Patent ID: 7829025

Claim:
A system comprising: a microfluidic device comprising a channel configured to receive a fluidic sample; an electrical pathway comprising a solid element disposed in thermal communication with the channel, the solid element having an electrical characteristic dependent on the temperature of the solid element; an electrical energy source in electrical communication with the electrical pathway; an electrical measurement device in electrical communication with the solid element and configured to obtain data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element; and a computer-readable medium comprising executable software for operating the system, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises: code to provide a first actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a first electrical current, selected so as to raise the temperature of the fluidic sample, flows through the solid element; code to provide a second actuation state of the electrical energy source, wherein a second, lower electrical current flows through the solid element; and code to receive data indicative of the electrical characteristic of the solid element from the electrical measurement device.