Abstract: In one aspect, a microfluidic device for multiple reactions is provided, which comprises a reaction channel comprising multiple reaction chambers connected to a closed chamber or an elastic balloon outside of the microfluidic device, wherein a wall of the closed chamber is an elastic membrane; and a control channel comprising an elastic side wall, wherein the intersections between the side wall of the control channel with the reaction channel form multiple pneumatic microvalves. In another aspect, a method for conducting multiple reactions using the microfluidic device is provided, which comprises: a) filling the reaction chambers with a sample; and b) applying pressure to the control channel to expand the elastic side wall of the control channel, wherein the expanded elastic side wall forms a pneumatic microvalve that separates the reaction chambers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microfluidic chip includes providing an upper mold having multiple upper ribs extending along a second direction, and a lower mold having multiple lower ribs extending along a first direction different from the second direction, forming a forming material in a filling space defined by the upper and lower molds to provide a channeled plate having multiple upper microfluidic channels complementary in shape to the upper ribs, lower microfluidic channels complementary in shape to the lower ribs, and multiple thin film valves formed at intersections where the upper microfluidic channels intersect the lower microfluidic channels, separating the upper and lower molds, and covering the lower and upper microfluidic channels.

Abstract: Roll to roll processing techniques are described to produce microelectromechanical systems having releasable and moveable mechanical structures. A micro-pump that includes a pump body having compartmentalized pump chambers, with plural inlet and outlet ports and valves and plural membranes enclosing the pump chambers is described as a representative example.

Abstract: High-density microfluidic chips contain plumbing networks with thousands of micromechanical valves and hundreds of individually addressable chambers. These fluidic devices are analogous to electronic integrated circuits fabricated using large scale integration (LSI). A component of these networks is the fluidic multiplexor, which is a combinatorial array of binary valve patterns that exponentially increases the processing power of a network by allowing complex fluid manipulations with a minimal number of inputs. These integrated microfluidic networks can be used to construct a variety of highly complex microfluidic devices, for example the microfluidic analog of a comparator array, and a microfluidic memory storage device resembling electronic random access memories.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: A method for attenuation of low frequency acoustic sound in an acoustic dctor comprising the steps of collecting incoming sound waves in the frequency range of DC to 3000 Hz so as to provide an incoming signal S.sub.I, splitting the incoming signal into two signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 such that signal S.sub.1 travels through a one acoustic transmission tube a distance of L.sub.1 to the first control port of a fluidic laminar proportional amplifier and signal S.sub.2 travels through a second acoustic transmission tube a distance of L.sub.2 to the second control port of the fluidic laminar proportional amplifier, adjusting the L.sub.1 distance such that the phase of input signal S.sub.1 is shifted in relation to the phase of input signal S.sub.2 when input signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 arrive at the control ports of the laminar proportional amplifier.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid is "let-down" to atmospheric pressure as it passes through a choke assembly having two pressure orifices (choke flow beans) which are in-line and directly opposite and which are designed to deliver jet streams of generally equal force to a common in-line focal point. The choke assembly is a fixed-rate system where the volume throughput is regulated primarily by the pressure on the fluid.

Abstract: A fluidic flow control device includes at least three terminals with two of the terminals being connected to input nozzles opposing each other in axial alignment. An interspace is provided adjacent the point of intersection of the two streams from the nozzles and a radial diffuser is provided encircling the interspace. The third terminal communicates with the radial diffuser. The variable relationship between the flows produced at the nozzles is effective to control the flow at the third terminal. The diffuser is formed by planar faces separated by a constant width gap. The gap opens into an annular plenum to which the third terminal is connected. The entry area to the radial diffuser is sized to be substantially equal to the sum of the areas of the nozzle throats. In one embodiment, a mixer region may be provided between the diffuser and at least one of the nozzles. A fourth terminal acting as a vent may communicate with the mixer region.

Abstract: Flow of gas through a conduit of a gas-handling system, particularly the exhaust system of a material processing furnace operating at high temperatures, is controlled by directing a control gas (usually air) into the conduit in opposition to the normal flow of gas therethrough at a location such that it can comprehend substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the conduit substantially without diminution of such area or interference with fluid flow at such location when full normal flow is desired. The apparatus includes a duct leading from a pressure source of control gas to nozzle means disposed substantially entirely outside the conduit but with the discharge therefrom directed into the conduit from at least one side thereof and in opposition to normal gas flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A fluidic fuel charge injection device for an internal combustion engine includes an impacting stream device having a deflection control nozzle and a control chamber enclosing a main stream nozzle. The device is mounted in the engine manifold to introduce the fuel charge. The device operates at high pressure levels and the control signals are amplified to the necessary power level. An engine revolutional signal is a modulated pulse width signal formed by triggering of high power level fluidic amplifying devices which include a plurality impacting stream fluidic operating as NOR logic elements. An amplifying section includes a transverse impact modulator follower (TIMF) connected to the logic output to produce a pair of interrelated fluid signals proportional to the engine RPM. The pair of signals are applied to the control chambers or through a fluidic coupling stage to a control chamber or to the main stream nozzle for controlling the air-fuel mixture and the introduction of the charge into the manifold.

Abstract: Three fluidic control devices of special construction receive streams of air that are deflected to the atmosphere at predetermined intervals by means of jets of air controlled by valves and the liquid level in a container being filled as a filling machine moves through its cycle. At one point in the cycle, air pressure from one of the fluidic control devices causes the filling valve of the machine to open and remain open until a jet of control air is delivered to another of the fluidic control devices when the desired liquid level in the container is reached, whereupon those two control devices are vented to the atmosphere and the filling valve closes. If a container is not in filling position when it should be, there will be no blow-down through the level-sensing tube and the filling valve will not open.

Abstract: In order to detect effective operation of the reheat system of a turbo-jet ngine, a detection device is provided which is adapted to produce an output signal when such effective operation is sensed. The detection device includes means for sensing the pressure of the gas flow in the engine at a pair of preselected positions and feeding signals to processing means related to the pressures so sensed. When there is a preselected difference between the two signals, the output signal referred to above is generated.

Abstract: A fluidic accelerometer employing a transverse-impact modulator for measug acceleration or velocity of a body along a specified axis of the accelerometer. This device uses two similar collinear power-input tubes directed toward each other. The axially opposing power jets from the tubes impact where the flow meets an air-bearing supported proofmass containing annular rings and produce symmetrical radial flow cones at the balance point. A change in the position of the proofmass causes the balance point to move which causes the radial flow cones to become asymmetrical and a net pressure difference is developed in the output receivers.

Abstract: A valve system is provided for completely draining a vessel which may contain corrosive liquids and for preventing leakage until the vessel is to be drained. This is accomplished by providing the vessel with a throat at the bottom, an outlet tube connected to the throat and a pressure tube connected to the outlet tube with a source of fluid or gas pressure connected to the outlet tube between the throat and the pressure tube to force gas upward against (and/or through) the throat, thereby preventing the flow of liquid downwad through the throat. Agitation of the vessel contents can be achieved by flow of gas through he throat.

Abstract: A fluidic accelerometer employing a direct-impact modulator for measuring celeration or velocity of a body along a specified axis of the accelerometer. This device uses two similar collinear power-input tubes directed toward each other. The axially opposing power jets from the tubes impact where the flow meets an air-bearing supported proofmass containing annular rings and produce symmetrical radial flow cones at the balance point. A change in the position of the proofmass causes the balance point to move which causes the radial flow cones to become asymmetrical and a net pressure difference is developed in the output receivers.