Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the shape and/or position of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus, and methods of use, in particular a method to control the shape of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus in an apparatus in which the meniscus is caused to align along a stable capillary barrier or phaseguide.

Abstract: A method and a device for a microfluidic separation enhancement according to size of the particles to be separated are provided. An asymmetric obstacle in a shape of a cambered hydrofoil, placed at a downstream of a microfluidic channel increases a distance between particles of different sizes, wherein the particles have been partially separated at an upstream of the microfluidic channel, resulting an enhancement in the separation efficiency. Thus, microchannel length is decreased, resulting a decrease in hydraulic resistance and footprint of the microchannel.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided. The microfluidic device is used for an in vitro selective capture of biological entities suspended in a medium based on an immunoaffinity technique. The microfluidic device includes symmetric hydrofoil pillars arranged inside ellipse segments acting as a microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel provides a continuous change of attack angles between the symmetric hydrofoil pillars and the biological entities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid triggerable passive valve for controlling flow of one or more fluids comprising: a volume comprising at least two capillary pressure barriers for respectively pinning a first and second fluid-fluid meniscus, the two capillary pressure barriers dividing the volume in at least three sub volumes, whereby two sub volumes being positioned upstream and one sub volume being positioned downstream with respect to the advancement direction of each respective fluid-fluid meniscus; wherein the capillary pressure barriers are spaced apart such that upon pinning of a first fluid-fluid meniscus on a first capillary pressure barrier and arrival or pinning of a second fluid-fluid meniscus on or at a second capillary pressure barrier, the two menisci touch and thereby coalesce into one fluid-fluid meniscus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the shape and/or position of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus, the apparatus comprising a volume for containing and directing fluid, the filling direction being a downstream direction, including the meniscus and the volume having at least a first structure defining a capillary pressure barrier along which the meniscus tends to align, the capillary pressure barrier and the meniscus defining a boundary in the volume between at least two sub-volumes,wherein (a) the capillary pressure barrier is stabilized by subtending at both ends an angle with a wall of the volume that on the downstream side of the capillary pressure barrier is greater than 90°, while not providing a deliberate fluid alignment weakness along the capillary pressure barrier that reduces the stability of the capillary pressure barrier and/or (b) wherein the capillary pressure is stabilized by providing a stretching barrier at a distance less than the maximum stretching distance of the f

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid triggerable passive valve for controlling flow of one or more fluids comprising: a volume comprising at least two capillary pressure barriers for respectively pinning a first and second fluid-fluid meniscus, the two capillary pressure barriers dividing the volume in at least three sub volumes, whereby two sub volumes being positioned upstream and one sub volume being positioned downstream with respect to the advancement direction of each respective fluid-fluid meniscus; wherein the capillary pressure barriers are spaced apart such that upon pinning of a first fluid-fluid meniscus on a first capillary pressure barrier and arrival or pinning of a second fluid-fluid meniscus on or at a second capillary pressure barrier, the two menisci touch and thereby coalesce into one fluid-fluid meniscus