Abstract: A microfluidic device (100) for mixing a liquid L is provided. The microfluidic device (100) comprises a microfluidic chamber (20), having an inlet (30), and arranged to receive the liquid L therein. In use, the microfluidic device (100) is arranged to control translation through the liquid L of a body B introduced therein, wherein the translation of the body B is due to a potential field acting on the body. In this way, the controlled translation of the body B mixes the liquid L in the microfluidic chamber (20).

Abstract: Control of fluid flow in a fluidic network is provided by controlling phase transitions of a phase-change material between a liquid phase and a non-fluid phase. The phase-change material is disposed at ports of the fluidic network where the fluidic network is in communication with an ambient. This advantageously provides control of pressure-driven flow within the fluidic network without altering properties of fluids within the fluidic network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device and a manufacturing method therefore and, more particularly, to a microfluidic device comprising: a first substrate layer; a second substrate layer formed on at least one surface of the first substrate layer; and a plurality of transducers formed on the surface of the first substrate layer and embedded in the second substrate layer, wherein the transducer comprises a conductive microfluidic channel. The present invention can provide an elastic wave substrate microfluidic device capable of controlling an elastic wave according to a property of a microparticle and capable of being manufactured without expensive equipment and complicated process procedures.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises actuators and chambers for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A digital PCR device comprising: a discrete heating area made of a heat conductive material disposed on a surface that is electrically non-conductive, the discrete heating area comprising a plurality of integral wells configured to contain and partition a DNA sample therein; and at least one conductive trace configured to be connected to a dc voltage source and to heat the plurality of integral wells to a uniform temperature when connected to the dc voltage source, the at least one conductive trace disposed on the surface in an undulating configuration at least partially around the discrete heating area.

Abstract: An apparatus, in particular a microfluid apparatus, includes a chamber for extracting a fluid. The chamber has a wall with an opening. The opening is sealed by a sealing mechanism that is impermeable to specified substances. The apparatus further includes a membrane that contacts the outside of the wall, in a region of an outside of the wall which adjoins the opening, and covers the opening.

Abstract: A method for preparing a tungsten sulfide thin film is provided. The method includes the steps of: applying a one-atom-thick W layer on a silicon substrate; applying a one-atom-thick S layer on the W layer; and applying another one-atom-thick W layer on the S layer, to obtain a thin film that is a single-layer thin film having a W—S—W layered structure.

Abstract: A device and a method for isolating a target from a biological sample are provided. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes a lower plate with an upper surface having a plurality of regions. The biological sample is receivable on a first of the regions. An upper plate has a lower surface directed to the upper surface of the lower plate. A force is positioned adjacent the upper plate and attracts the target bound solid phase substrate toward the lower surface of the upper plate. At least one of the upper plate and the lower plate is movable from a first position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate in the biological sample are drawn to the lower surface of the upper plate and a second position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are isolated from the biological sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid viscosity measuring device which can measure the viscosity of a fluid such as blood. The fluid viscosity measuring device of the present invention comprises: a first fluid inlet portion in which a fluid, the viscosity of which is to be measured, is injected, and a second fluid inlet portion in which a reference fluid having a standard viscosity is injected; a connection pipe configured to connect the first fluid inlet portion to the second fluid inlet portion and form a passage for the fluid, the viscosity of which is to be measured, and the reference fluid; a plurality of counting channels in communication with the connection pipe at a predetermined distance to be filled with the two fluids flowing along the passage, respectively; and a boundary surface measuring unit configured to count the counting channels filled with the two fluids, respectively.

Abstract: A fluidic system having a first volume, a second volume and a membrane geometrically separating the two volumes, which has an open-pore microstructure for the passage of a first medium and a second medium. There is a contact angle (?) between the interface of the media and the pore surface. A first electrical field in the region of the membrane and a first electromagnetic radiation and a first heating of the membrane define a first state (Z1), in which the membrane is not wetted or is less wetted by the first medium and is more heavily wetted by the second medium such that a first contact angle ?1>90° is formed between the pore surface and the interface. The first medium and the second medium and the pore surface have a surface energy of which at least one surface energy can be reversibly changed in such a way that a second contact angle ?2<?1 occurs between the pore surface and the interface in a second state (Z2).

Abstract: A microchannel formed at the interface of two layers of material, at least one of the two materials being a substrate. A volume of the microchannel contains a film of polymer fixed by covalent bonding to the substrate layer. The film of polymer being formed from a hydrogel material susceptible to undergoing changes in volume under the action of an external stimulus. The hydrogel polymer is chosen from those which are sensitive to changes in temperature, light, electrical field or pH. A method for producing the microchannel.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a Rubens' tube for distributing gas within the aircraft. The Rubens' tube comprises a tube with a plurality of outlets; an inlet for feeding the gas into the tube; and a loudspeaker arranged to set up a standing acoustic wave within the tube. Typically the Rubens' tube is arranged to feed inert gas into a fuel tank of the aircraft.

