In a flow path device, a first groove, a second groove and a third groove are provided. The first groove is connected to and continuous with a first hole. The second groove is connected to and continuous with the first groove. The third groove is connected to and continuous with the second groove. The third groove is connected to the second groove at a position on the second groove spaced from the first groove. The first groove extends toward a position opposite to the second groove with respect to the first hole. The second groove and the third groove define a first minor angle adjacent to the first hole and define a second minor angle opposite to the first hole. The first minor angle is larger than the second minor angle.

A sampling device is constructed having an airflow path from a size-selective inlet to a device outlet, without using any tubing. The size-selective inlet includes at least one of an impactor, a filter, a cyclone, and an inhalable inlet. The device includes a sampling assembly configured to be removably coupled directly to a sampling device housing (e.g., without using tubing), and an airflow assembly that may be constructed without using tubing.

A method for fabricating a fluidic device includes depositing a sacrificial material on a pillar array arranged on a substrate. The method also includes removing a portion of the sacrificial material. The method further includes depositing a sealing layer on the pillar array to form a sealed fluidic cavity.

Systems and methods for using microfluidic devices to concentrate cells, to perform buffer changes, to sort cells based on size, and/or to isolate particular types of cells in a rapid manner, are presented. Cells flow into a matrix of posts, wherein the posts are distributed along diagonal lines in the chamber. The cells are deflected in a lateral manner, towards a side of a chamber and are collected upon exiting the chamber.

A high-efficiency particle analysis method includes the following steps: taking representative air-dried samples and measuring a moisture content; boiling, sieving, weighing and adding a dispersant; conducting a particle analysis test; reading four readings of 1.sup.st to 59.sup.th and 60.sup.th to 90.sup.th samples; and drawing a particle size distribution curve showing the relationship between the particle size and the percentage of below a certain diameter. According to the method, a time difference is used to change the measurement mode, and the four readings of the 59.sup.th and 90.sup.th samples are read in a cycling manner; and a novel test method is provided on the premise of ensuring quality, thus greatly improving the efficiency of a particle analysis test and meeting production requirements.

A mineral extraction system features at least one hydrocyclone, each having input piping, underflow piping, a cyclone portion and overflow piping; a particle size measurement device arranged on some part of the at least one hydrocyclone and configured to sense particles flowing in a process medium, and providing signaling containing information about the size of the particles in the process medium; and a controller having a signal processor configured to receive the signaling, and determine control signaling to control some part of the mineral extraction system, based upon the signaling received.

Techniques relate to forming a sorting device. A mesh is formed on top of a substrate. Metal assisted chemical etching is performed to remove substrate material of the substrate at locations of the mesh. Pillars are formed in the substrate by removal of the substrate material. The mesh is removed to leave the pillars in a nanopillar array. The pillars in the nanopillar array are designed with a spacing to sort particles of different sizes such that the particles at or above a predetermined dimension are sorted in a first direction and the particles below the predetermined dimension are sorted in a second direction.

A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device capable of improving analysis performance and shortening analysis time is provided. A first channel 111 communicating with a channel member is formed on a rotational shaft 11 that rotates together with a rotor. A second channel 644 communicating with the first channel 111 is formed on a fixing portion 60 fixed in a state of facing the rotational shaft 11 along a rotational axis L. A mechanical seal 66 having a pair of seal rings 661 and 662 that come into contact with each other and a biasing member 663 is provided to attach one seal ring 661 to the rotational shaft 11 and the other seal ring 662 to the fixing portion 60. The biasing member 663 biases the pair of seal rings 661 and 662 in a direction in which the pair of seal rings come in contact with each other. Since the rotational shaft 11 can be rotated at a high speed and the liquid sample can be fed at a high pressure, the analysis performance can be improved and the analysis time can be shortened.

A method of treating a biological sample, preferably a sample of blood or bodily fluids likely to contain one or more species of interest, and including a step of decomplexification by acoustophoresis (as well as associated systems, devices, substrates and connection devices).

An apparatus for sorting cells from a mixed population of cells using surface acoustic waves is described. Methods for separating cancer cells from a mixed population of cells are provided. Methods for separating cells or particles having different size, density and/or compressibility properties are also provided.