Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.

Abstract: A holder for a microfluidic chip includes a base having an outward facing surface, a seat defined in the outward facing surface for receiving a microfluidic chip, and a first circular wall extending around the seat and having a first screw thread. A cover is mountable to the base over the seat for retaining the microfluidic chip on the seat. The cover has a window and a second circular wall extending around the window. The second circular wall has a second screw thread. The second screw thread is engageable with the first screw thread to screw the cover to the base with the window overlying the seat.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip and holder assembly includes a base having a seat and at least a first fluid channel that extends through the base. The first fluid channel has an inlet that is spaced from the seat for connection to a fluid supply and an outlet that is in the seat. A microfluidic chip is received by the seat, and the microfluidic chip has a fluid pathway. A cover is mounted over the microfluidic chip to sandwich the microfluidic chip between the cover and the base. The cover bears against the microfluidic chip to force the microfluidic chip to bear against the base and form a sealed connection between the outlet of the fluid channel and the fluid pathway of the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.

Abstract: A microfluidic assembly includes a jack for forcing a base and a cover together to sandwich a microfluidic chip between base and the cover, with the base and the cover bearing against the microfluidic chip to apply a confining pressure to the microfluidic chip, and with a seal compressed between the microfluidic chip and the base to seal a fluid channel of the base in fluid communication with a microfluidic inlet of the microfluidic chip. A microfluidic chip includes a silicon wafer having at least a first microfluidic channel etched therein, and a chemically strengthened glass panel bonded to the silicon wafer to cover the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A method for assessing thermophysical properties of a study fluid includes isolating a first a slug of a study fluid within an isolation fluid in a microfluidic channel; conducting a first optical investigation of the first slug to assess a thermophysical property of the first slug; while maintaining the first slug in the microfluidic channel and within the isolation fluid, modifying at least one of a pressure within the microfluidic channel and a temperature within the microfluidic channel; and conducting a second optical investigation of the first slug to re-assess the thermophysical property of the study fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic injection and manifold assembly includes a microfluidic chip having at least a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and a fluid pathway between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. A manifold has a seat on which the microfluidic chip is received, and at least a first fluid channel. The fluid channel has an external fluid port spaced from the seat and an internal fluid port in the seat and connected in fluid communication with the first fluid port of the microfluidic chip. At least a first injector is secured to the manifold and has a plunger and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is activatable to force the plunger into the external fluid port of the manifold to force fluid from the first fluid channel of the manifold into the fluid pathway of the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip and holder assembly includes a base having a seat and at least a first fluid channel that extends through the base. The first fluid channel has an inlet that is spaced from the seat for connection to a fluid supply and an outlet that is in the seat. A microfluidic chip is received by the seat, and the microfluidic chip has a fluid pathway. A cover is mounted over the microfluidic chip to sandwich the microfluidic chip between the cover and the base. The cover bears against the microfluidic chip to force the microfluidic chip to bear against the base and form a sealed connection between the outlet of the fluid channel and the fluid pathway of the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A holder for a microfluidic chip includes a base having an outward facing surface, a seat defined in the outward facing surface for receiving a microfluidic chip, and a first circular wall extending around the seat and having a first screw thread. A cover is mountable to the base over the seat for retaining the microfluidic chip on the seat. The cover has a window and a second circular wall extending around the window. The second circular wall has a second screw thread. The second screw thread is engageable with the first screw thread to screw the cover to the base with the window overlying the seat.

Abstract: A microfluidic injection and manifold assembly includes a microfluidic chip having at least a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and a fluid pathway between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. A manifold has a seat on which the microfluidic chip is received, and at least a first fluid channel. The fluid channel has an external fluid port spaced from the seat and an internal fluid port in the seat and connected in fluid communication with the first fluid port of the microfluidic chip. At least a first injector is secured to the manifold and has a plunger and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is activatable to force the plunger into the external fluid port of the manifold to force fluid from the first fluid channel of the manifold into the fluid pathway of the microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.