The disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated method for concentration of polarizable molecules within a fluid medium. The apparatus comprising a structure defining a cavity, having a cross-sectional dimension of 200 nm or less; at least two translocation electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a DC electric field passing through the cavity; and at least two trapping electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a time-varying electric field proximal to the cavity inlet.

An electrophoresis apparatus includes a dilution unit, an electrophoresis unit, and a control device. The dilution unit dilutes a sample with dilution water. The electrophoresis unit analyzes the sample diluted by the dilution unit by electrophoresing the sample. The control device controls the dilution unit and the electrophoresis unit.

Disclosed are methods for performing capillary electrophoresis on two or more nucleic acid samples. The methods employ a forward voltage to move a first sample forward from an inlet to an interrogation region in the capillary, then a backward voltage to move the first sample backward, and then a forward voltage again to move the first sample and a second sample forward. Systems and apparatuses for performing capillary electrophoresis are also provided.

A method for producing a membrane device includes: forming an insulating film as a first film on a Si substrate; forming a Si film as a second film on the entire surface or a part of the first film; forming an insulating film as a third film on the second film; forming an aperture so as to pass through a part of the third film positioned on the second film and not to pass through the second film; etching a part of the substrate on one side of the first film with a solution that does not etch the first film; and etching a part or all of the second film on the other side of the first film with a gas or a solution that does not etch the first film and has an etching rate for the third film lower than an etching rate for the second film.

Devices and methods for characterization of analyte mixtures are provided. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device before expelling enriched analyte fractions from the device for subsequent analysis. Also included are devices for performing these enrichment steps.

A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed in which analyte ions of a desired charge state are isolated. The method comprises: separating analytes according to their electrophoretic mobility; ionising the analytes; and mass filtering the resulting analyte ions, wherein the mass to charge ratios of the ions transmitted by a mass filter are varied as a function of the electrophoretic mobility and according to a predetermined relationship such that substantially only ions having said desired charge state are transmitted by the mass filter.

The present invention provides a method for the quantification of virus particles in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing said biological sample comprising virus particles into a capillary tube containing a buffer solution; (b) applying an electrical field to said capillary tube of sufficient voltage to allow for the separation of the virus particles from additional constituents in said sample, to obtain electrophoretical fractions; (c) generating an electropherogram associated with the electrophoretical fractions; and (d) determining the concentration of virus particles in said sample by comparing the electropherogram with an electropherogram generated from a reference sample containing a known concentration of said virus particles.

Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of ion migration and binding, utilizing a nanopipette adapted for use in an electrochemical sensing circuit. The nanopipette may be functionalized on its interior bore with metal chelators for binding and sensing metal ions or other specific binding molecules such as boronic acid for binding and sensing glucose. Such a functionalized nanopipette is comprised in an electrical sensor that detects when the nanopipette selectively and reversibly binds ions or small molecules. Also disclosed is a nanoreactor, comprising a nanopipette, for controlling precipitation in aqueous solutions by voltage-directed ion migration, wherein ions may be directed out of the interior bore by a repulsing charge in the bore.

A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having at least one inlet port for introducing an input liquid in an internal gap of the cartridge, wherein the gap has at least one hydrophobic surface and is configured to provide an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet of input liquid, wherein the input liquid has a carrier liquid and a processing liquid and the gap has a capture zone that is configured to capture at least a part of the processing liquid as a microfluidic droplet by use of electrowetting force and the gap further has a transfer zone that is configured to provide a passage for the carrier liquid next to the microfluidic droplet, while processing liquid is captured in the capture zone.

Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.