Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.

The instant disclosure is related to fluidic distributors, fluidic systems, and associated methods and articles. Certain embodiments are related to fluidic distributors that comprise bays including fluidic connections with relative positions that substantially correspond to each other. In some embodiments, a fluidic distributor may comprise bays with electrical interfaces with relative positions that substantially correspond to each other.

The invention relates to a reactor, preferably microreactor, for methanation, and to the operation of this reactor, i.e. to the process regime for preparation of methane.

A method of manufacturing a micro flow path device includes: arranging a cover film on a surface of a base film on which an electrode pattern made of a metallic thin film has been formed and obtaining a flow path forming laminate; punching the obtained flow path forming laminate along a shape of a flow path so as to cut a part of the electrode pattern and forming a punched portion in which at least a pair of opposite electrodes are exposed to a part of the punched cut surface; and disposing a first planar member, defining a bottom surface of the flow paths on a back surface side of the flow path forming laminate on which the punched portion has been formed and disposing a second planar member defining a top surface of the flow path on a front surface side of the flow path forming laminate.

A high-temperature flow-splitting component, applicable to a temperature range from a first temperature to a second temperature, includes an entrance channel, at least one primary channel and at least one subordinate channel. The entrance channel is used for introducing a fluid at a total flow rate. The at least one primary channel for introducing the fluid from the entrance channel at a first flow rate is connected with the entrance channel by a first angle ranging from 90°˜270°. The at least one subordinate channel for introducing the fluid from the entrance channel at a second flow rate is connected with the at least one primary channel by a second angle ranging from 30°˜150°. A sum of the first flow rate and the second flow rate is equal to the total flow rate.

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.

Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction. In a related aspect of the invention, systems and methods for allowing fluid mixing within droplets to occur are also provided. In still another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for sorting droplets, e.g., by causing droplets to move to certain regions within a fluidic system. Examples include using electrical interactions (e.g., charges, dipoles, etc.) or mechanical systems (e.g., fluid displacement) to sort the droplets. In some cases, the fluidic droplets can be sorted at relatively high rates, e.g., at about 10 droplets per second or more. Another aspect of the invention provides the ability to determine droplets, or a component thereof, for example, using fluorescence and/or other optical techniques (e.g., microscopy), or electric sensing techniques such as dielectric sensing.

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 invention describes methods of welding onto laminated devices using a low temperature welding process. Also described are laminated devices with welds that do not disrupt a brazed core block of sheets in the laminated devices. Novel laminated devices with welded features for servicing the devices are also described.