Abstract: A pinch valve, a chip including the pinch valve, a peristaltic pump including the pinch valve and a method for manufacturing the pinch valve. The pinch valve includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate. The third substrate is formed from an elastic material and situated between the first and second substrates. The first substrate adjoins the third substrate and includes at least one first recess on the side adjacent to the third substrate. The second substrate adjoins the third substrate and includes at least one second recess on the side adjacent to the third substrate. The first recess and the second recess are situated at least partially opposite each other.

Abstract: A device for controlling liquid motion includes a substrate (10) of material having piezoelectric properties, and a system for controlling the motion of a quantity of liquid placed in contact with the substrate. The control system includes at least one interdigitated transducer (T1, T3, T5, T7), applied to the substrate (10) and designed for selectively generating a surface acoustic wave adapted to propagate on the substrate (10) and interact with the quantity of liquid. The control system further includes an acoustic resonator (30) which is placed on the path of the surface acoustic wave, and which is adapted to normally allow the forward transmission of the surface acoustic wave having a frequency equal to a resonance frequency of the acoustic resonator, and to reflect the surface acoustic wave back towards the transducer when the quantity of liquid is present within the acoustic resonator.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for acoustic focusing hardware and implementations.

Abstract: The present document describes a method and apparatus to rapidly reticulate closed-cell or partially closed-cell foams. The method involves the propagation of an energy impulse inside the foam; the energy impulse can be a shock wave. The energy impulse is generated in the same gaseous environment in which the foam is immersed, preferentially air in room condition. The energy impulse destroys the membranes closing the foam cells without disintegrating the frame's structure. In particular, the method rapidly improves the acoustic and filtering behavior of the foams.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for moving a droplet on an elongated track formed on a patterned surface using vibration. The elongated track includes a plurality of patterned transverse arcuate regions such that when the surface is vibrated the droplet is urged along the track as a result of an imbalance in the adhesion of a front portion of the droplet and a back portion of the droplet to the transverse arcuate regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microactuator using growth and destruction of bubbles including a first chamber provided with a heating plate installed at an exterior of a bottom surface of the first chamber to generate heat, and filled with a first liquid working fluid such that bubbles are caused, by heat, to grow at an interface of a cavity on an inner surface of the first chamber to be heated, a second chamber provided with a heating plate installed at an exterior of a bottom surface of the second chamber to generate heat, and filled with a second liquid working fluid such that bubbles are caused, by heat, to grow at an interface of a cavity on an inner surface of the second chamber to be heated, a connection path to connect the first chamber and the second chamber to each other, the connection path being provided therein with a moving member adapted to isolate the first and second chambers from each other and to move when internal pressure changes according to growth and destruction of the bubbles, a first subline to con

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for inducing the separation of constituent elements from a microfluidic sample by introducing phase changes in the microfluidic sample while contained in a microfluidic channel in the device. At least a portion of the microfluidic sample is frozen to cause fractional exclusion of the constituent element from the frozen portion of the microfluidic sample. Different portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in different sectors and at different times in order to cause movement in a desired direction of the separated constituent element. Portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in a sequential order of adjacent sectors within the microfluidic channel in order to cause sequential movement of the excluded constituent element toward one portion of the microfluidic channel. The frozen portion of the microfluidic sample is then thawed, wherein the separated constituent element remains substantially separated from the thawed, purified microfluidic sample.

Abstract: An acoustical fluid control mechanism and a method of controlling fluid flow of a working fluid with the acoustical fluid control mechanism are provided. The mechanism comprises a resonance chamber that defines a cavity. The resonance chamber has a port. The cavity is sealed from the ambient but for the port for enabling oscillatory flow of a working fluid into and out of the cavity upon exposure of the resonance chamber to an acoustic signal containing a tone at a frequency that is substantially similar to a particular resonance frequency of the resonance chamber. The mechanism further includes a rectifier for introducing directional bias to the oscillatory flow of the working fluid through the port. The rectifier has an inlet connected to the port and an outlet for transmitting the directional flow of the working fluid away from the cavity. The outlet is in fluid communication with the port of the resonance chamber at least during transmission of the directional flow of the working fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.

Abstract: The application of an optical beam redirects sheathed micro-fluidic flow without direct interaction with the sample. The hydrodynamic properties of the sheath are locally modified due to optical absorption and heating, resulting in a spatial shift of the sample flow. The technique can result in up to 100 ?m shift at peak flow velocities of 19 mm/sec.

