The presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidic device that can simulate capillary blood flow on a fetal side of the device and pooled blood on a maternal side of the device (i.e., intervillous space). The microfluidic device can reconstitute the maternal-fetal interface, can expand the capabilities of cell culture models, and can provide an alternative to current maternal-fetal transfer models.

Disclosed herein are membrane device embodiments that can be used for separating blood plasma and/or blood serum from blood samples. The membrane device embodiments comprise built-in features that facilitate blood plasma and/or blood serum separation and also provide the ability to detect, quantify, and qualify analytes present in a blood sample. The membrane device embodiments are portable and just a single membrane can be used for a plethora of detection and analysis techniques. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of methods for making and using the membrane device.

There is provided a system and method for angstrom confinement of trapped ions. The method including: receiving water molecules and ionic compounds in a first reservoir, an angstrom confinement assembly is positioned between the first reservoir and a second reservoir, the angstrom confinement assembly defining angstrom conduits; and repeatedly applying an electric field across a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode on a same side of the angstrom confinement assembly as the first reservoir and the second electrode on a same side of the angstrom confinement assembly as the second reservoir, the electric field applied such that, when the electric field is applied, positive ions of the ionic compounds are induced to flow through the angstrom conduits, and wherein, when the electric field is not applied, water molecules flow into the angstrom conduits due to capillary forces to confine the positive ions in the angstrom conduits.

A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.

Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components, and methods of manufacturing those assemblies, devices, and components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include an insulation base having insulating material and at least one passage that extends through the insulating material. In some embodiments, the at least one passage may be in fluid communication with a combustion region.

A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for determining the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of a cell layer or a cell assembly and/or for determining the impedance of cells, a cell layer or a cell assembly, said device comprising at least one microchannel (1) comprising at least a lower (3) and an upper compartment (2) separated by at least one porous membrane (4) and optionally an inner compartment (12), the lower compartment (3) comprising a bottom wall (7) and side walls (8), the upper compartment (2) comprising an upper wall (6) and side walls (8), the bottom (7) and upper wall (6), the side walls (8) and the at least one porous membrane (4) defining compartment volumes, wherein at least one porous membrane (4) comprises on its surface at least

The present disclosure provides a cell separation apparatus for a bioreactor. The cell separation apparatus may be disposed outside the bioreactor and in fluid connection with the bioreactor, the cell separation apparatus may be in a shape of a box body, the cell separation apparatus may include a liquid buffer device including a first liquid cavity disposed in the box body; a filter device including a filter channel and a filter membrane disposed in the box body, the filter membrane may be disposed above the filter channel; and a first liquid channel may be configured in the box body to facilitate a fluid communication between the first liquid cavity and the filter channel. A power system for filtering and microfluidic channels are integrated in the cell separation apparatus that is of a box shape, thereby reducing the volume and production cost thereof.

A sample concentrator includes a lower frame and an upper frame coupled to overlap each other, wherein the lower frame includes a first electrode buffer channel and a second electrode buffer channel spaced apart from each other, a main channel formed in the lower frame and connecting the first electrode buffer channel to the second buffer channel, a first ion exchange membrane located between the first electrode buffer channel and the main channel, a second ion exchange membrane located between the second electrode buffer channel and the main channel, a first electrode electrically connected to the main channel with the first electrode buffer channel interposed therebetween, and a second electrode electrically connected to the main channel with the second electrode buffer channel interposed therebetween.

The present disclosure relates to a membrane extraction apparatus for extracting a component from a first liquid. The apparatus may incorporate a housing comprised of first and second mating housing halves, with each housing half having an open faced channel formed therein such that the channels at least partially overlay one another when the two housing halves are secured together. A membrane filter is disposed between the two housing halves to overlay the open faced channels. The membrane filter extracts the component from the first liquid and transfers the component into the second liquid as the first and second liquids flow through the first and second housing halves.