US 12,070,751 B1
Apparatus and methods for sample analysis with multi-gradient microfluidics
Peter Wonhee Kim, Alameda, CA (US); Anup K. Singh, Danville, CA (US); Daniel J. Throckmorton, Tracy, CA (US); James S. Brennan, Rodeo, CA (US); and Mark Richard Claudnic, Livermore, CA (US)
Assigned to National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed on Feb. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/178,709.
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/50273 (2013.01) [B01L 2200/0694 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0883 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0887 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0472 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first layer that comprises a sample chamber that is adapted to retain a biological sample;
a second layer that comprises:
a first channel having a first fluid therein, where the first channel is positioned directly above a first side of the sample chamber; and
a second channel having a second fluid therein, the second channel being in parallel with the first channel and further being fluidically separated from the first channel within the second layer such that the first fluid and the second fluid do not mix in the second layer, where the second channel is positioned directly above a second side of the sample chamber that opposes the first side; and
a third porous layer that is positioned between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid diffuse through the third layer and into the sample chamber to mimic transport of fluid in a rhizosphere environment relative to the biological sample retained in the sample chamber.