Methods for forming lipid bilayers on biochips

A nanopore sensing system the system comprising:

• a chip comprising a fluid flow path in fluid communication with a plurality of wells, each well having an opening and an electrode;
• and
• a control system in communication with the chip, the control system programmed to:
• flow a lipid solution into the fluid flow path;
• flow a buffer solution into the fluid flow path to displace excess lipid solution from the flow path, thereby leaving the openings of the plurality of wells covered with a layer of lipid material;
• and
• apply a stimulus to the layer of lipid material covering the openings of the plurality of wells to thin the layer of lipid material into a bilayer capable of receiving a nanopore, wherein the stimulus is selected from the group consisting of a liquid flow over the plurality of wells, the sequential flow of one or more different liquids over the plurality of wells, the sequential flow of any combination of one or more different liquids and bubbles over the plurality of wells, an electrical pulse, sonication pulse, pressure pulse, or sound pulse.