Low-Cost 3D Printers Enable High-Quality and Automated Sample Preparation and Molecular Detection

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies, both in the form of high lane-density gels and automated capillary systems, will lead to an increased requirement for sample preparation systems that operate at low cost and high throughput. As part of the development of a fully automated sequencing system, we have developed an automated subsystem capable of producing 10,000 sequence-ready ssDNA templates per day from libraries of M13 plaques at a cost of $0.29 per sample. This Front End has been in high throughput operation since June, 1997 and has produced > 400,000 high-quality DNA templates.

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Automated Blood Sample Preparation Unit (ABSPU) for Portable Microfluidic Flow Cytometry

SLAS TECHNOLOGY Translating Life Sciences Innovation ◽

10.1177/2211068216663604 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 73-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Akhil Chaturvedi ◽

Sai Siva Gorthi

Keyword(s):

Sample Preparation ◽

Blood Sample ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Low Cost ◽

Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽

Cell Integrity ◽

Microfluidic Flow ◽

Out Of Sample ◽

Microfluidic Analysis ◽

Automated Sample Preparation

Portable microfluidic diagnostic devices, including flow cytometers, are being developed for point-of-care settings, especially in conjunction with inexpensive imaging devices such as mobile phone cameras. However, two pervasive drawbacks of these have been the lack of automated sample preparation processes and cells settling out of sample suspensions, leading to inaccurate results. We report an automated blood sample preparation unit (ABSPU) to prevent blood samples from settling in a reservoir during loading of samples in flow cytometers. This apparatus automates the preanalytical steps of dilution and staining of blood cells prior to microfluidic loading. It employs an assembly with a miniature vibration motor to drive turbulence in a sample reservoir. To validate performance of this system, we present experimental evidence demonstrating prevention of blood cell settling, cell integrity, and staining of cells prior to flow cytometric analysis. This setup is further integrated with a microfluidic imaging flow cytometer to investigate cell count variability. With no need for prior sample preparation, a drop of whole blood can be directly introduced to the setup without premixing with buffers manually. Our results show that integration of this assembly with microfluidic analysis provides a competent automation tool for low-cost point-of-care blood-based diagnostics.

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Design for Fused Filament Fabrication Additive Manufacturing

Volume 4: 20th Design for Manufacturing and the Life Cycle Conference; 9th International Conference on Micro- and Nanosystems ◽

10.1115/detc2015-46355 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

John Steuben ◽

Douglas L. Van Bossuyt ◽

Cameron Turner

Keyword(s):

Additive Manufacturing ◽

3D Printing ◽

Low Cost ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Manufacturing Technology ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

High Quality ◽

Additive Manufacturing Technology ◽

Mechanical Assemblies ◽

3D Printers

In this paper, we explore the topic of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D-printing. This is a low-cost additive manufacturing technology which is typically embodied in consumer-grade desktop 3D printers capable of producing useful parts, structures, and mechanical assemblies. The primary goal of our investigation is to produce an understanding of this process which can be employed to produce high-quality, functional engineered parts and prototypes. By developing this understanding, we create a resource which may be turned to by both researchers in the field of manufacturing science, and industrial professionals who are either considering the use of FFF-enabled technologies such as 3D printing, or those who have already entered production and are optimizing their fabrication process. In order to paint a cohesive picture for these readers, we examine several topic areas. We begin with an overview of the FFF process, its key hardware and software components, and the interrelationships between these components and the designer. With this basis, we then proceed to outline a set of design principles which facilitate the production of high quality printed parts, and discuss the selection of appropriate materials. Following naturally from this, we turn to the question of feedstock materials for FFF, and give advice for their selection and use. We then turn to the subject of the as-printed properties of FFF parts and the strong non-isotropic response that they exhibit. We discuss the root causes of this behavior and means by which its deleterious effects may be mitigated. We conclude by discussing a mixed numerical/experimental technique which we believe will enable the accurate characterization of FFF parts and structures, and greatly enhance the utility of this additive manufacturing technology. By formalizing and discussing these topics, we hope to motivate and enable the serious use of low-cost FFF 3D printing for both research and industrial applications.

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Quantitative defect studies in semiconductor TEM samples prepared by low angle ion milling

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100138932 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

pp. 512-513

Author(s):

L. Mulestagno ◽

J.C. Holzer ◽

P. Fraundorf

Keyword(s):

Sample Preparation ◽

Milling Time ◽

High Density ◽

Low Density ◽

Ion Milling ◽

High Quality ◽

Variable Angle ◽

Major Disadvantage ◽

Induced Defects

Due to the wealth of information, both analytical and structural that can be obtained from it TEM always has been a favorite tool for the analysis of process-induced defects in semiconductor wafers. The only major disadvantage has always been, that the volume under study in the TEM is relatively small, making it difficult to locate low density defects, and sample preparation is a somewhat lengthy procedure. This problem has been somewhat alleviated by the availability of efficient low angle milling.Using a PIPS® variable angle ion -mill, manufactured by Gatan, we have been consistently obtaining planar specimens with a high quality thin area in excess of 5 × 104 μm2 in about half an hour (milling time), which has made it possible to locate defects at lower densities, or, for defects of relatively high density, obtain information which is statistically more significant (table 1).

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To Eliminate Curtain Effect of FIB TEM Samples by a Combination of Sample Dicing and Backside Milling

ISTFA 2014: Conference Proceedings from the 40th International Symposium for Testing and Failure Analysis ◽

10.31399/asm.cp.istfa2014p0400 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Jian-Shing Luo ◽

Hsiu Ting Lee

Keyword(s):

Sample Preparation ◽

Focused Ion Beam ◽

Preparation Method ◽

Low Cost ◽

Ion Beam ◽

Sample Preparation Method ◽

Site Specific ◽

Dual Beam ◽

Transmission Electron

Abstract Several methods are used to invert samples 180 deg in a dual beam focused ion beam (FIB) system for backside milling by a specific in-situ lift out system or stages. However, most of those methods occupied too much time on FIB systems or requires a specific in-situ lift out system. This paper provides a novel transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation method to eliminate the curtain effect completely by a combination of backside milling and sample dicing with low cost and less FIB time. The procedures of the TEM pre-thinned sample preparation method using a combination of sample dicing and backside milling are described step by step. From the analysis results, the method has applied successfully to eliminate the curtain effect of dual beam FIB TEM samples for both random and site specific addresses.

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