Abstract: A method of preparing an aluminum mold for injection molding is provided, the method comprises the steps of providing an aluminum mold having a least one surface, subjecting the at least one surface to a gas or liquid phase silane to thereby form an anti-stiction coating, the anti-stiction coating comprising a chemically bonded monolayer of silane compounds on the at least one surface wherein the silane is a halogenated silane. The at least one surface coated with the anti-stiction coating may be configured to withstand an injection molding process at a pressure above 100 MPa. Furthermore, a mold having at least one closed cavity is provided, at least one surface of the at least one cavity being an aluminium surface coated with a silane based coating layer. The resistance of the coated aluminium mold is significantly improved by applying a silane-based coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tool part for an injection molding process, a hot embossing process, nano-imprint process or an extrusion process. First, there is provided a master structure (10) with a surface area comprising nanometre-sized protrusions (11) with a minimum density of approximately 105 protrusions/mm2, the protrusions being positioned in a non-periodic, irregular pattern, said protrusions being created by a process comprising alternating passivation and etching into the master structure. Secondly, there is made a transfer of the master structure into a metal insert (20), the metal insert having a corresponding nanometre-sized pattern (21) from said protrusions, and thirdly, adapting the metal insert into a tool part (30) for enabling nanometre-sized patterns being formed by the tool part. The invention provides an easier and faster way of manufacturing the master structure, e.g. a black silicon wafer.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aluminum mold for injection molding is provided, the method comprises the steps of providing an aluminum mold having a least one surface, subjecting the at least one surface to a gas or liquid phase silane to thereby form an anti-stiction coating, the anti-stiction coating comprising a chemically bonded monolayer of silane compounds on the at least one surface wherein the silane is a halogenated silane. The at least one surface coated with the anti-stiction coating may be configured to withstand an injection molding process at a pressure above 100 MPa. Furthermore, a mold having at least one closed cavity is provided, at least one surface of the at least one cavity being an aluminium surface coated with a silane based coating layer. The resistance of the coated aluminium mold is significantly improved by applying a silane-based coating layer.

Abstract: A microfluidics system comprising a channel having an inlet (32) and an outlet (38); a first membrane (31) positioned between the inlet (32) and outlet (38) and comprising an aperture having a radius within the range 0.1 to 50 ?m, the inlet (32) and the outlet (38) being in hydraulic communication with one another, such that a fluid can move along the channel from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An electroosmotic flow pump for generating a flow in an electrolyte from an inlet to an outlet in a channel, the electroosmotic flow pump comprising a housing with the channel for holding the ionic solution, a membrane separating the channel in a first part in contact with the inlet and a second part in contact with the outlet, the membrane comprising a plurality of perforations having inner surface parts with a finite zeta potential in an 130-160 mM aqueous electrolyte with pH value in the interval 7-7.5, one or more first electrodes in electrical contact with electrolyte held in the first part of the channel and one or more second electrodes in electrical contact with electrolyte held in the second part of the channel, means for creating an electric potential difference between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially planar substrate for use in patch clamp analysis of the electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane comprising a glycocalyx, wherein the substrate comprises an aperture having a rim, the rim being adapted to form a gigaseal upon contact with the cell membrane, The invention further provides a method of making such a substrate and method for analysing the electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane comprising a glycocalyx.

Abstract: A microfluidics system comprising a channel having an inlet (32) and an outlet (38); a first membrane (31) positioned between the inlet (32) and outlet (38) and comprising an aperture having a radius within the range 0.1 to 50 ?m, the inlet (32) and the outlet (38) being in hydraulic communication with one another, such that a fluid can move along the channel from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to screening methods, and in particular, to methods of screening DNA libraries to identify DNA molecules which when expressed in a host cell, give rise to at least one change in the phenotype of the host cell and such phenotype changes being detected using a patch clamp chip construct. Furthermore, the invention concerns the isolation of mRNA, corresponding to the DNA molecule, giving rise to said cellular phenotypic change.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump for generating an Electroosmotic Flow (EOF) in a solution in a canal, guide, pipe or equivalent. Electroosmotic flow is generated by application of an electric field through a solution in a canal defined by insulating walls. The phenomenon depends on ionisation of sites on the surface so that for electroneutrality there is an excess mobile charge in the solution. The electric field acts on the excess charge in the solution causing the fluid to flow. The quantity and distribution of excess charge in the solution depends on the solution and the surface materials and is related to a parameter, the zeta (z) potential characterising material/solution combinations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially planar substrate for use in patch clamp analysis of the electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane comprising a glycocalyx, wherein the substrate comprises an aperture having a rim, the rim being adapted to form a gigaseal upon contact with the cell membrane. The invention further provides a method of making such a substrate and method for analysing the electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane comprising a glycocalyx.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high through-put system for determining and/or monitoring electrophysiological properties of ion channels of ion channel-containing membranes, typically lipid membrane-containing structures such as cells. In particular, the invention provides a substrate which provides means for automatically positioning cells at measuring sites using electroosmotic flow in canals formed on or in the substrate. The electroosmotic flow is generated and controlled by electroosmotic flow pumps integrated on the substrate or positioned in relation thereto. Thereby, cells can be positioned in favorable measurement configuration at a plurality of sites for performing testing and measurements. Also, the invention relates to a main electric circuit for performing testing and measurements on a plurality of cells in parallel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump for generating an Electroosmotic Flow (EOF) in a solution in a canal, guide, pipe or equivalent. Electroosmotic flow is generated by application of an electric field through a solution in a canal defined by insulating walls. The phenomenon depends on ionisation of sites on the surface so that for electroneutrality there is an excess mobile charge in the solution. The electric field acts on the excess charge in the solution causing the fluid to flow. The quantity and distribution of excess charge in the solution depends on the solution and the surface materials and is related to a parameter, the zeta (z) potential characterising material/solution combinations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump for generating an Electroosmotic Flow (EOF) in a solution in a canal, guide, pipe or equivalent. Electroosmotic flow is generated by application of an electric field through a solution in a canal defined by insulating walls. The phenomenon depends on ionisation of sites on the surface so that for electroneutrality there is an excess mobile charge in the solution. The electric field acts on the excess charge in the solution causing the fluid to flow. The quantity and distribution of excess charge in the solution depends on the solution and the surface materials and is related to a parameter, the zeta (z) potential characterising material/solution combinations.

Abstract: The present invention retates to a substantially planar substrate for use in patch clamp analysis of the electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane comprising a glycocalyx, wherein the substrate comprises an aperture having a rim, the rim being adapted to form a gigaseal upon contact with the cell membrane, The invention further provides a method of making such a substrate and method for analysing the electrophysiological properties of a cell membrane comprising a glycocalyx.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high through-put system for determining and/or monitoring electrophysiological properties of ion channels of ion channel-containing membranes, typically lipid membrane-containing structures such as cells. In particular, the invention provides a substrate which provides means for automatically positioning cells at measuring sites using electroosmotic flow in canals formed on or in the substrate. The electroosmotic flow is generated and controlled by electroosmotic flow pumps integrated on the substrate or positioned in relation thereto. Thereby, cells can be positioned in favorable measurement configuration at a plurality of sites for performing testing and measurements. Also, the invention relates to a main electric circuit for performing testing and measurements on a plurality of cells in parallel.