Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A fitting assembly includes a first fitting that is configured to receive a first fluid tube and a second fitting that is configured to receive a second fluid tube. The first fitting defines a first groove. The second fitting includes a spring that is configured to engage the first groove to connect the first and second fittings such that the first and second fluid tubes are placed in fluid communication and a fluid tight seal is established between the first and second sealing fittings.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a first fluid conduit (14) to one or more other fluid conduits (12) or elements such as an electrode (92) or heating element. The method comprises positioning a first fluid conduit (14) substantially in contact with the other fluid conduits or elements (12) wherein a bond region (16) is created. The bond region is wetted with a liquefied thermoplastic polymer (34) which is then subsequently cooled forming a substantially fluid tight bond between the first fluid conduit (14) and the other fluid conduits or elements (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A method for making conduits includes inserting an inner tube into an outer tube and melting a portion of the inner tube to form a bond with the outer tube. The inner tube includes a polymeric material and the outer tube includes a material having a greater yield strength than the polymeric material. A conduit includes one or more inner tubes at least one of which is melt-bonded to one or more outer tubes. An analytical instrument includes a separation column, a solvent reservoir and pump, a sample injector, a detector to observe an eluent of the separation column, and tubing to transport fluid between components of the instrument.

Abstract: A fitting assembly includes a first fitting that is configured to receive a first fluid tube and a second fitting that is configured to receive a second fluid tube. The first fitting defines a first groove. The second fitting includes a spring that is configured to engage the first groove to connect the first and second fittings such that the first and second fluid tubes are placed in fluid communication and a fluid tight seal is established between the first and second sealing fittings.

Abstract: The invention comprises a terminal and a method for making such a terminal for placing one or more fluidic conduits in communication. The invention comprises a conduit for transporting fluid having a proximal and a distal end and a substantially cylindrical housing with an axial bore and a proximal face, the proximal end of the conduit being housed within the axial bore with their axes parallel, and the bore being back-filled with a thermoplastic polymer, most preferably PEEK, liquefied and cooled providing for the conduit to breach the sealing face and the thermoplastic to bond the conduit and housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device having an optical fiber coupled to a high pressure containment vessel and a method for making the same. The high pressure containment vessel can be an optical fiber based flow cell for a chromatography system.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a first substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a first fluidic port; a second substantially rigid microfluidic substrate defining a second fluidic port; and a coupler disposed between the first and second substrates, the coupler defining a fluidic path in fluidic alignment with the ports of the first and second substrates. The coupler includes a material that is deformable relative to a material of the first substrate and a material of the second substrate. The substrates are clamped together to compress the coupler between the substrates and form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device having an optical fiber coupled to a high pressure containment vessel and a method for making the same. The high pressure containment vessel can be an optical fiber based flow cell for a chromatography system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and devices (11) for placing light with samples for analysis and method of making and using such apparatus and device.

Abstract: A method for making conduits includes inserting an inner tube into an outer tube and melting a portion of the inner tube to form a bond with the outer tube. The inner tube includes a polymeric material and the outer tube includes a material having a greater yield strength than the polymeric material. A conduit includes one or more inner tubes at least one of which is melt-bonded to one or more outer tubes. An analytical instrument includes a separation column, a solvent reservoir and pump, a sample injector, a detector to observe an eluent of the separation column, and tubing to transport fluid between components of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and devices (11) for placing light with samples for analysis and method of making and using such apparatus and device.

Abstract: A device for the presentation of samples for MALDI or DIOS ion source, comprising a semiconductor wafer body having at least one first surface and at least one second surface, the first surface being chemically modified to repel said aqueous sample toward said second surface.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a first fluid conduit (14) to one or more other fluid conduits (12) or elements such as an electrode (92) or heating element. The method comprises positioning a first fluid conduit (14) substantially in contact with the other fluid conduits or elements (12) wherein a bond region (16) is created. The bond region is wetted with a liquefied thermoplastic polymer (34) which is then subsequently cooled forming a substantially fluid tight bond between the first fluid conduit (14) and the other fluid conduits or elements (14).

Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus includes a separation column, a pump unit configured to support nano-flow processing, at least one fluid transport tube for transporting the fluid between the pump unit and the separation column, and a connector disposed adjacent to an inlet or outlet end of the at least one transport tube. The fluid transport tube and/or the separation column includes an outer tube of a metallic material, a fused-silica capillary disposed in the outer tube, and an intermediate tube including a polymeric material disposed between and bonded to both the outer tube and the capillary.

Abstract: The invention comprises a terminal and a method for making such a terminal for placing one or more fluidic conduits in communication. The invention comprises a conduit for transporting fluid having a proximal and a distal end and a substantially cylindrical housing with an axial bore and a proximal face, the proximal end of the conduit being housed within the axial bore with their axes parallel, and the bore being back-filled with a thermoplastic polymer, most preferably PEEK, liquefied and cooled providing for the conduit to breach the sealing face and the thermoplastic to bond the conduit and housing.

Abstract: A capillary tube liquid transport device adapted to make nano-sized capillaries (5 ?m to 180 ?m) resilient. A first nano-capillary has a first sleeve about an inlet end that provides a resilient surface for installation of a fitting. The nano-capillary has a second sleeve about an outlet end that deforms to grip the outlet end of the capillary and hold it tightly against a transport tubing capillary. An outer sleeve is attached to the two end sleeves retaining them in a spaced relationship and providing support for the capillaries. The entire device is relatively rugged and easy to handle.

Abstract: A modular flow cell having a high optical throughput, a long optical path length and a small cross-section. The modular flow cell configuration includes remote ports or connections for liquid and light input, and liquid and light output. The flow cell includes a flow cell body having two ends, each with a respective end interface secured thereto. The flow cell is configured to formn a part of a modular flow cell assembly. The flow cell body includes a channel having a through-aperture with an inner surface. A light guiding material, e.g. a transparent fluoropolymer material having a refractive index less than the refractive index of common chromatography solvents, is disposed proximate to the channel to form a light guiding through-aperture in the flow cell body.