter can include a support structure, a hermetically-sealed, thermally decoupled central reaction zone associated with the support structure, at least one droplet transport region, and detection electronics. The at least one droplet transport region can be associated with the support structure and configured to merge a reagent droplet with a sample droplet including the fluid sample to form a reaction droplet in the central reaction zone. The detection electronics can be in electrical and/or thermal communication with the central reaction zone and associated with the support structure. The calorimeter can be configured to detect a heat of reaction produced by a reaction event between the target analyte and a capture reagent upon formation of the reaction droplet.

The present disclosure relates generally to thermal analyses having direct application of thermal energy to a sample.

Assays used in conjunction with a thermal contrast reader are disclosed. In the assay, the test strip includes materials that can develop a thermal response if a target analyte is present in a sample. The thermal contrast reader includes housing having an opening to receive the test strip at a test location, an energy source directed at the test location and a heat sensor directed at the test location. The heat sensor is configured to sense heating of the test strip upon activation of the heat source at the test location, if the target analyte is present in the sample. The heat sensor can provide sensor output using diagnostic circuitry coupled to the sensor output and configured to provide a diagnostic output. The diagnostic output can indicate the diagnostic condition of the patient as a function of the sensor output. The present disclosure also includes methods of detecting target analytes and kits comprising lateral flow assays and thermal contrast reader.