Abstract: A hydrophobic surface coating, preferably obtained by chemical vapor deposition, comprises at least an upper thin layer formed by a compound selected from the group consisting of SiCxOy:H with x comprised between 1.4 and 2 and y comprised between 0.8 and 1.4 and SiCx?Ny?:H with x? comprised between 1.2 and 1.4 and y? comprised between 0.6 and 0.8, so as to obtain a free surface with a low wetting hysteresis. Such a hydrophobic surface coating can be arranged on the free surface of a microcomponent comprising at least one substrate provided with, an electrode array and particularly suitable for moving drops of liquid by electrowetting on dielectric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacing a volume of liquid (1) under the action of an electrical voltage, comprising: iv) a first substrate with a first electrode (4,5); v) a second substrate with a second electrode (4, 5) facing the first substrate; vi) means for applying a first voltage (3) between the first and the second electrode, one of the two electrodes comprising, in essence, a matrix (5) consisting of a number of microelectrodes and having means for applying a second voltage between two microelectrodes. The invention also relates to a method for displacing a volume of liquid (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device for making a liquid/liquid or gas biphasic system using a first liquid or a gas and a second liquid, non-miscible with each other, the device having a first hydrophobic surface for the second liquid, the first liquid forming a layer (6) on said first hydrophobic surface. The device comprises means for introducing a drop (7) of the second liquid into the layer of first liquid or gas and in contact with said first hydrophobic surface, and means for displacing the drop on said first hydrophobic surface along a determined path, the device having on the path of the drop, at least one wetting defect causing, upon passing of the drop over this defect, failure of the triple line of contact of the drop on the first hydrophobic surface and inclusion of first liquid (8) or gas into the drop. The invention also relates to the associated method.

Abstract: A device for reversibly displacing at least one volume of liquid under the effect of an electrical control, including first electrically conductive device, second electrically conductive device, and a device for inducing a reversible displacement of a volume of liquid, from the first to the second electrically conductive devices, without contact with the conductive device during the displacement.

Abstract: The recess (12) between the main connecting part (8) and a collar (9) contains a toroidal or otherwise shaped sealing ring or joint (3) and the end of a tube (1) incorporating an outer flange (2), whose thickness becomes zero at the crushing bulge (4) of the sealing ring (3). An excellent seal is ensured at this location, even for pressurized fluids, and the assembly can easily be dismantled.

Abstract: A device for displacing a small volume of liquid under the effect of an electric control, including a first substrate with a hydrophobic surface provided with a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor positioned facing the first conductor, and a third conductor, forming with the second conductor, a mechanism for analyzing or heating a volume of liquid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for air/water extraction by semi-humid electrostatic collection, comprising a chamber (7) containing a discharge electrode (1) for generating an ion flow from an ionized gas accumulation surrounding the discharge electrode (1) and a counter-electrode (2), an inlet (3) for mixing air and aerosol to be extracted which contains liquid or solid particles, a steam supply tube (8) and an outlet (4) for cleansed air. The invention is characterized in that the device enables stream to be introduced through said steam supply tube (8) in the gap between the discharge electrode (1) and the counter-electrode (2) so as to form a steam sheath (10) enclosing the discharge electrode over its entire length, such that the treated air is not steam-saturated.

Abstract: An actuation device with plural positions and including a support, at least one flexible membrane attached to the support forming at least one closed containment with the support with volume filled with at least one first liquid in a form of one or plural drops, and at least a second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid being immiscible, and an electrical device to modulate the profile of the membrane by controlling the shape of at least one of the drops.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method to analyse the liquid in a drop (2), comprising: contacting a drop of this liquid with a hydrophobic surface (8), displacing the drop on this surface by electrowetting, to bring it to a site (24, 26, 28) to measure electrical activity in which a conductive solution (42) is arranged, measuring said electrical activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns the performing, in continuous flow, of a biological, chemical or biochemical protocol on substances to be analysed, comprising several steps which consists in: in causing a mobile analysis support (11) comprising means (12) for receiving substances to be analysed and reagents to move past; implementing the steps of the protocol on the substances as the mobile analysis support (11) moves past.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes first and second substrates, with the first substrate including an opening for introduction of a fluid, and the second substrate including a multiplicity of electrodes. The device includes a transfer electrode, located at least partially opposite to the opening, at least two drop-forming electrodes, and a reservoir electrode, located between the transfer electrode and the drop-forming electrodes, and with an area that is at least equal to three times the area of each drop-forming electrode.

