Abstract: A method (200) for producing a microfluidic apparatus (100) according to one or more design constraints. The method comprises: providing (210) a first substrate (110) comprising multiple fluid channels (120), wherein the channels have an inlet (123) and an outlet (124); implementing (220) a configuration of connecting channels (150) on at least one second substrate (140) depending on the specified design constraints of the microfluidic apparatus (100); such that by aligning (230) the first substrate with the at least one second substrate, at least some inlets and outlets of the fluid channels of the first substrate are connected to the connecting channels (150) and a microfluidic device (100) complying with the one or more design constraints is obtained.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysing a specimen comprises a loading area for loading the specimen of interest and an analytical column. The loading area is connected on two sides to a first duct and a second duct respectively, both integrated in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a first integrated input connected to the first duct to take the specimen into the loading area, a first integrated output connected to the second duct to discharge the rest of the specimen, once it has flown through the loading area, and a second integrated output downstream the analytical column. The first integrated output is arranged for during a first loading period of time being in circuit connected to the first integrated input so as to load the sample into the loading zone of the device while preventing loss of specimen during loading of the sample into the analytical column.

Abstract: A chemical reactor implemented on a substrate is described. The chemical reactor includes at least one channel for transporting a liquid and/or gas during operation of the chemical reactor. The channel comprises pillar structures perpendicular to the bottom of the channel having a transverse section parallel to the bottom that is substantially rectangular and wherein the pillar structures are provided with a porous layer of substantially homogeneous thickness applied via electrochemical anodising.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor. The chemical reactor comprises one or more effective channels which comprise pillar structures, an input connected to one of the effective channels to allow fluid/gas into the effective channels and an output connected to one of the effective channels to remove at least one component of the liquid/gas. The method comprises obtaining an initial design of the reactor, further introducing into the initial design at least a structured area positioned adjacent to an effective channel of the one or more effective channels located at the edge of the initial design, the structured area not being fluidly connected to one of the effective channels, to obtain a further design and the production of the reactor according to the further design.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor, wherein the chemical reactor comprises one or more effective channels which comprise pillar structures, an input connected to one of the effective channels to allow fluid/gas into the effective channels and an output connected to one of the effective channels to remove at least one component of the liquid/gas. The method comprises obtaining an initial design of the reactor, further introducing into the initial design at least a structured area positioned adjacent to an effective channel of the one or more effective channels located at the edge of the initial design, the structured area not being fluidly connected to one of the effective channels, to obtain a further design and the production of the reactor according to the further design.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor device based on a fluid flow comprises obtaining a substrate with a fluid channel defined by a channel wall, in which an ordered set of silicon pillar structures is positioned in the fluid channel and electrochemically anodising at least the silicon pillar structures to make the silicon pillar structures porous at least to a certain depth. After the anodising, the substrate and pillar structures are thermally treated, the treatment being carried out at a temperature, with a duration and in an atmosphere such that any silicon oxide layer formed has a thickness of less than 20 nm. The substrate and the pillar structures are further functionalized.

Abstract: A chemical reactor is implemented on a substrate and has an inlet for receiving a fluid and/or a gas; a filter element for reducing or preventing that materials cause a blockage in the fluid supplied and/or the gas supplied in a part of the chemical reactor located further away; and a part located further away for transporting and/or processing the fluid and/or the gas. The part located further away has a depth dlow smaller than the depth dhigh of the inlet. The filter element has a first duct part and a second duct part; the first duct part is positioned closer up against the inlet than the second duct part, the first duct part is deeper than the second duct part, the first duct part has a diverging width and is free from pillar structures, and the second duct part is filled with filter pillars.

Abstract: A chemical reactor is implemented on a substrate. The chemical reactor has multiple ducts for transporting a fluid and/or gas during use of the chemical reactor, in which the ducts optionally include pillar structures and at least one connection duct connected between two of the multiple ducts for transporting the fluid and/or gas from one duct to another. In the connection duct, a series of individual pillar structures are positioned behind each other in the longitudinal direction of the connection duct.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor device based on a fluid flow comprises obtaining a substrate with a fluid channel defined by a channel wall, in which an ordered set of silicon pillar structures is positioned in the fluid channel and electrochemically anodising at least the silicon pillar structures to make the silicon pillar structures porous at least to a certain depth. After the anodising, the substrate and pillar structures are thermally treated, the treatment being carried out at a temperature, with a duration and in an atmosphere such that any silicon oxide layer formed has a thickness of less than 20 nm. The substrate and the pillar structures are further functionalized.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysing a specimen comprises a loading area for loading the specimen of interest and an analytical column. The loading area is connected on two sides to a first duct and a second duct respectively, both integrated in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a first integrated input connected to the first duct to take the specimen into the loading area, a first integrated output connected to the second duct to discharge the rest of the specimen, once it has flown through the loading area, and a second integrated output downstream the analytical column. The first integrated output is arranged for during a first loading period of time being in circuit connected to the first integrated input so as to load the sample into the loading zone of the device while preventing loss of specimen during loading of the sample into the analytical column.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating a phase in a specimen has been described. This is based on a microfluidic trapping area, channels connected to it and integrated inputs and outputs connected onto the channels. An additional integrated input is provided which allows the flow in the device to be controlled and which may prevent leaking of the specimen and the phase.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reactor, wherein the chemical reactor comprises one or more effective channels which comprise pillar structures, an input connected to one of the effective channels to allow fluid/gas into the effective channels and an output connected to one of the effective channels to remove at least one component of the liquid/gas.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating a phase in a specimen has been described. This is based on a microfluidic trapping area, channels connected to it and integrated inputs and outputs connected onto the channels. An additional integrated input is provided which allows the flow in the device to be controlled and which may prevent leaking of the specimen and the phase.

Abstract: A chemical reactor is described comprising a substrate with a fluid channel and a set of organized pillar structures positioned in the channel. The individual pillar structures have a length in the longitudinal direction of the channel and a width in the width direction of the channel whereby their width-to-length aspect ratio is at least 7.