Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems that include keying, registration or indication elements that communicate a functionality of the microfluidic device to the instrumentation which is used in conjunction with these devices. Indicator elements include structural indicators, electrical indicators, optical indicators and chemical indicators. Different indicator elements are indicative of different functionalities, e.g., applications, new vs. used, and the like.

Abstract: The disclosed HV supply device has a first housing part (1) that serves as an outside cover. In addition, a second housing part (6) forming two sides is provided. On the first side is the high-voltage supply part (8), and on the second side is the low-voltage supply part (9) which is physically or spatially separated from the high-voltage supply part (8). The first side of the second housing part (6) has a first mounting rack (14) to receive electrical or electronic low-voltage (16) and high-voltage components (17), and the second side has a second mounting rack (13) to receive electrical or electronic low-voltage components (15), whereby the two mounting racks (13, 14) are connected by an electrical connecting line (11, 12) penetrating the second housing part (6). The second (6) and the first housing part (1) are designed so that the high-voltage supply part (8) is enclosed on all sides in an area within one of the two housing parts after the two housing parts (1, 6) are joined.

Abstract: In a method for joining two or more solid parts, a foil is provided between the two parts, the foil is heated to an elevated temperature by means of a thermode such that it becomes soft, and then the foil is cooled down below the elevated temperature, thus providing a permanent connection. The method can be used for bonding a gas-permeable membrane to a housing such as to produce a liquid chromatography degasser. The bonding method ensures that no unwanted substances are released when liquid comes into contact with the bonding region.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing liquids comprises a cavity through which liquid is conducted, with gas being removed from the liquid through at least one of the limiting faces of the cavity by providing on the side of the face distal to the cavity a smaller pressure than within the cavity. The apparatus is characterized in that the limiting face between the cavity and the region having reduced pressure compared to the cavity is formed by at least one thin membrane, having a thickness of less than about 10 micrometers, and in that a porous support structure for supporting the membrane is provided. The degasser can be miniaturized and integrated into a liquid chromatograph.

Abstract: A microtiter plate is formed of a bottom plate which is transparent for light and a cavity plate which is open at two surfaces facing one another and which has a matrix-shaped arrangement of cavities or wells. The bottom plate and cavity plate are fixedly connected with one another in a liquid-tight manner. The bottom plate has a thickness of from 0.01 mm to approximately 5 mm and has planar surfaces without structures. It has, at its first surface facing the wells, a layer system formed of at least two layers with different indexes of refraction. The bottom plate is provided at its second surface remote of the wells with a coating which sharply reduces the reflectivity of this surface. The bottom plate is recessed into the lower part of the cavity plate in such a way that it does not project over a support surface located in the cavity plate.

Abstract: A basic structure for a liquid chromatography degasser, includes a supporting structure with a perimeter encompassing an opening in which support ribs are arranged. The opening is covered by a membrane made from a material with a good permeability index. Two basic structures are combined to form a basic module. A liquid chromatography degasser comprises at least one or a plurality of basic modules, which are stacked on top of each other, whereby a micro-vacuum-pump is arranged at the top of the stack, and an inlet and an outlet for the liquid being degassed are provided at the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of plastic parts which are used in an analytical measuring device and there come into contact with liquids, plastic base material is mixed with a suspension liquid and then extruded in the form desired. Before it is mixed with the plastic base material, aromatic and olefinic substances are removed from the suspension liquid by means of a chemical reaction, for instance, so that the final plastic products are free from such substances. In that way, it is avoided that, when using the plastic parts in an analytical measuring device, it may come to interferences of the detection by extraction of such substances into the flow of liquids and transportation into the detector. A vacuum degasser is a particularly advantageous field of application for the plastic parts manufactured in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: An annular space is formed between the opening of a refractory lining in a metallurgical vessel and a shaped element to be joined to the refractory lining in the opening. A joint packing is provided to be packed in the annular space. The joint packing is an annular, deformable, prefabricated packing adapted to the volume or the shape of the annular space. The joint packing is fixable in position in either the opening of the refractory lining or on the shaped piece when the joint arrangement is assembled. Preferably, the joint packing comprises a packing compound provided in a sleeve.

Abstract: A flow starting tube for initiating the discharge flow of molten material in a vessel through a bottom discharge opening thereof extends upwardly from a lower end fitted to the discharge opening to thereby block access of the molten material to the discharge opening. The flow starting tube has a configuration such that it is broken away at a predetermined breaking position when the level of molten material in the vessel reaches a suitable level. Such breaking away at the predetermined breaking position is achieved under the influence of the molten material burning through the flow starting tube at the predetermined breaking position and/or the influence of the buoyancy in the molten material of a portion of the flow starting tube above the predetermined breaking position.