Abstract: A device for analyzing a fluid by evanescence field spectroscopy. The device includes a waveguide, a source of electromagnetic radiation coupled to the waveguide on the entry side, and a detector coupled to the waveguide on the exit side for detecting electromagnetic radiation, wherein the waveguide is arranged in contact with the fluid in at least certain sections between its entry side and its exit side. An electrode arrangement is also provided, which is designed to generate an inhomogeneous electric field in the direct environment of the waveguide, said field exerting a dielectrophoretic force on polarisable particles in the fluid, which moves these particles towards or away from the waveguide. A corresponding method is presented.

Abstract: A mixing and/or conveyance method and a mixing and/or conveyance device for a fluid substance, comprising a sample chamber, a cavity communicating with the sample chamber, said cavity being configured for accommodating a compressible medium, and a sound source that may be coupled to the compressible medium for the production of a fluctuation in pressure in the compressible medium. In the region of its mouth, the cavity is designed such that, in the case of an expansion in the volume of the compressible medium in the cavity, a directed fluid stream of the fluid substance escapes from the cavity through its mouth. A sample processing chip (‘lab on a chip’) comprising such a mixing and/or conveyance device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing element for a flowable substance, comprising a body enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity has at least one opening and the cavity and the opening are located relative to the body such that a fluid flow of the flowable substance out of the cavity through the opening transfers a torque to the mixing element. The invention further relates to the use of a tube or hose section as such a mixing element and a mixing device comprising such a mixing element, a container, and a sound source coupled thereto for generating an oscillating pressure.

Abstract: A microfluidic component made of a metal sheet having a structure which includes a closed fluid line and which is formed of a structured surface of a first section of the metal sheet and an adjoining structured or unstructured surface of a second section of the metal sheet, wherein the metal sheet is folded such that the sections integrally connected to each other are located on top of each other in a surface-parallel manner. The metal sheet further includes at least one third section having a contoured edge and is moreover folded such that the third section is also supported in a surface-parallel manner and the contoured edge forms a first wall section and the adjoining structured or unstructured surface of the first or second section forms a second wall section of an open fluid line. A microfluidic reactor comprising a plurality of such microfluidic components and a method for producing such components.

Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement for extracting and optionally processing an extract from a sample and for transferring the extract in flowable form to a microfluidic chip using an extractor with a compressible extraction chamber and at least one opening thereof, a reactor that has a reaction chamber, an inlet opening that communicates with the at least one opening of the extractor, wherein the two openings define a flow path between the chambers, an outlet opening for fluidically connecting to the microfluidic chip and a ventilation opening of the reaction chamber, and having a filter arrangement installed in the flow path between the extractor and the reactor. A lab-on-a-chip system with such a microfluidic arrangement and a microfluidic chip that is rigidly connected to the reactor.

Abstract: A drive device for erosion tools, having a drive shaft, an electrode holder connected to the drive shaft, an axial drive which works on the drive shaft, a rotational drive which works on the drive shaft as a direct drive in a contactless manner, and a radial bearing. The radial bearing is constructed as a ball track.

Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement for extracting and optionally processing an extract from a sample and for transferring the extract in flowable form to a microfluidic chip using an extractor with a compressible extraction chamber and at least one opening thereof, a reactor that has a reaction chamber, an inlet opening that communicates with the at least one opening of the extractor, wherein the two openings define a flow path between the chambers, an outlet opening for fluidically connecting to the microfluidic chip and a ventilation opening of the reaction chamber, and having a filter arrangement installed in the flow path between the extractor and the reactor. A lab-on-a-chip system with such a microfluidic arrangement and a microfluidic chip that is rigidly connected to the reactor.

Abstract: A micro-valve for controlling fluid flows and a sealing device for sealing off cavities in a microfluid system, in particular in a lab-on-a-chip system, and also a method for the production thereof. A valve body or a sealing element bears with a sealing surface against a sealing surface of a substrate, the valve body or the sealing element is pressed with the sealing surface thereof in a fluid-tight manner against the sealing surface of the substrate by means of a pressure-exerting ring, and the pressure-exerting ring is cohesively connected to the substrate. The pressure-exerting ring and/or the valve body or the sealing element are at least partially elastic.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flows, and a sealing device for sealing cavities in a microfluidic system, particularly in a lab-on-a-chip system, and a method for the production thereof. A sealing surface of a valve body, or a sealing element, respectively, rests on a sealing surface of a substrate and is pressed against the sealing surface of the substrate in a fluid-tight manner by means of a clamping element. The clamping element and/or the valve body, or the sealing element, respectively, are at least partially elastic.

Abstract: Pressure-operable microfluidic structure for the bubble-free combining of two liquid volumes with a fluid chamber that has a feed opening, as well as an inlet and outlet channel emerging into the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid chamber has a cross section that broadens out relative to the inlet channel in the direction of flow from the inlet to the outlet channel and is designed, thanks to the broadened cross section, to broaden a first liquid volume that is essentially pressure-driven and conducted through the inlet channel and through the fluid chamber to a cross section at least approximately corresponding to the full cross section of the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber has a holding position and is configured so that a second liquid volume, placed in the fluid chamber through the feed opening, can be held in the region of the holding position and the second liquid volume when the first liquid volume is moved through by pressure can be taken up by the latter and delivered as a combined liquid volum

Abstract: A measurement channel for use in a microfluidic system, particularly a lab-on-chip system, having a first end at which a first gas permeable but liquid impermeable wall section is disposed which makes available a gas conduit, and a second end at which the measurement channel is connectable to at least one fluid conduit and at which an isolation or cutoff means is disposed, wherewith in the measurement channel a defined volume is included between the wall section and the isolation or cutoff means. The isolation or cutoff means is preferably in the form of a second gas permeable but liquid impermeable wall section which makes available a gas conduit. A microfluidic structure is disclosed having a plurality of fluid conduits, and further having a valve for selectively connecting and/or blocking the fluid conduits, at least one of which fluid conduits is in the form of a measurement channel.

