Abstract: A microfluidic device (100) comprising: a substrate (110) having a liquid channel (120), an ordered set of pillars (130) positioned in the channel (120), the individual pillars (130) comprising at least one pair of fins that form a chevron-shaped cross-section with the substrate, and being arranged in pairs of rows, adjacent rows being laterally displaced with respect to one another by half a pillar in length, the pillar length being measured perpendicular to the average liquid direction, thereby forming microchannels between the pillars, and the rows being staggered so that the microchannels formed between pillars of successive rows at each position along the longest pillar side have substantially the same width.

Abstract: A method (200) for producing a microfluidic apparatus (100) according to one or more design constraints. The method comprises: providing (210) a first substrate (110) comprising multiple fluid channels (120), wherein the channels have an inlet (123) and an outlet (124); implementing (220) a configuration of connecting channels (150) on at least one second substrate (140) depending on the specified design constraints of the microfluidic apparatus (100); such that by aligning (230) the first substrate with the at least one second substrate, at least some inlets and outlets of the fluid channels of the first substrate are connected to the connecting channels (150) and a microfluidic device (100) complying with the one or more design constraints is obtained.

Abstract: A distributor is described for distributing a fluid flow from a smaller to a more broad fluid flow. It comprises a fluid input and a plurality of fluid outputs, and a channel structure in between the fluid input and the plurality of fluid outputs. The channel structure comprises alternatingly bifurcating channel substructures and common channel substructures wherein the substructures are arranged so that fluid exiting different channels from a bifurcating channel substructure mixes in a subsequent common channel substructure, and whereby fluid channels of the bifurcating channel substructure are arranged such that these do not contact the subsequent common channel substructure at the edges thereof.

Abstract: A distributor is described for distributing a fluid flow from a smaller to a more broad fluid flow. It comprises a fluid input and a plurality of fluid outputs, and a channel structure in between the fluid input and the plurality of fluid outputs. The channel structure comprises alternatingly bifurcating channel substructures and common channel substructures wherein the substructures are arranged so that fluid exiting different channels from a bifurcating channel substructure mixes in a subsequent common channel substructure, and whereby fluid channels of the bifurcating channel substructure are arranged such that these do not contact the subsequent common channel substructure at the edges thereof.

Abstract: A chemical reactor is described comprising a substrate with a fluid channel and a set of organized pillar structures positioned in the channel. The individual pillar structures have a length in the longitudinal direction of the channel and a width in the width direction of the channel whereby their width-to-length aspect ratio is at least 7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation device comprising a first substrate body carrying a micro-fabricated separation channel recessed on one of its surfaces and covered by a second substrate body, both perforated with connection-holes for the supply and withdrawal of a sample and carrier liquid. The present device is characterized in that said micro-fabricated separation channel is preceded or succeeded by a flow distribution region that is filled with an array of micro-fabricated pillars, having a shape, size and positioning pattern selected such that said flow distribution region has a ratio of transversal to axial permeability of at least 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the efficiency of high-pressure liquid chromatography columns in HPLC. More specifically, the method of the present invention provides a high-pressure liquid chromatography column being divided into a multitude of shorter separation segments, the shorter separation segments being serially connected with cooling segments. By applying an active controlled cooling action on the fluid flow passing through the cooling segments the separation efficiency of the high-pressure liquid chromatography column can be increased significantly.

Abstract: The present invention enables the automatic change of the number of segments involved in a coupled chromatographic column system, without the need to physically detach and attach the individual segments. The present invention further relates to a method for performing method development in chromatography and for selecting the optimal separation conditions to perform a chromatographic separation using the system of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation device comprising a first substrate body carrying a micro-fabricated separation channel recessed on one of its surfaces and covered by a second substrate body, both perforated with connection-holes for the supply and withdrawal of a sample and carrier liquid. The present device is characterized in that said micro-fabricated separation channel is preceded or succeeded by a flow distribution region that is filled with an array of micro-fabricated pillars, having a shape, size and positioning pattern selected such that said flow distribution region has a ratio of transversal to axial permeability of at least 2.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing monolithic separation and reaction media in a separation or reaction channel, characterised in that the separation or reaction channel is first provided with a micro-structured scaffold comprising scaffold skeleton elements, substantially filling the whole channel interior in a substantially uniform way prior to the application of the monolith forming solutions and methods.

Abstract: A method and device for separating particles in a fluid according to size is disclosed. The method includes the step of generating at least one recirculating flow by transporting a fluid containing the particles across a profiled surface carrying at least two adjacent regions of different depth which form a surface level step, where the fluid is transported by mechanically moving a flat first surface over the profiled surface. The adjacent regions of different depth are arranged such that the depth of the regions decreases in the net direction of a forward displacement of the first surface. A normal load is applied to at least one surface. The particles are allowed to separate by at least one recirculating flow generated by moving the first surface past the profiled surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the simultaneous conduction of a multiplicity of binding reactions on a substrate with a first surface, said surface comprising discrete and isolated locations of one such binding reaction, said binding reaction being generated upon contact between the substrate and a fluidic sample comprising one or more target molecules capable of binding with at least one receptor molecule at least partly tethered to said first surface of the substrate, and further comprising means for enhancing the diffusion fluidic flow of the sample over the substrate, whereby said means for enhancing the diffusion fluidic flow comprises shear-force field generating means, whereby said means comprise a second surface positioned in a flow interacting manner in said flow channel, said second surface is able to be moved in a substantial parallel mode over the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the simultaneous conduction of a multiplicity of binding reactions on a substrate with a first surface, said surface comprising discrete and isolated locations of one such binding reaction, said binding reaction being generated upon contact between the substrate and a fluidic sample comprising one or more target molecules capable of binding with at least one receptor molecule at least partly tethered to said first surface of the substrate, and further comprising means for enhancing the diffusion fluidic flow of the sample over the substrate, whereby said means for enhancing the diffusion fluidic flow comprises shear-force field generating means, whereby said means comprise a second surface positioned in a flow interacting manner in said flow channel, said second surface is able to be moved in a substantial parallel mode over the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new separation method and a device therefor, especially to a device and method for chromatographic chemical analysis. In the method according to the invention, the driving of the mobile phase fluid in, through and out the separation channel, said channel being defined by at least two channel elements, is mainly caused by a relative movement of at least one channel element compared to at least one of the other channel elements preferably the movement of the mobile phase fluid and the sample to be separated through the separation channel is sustained by relief elements, such as one or more protrusions, recesses, holes or irregular porous-like structures, which are arranged on at least one of the channel elements.