Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for inducing and/or controlling flow of a fluid within a microchannel in a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes a fluid reservoir configured for holding a volume of fluid to be transported through said microfluidic channel and also configured for fluid connection to an inlet of said microfluidic channel. The apparatus also includes an evaporation reservoir configured for fluid connection to an outlet of said microfluidic channel. The evaporation reservoir includes at least one wetting, wicking or hydrophilic structure positioned at least partly within the reservoir. The wetting, wicking, or hydrophilic structure is capable of absorbing or conducting a fluid present in the microfluidic channel via wicking action or capillary force and maintaining a substantially constant volume of fluid in the evaporation reservoir.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic device for measuring one or more parameters in a fluid sample, which includes a sample microfluidic channel disposed on a solid substrate, a reagent microfluidic channel disposed on a solid substrate, a mixing microfluidic channel disposed on a solid substrate, and an optical reading window located downstream of the mixing microfluidic channel, through which a response indicative of the parameter(s) change can be measured optically. The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for measuring one or more parameters in a fluid sample which includes the microfluidic device as well as a method for measuring one or more parameters in a fluid sample through the device or the apparatus.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for measuring an amount of an oxidant in a solution is disclosed. The device includes a microfluidic substrate configured to mix a solution sample to be analysed with an indicator dye solution containing an indicator dye under conditions suitable for some of the indicator dye to react with any oxidant in the solution to produce an oxidant measurement solution having a reduced indicator dye concentration that is indicative of the amount of oxidant in the solution, the microfluidic substrate including an optical reading window through which the reduced indicator dye concentration in the oxidant measurement solution can be measured optically.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for measuring an amount of an oxidant in a solution is disclosed. The device includes a microfluidic substrate configured to mix a solution sample to be analysed with an indicator dye solution containing an indicator dye under conditions suitable for some of the indicator dye to react with any oxidant in the solution to produce an oxidant measurement solution having a reduced indicator dye concentration that is indicative of the amount of oxidant in the solution, the microfluidic substrate including an optical reading window through which the reduced indicator dye concentration in the oxidant measurement solution can be measured optically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for extracting gold ions from an aqueous phase containing gold ions. The process comprises contacting the aqueous phase with an extractant phase consisting of or comprising an ionic liquid (IL) under liquid-liquid extraction conditions for a time sufficient to allow transfer of at least some of the gold ions from the aqueous phase to the extractant phase; and separating the extractant phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A process for extracting a target metal ion from an aqueous feedstock containing, inter alia, the target metal ion. The process comprises providing said feedstock and contacting the feedstock with a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) that is substantially free of an extraneous organic extractant under liquid-liquid extraction conditions for a time sufficient to allow transfer of at least some of the target metal ions from the feedstock to the RTIL. The RTIL is then separated from the feedstock and the target metal ions are recovered from the RTIL.