Abstract:
Systems and methods of determining operation parameters for the shadow cast fabrication of micro or nanostructures, the fabrication process using deposition from at least one source over an array of particles, wherein the deposition produces overlapping shadows masking the substrate. A computing device receives a first set of parameter inputs defining particle properties and deposition properties in a shadow cast fabrication, generates data corresponding to a first image for display based on the first set of parameters, receives at least one incremental parameter input that modifies or adds to the first set of parameter inputs, dynamically generates data corresponding to at least one second image for display based on the at least one incremental parameter input, receives an indication that the at least one second image corresponds to a shape ready for fabrication, and generates an output set of fabrication parameters corresponding to the shape ready for fabrication.
Abstract:
A modular pneumatic robotic actuator, including a first elongated hollow structure and a second elongated hollow structure connected to each other at a moveable joint; an inflatable bladder comprised of an elastomeric material disposed at the said joint and immobilized between the first and second hollow structures, wherein the said inflatable bladder inflates preferentially away from the joint; and a restraining membrane comprised of an elastomeric material disposed over the bladder and connecting the first and second hollow structures, wherein the said restraining membrane is relaxed when the bladder is deflated.
Abstract:
Apparatus, systems, and methods for providing modular soft robots are disclosed. In particular, the disclosed modular soft robot can include a flexible actuator having a plurality of molded flexible units. Each molded flexible unit can include a mechanical connector configured to provide a physical coupling to another molded flexible unit, and the plurality of molded flexible units are arranged to form an embedded fluidic channel. The modular soft robot can also include an inlet coupled to the embedded fluidic channel, where the inlet is configured to receive pressurized or depressurized fluid to inflate or deflate a portion of the flexible actuator, thereby causing an actuation of the flexible actuator.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to amplification of biological entities, for example, for phage display. In one aspect, members of a library of biological entities are encapsulated in separate compartments (e.g., in separate microfluidic droplets) and amplified. As a specific example, by putting members of a phage display library into microfluidic droplets such that no droplet contains more than one member of the library, the library can be amplified without any substantial changes in growth rates or population distributions, or other artifacts created due to differences in growth rates or amplification between different members of the library. In some cases, the volume of the compartments can be used to control the copy number of a biological entity during amplification. In certain cases, biological entities with different amplification rates can be amplified independently of each other. In some embodiments, the ratio of a rapidly amplifying biological entity to a slowly amplifying biological entity can be controlled. This can be advantageous, for example, in preserving diversity within a library by preventing rapidly amplifying biological entities from outcompeting slowly amplifying biological entities. For example, certain methods and systems of the invention can be useful in situations where preferential amplification of library members can present a problem.
Abstract:
Three-dimensional cellular arrays, methods of making three-dimensional cellular arrays, and methods of identifying agents using the arrays are disclosed. A three-dimensional cellular array includes a porous, hydrophilic substrate comprising a plurality of porous regions, each porous region bounded at least in part by a liquid impervious boundary; and a hydrogel comprising cells, wherein the hydrogel is embedded within the porous regions. A method of making a three-dimensional cellular array comprises providing a porous, hydrophilic substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of porous regions, each porous region bounded at least in part by a liquid impervious boundary; and contacting the porous, hydrophilic substrate with a suspension of cells and a temperature-sensitive hydrogel or an ionotropic hydrogel precursor, wherein the suspension saturates one or more porous regions of the substrate. A method of identifying an agent comprises providing an array described that modifies cellular function; contacting the array with one or more test agents; and detecting one or more cellular functions in the presence of the one or more test agents; wherein a change in cellular function in the presence of the one or more test agents indicates the one or more test agents modify cellular function.
Abstract:
Hydrophilic threads as platforms for inexpensive, low volume, portable diagnostic systems, and methods of making the same are described. A diagnostic system includes a hydrophilic loading thread having an inlet zone at a proximal end; a testing zone at a distal end; and an intermediate zone located between the inlet zone and the testing zone, wherein the testing zone does not directly contact the inlet zone. In another aspect, a diagnostic system includes (i) a hydrophilic loading thread that includes an inlet zone at a proximal end and an intermediate zone at a distal end; and (ii) one or more additional hydrophilic threads that contact the intermediate zone of the loading thread. A method of detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid sample includes applying the sample to an inlet zone of a diagnostic system that includes a hydrophilic loading thread with an inlet zone at a proximal end; an intermediate zone; and a testing zone at a distal end; wherein the testing zone does not directly contact the inlet zone.
Abstract:
The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable. The method and kits provided provide for separation and collection of materials of different densities, diagnostics for detection of analytes of interest, monitoring of solid-supported chemical reactions and determination of densities of solid and liquid mixtures.
Abstract:
A free-standing thin film is fabricated from a structure comprising a base layer coated with a sacrificial polymer layer, which is in turn coated with a flexible polymer layer. Cells are then seeded onto the flexible polymer layer and cultured to form a tissue. The flexible polymer layer is then released from the base layer to produce a free-standing thin film comprising the tissue on the flexible polymer layer. In one embodiment, the cells are myocytes, which can be actuated to propel or displace the free-standing film. In another embodiment, the free-standing film is used to treat injured human tissue.
Abstract:
A self-assembled article includes a surface comprising an chemical functionality having an immobilized charge; and a plurality of particles assembled on the surface of the core, said particles having a surface comprising an immobilized chemical functionality of a charge opposite that of the core.