A method for continuously processing at least two liquid feed streams is provided. A system for continuously processing at least two liquid feed streams is also provided.

A stage assembly (10) that includes (i) a stage (14) that retains a device (26); (ii) a reaction assembly (18) that is spaced apart from the stage (14); (iii) a stage mover (16) that moves the stage (14), the stage mover (16) including a magnet array (38) that is coupled to the stage (14) and a conductor array (36) that is coupled to the reaction assembly (18); (iv) a temperature adjuster (20); and (v) a control system (22) that selectively controls the temperature adjuster (20). The conductor array (36) includes a set of first zone conductor units (250), and a set of second zone conductor units (252). The temperature adjuster (20) independently adjusts the temperature of the set of first zone conductor units (250), and the set of second zone conductor units (252).

Counter-flow heat exchanger is constructed with plenums at either end that separate the opposing fluids, the channels of which are arrayed in a checkerboard patterns, such that any given channel is surrounded by channels of opposing streams on four sides—laterally on both sides and vertically above and below.

A reactor includes: a reaction-side flow passage through which a fluid as a reaction object flows; and a catalyst structure provided in the reaction-side flow passage. The catalyst structure includes: a body part formed in a raised and depressed plate shape to partition the reaction-side flow passage into a plurality of flow passages disposed side by side in a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of the fluid; a catalyst carried on the body part to promote a reaction of the fluid; and one or more communication holes (grooves) to make the plurality of flow passages partitioned by the body part communicate with each other.

A reactor includes a reaction-side flow passage through which a reaction fluid being a fluid constituting a reaction object flows; a temperature controller (heat-medium side flow passage) configured to heat or cool the reaction fluid from outside the reaction-side flow passage; and a catalyst configured to promote a reaction of the reaction fluid, the catalyst provided in the reaction-side flow passage so that a contact area with the reaction fluid is larger on a downstream side than on an upstream side in the reaction-side flow passage.

An improved microreactor for use in microscopy, use of said microreactor, and a microscope comprising said reactor. The present invention is in the field of microscopy, specifically in the field of electron and focused ion beam microscopy (EM and FIB), and in particular Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). However its application is extendable in principle to any field of microscopy, especially wherein characteristics of a (solid) specimen (or sample) are studied in detail, such as during a reaction.

A catalyst is regenerated by an inventive process using a heat exchange fluid such as superheated steam to remove heat during the process relying on efficient heat transfer (e.g., enabled by the microchannel reactor construction) in comparison with prior art heat exchange relying on a phase change, e.g. between water and (partial or complete vaporization) steam, allows simplification of the protocols to enable transition at higher temperatures between steps which translates in reduced duration of the regeneration process and avoids potential water hammering risks.

Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided. The processes can include transporting reactants via a first set of fluid channels to a second set of fluid channels, and thermally engaging at least one of the first set of fluid channels with at least two of the second set of fluid channels.

Provided are a block copolymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution such that the copolymer can be used in a DSA technique, a block copolymer intermediate thereof, and methods for producing the same. A block copolymer intermediate represented by the general formula (1) or (2):

##STR00001##

wherein, in the formulae (1) and (2), each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 independently represents a polymerization initiator residue, each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 independently represents an aromatic group or an alkyl group, Y.sup.1 represents a polymer block of (a)an (meth)acrylic acid ester, Y.sup.2 represents a polymer block of styrene or a derivative thereof, L represents an alkylene group or a phenylene group, X represents a halogen group, and each of m and n independently represents an integer of 1 to 5.

A catalytic microscale reactor with spiral reactor geometry may have a high surface area to volume ratio, high catalytic surface area, high heat transfer surface area, long residence time, and high single pass conversion. The catalytic surface may be treated with micro sphere spacer particles which serve to maintain the space between them at an engineered distance without the need for precise manufacturing techniques. The design of the reactor may allow for a catalyst surface to be removed, uncoiled, refurbished, and recoiled in an automated continuous process. An automated continuous process may be suitable both for initially preparing a new catalytic surface as well as refurbishing a fouled catalytic surface and may the time and cost to prepare a new surface.