Abstract: A drive device for erosion tools, having a drive shaft, an electrode holder connected to the drive shaft, an axial drive which works on the drive shaft, a rotational drive which works on the drive shaft as a direct drive in a contactless manner, and a radial bearing. The radial bearing is constructed as a ball track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing element for a flowable substance, comprising a body enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity has at least one opening and the cavity and the opening are located relative to the body such that a fluid flow of the flowable substance out of the cavity through the opening transfers a torque to the mixing element. The invention further relates to the use of a tube or hose section as such a mixing element and a mixing device comprising such a mixing element, a container, and a sound source coupled thereto for generating an oscillating pressure.

Abstract: A mixing and/or conveyance method and a mixing and/or conveyance device for a fluid substance, comprising a sample chamber, a cavity communicating with the sample chamber, said cavity being configured for accommodating a compressible medium, and a sound source that may be coupled to the compressible medium for the production of a fluctuation in pressure in the compressible medium. In the region of its mouth, the cavity is designed such that, in the case of an expansion in the volume of the compressible medium in the cavity, a directed fluid stream of the fluid substance escapes from the cavity through its mouth. A sample processing chip (‘lab on a chip’) comprising such a mixing and/or conveyance device.

Abstract: This describes a procedure for replicative fabrication and packaging of at least one microstructured molded part as one magazine/molded part composite as well as a magazine with at least one microstructured molded part as one magazine/molded part composite. The first step covers fabrication of at least one microstructured molded part using an initially closed tool which consists of at least one first and one second tool half. In the second step, both tool halves are opened, whereby the molded part remains in the first tool half. In the third step, at least the second tool half is replaced with at least one additional tool half. In the fourth step, the replicative fabrication of the magazine is carried out using the first tool half containing the molded part and the additional tool half. Finally in the fifth step, magazine and molded part are demolded simultaneously as one magazine/molded part composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for electrophoretically separating molecules. The inventive device comprises: at least one plate having a top side and an underside; a first separating channel provided for receiving at least one first separating medium; at least one second channel, which is orthogonal to said first separating channel and which is provided for receiving a second separating medium; optionally comprises implements provided for filling the device with reagents, solvents, buffers, separating media and/or for loading the device with a sample to be separated, and; terminals for applying electric separating voltage to the separating channels. In the device, the first separating channel is located on the plate top side and comprises at least one first opening that leads to the plate underside, whereby the second separating channel is located on the plate underside and comprises at least one second opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitatively and/or qualitatively detecting layer thicknesses of biological or chemical molecules by means of ellipsometric measurements. Said molecules are deposited on at least one metal layer by virtue of interactions with a gaseous or liquid medium, whereby said metal layer is provided with an immobilisation layer. A method that can be carried out quickly is provided by including the surface plasmon resonance. Said method is provided with a significantly greater detection sensitivity and can be used not only for qualitatively detecting layers. According to the inventive method, the angle of incidence and/or the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation which is used for the ellipsometric measurements is/are adjusted in such a way that a surface plasmon resonance is produced in the metal layer. The detection sensitivity (? cos ?)/(thickness of the layer to be detected) is adjusted by means of the thickness of the metal layer.

Abstract: This describes a procedure for replicative fabrication and packaging of at least one microstructured molded part as one magazine/molded part composite as well as a magazine with at least one microstructured molded part as one magazine/molded part composite. The first step covers fabrication of at least one microstructured molded part using an initially closed tool which consists of at least one first and one second tool half. In the second step, both tool halves are opened, whereby the molded part remains in the first tool half. In the third step, at least the second tool half is replaced with at least one additional tool half. In the fourth step, the replicative fabrication of the magazine is carried out using the first tool half containing the molded part and the additional tool half. Finally in the fifth step, magazine and molded part are demolded simultaneously as one magazine/molded part composite.

Abstract: A modular microreaction system comprising a housing and functional base modules accommodated therein. The housing has at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. The base modules are arranged one behind another in a row in the housing and being designed such that fluid can flow successively through them in series. At least some of the base modules are constructed from a plurality of substantially rectangular foils having plate-like surfaces in essentially parallel planes which foils are connected to one another and are arranged in layers one above another, forming a foil stack. At least a first of the foils having at least one of microstructured channels, sensor elements, heating elements and combinations thereof on a plate-like surface of the at least a first of the foils.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly device for microcomponents that are disposed in a magazine. The inventive assembly device does not require any optical systems and allows for an exact positioning of the microcomponents. The assembly will also be unaffected by any position changes of the microcomponents caused by wastage. The assembly device is provided with mechanical alignment devices that engage with or act upon adjustment structures of the magazine. The assembly device further comprises clamping devices for fixing the magazine and at least one plunger for ejecting at least one microcomponent from the magazine. An assembly platform is provided in the upper tool or in the lower tool of the assembly device and receives the microcomponents in a defined position. The invention further relates to a method for assembling microcomponents and to a corresponding magazine.