Abstract: A microfluidic bioreactor includes at least two modules each having a cavity, each of which is divided by a membrane into a cell chamber for receiving cells and a material chamber through which a liquid solution comprising at least one additive and cell metabolites can flow, wherein each membrane has a reaction region in which the membrane is permeable at least in part to the solution comprising the at least one additive and the cell metabolites, and a fluid conducting system for the liquid solution comprising the at least one additive and the cell metabolites, which fluid conducting system connects the material chambers together at least one of in series or in parallel. Unidirectional flow through the fluid conducting system is ensured.

Abstract: This invention is a reactor and a process for the conversion of organic waste material such as municipal trash, sewage, post-consumer refuse, and biomass to commercially salable materials. The invention produces the following: 1. Maximum energy conversion from the organic material 2. High volume consumption of the organic feed material 3. Less pollution of gaseous products than prior art systems 4. Solid residuals for disposal are minimal and non-hazardous. The conversion is accomplished by combining anaerobic gasification and pyrolysis of the feed organic material and making it into synthetic gas. The synthetic gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons (CxHy), hydrogen, and carbon monoxide with small amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. An essential feature of the invention is a hot driver gas, devoid of free oxygen and rich in water, which supplies the entire thermal and chemical energy needed for the reactions.

Abstract: A method of analyzing elements of a metal melt contained in a melting vessel comprises the following steps: introducing an inert gas at a temperature in excess of 300.degree. C. laterally into a tube passing through a lateral wall of the melting vessel and opening thereinto; generating a laser beam; passing the laser beam through an adjustable first lens system; reflecting the laser beam by a mirror into the tube; guiding the laser beam through a quartz window which closes the tube; generating a plasma in the tube by focusing the laser beam by the adjustable first lens system onto the surface of the metal melt in the tube; guiding the light generated by the plasma through the quartz window to an adjustable second lens system; coupling the light by the adjustable second lens system with an optical waveguide; and introducing the light by the optical waveguide into a spectrometer.

Abstract: A polychromator in a Paschen-Runge mounting in which intensity measurements are made by means of a row of photodiodes. The spectral intensity distribution of at least two spectral regions on the Rowland circle is transmitted to the row of photodiodes by image conductors and is measured there.