Northwestern University

University of Illinois

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Yi Zhang

Jungil Choi

Tyler R Ray

John A Rogers

Sungbong Kim

Johnathan T Reeder

Yurina Sekine

Amay J Bandodkar

Hexia Guo

Diana Ostojich

Chad A Mirkin

Sven Holger Behrens

Khalid Salaita

James Carson Meredith, Iii

Jie Wu

Provided herein are flexible, microfluidic epidermal systems and methods useful in the analysis of biofluids for biomarkers corresponding to a variety of conditions and methods of use. The provided systems configured to create conformal contact with the skin to allow for medical testing or screening, either in situ or later external laboratory testing. The described devices and methods may be used for cystic fibrosis screening, glucose monitoring, drug and/or alcohol testing, creatinine monitoring, urea monitoring, pH measurement and dialysis treatment efficacy testing.

Thin, soft, skin-mounted microfluidic networks for detection and analysis of targets of interest in sweat

A microfluidic system includes a flexible substrate having a skin-facing surface and a back-facing surface; a microfluidic network at least partially embedded in or supported by the flexible substrate; a sensor fluidically connected to the microfluidic network, wherein the microfluidic network is configured to transport a biofluid from a skin surface to the sensor; and a capping layer, having a capping layer skin-facing surface and a back-facing surface, wherein the back-facing surface of the capping layer is attached to the skin-facing surface of the substrate. The flexible substrate is at least partially formed of a thermoplastic elastomer or a polymer configured to provide a high barrier to vapor or liquid water transmission.

Microfluidic systems for epidermal sampling and sensing

Methods of making various capillary foams are provided. The foams can include liquid foams having a plurality of particles connected by a network of a secondary fluid at the interface between the discontinuous and continuous phase. The foams can also include solid foams where the continuous phases (bulk fluid) is removed to produce the solid foam having high overall porosities and low densities. Densities as low as 0.3 g cmand porosities as high as 95% or higher can be achieved. The secondary fluid can be polymerized to further strengthen the solid foam. Methods and devices are also provided for oil recovery from water using a capillary foam. The methods can include forming a capillary foam wherein the oil is the secondary fluid, and wherein the foam can transport the oil to the surface of the water.

Capillary foams, methods of making thereof, and uses thereof including for mitigation of oil spills

Provided are microfluidic systems for monitoring a biofluid property and related methods. Specially configured microfluidic networks and associated structural support and functional elements, including flexible substrates, capping layers, and fluidic conduits and controllers, provide reliable biofluid collection. Optical components and indicators provide a reliable and readily observable readout, including of any of a number of biofluid properties, including directly from biofluid collected in the microfluidic network.

The invention provides a simple and convenient strategy for reducing the dimensions of organic micro- and nanostructures on metal surfaces. By varying electrochemical desorption conditions, organic structures patterned by Dip-Pen Nanolithography or any of the micro-contact printing procedures can be gradually desorbed in a controlled fashion. The electrochemical desorption is initiated at the exterior of the feature and moves inward as a function of time. The desorption process and adsorbate desorption are modified and controlled as a function of substrate morphology, adsorbate head and tail groups, and electrolyte solvent and salt. Different nanostructures made of different adsorbates can be miniaturized based upon judicious selection of adsorbate and supporting electrolyte.

Electrochemical miniaturization of organic micro-and nanostructures

Growing community of inventors

Evanston, IL, United States of America

Yi Zhang