The invention provides a novel microfluidic platform for use in electro-crystallization and electro-crystallography experiments. The manufacturing and use of graphene as X-ray compatible electrodes allows the application of electric fields on-chip, during X-ray analysis. The presence of such electric fields can be used to modulate the structure of protein (or other) molecules in crystalline (for X-ray diffraction) or solution form (for X-ray scattering). Additionally, the presence of an electric field can be used to extend the lifetime of fragile samples by expediting the removal of reactive secondary radiation damage species.

Microfluidic devices and methods for investigating crystallization and/or for controlling a reaction or a phase transition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a reservoir layer; a membrane disposed on the reservoir layer; a wetting control layer disposed on the membrane; and a storage layer disposed on the wetting control layer, wherein the wetting control layer and the storage layer define a microfluidic channel comprising an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a first fluid path in communication with the upstream and the downstream portions, and a storage well positioned within the first fluid path, wherein the wetting control layer includes a fluid passageway in communication with the storage well and the membrane, and wherein the wetting control layer wets a first fluid introduced into the microfluidic channel, the first fluid comprising a hydrophilic, lipophilic, fluorophilic or gas phase as the continuous phase in the microfluidic channel.

Microfluidic devices and methods for investigating crystallization and/or for controlling a reaction or a phase transition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a reservoir layer; a membrane disposed on the reservoir layer; a wetting control layer disposed on the membrane; and a storage layer disposed on the wetting control layer, wherein the wetting control layer and the storage layer define a microfluidic channel comprising an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a first fluid path in communication with the upstream and the downstream portions, and a storage well positioned within the first fluid path, wherein the wetting control layer includes a fluid passageway in communication with the storage well and the membrane, and wherein the wetting control layer wets a first fluid introduced into the microfluidic channel, the first fluid comprising a hydrophilic, lipophilic, fluorophilic or gas phase as the continuous phase in the microfluidic channel.

A system for the crystallization of a substance to be crystallized which is dissolved in a solvent, comprising a crystallization apparatus which is flowed through by a solution to be concentrated which has the substance to be crystallized dissolved therein, and by a heating steam or a heating liquid, wherein the crystallization apparatus has at least one flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated, at least one flow passage conducting the heating steam or the heating liquid, and at least one flow passage conducting vaporous solvent, wherein a respective flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated is at least partly separated from a respective flow passage conducting the heating steam or the heating liquid by a steam-impermeable and liquid-impermeable wall and wherein a respective flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated is at least partly separated from a respective flow passage conducting the vaporous solvent by a membrane wall permeable to the vaporous solvent, but not to the liquid solvent, wherein the crystallization apparatus is configured such that the solution to be concentrated is boiled in the respective flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated and vaporous solvent produced during the boiling moves through the membrane wall into the adjacent flow passage conducting the vaporous solvent.

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for pressure driven flow crystallization. In some embodiments, the system comprises a comprising a cavity and a mixing mechanism. In some embodiments, one or more inlets facilitate the transfer of one or more reagent streams to the cavity. In some such embodiments, the mixing mechanism mixes the first and second reagent streams such that a continuous crystallization and/or generation of a product (e.g., solid particles) in the fluid.

A system for crystallizing a material that is dissolved in a solvent includes: a crystallization device through which a solution that is to be concentrated flows, the solution including the solvent containing the material to be crystallized and dissolved in the solvent, and a liquid having a lower temperature than the solution to be concentrated. The system includes at least one flow channel guiding the solution to be concentrated and at least one flow channel guiding the liquid, where the inner space of each respective flow channel guiding the liquid is delimited at least in part by a membrane wall that is permeable for the vaporous solvent, where a vapor pressure difference enables the solvent to pass from the solution to be concentrated across the membrane wall.

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.