Detection of inertial effects in capillary flows in open and closed channels.

The Lucas-Washburn-Rideal law is commonly applied to describe capillary flow dynamics in closed or open channels, microporous media, such as paper pads and fiber threads or even granulous soil. It assumes a viscous flow regime where capillary forces are counteracted by friction with the solid structure, a valid assumption given the small flow velocities and device dimensions. However, scenarios exist outside the viscous regime, where inertial effects become significant, meaning capillary and friction forces do not fully balance.

mPatch: A Wearable Hydrogel Microneedle Patch for In Vivo Optical Sensing of Calcium.

This study presents an in vivo optical hydrogel microneedle platform that measures levels of analytes in interstitial fluid. The platform builds on a previously published technique for molding hydrogel microneedles by developing a composite hydrogel (i.e.

On the Dynamic Contact Angle of Capillary-Driven Microflows in Open Channels.

The true value of the contact angle between a liquid and a solid is a thorny problem in capillary microfluidics. The Lucas-Washburn-Rideal (LWR) law assumes a constant contact angle during fluid penetration. However, recent experimental studies have shown lower liquid velocities than those predicted by the LWR equation, which are attributed to a velocity-dependent dynamic contact angle that is larger than its static value.

On the dynamic contact angle of capillary-driven microflows in open channels.

The true value of the contact angle between a liquid and a solid is a thorny problem in capillary microfluidics. The Lucas-Washburn-Rideal (LWR) law assumes a constant contact angle during fluid penetration. However, recent experimental studies have shown lower liquid velocities than predicted by the LWR equation, which are attributed to a velocity-dependent dynamic contact angle that is larger than its static value.

At-home saliva sampling in healthy adults using CandyCollect, a lollipop-inspired device.

Respiratory infections are common in children, and there is a need for user-friendly collection methods. Here, we performed the first human subjects study using the CandyCollect device, a lollipop inspired saliva collection device. We showed the CandyCollect device can be used to collect salivary bacteria from healthy adults using and as proof-of-concept commensal bacteria.

CandyCollect: at-home saliva sampling for capture of respiratory pathogens.

is a major human-specific bacterial pathogen and a common cause of a wide range of symptoms from mild infection such as pharyngitis (commonly called strep throat) to life-threatening invasive infection and post-infectious sequelae. Traditional methods for diagnosis include collecting a sample using a pharyngeal swab, which can cause discomfort and even discourage adults and children from seeking proper testing and treatment in the clinic. Saliva samples are an alternative to pharyngeal swabs.

Chemical Genetic Screen in Germline Uncovers Small Molecule Drugs That Sensitize Stem Cells to Insult-Induced Apoptosis.

Cancer stem cells, in contrast to their more differentiated daughter cells, can endure genotoxic insults, escape apoptosis, and cause tumor recurrence. Understanding how normal adult stem cells survive and go to quiescence may help identify druggable pathways that cancer stem cells have co-opted. In this study, we utilize a genetically tractable model for stem cell survival in the gonad to screen drug candidates and probe chemical-genetic interactions.