Abstract: A process for making microswitches or microvalves, composed of a substrate and used for shifting between a first state of functioning and a second state of functioning by means of a bimetal-effect thermal sensor. The sensor includes a deformable element attached, at opposite ends, to the substrate so that there is a natural deflection without stress with respect to a surface of the substrate opposite it, this natural deflection determining the first state of functioning, the second state of functioning being caused by the thermal sensor which, under the influence of temperature variation, induces a deformation of the deformable element which diminishes the deflection by subjecting it to a compressive force which shifts it in a direction opposite to its natural deflection by buckling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for distribution of at least one liquid product, the device comprising at least one injection tube (2) supplied by a liquid product and being provided with an outlet orifice (4) capable of cooperating with an inlet orifice (12) of a reception tube (10) for reception of each liquid product. According to the invention, the outlet orifice (4) of each injection tube (2) and the inlet orifice (12) of the reception tube (10) open up into a sealed reservoir (6) full of an immiscible liquid (8), the outlet orifice (4) of each injection tube (2) being at a spacing from the inlet orifice (12) of the reception tube (10) and able to be located close to the reception tube (12), the device (1) also comprising means (14) for pressurizing the immiscible liquid (8).

Abstract: The device enables a second drop to be mixed in a first drop deposited on an electrically insulating layer of an analysis support, in a viscous liquid environment and to mix the resulting drop. The device comprises at least one injector forming the second drop above the first drop. After formation of the second drop, a voltage impulse is applied between a first electrode, arranged under the electrically insulating layer of the analysis support, underneath the first drop, and a second electrode arranged near the outlet orifice of the injector. The voltage impulse fosters the coalescence phenomenon between the two drops, while preventing risks of contamination of the injector by the reagent of the first drop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing at least one buried micro-channel on a substrate consisting in applying and moving an optic radiation on a stacking in a predetermined direction. The stacking successively comprises a deformable absorbent thin layer and a thin-layer formed by a material able to locally release gas due to the action of a heating caused by the optic radiation. Local application of the optic radiation on the stacking forms a gas bubble, by local heating of the thin layer able to release gas, deforming the absorbent thin layer. Then the movement of the optic radiation extends the deformation of the absorbent thin layer in the direction of movement of the optic radiation and forms the buried micro-channel. The invention also relates to a micro-device for transportation of fluid and to a micro fuel-cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device for injecting series of mobile reaction chambers (102, 103) having non-miscible segmenters (101) in micro-channels (21 to 26), comprising: injection means (10) for injecting into microreaction channels alternatingly and in parallel liquid to form mobile reaction chambers and liquid for forming the segmenters; means for controlling the progression of one of the two liquids, applied to act on one zone (31) of each microchannel delimiting an injection volume of said liquid; the control means being able to cause stopping or slowing of the progression of said liquid over the zone of each microchannel by exerting an action based on a physico-chemical property of the liquid and said action not affecting the other liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacement of at least a small volume of liquid (5) under the effect of an electrical control, including a substrate (1) provided with first electrically conducting means (2), the device also comprising second electrically conducting means (3) arranged facing the first electrically conducting means (2), the first electrically conducting means and the second electrically conducting means possibly being connected to electrical power supply means to enable the application of electrostatic forces to the small liquid volume (5). The second electrically conducting means include at least one conducting wire (3) arranged parallel to the substrate and at a fixed distance from the substrate to enable displacement of the small volume of liquid (5) along said conducting wire (3) under the effect of the applied electrostatic forces.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate comprising at least one pathway for sample flow; and at least one thermal transfer member which is capable of cycling between at least two temperatures. The thermal transfer member is adapted to heat at least a portion of the sample pathway while a sample is flowing along said at least a portion of said sample pathway. Provided also are methods of carrying out biochemical protocols using such a device.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate comprising at least one pathway for sample flow; and at least one thermal transfer member which is capable of cycling between at least two temperatures. The thermal transfer member is adapted to heat at least a portion of the sample pathway while a sample is flowing along said at least a portion of said sample pathway. Provided also are methods of carrying out biochemical protocols using such a device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.