Abstract: In a method of transporting objects with transport vehicles, a starting point, a destination, a starting time and an arrival time are noted as object coordinates in a space-time. A transport path network of possible transport paths together with average speeds on the possible transport ways is defined. Suitable transport paths of the possible transport paths between the object coordinates of the objects are determined and noted in the space-time. In the space-time, one of the suitable transport paths per object is bundled into driving routes of the transport vehicles, transport capacities and the actual locations of the transport vehicles of the plurality of transport vehicles being considered. The driving routes together with the object coordinates of the associated objects are transmitted to those transport vehicles involved. Then, the objects are transported in that the transport vehicles involved are driven along the transmitted driving routes.

Abstract: A cohesive granular material comprises granules made of a stiff substance and having a grain size in the range from 55 ?m to 2.0 mm; an elastomeric substance connecting the granules, a Young's modulus of the elastomeric substance being at maximum 0.5 times a Young's modulus of the stiff substance; and voids between the granules, the voids being interconnected and providing a fluid permeability to the cohesive granular material.

Abstract: A cohesive granular material comprises granules made of a stiff substance and having a grain size in the range from 55 ?m to 2.0 mm; an elastomeric substance connecting the granules, a Young's modulus of the elastomeric substance being at maximum 0.5 times a Young's modulus of the stiff substance; and voids between the granules, the voids being interconnected and providing a fluid permeability to the cohesive granular material.

Abstract: In a method of transporting objects with transport vehicles, a starting point, a destination, a starting time and an arrival time are noted as object coordinates in a space-time. A transport path network of possible transport paths together with average speeds on the possible transport ways is defined. Suitable transport paths of the possible transport paths between the object coordinates of the objects are determined and noted in the space-time. In the space-time, one of the suitable transport paths per object is bundled into driving routes of the transport vehicles, transport capacities and the actual locations of the transport vehicles of the plurality of transport vehicles being considered. The driving routes together with the object coordinates of the associated objects are transmitted to those transport vehicles involved. Then, the objects are transported in that the transport vehicles involved are driven along the transmitted driving routes.

Abstract: There is described a method for forming an emulsion (1) containing at least one dispersed phase (3) and a continuous phase (2) in a fluidic microsystem (100), said method comprising the steps: forming flows (4, 5) of different liquids which flow towards a dispersion region (10), and forming the emulsion (1) from the liquids in the dispersion region (10), wherein the flows (4, 5) run through a common channel (20) to the dispersion region (10) and the flows (4, 5) are arranged next to one another relative to a first reference direction, and wherein the emulsion (1) is produced as the liquids flow through a cross-sectional widening (11) provided in the dispersion region (10), at which the cross section of the channel (20) widens in a second reference direction different from the first reference direction. A fluidic microsystem for forming an emulsion (1) containing a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3) is also described. A fusion of droplets in electric fields is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a microfluidic device for combining reaction components contained in liquids. The method comprises the steps: application of at least one first liquid filament containing a first reaction component on a first carrier substrate; application of at least one second liquid filament containing a second reaction component on a second carrier substrate; positioning of the two carrier substrates relative to each other at a predetermined distance such that the liquid filaments face each other; and bringing at least one of the at least one first liquid filament into contact with at least one of the at least one second liquid filament by creating at least one connecting point of the respective first and second liquid filaments.

Abstract: An emulsifying device (100) for forming an emulsion (1) having a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3.1, 3.2) includes a dispersion region (10) for forming the emulsion (1), a channel (20) which leads to the dispersion region (10) and is designed to accommodate laminar-flowing liquid filaments of the continuous and dispersed phases (2, 3.1, 3.2), a feed line (30) for feeding the continuous phase (2) into the channel (20), and at least one injection line (40, 41) for supplying the at least one dispersed phase (3.1, 3.2) into the channel (20), wherein the at least one injection line (40, 41) is connected to the channel (20) via a multitude of injection bores (42), and the dispersion region (10) includes a gap opening (11) of the channel (20) which opens into an environment of the emulsifying device (100). A process is also described for forming an emulsion (1) having a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3.1, 3.2).

Abstract: A method for atomizing at least one liquid (1) using an atomizer (10) which has at least one annular gap (11) is described, with the following steps: letting out the liquid (1) through the at least one annular gap (11) into an atomizer chamber (20), wherein at least one constriction of the annular gap (11) is produced, the constriction running around the at least one annular gap (11), and disintegrating the liquid (1) in the atomizer chamber (20) into liquid droplets (2) at a distance from the at least one annular gap (11). An atomizer (10) for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: There is described a method for forming an emulsion (1) containing at least one dispersed phase (3) and a continuous phase (2) in a fluidic microsystem (100), said method comprising the steps: forming flows (4, 5) of different liquids which flow towards a dispersion region (10), and forming the emulsion (1) from the liquids in the dispersion region (10), wherein the flows (4, 5) run through a common channel (20) to the dispersion region (10) and the flows (4, 5) are arranged next to one another relative to a first reference direction, and wherein the emulsion (1) is produced as the liquids flow through a cross-sectional widening (11) provided in the dispersion region (10), at which the cross section of the channel (20) widens in a second reference direction different from the first reference direction. A fluidic microsystem for forming an emulsion (1) containing a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3) is also described. A fusion of droplets in electric fields is also described.