Abstract: A microfluidic system comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a material which is able to change its volume when activated by an exciting factor, characterized by the fact that the first portion and the second portion define a zone which, when the first portion is not yet activated by the exciting factor, shows a first topography devoid of any fluidic pathway and which, after activation by the exciting factor, shows a second topography which is adapted to contain at least one fluidic pathway. The microfluidic system further comprises a tight cover surface situated above the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: Provided are a valve unit and a reaction apparatus having the valve unit. The valve unit includes a phase transition material, which melts and expands upon an application of the electromagnetic waves to the valve filler, and the valve filler is directed into the channel through the connection passage and closes the channel. The valve unit also includes heat generation particles, which are dispersed in the phase transition material and generate heat upon an application of electromagnetic wave energy.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods for using a nanoparticle composite to act as a valve within a microfluidic conduit to regulate fluid flow therethrough are provided. The nanoparticle composite includes a core having magnetic particles and Au particles and includes a hydrogel coating surrounding the core. The size of the nanoparticle composite is controlled by causing the hydrogel coating to lose water or absorb water, thus decreasing or increasing the size of the nanoparticle composite within the microfluidic conduit.

Abstract: A normally open valve unit to close a channel, a microfluidic device equipped with the same, and a method of driving the valve unit are provided. The valve unit includes a valve substance including a phase transition material, a valve substance chamber which communicates with the channel and in which the valve substance is disposed, and a fusion structure formed in a section of the channel in which, wherein when the valve substance contained in the valve substance chamber is fused by applied energy and flows into the section of the channel in which the fusion structure is formed, and the valve substance is heated to melt the fusion structure and conduct fused bonding of the channel, thereby closing the channel.

Abstract: A valve unit, a reaction apparatus with the same, and a method of forming a valve by injecting a valve material into a channel are provided. The valve unit comprises a fluid channel constituting a flow path of a fluid and having a portion containing a first area of a first dimension (“D1”) and a second area of a second dimension (“D2”), wherein D1<D2, the second area is located on one side of the first area, and the first area has a distance of G in the direction of the fluid channel; and a valve formed in the first area of the fluid channel by filling the first area and made of a phase changeable valve material.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined 5 section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field 10 application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: A device for controlling fluid motion in a micro/nanofluidic structure of channels by means of surface acoustic waves is described. The device comprises a structured volume of material bearing a predetermined configuration of micro/nanofluidic channels for holding and transferring amounts of fluids adapted to define at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and presenting a hydrophobic behaviour for the fluids to be handled and a substrate made of material with piezoelectric properties coupled to the micro/nanofluidic channels.

Abstract: A motorized valve has a housing having an inlet and an outlet to be connected to a pipeline, a saddle connected with the housing, a turn plug having a rod, the turn plug cooperating with the saddle, and a drive for turning the valve body and formed as a piezoelectric drive, the piezoelectric drive including a piezoelectric generator of radially directed standing acoustic waves, which is connected with the housing and is connectable with a pulse current source, and a rotor operatively connected with the piezoelectric generator and kinematically connected with the rod of the turn plug so as to turn the turn plug when the rotor is actuated by the piezoelectric generator.

Abstract: A single use valve (10) comprises a plate (12) having an internal filter structure (28). A sealing substance (20) covers an inlet (14) to the filter structure (28). A heater arrangement (16) is arranged at the plate (12) in the vicinity of the sealing substance (20) for converting electrical current into heat and thereby melting or evaporating the sealing substance (20). The heater arrangement (16) conducts at least a part of the current, and preferably the entire current, along a conduction path not including the sealing substance (20). The melting of the sealing substance (20) thereby becomes independent on the existence of a complete electrical connection through the sealing substance (20). The heater arrangement (16) has therefore preferably its main heat emission in an area surrounding the sealing substance (20). The sealing substance (20) can be of any non-porous material.

Abstract: Provided are a valve filler and a valve unit including the valve filler. The valve filler includes: a phase transition material; and a heating fluid comprising a carrier oil and a plurality of micro heating particles suspended in the carrier oil, the heating fluid being mixed with the phase transition material, wherein, when external energy is supplied, the micro heating particles receive the external energy and generate heat to melt the phase transition material into a fluid state, and when no external energy is supplied, the phase transition material hardens into a solid state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for predicting internal sound pressure within a flow passage, by measuring a vibration velocity response of a wall of the flow passage, for example, using accelerometers. A radiation model may then be used for predicting externally radiated sound pressure to provide feedback to control a process control system. Methods and systems are also provided for predicting externally radiated sound pressure based on internally-mounted pressure transducer sensor data.

Abstract: A fluid transport/containment apparatus includes a fluid-bearing module and an actuation module. The fluid-bearing module includes a substrate and fluid transport/containment elements distributed therein, with one or more of the fluid transport/containment elements having microfluidic dimensions. The actuation module is detachably secured to the fluid-bearing module such that the actuation elements are operatively interfaced with the fluid transport/containment elements.

