Abstract:
A heat transfer system (100) comprising a primary heat exchanger (102) for receiving heat from a heat source (104); a secondary heat exchanger (106) for exhausting heat to a heat sink (108); a conduit (110) connecting the primary heat exchanger (102) and the secondary heat exchanger (106); and an electrokinetic pump (112) for pumping a heat exchange fluid between the primary heat exchanger (102) and the secondary heat exchanger 106 through the conduit (110).
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for mixing fluids are provided. The devices and methods operate without moving parts, and generate well-mixed fluids over a broad dynamic range of flow rates. Preferred embodiments include junction-type mixers, bundled mixers, and coaxial mixers. The devices and methods are optimized to produce rapid, accurate gradients to improve associated system throughput and reproducibility.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell 100 for processing a sample fluid, has a body 102 with a flow path 106, the flow path having an inlet 110 and an outlet 112; a reference electrode 122, 144 in fluid communication with the flow path; a counter electrode 124, 146 in fluid communication with the flow path; a porous working electrode 128 in fluid communication with the flow path, the working electrode having a working electrode material; an electrical connection 126 for the working electrode in electrical contact with the working electrode; and a working electrode section 132 in the flow path. The working electrode is positioned inside the working electrode section. The working electrode section has a volume of from about 1 pL to about 1 µL.
Abstract:
A junction is made between a first microfluidic substrate (12) having an elongate component (303) protruding from it and a second microfluidic substrate (22) having a corresponding conduit (261). Each of the substrates has a pair of alignment features, for example planar orthogonal surfaces (13,15; 23,25) or grooves (141,151; 241, 251) in opposite sides of the substrate. The substrates are placed on an alignment jig 6 having location features (63, 65) corresponding to the alignment features. The elongate component can be surrounded by a compressible gasket 40). The substrates are pushed towards each other so that the elongate component enters the conduit and the gasket, if any, is compressed. A fluid-tight junction results so long as the substrates are maintained in the necessary position, either by permanent means, or, if a junction which can be disassembled is needed, by maintaining pressure between the substrates. Novel apparatus and novel microfluidic assemblies, including microfluidic chips having grooves in their sides, are described.
Abstract:
Microfluidic systems including a principal microfluidic conduit (24), an adjacent dead volume (1) and a drain conduit (70) which mitigates the adverse effects of the dead volume on the operation of the system.
Abstract:
A microfluidic detection device for examining liquid chromatography samples, particularly samples from microcolumns. The sample enters and leaves a detection cell through a restricted passageway having an annular shape, so that the velocity of the sample is higher as it enters and as it leaves the detection cell. This reduces dispersion of the sample in the detection cell.
Abstract:
Particles dispersed in a liquid are assembled in a configuration in which all the particles lie in the same plane, and the assembled particles are processed while in that configuration. The assembled particles can for example be simultaneously exposed to electromagnetic radiation which elicits from the particles a response which provides information about the particles. The particles can for example be cells, cell fragments, or analyte-bearing beads of the type conventionally analyzed in a cytometer.