# US 2008/0185057 A1 · Microfluidic Bubble Logic Devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185057 A1 - Document ID: US20080185057A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/028,776 - Filed: 2008-02-08 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-02 - Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Inventors: Manu Prakash; Neil Gershenfeld - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185057A1 ## CPC - G01N 1/2035: {by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping} - B01L 3/502746: {characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles or throttle valves} - B01L 3/502784: {specially adapted for droplet or plug flow, e.g. digital microfluidics} - F16K 99/0001: {Microvalves (microdevices B81B1/00; manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate B81C1/00; microfluidic structures B01L3/5027; micropumps F04B19/006)} - F16K 99/0019: {Valves using a microdroplet or microbubble as the valve member} - F16L 55/00: Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems (F16L1/00 - F16L53/00, F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02, e.g. removal of blockages B08B9/027; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10) - G01N 15/06: Investigating concentration of particle suspensions (by weighing G01N5/00; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10) - B01L 2200/0673: Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid - B01L 2300/02: Identification, exchange or storage of information - B01L 2400/086: using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions - F16K 2099/0084: {Chemistry or biology, e.g. "lab-on-a-chip" technology} - F16K 2099/0092: {Inkjet printers} - G01N 2001/002: {Devices for supplying or distributing samples to an analysing apparatus} - Y10T 137/2076: Utilizing diverse fluids - Y10T 137/87153: Plural noncommunicating flow paths - Y10T 137/87249: Multiple inlet with multiple outlet - Y10T 137/9247: With closure - Y10T 436/11: Automated chemical analysis - Y10T 436/25: including sample preparation - Y10T 436/25625: Dilution - Y10T 436/2575: Volumetric liquid transfer - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Fluid-based no-moving part logic devices are constructed from complex sequences of micro- and nanofluidic channels, on-demand bubble/droplet modulators and generators for programming the devices, and micro- and nanofluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for storage and retrieval of biological or chemical elements. The input sequence of bubbles/droplets encodes information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets or on-chip chemical synthesis. For performing a set of reactions/tasks or process control, the modulators can be used to program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the micro- or nanofluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated droplets/bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries. Various devices, including logic gates, non-volatile bistable memory, ring oscillators, bubble synchronizers, analysis chips, and printers have been designed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluidic logic device, comprising: a configuration of channels having interconnections, the channels and channel interconnections being configured so that the flow, through the channels, of gaseous or liquid bubbles disposed in an immiscible liquid is directable by at least one of the group selected from: a resistive or constrictive force caused by the geometry of the channels, a resistive or constrictive force caused by the configuration of the channel interconnections, and the interaction between bubbles and other bubbles; at least one channel input for accepting the liquid and disposed bubbles into the configuration of interconnected channels; and at least one channel output for discharging at least some of the liquid and disposed bubbles from the configuration of interconnected channels, wherein the device is a universal AND NOT gate or a bistable memory element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a toggle flip-flop. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a flow-switching valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is cascaded with at least a second fluidic logic device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the cascaded devices form a ring oscillator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the device and the second fluidic logic device are toggle flip-flops and the cascaded devices form a ripple counter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the bistable memory device stores a sample volume taken from a fluid stream. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising amplification stages to provide signal gain. ### Claim 9 A bubble synchronizer, comprising: a non-linear ladder network, the non-linear ladder network comprising: at least two data-carrying channels; and at least one interconnecting channel, each interconnecting channel being thinner than the data-carrying channels, the data-carrying and interconnecting channels being configured so that the flow of gaseous or liquid bubbles disposed in an immiscible liquid within each data-carrying channel becomes synchronized with the flow of gaseous or liquid bubbles disposed in an immiscible liquid within the other data-carrying channels; at least one channel input for accepting the liquid and disposed bubbles into the configuration of interconnected channels; and at least one channel output for discharging at least some of the liquid and disposed bubbles from the configuration of interconnected channels. ### Claim 10 A platform for collection of samples, comprising: a fluidic bubble logic collection circuit for collecting at least one sample from a stream of material; at least one bistable memory element for storing the collected sample for analysis; a fluidic bubble logic routing circuit for routing the collected sample from the collection circuit to the memory element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The platform of claim 10, wherein the fluidic bubble logic collection circuit, the bistable memory elements, and the fluidic bubble logic routing circuit are contained on a single chip. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The platform of claim 10, further comprising at least one bistable memory element for storing information associated with the collected sample as an encoded bubble or droplet pattern. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The platform of claim 10, wherein the fluidic bubble logic collection circuit encapsulates the collected sample inside a bubble or droplet of inert material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The platform of claim 10, further comprising a sorter for removing unwanted collected samples and empty droplets or bubbles. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The platform of claim 10, further comprising a fluidic bubble logic device for screening the collected sample. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The platform of claim 10, further comprising a detection or measurement device for detecting or measuring a property of the collected sample. ### Claim 18 A platform for the analysis of single cells or molecules, comprising: a generator for producing at least one droplet or bubble containing a single cell or molecule; a sorter for removing unwanted and empty droplets or bubbles; a detection or measurement device for detecting or measuring a property of the cells or molecules; a fluidic bubble logic screening device for screening the cells or molecules, according to the detected or measured property, to identify at least one selected cell or molecule; at least one fluidic bubble logic memory element for storing the selected cells or molecules; and a fluidic bubble logic routing circuit for routing the selected cells or molecules from the screening device to the memory element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The platform of claim 18, wherein the sorter, fluidic bubble logic screening device, the fluidic bubble logic memory elements, and the fluidic bubble logic routing circuit are contained on a single chip.