Abstract: A valve apparatus includes a substrate, a main flow channel formed in the substrate, a control channel formed in the substrate such that the main flow channel and the control channel meet at a junction, a bi-phase material within the control channel, a heating element adjacent the control channel and the junction, the heating element being controllable to generate sufficient energy to cause the bi-phase material to transition from a solid phase to a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for forcing the bi-phase material either into or out of the junction when the bi-phase material is in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid flowing along a channel, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The valve unit includes a channel formed in a platform; a valve filler which includes a phase transition material that is disposed in the channel in a solid state at room temperature to close the channel and is melted when energy is applied thereto; and at least one capillary channel which extends from a sidewall of the channel and into which the valve filler flows when the valve filler is melted, wherein the at least one capillary channel has a cross-sectional area which is less than a cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: A thermal source provides heat to a heat engine and or one or more thermal demands, including space and water heating and heat storage. Additionally the output of the heat engine may be used for local in situ electricity needs, or directed out over the grid. A system controller monitors conditions of the components of the system, and operates that system in modes that maximize a particular benefit, such as a total accrued desired benefit obtained such as reduced electricity cost, reduced fossil fuel use, maximized return on investment and other factors. The controller may use past history of use of the system to optimize the next mode of operation, or both past and future events such as predicted solar insolation.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined 5 section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field 10 application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: Embodiments of valve apparatuses are described.

Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. Specifically, at least one phase is a dispersed phase and one phase in a continuous phase. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: A microfluidic circuit comprising microchannels (24, 26) containing different fluids (F1, F2), with a laser beam being focused at (32) on an interface (30) between the fluids so as to form a pump, a valve, or a mixer, for example.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate including multiple electro-hydraulic valves and/or electro-hydraulic pumps that each include a flow channel and one or more hydraulic control channels, actuators for controlling the electro-hydraulic valves and/or electro-hydraulic pumps, and a hydraulic pressure source operatively connected to the hydraulic control channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a systems and methods of controlling the flow of a fluid in a capillary or microfluidic channel. A first pair of electrodes can influence the wetting of a fluid front at a relatively hydrophobic surface in the channel. A second pair of electrodes can electrolytically generate a bubble that can stop fluid flow when it contacts the hydrophobic surface. Flow of a fluid in a channel can be stopped on contact with the hydrophobic surface and restarted when an electrostatic field reduces the contact angle of the fluid at the hydrophobic surface. The electrostatic field can be removed and the fluid stopped again when an electrolytically generated bubble contacts the hydrophobic surface to reestablish the blocking contact angle of the fluid, gas and surface.

Abstract: A fluid system that includes a flow system for a liquid having an inlet, an outlet, at least one fluid line extending from the inlet to the outlet and an electrically activatable melting device, wherein activation of the melting device causes melting, which interrupts, stops or diverts a flow of the fluid through the flow system. In one embodiment, the fluid system may be used in a device for measuring blood sugar.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic valve, a method of manufacturing the microfluidic valve, and a microfluidic device that employs the microfluidic valve. The microfluidic valve includes a platform that includes two substrates combined facing each other; a channel having a first depth allowing a fluid to flow between the two substrates; a valve gap that is disposed on at least a region of the channel and has a second depth which is smaller than the first depth; and a valve plug that is disposed to fill the valve gap and is formed of a valve material made by mixing a phase change material, which is solid at room temperature, with a plurality of exothermic particles that emit an amount of heat sufficient to melt the phase change material by absorbing electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Provided are a valve unit and a reaction apparatus having the valve unit. The valve unit includes a phase transition material, which melts and expands upon an application of the electromagnetic waves to the valve filler, and the valve filler is directed into the channel through the connection passage and closes the channel. The valve unit also includes heat generation particles, which are dispersed in the phase transition material and generate heat upon an application of electromagnetic wave energy.

Abstract: There is described a microchip inspection system, which makes it possible not only to correct the influence of the viscosity change of the liquid, but also to accurately conduct the liquid conveyance controlling operation. The microchip inspection system includes: a micro pump to inject a driving liquid from a liquid flow path into a microchip; a liquid temperature adjusting section to adjust a liquid temperature of the driving liquid; a driving liquid detecting section to detect presence or absence of the driving liquid at two predetermined positions located in the liquid flow path, so as to output detection signals; a fluid velocity calculating section to calculate a fluid velocity based on the detection signals outputted by the driving liquid detecting section; and a liquid temperature controlling section to control the liquid temperature adjusting section, based on the fluid velocity calculated by the fluid velocity calculating section.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods for using a nanoparticle composite to act as a valve within a microfluidic conduit to regulate fluid flow therethrough are provided. The nanoparticle composite includes a core having magnetic particles and Au particles and includes a hydrogel coating surrounding the core. The size of the nanoparticle composite is controlled by causing the hydrogel coating to lose water or absorb water, thus decreasing or increasing the size of the nanoparticle composite within the microfluidic conduit.