Related party transactions (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 0	$ 79,032	$ 160,089	$ 221,967
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	23,624	87,127	91,399	212,925
Payments to Acquire Equipment on Lease	$ 45,106	$ 45,106	$ 135,319	$ 74,812
Merck GHI [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Maximum required amount to expend for procurement of materials					$ 175,000
Fluidigm Corporation Supply Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Contractual agreement period			5 years
Fluidigm Corporation Expanded Supply Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Additional contractual agreement period			5 years
Contractual agreement maturity date			Mar. 17, 2018
Contractual agreement description			The initial term of the Fluidigm Agreement is five years. Both parties have the ability to extend the term for an additional five years. Under the expanded Supply Agreement, the term was extended until March 17, 2018, and the Company has the right to extend the term of the Supply Agreement for up to two additional three-year terms.