Graphene-based electro-microfluidic devices and methods for protein structural analysis

1. An electro-microfluidic device, comprising:

a top layer comprising a top support layer and one or more top layers of graphene, wherein each top layer of the one or more top layers of graphene comprises an optically-clear top window area;

a bottom layer comprising a bottom support layer and one or more bottom layers of graphene, wherein each bottom layer of the one or more bottom layers of graphene comprises an optically-clear bottom window area;

a middle layer sandwiched between the one or more top layers of graphene and the one or more bottom layers of graphene having a patterned cavity defining a sample holding chamber;

a cathode electrically connected to a proximal portion of the one or more top layers of graphene or the one or more bottom layers of graphene; and

an anode electrically connected to a distal portion of the one or more top layers of graphene or the one or more bottom layers of graphene configured to allow an application of an electric field within or across the sample holding chamber;

wherein the optically-clear top window area comprises at least a portion of the one or more top layers of graphene, and the optically-clear bottom window area comprises at least a portion of the one or more bottom layers of graphene.

2. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an inlet port in a fluidic communication with the sample holding chamber; and

an outlet port in a fluidic communication with the sample holding chamber.

3. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the top support layer comprises a UV curable plastic material, a glass, silicon, a silicon nitride material, or a thermal plastic material.

4. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the bottom support layer comprises a UV curable plastic material, a glass, silicon, a silicon nitride material, or a thermal plastic material.

5. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an adhesive layer,

wherein the top layer and the middle layer are joined together by the adhesive layer therebetween.

6. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 5 , further comprising:

an adhesive layer,

wherein the bottom layer and the middle layer are joined together by the adhesive layer therebetween.

7. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the sample holding chamber is from 10 pL to 10 μL in volume.

8. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein an overall thickness between the top layer and the bottom layer is from 10 μm to 1 mm.

9. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein each of the top layer and the bottom layer comprises a single graphene film having a size from 2 mm 2 to 60 cm 2 .

10. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 9 , wherein the single graphene film is patterned.

11. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein each of the top layer and the bottom layer comprises a single graphene film having a thickness from one atomic layer to 10 atomic layers.

12. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 11 , wherein each of the top layer and the bottom layer comprises a graphene film of one atomic layer.

13. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein each of the optically-clear top window area and the optically-clear bottom window area is from 100 μm 2 to 1 cm 2 in size.

14. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layers of graphene and the one or more bottom layers of graphene serve as a vapor diffusion barrier.

15. The electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more top layers of graphene and the one or more bottom layers of graphene serve as a diffusion barrier to one or more of water vapor, O 2 , CO, CO 2 , water, and Xe.

16. An array device comprising:

two or more electro-microfluidic devices according to claim 1 .

17. A method for growing crystalline or non-crystalline materials, comprising: growing one or more crystalline or non-crystalline materials in a sample holding chamber of an electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 under a controlled application of an electric field.

18. A method of electro-crystallization and X-ray scattering analysis or X-ray diffraction analysis, comprising:

growing one or more crystalline or non-crystalline materials in a sample holding chamber of an electro-microfluidic device of claim 1 , optionally under a controlled application of an electric field;

directing an X-ray beam to the one or more crystalline or non-crystalline materials via an optically-clear top window area or an optically-clear bottom window area of the electro-microfluidic device; and

measuring X-ray scattering or X-ray diffraction of the one or more crystalline or non-crystalline materials via the optically-clear bottom window area or the optically-clear top window area of the electro-microfluidic device.

19. A method for fabricating an electro-microfluidic device, comprising:

providing a first graphene film comprising one or more layers of graphene and a second graphene film comprising one or more layers of graphene;

transferring the first graphene film to a support layer forming a top layer with a window area defined by the first graphene film;

transferring the second graphene film to a support layer forming a bottom layer with a window area defined by the second graphene film;

forming an electro-microfluidic device by bonding a middle layer having a pattern to and between the top layer and the bottom layer to form a sandwiched construct having:

a cavity for holding a sample defined by the top layer and bottom layer and the pattern of the middle layer, and

a first channel and a second channel connecting to the second graphene film at a proximal location and a distal location; and

providing a conductive material to the first channel and second channel so as to form an electric connectivity to the second graphene film.

20. A device comprising:

an electro-microfluidic device fabricated by the method of claim 19 .