Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a substrate for enhancing the fluorescence of a fluorescent molecule, wherein the substrate comprises a solid polymer carrier having a plurality of recesses separated from each other and wherein the solid carrier is coated at least in part by a metal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microfluidic or microtiter device, the method comprises fabricating, by a single compression injection molding operation, a microfluidic or microtiter device having one or more indentations, in which a base thickness of the one or more indentations is less than 400 ?m. In embodiments, the fabricating step comprises: forming a mold cavity; filling the mold cavity with molten material; closing the mold cavity; and driving one or more molding formations complementary to the one or more indentations into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A plurality of polymer slides, each having a polymer part with a first polymer surface portion uncoated and a second surface portion coated with a metal. The first and second surface portions each have different surface coating properties and have respective first and second specified degrees of hydrophobicity which are different from each other. A hydrophobic small molecule is located in the polymer part of each polymer slide, and the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer are essentially inert to one another. Adjacent polymer slides are arranged in a manner that the first polymer surface of one slide faces a metal coated second surface portion of another slide. The hydrophobic small molecule evaporates from said first polymer surface portion of the polymer part of one polymer slide onto the adjacent metal coated second surface portion of another polymer slide.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises a first substrate (102) made of a first polymer material and a second substrate (104) made of a second polymer material, the first (102) and second (104) substrates having respective bonding surfaces (23, 41), at least one of the bonding surfaces (41) having channel formations (14) so that, when the bonding surfaces (23, 41) are bonded by surface deformation to one another, the bonded first and second substrates (102, 104) and the channel formations (14) form at least part of a microfluidic channel network comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein one or more indicator pits (11), separate to the channel formations (14) defining the microfluidic channel network, are formed in at least one of the bonding surfaces (23, 41), so that surface deformation caused by the bonding process causes a change of configuration of the one or more indicator pits (11).

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer part comprising the following steps: (a) incorporating a hydrophobic small molecule into the polymer before, during or after manufacture of the polymer part, the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer being essentially inert to one another; and (b) annealing the polymer part to induce migration of the hydrophobic small molecules to a surface of the polymer part to provide that surface with a specified degree of hydrophobicity defined by the combination of the polymer and the hydrophobic small molecule; is described. Polymer parts made according to the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microfluidic device comprises molding a substrate using a master die having at least one outer stepped formation; and forming at least one microstructured formation having an outer rim, the depth of the outer rim being shallower than that of the microstructured formation.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first substrate made of a first polymer material and a second substrate made of a second polymer material, the first and second substrates having respective bonding surfaces, at least one of the bonding surfaces having channel formations so that, when the bonding surfaces are bonded by surface deformation to one another, the bonded first and second substrates and the channel formations form at least part of a microfluidic channel network comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein one or more indicator pits, separate to the channel formations defining the microfluidic channel network, are formed in at least one of the bonding surfaces, so that surface deformation caused by the bonding process causes a change of configuration of the one or more indicator pits.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microfluidic or microtiter device, the method comprises fabricating, by a single compression injection molding operation, a microfluidic or microtiter device having one or more indentations, in which a base thickness of the one or more indentations is less than 400 ?m. In embodiments, the fabricating step comprises: forming a mold cavity; filling the mold cavity with molten material; closing the mold cavity; and driving one or more molding formations complementary to the one or more indentations into the mold cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a substrate for enhancing the fluorescence of a fluorescent molecule, wherein the substrate comprises a solid polymer carrier having a plurality of recesses separated from each other and wherein the solid carrier is coated at least in part by a metal.

Abstract: There are provided a method and device for thermocompression bonding of possibly preventing any warping of a resin member to be caused by thermocompression bonding, and of possibly reducing the time to be taken for processing. The method for thermocompression bonding, includes: preheating a resin member using an infrared radiation section; and subjecting the resin member to thermocompression bonding using a heating section and a pressurization section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device with a planar electrode structure, the method comprising: (a) forming a microfluidic channel on a substrate; (b) applying a primer layer to at least part of the microfluidic channel, (c) applying a conductive liquid to the microfluidic channel, the conductive liquid comprising electrically conductive particles dispersed in a carrier medium, the carrier medium including a solvent; (d) allowing the conductive liquid to flow throughout the microfluidic channel by capillary action to form the planar electrode structure; and (e) evaporating the solvent from the carrier medium, is described. Devices obtainable using the method and their applications are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer part comprising the following steps: (a) incorporating a hydrophobic small molecule into the polymer before, during or after manufacture of the polymer part, the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer being essentially inert to one another; and (b) annealing the polymer part to induce migration of the hydrophobic small molecules to a surface of the polymer part to provide that surface with a specified degree of hydrophobicity defined by the combination of the polymer and the hydrophobic small molecule; is described. Polymer parts made according to the method are also described.