Abstract: A modular mounting and connection or interconnection system for microfluidic devices (20) includes a plurality of end-butting compression-sealing fluid connectors or adapters (32), and one or more clamping structures (54, 56) each structured to hold one of the fluid connectors (32) in compression against a planar surface of a microfluidic device (20), and to press against the device, on another directly opposing planar surface thereof, either a contact pad (48) or another of the fluid connectors (32), with each clamping structure (54,56) including an individually moveable compression-providing element such as a compression screw (36) structured to provide a controlled amount of compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass production of 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets includes a heating section having a heating station that includes a heating chamber adapted to receive a 2D glass-containing sheet, a pneumatic bearing system proximate to the heating chamber for suspending the 2D glass-containing sheet inside the heating chamber, and a heater system proximate to the heating chamber for supplying heat to the heating chamber. A forming section downstream of the heating section has a forming station that includes a mold system adapted to shape a heated 2D glass-containing sheet into a 3D article. A cooling section downstream of the forming section has a cooling chamber adapted to controllably cool off one or more 3D articles. A method of mass producing 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets involves use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A deformation apparatus for reforming a glass sheet comprises a central portion, a first edge mold movably coupled to a first end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along a linear mold axis in a first direction toward the central portion. The deformation apparatus further includes a second edge mold movably coupled to the second end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along the linear mold axis in a second direction opposite the first direction and toward the central portion. Methods are also provided including the step of cooling a reformed glass sheet, wherein a greater shrinkage of the reformed glass sheet relative to a shrinkage of the deformation apparatus is accommodated by a movement of at least the first edge mold in a first direction toward the central portion of the deformation apparatus.

Abstract: A deformation apparatus for reforming a glass sheet comprises a central portion, a first edge mold movably coupled to a first end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along a linear mold axis in a first direction toward the central portion. The deformation apparatus further includes a second edge mold movably coupled to the second end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along the linear mold axis in a second direction opposite the first direction and toward the central portion. Methods are also provided including the step of cooling a reformed glass sheet, wherein a greater shrinkage of the reformed glass sheet relative to a shrinkage of the deformation apparatus is accommodated by a movement of at least the first edge mold in a first direction toward the central portion of the deformation apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass production of 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets includes a heating section having a heating station that includes a heating chamber adapted to receive a 2D glass-containing sheet, a pneumatic bearing system proximate to the heating chamber for suspending the 2D glass-containing sheet inside the heating chamber, and a heater system proximate to the heating chamber for supplying heat to the heating chamber. A forming section downstream of the heating section has a forming station that includes a mold system adapted to shape a heated 2D glass-containing sheet into a 3D article. A cooling section downstream of the forming section has a cooling chamber adapted to controllably cool off one or more 3D articles. A method of mass producing 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets involves use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A modular mounting and connection or interconnection system for microfluidic devices (20) includes a plurality of end-butting compression-sealing fluid connectors or adapters (32), and one or more clamping structures (54, 56) each structured to hold one of the fluid connectors (32) in compression against a planar surface of a microfluidic device (20), and to press against the device, on another directly opposing planar surface thereof, either a contact pad (48) or another of the fluid connectors (32), with each clamping structure (54,56) including an individually moveable compression-providing element such as a compression screw (36) structured to provide a controlled amount of compression.