Abstract: A process, which comprises forming a metal micro-pattern on the surface of an inorganic substrate, surface-treating the surface of the metal micro-pattern and the surface of the plastic substrate to make it chemically reactive, and bringing the metal micro-pattern into contact with the surface of the plastic substrate to transfer the metal micro-pattern from the surface of the inorganic substrate to the surface of the plastic substrate, can be easily and simply carried out using conventional equipments to produce one or more metal pattern fixed on a plastic material.

Abstract: Minute or infinitesimal amounts of fluid can be accurately delivered through microchannels formed in an elastic polymeric substrate. External (mechanical) force is applied on the substrate to progressively squeeze the microchannel along its length to push or pull the fluid through the microchannel. Fluids can be delivered at a constant rate and amount regardless of the kind of the fluid since fluid delivery is not affected by the physical properties of the fluid. The delivery rate of the fluid is determined in the ranges between femtoliters/sec and milliliters/sec by the size of the microchannel and the area of the substrate being pressed by the applied external (mechanical) force. Such techniques of fluid delivery can be applied to various fields including lab-on-a-chip technology, monitoring of chemical and biological processing, portable analyzing instruments, fine chemistry, clinical diagnosis and development of new medicines.

Abstract: Various kinds of fluid can be handled and delivered accurately in infinitesimal amounts through microchannels formed in an elastic polymeric substrate by periodically squeezing selective portions of the microchannel using a rotor to apply an external force on the elastic substrate. The delivery rate of the fluid is in the range from pL/sec to mL/sec determined by the rotation speed of the rotor which presses the microchannels and the dimensions of the microchannel. Regardless of physical properties of the fluid to be delivered, various kinds of fluids can be accurately delivered through the microchannels in the desired amount.

Abstract: Provided is a sample clean-up apparatus for removing low-molecular weight substances such as salts from high-molecular weight biological samples such as proteins by simple molecular diffusion in a laminar flow channel and enabling solvent exchange for samples to be suitable for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, high-sensitivity absorbance detection system in a lab-on-a-chip is provided. The absorbance detection system includes detection cells having an optical pathlength ten times and/or much longer than the width of a separation channel to improve detection sensitivity, lens structures for collimating light in the detection cells, and slit structures for preventing scattered light from entering detectors. The detection cells, the lens structures, and the slit structures of the absorbance detection system are fabricated and integrated in a lab-on-a-chip. The absorbance detection system exhibits excellent absorption efficiency, detection limit, and linearity, compared to existing absorbance detection systems, and can be applied for the detection of a variety of samples. The absorbance detection system does not need labeling of the samples which saves time and costs. The absorbance detection system can be used effectively in detecting trace compounds with a high sensitivity.

Abstract: A microfluidic breadboard comprises a plurality of pairs of openings formed on an upper surface of a substrate and arranged at regular intervals, wherein each pair of openings are connected to each other through a microchannel formed in the bulk of the substrate so that the microfluidic breadboard has an array of U-shaped microchannels.

Abstract: An anti-scavenging device for deterring scavenging of goods from collection bins and receptacles, includes a frame mounted in an opening of a collection bin and a blocking member moveable between one position limiting access to the interior of the bin when the bin is positioned substantially upright, and another position blocking the opening when the bin is substantially inverted. In the preferred embodiment, the blocking member comprises two angularly-offset angular portions which freely drop into the two positions as facilitated by sliding supports engaging the frame. The blocking member are provided with supports to engage the frame, the supports being specially configured to prevent the blocking member from pivoting or tilting about its central axis as it moves between the two positions. Stabilizing bars may also be provided to maintain overall configuration of the frame.