Abstract: An acoustofluidic device and a method for trapping particles with a positive acoustic contrast contained in a moving carrier fluid are disclosed. The device has a first channel channeling the moving carrier fluid and a second channel. The first channel and a portion of the second channel parallel to the first channel are separated by a common separating wall. A driving circuitry driving an acoustic transducer is configured to drive the latter at a frequency at which an acoustic radiation force is generated on the particles in the first channel that points towards a displacement antinode of a vibrational eigenmode of the separating wall, while at least two counter-rotating streaming vortices are formed by the moving carrier fluid which, in combination with the acoustic radiation force, form a particle trap at said displacement antinode of the eigenmode.

Abstract: A device for concentrating and separating Legionella and/or amoebas by acoustophoresis in tap water.

Abstract: A method for measuring the properties of a fluid that uses a torsionally resonant structure having a base structure; at least two parallel tines affixed to the base structure and projecting in the same direction from the base structure; and wherein the base structure is sufficiently compliant as to mutually couple the tines so that they behave as a single resonator when the tines are driven in synchronized manner. The torsionally resonant structure is immersed in the fluid to be measured and a tine driving mechanism is used to drive the tines torsionally. A tine movement sensing mechanism form measurements of tine movement response to the driving mechanism and the measurements of tine movement to form measurements of fluid properties.

Abstract: A method of measuring properties of a fluid that uses a conductor electrically connected to a current source. A magnetic field is created about the conductor and the conductor is introduced into the fluid medium. A current waveform, having a frequency, is periodically passed through the conductor, so as to cause the conductor to move, due to force exerted on the conductor from interaction of the current and the magnetic field. The conductor movement is sensed, producing a sense signal that is amplified into an amplified sense signal. The phase relationship between the current waveform and the amplified sense signal is measured and the current waveform frequency is adjusted to create a phase lock loop. The frequency when the phase lock loop is in lock state is measured as the phase between the excitation and the measured sense signal is varied, and fluid properties are calculated from the measured frequencies.

Abstract: A method for measuring the properties of a fluid that uses a torsionally resonant structure having a base structure; at least two parallel tines affixed to the base structure and projecting in the same direction from the base structure; and wherein the base structure is sufficiently compliant as to mutually couple the tines so that they behave as a single resonator when the tines are driven in synchronized manner. The torsionally resonant structure is immersed in the fluid to be measured and a tine driving mechanism is used to drive the tines torsionally. A tine movement sensing mechanism form measurements of tine movement response to the driving mechanism and the measurements of tine movement to form measurements of fluid properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the reactive state of a chemical reaction process in a reaction mixture (110), in particular an amplification reaction for nucleic acids. The method comprises a viscosity determination, which preferably uses a dynamic viscometer (1). The invention also relates to an improved dynamic viscometer (1) for carrying out said method. The viscometer is characterised by an appropriate choice of material for the resonator (101) and optimised geometric ratios.

Abstract: A method and a micropipetting apparatus is described for dispensing a liquid volume into a vessel via pipetting needle without any contact between the needle and a liquid contained in the vessel. The method comprises forming a drop at the delivery tip of the pipetting needle, the drop being retained at the tip by adhesion forces, and ejecting the drop from the tip of the pipetting needle by focusing at the tip of the pipetting needle a mechanical excitation wave applied at an excitation point at some distance from the tip of the pipetting needle. The apparatus comprises a pipetting needle, an electromechanical transducer mechanically connected with said pipetting needle for mechanically exciting the pipetting needle with a pulse of mechanical waves that propagate through the needle, and an electrical signal generator for generating an excitation pulse signal and for applying this signal to the electromechanical transducer.

Abstract: The invention covers the field of positioning of small particles (58, 59) in a fluid (55). Disclosed is a method by which small particles (58, 59) are positioned by a sound field. For generating the sound field an apparatus contains a plate (51) excited to vibrations by a transducer (52) and a reflecting body with a rigid surface (54). A mounting (53) holds the vibrating plate (51) and the transducer (52). The particles will be concentrated at predetermined positions either at the rigid surface of the reflecting body (58) or levitating in the fluid (59). Due to the fact that the sound waves are emitted by the vibrating plate particles can be positioned in entire area between the vibrating plate and the reflecting body.

Abstract: A level sensor apparatus is disclosed for detecting contact of a pipetting needle with a liquid contained in a vessel. The apparatus includes a sensor head made up of a pipetting needle, a needle holder, and an electromechanical transducer. The sensor head also has an associated mechanical resonance frequency. An electrical signal generator is used to generate a driving signal which when applied to the electromechanical transducer causes vibration of the pipetting needle at the resonance frequency. A measurement device is used to measure a parameter of a vibration signal indicative of the mechanical vibration of the pipetting needle when it is driven by the driving signal. An electronic circuit and associated computer software is provided to evaluate variation of the vibration signal with time and thus detect contact of the pipetting needle with a liquid contained in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the reactive state of a chemical reaction process in a reaction mixture (110), in particular an amplification reaction for nucleic acids. Said method comprises a viscosity determination, which preferably uses a dynamic viscometer (1). The invention also relates to an improved dynamic viscometer (1) for carrying out said method. Said viscometer is characterised by an appropriate choice of material for the resonator (101) and optimised geometric ratios.