Flow cells with hydrophobic fluid guide

A method, comprising:

• activating an active region and an inactive region of a substrate,
• wherein the active region includes a plurality of first depressions separated by first interstitial regions, and
• wherein the inactive region includes:
• a fluidic pinning region that is directly adjacent to the active region;
• and
• a plurality of second depressions that are separated by second interstitial regions, wherein at least some of the plurality of second depressions are directly adjacent to the fluidic pinning region;
• applying a polymeric hydrogel to the active region, whereby the polymeric hydrogel at least partially fills the plurality of first depressions, becomes pinned within at least a portion of the fluidic pinning region, and does not advance into the plurality of second depressions;
• and
• applying a hydrophobic polymer to at least a portion of the inactive region, whereby the hydrophobic polymer at least partially fills the plurality of second depressions, thereby forming a hydrophobic barrier in the inactive region.

A method, comprising:

• activating an active region and an inactive region of a substrate,
• wherein the active region includes a plurality of first depressions separated by first interstitial regions, and
• wherein the inactive region includes:
• a fluidic pinning region that is directly adjacent to the active region;
• and
• a plurality of second depressions that are separated by second interstitial regions, wherein at least some of the plurality of second depressions are directly adjacent to the fluidic pinning region;
• applying a polymeric hydrogel to the active region and to the inactive region, whereby the polymeric hydrogel at least partially fills the plurality of first depressions and at least partially fills the plurality of second depressions;
• applying a protective coating to the active region, whereby the protective coating covers and passivates the polymeric hydrogel that at least partially fills the plurality of first depressions;
• and
• applying a hydrophobic polymer to the inactive region, whereby the hydrophobic polymer at least partially fills the plurality of second depressions and attaches to the polymeric hydrogel therein, thereby forming a hydrophobic barrier in the inactive region.

A method, comprising:

• activating an active region and an inactive region of a substrate,
• wherein the active region includes a plurality of first depressions separated by first interstitial regions, and
• wherein the inactive region includes:
• a fluidic pinning region that is directly adjacent to the active region;
• and
• a plurality of second depressions that are separated by second interstitial regions, wherein at least some of the plurality of second depressions are directly adjacent to the fluidic pinning region;
• applying a polymeric hydrogel to the active region, whereby the polymeric hydrogel at least partially fills the plurality of first depressions, becomes pinned within at least a portion of the fluidic pinning region, and does not advance into the plurality of second depressions;
• applying a protective coating to the active region, whereby the protective coating covers and passivates the polymeric hydrogel that at least partially fills the plurality of first depressions;
• and
• applying a hydrophobic polymer to the inactive region, whereby the hydrophobic polymer at least partially fills the plurality of second depressions, thereby forming a hydrophobic barrier in the inactive region.