The invention is a high-throughput voltage screening crystallographic device and methodology that uses multiple micro wells and electric circuits capable of assaying different crystallization condition for the same or different proteins of interest at the same of different voltages under a humidity and temperature controlled environment. The protein is solubilized in a lipid matrix similar to the lipid composition of the protein in the native environment to ensure stability of the protein during crystallization. The invention provides a system and method where the protein is transferred to a lipid matrix that holds a resting membrane potential, which reduces the degree of conformational freedom of the protein. The invention overcomes the majority of the difficulties associated with vapor diffusion techniques and essentially reconstitutes the protein in its native lipid environment under “cuasi” physiological conditions.

Precursors for forming a plurality of multielement materials of different compositions can be deposited on different portions of a common substrate according to a combinatorial approach. The substrate can be subjected to a thermal shock, thereby converting the deposited precursors into separate multielement materials on the substrate. The thermal shock can be a temperature greater than or equal to 500° C. and a duration less than 60 seconds. In some embodiments, each multielement material can be tested with respect to an electrical property, a chemical property, or an optical property. Based on the results of the testing, a composition of a multielement material can be determined for use in a predetermined application, such as use as a catalyst, a plasmonic nanoparticle, an energy storage device, an optoelectronic device, a solid-state electrolyte, or an ion conductive membrane.

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.

A method for controlled production of an array of planar microparticles with the multiplexing of molecules on the surface thereof, intended to function as molecular sensors and/or actuators and a matrix (array) of microparticles, the surface thereof being printed with all of the molecular components required to provide the surface with functionality. Different molecular elements are multiplexed on the surface of each particle while they are supported on a substrate by means of a structural foot engraved below the particle. These microparticles can be released mechanically from the support on which they are produced using a controlled mechanical rupture method which is not chemically aggressive and therefore does not affect the molecules previously printed on the surface. The array and the particles contained therein offer great versatility in both chemical and/or biological applications.

A high-throughput combinatorial materials experimental apparatus for in-situ synthesis and real-time characterization includes a composition spread device to prepare continuous or discrete composition distribution as precursor of the high-throughput experimental samples library, a low temperature diffusion mixing device to thoroughly mix the composition spread in the thickness direction through diffusion at a relatively low temperature to form an amorphous precursor, and an integrated synthesis-characterization unit for heat treatment of the material library precursor in either a parallel or point-by-point scanning mode at different thermodynamic conditions for phase formation and to characterize features or properties of the materials of interest in an in-situ and real-time manner. The integrated synthesis-characterization unit includes a chamber maintained at desired vacuum and atmosphere, a micro-heating source, an excitation source, a signal collector, and a sample holder.

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.

Methods and devices for the formation and/or merging of droplets in microfluidic systems are provided. In certain embodiments a microfluidic droplet merger component is provided that comprises a central channel comprising a plurality of elements disposed and spaced to create a plurality of lateral passages that drain a carrier fluid out of a fluid stream comprising droplets of a first fluid contained in the carrier fluid; and a deformable lateral membrane valve disposed to control the width of said center channel.

Disclosed herein are devices comprising: a sample conduit providing a path for fluid flow extending from a sample inlet to a sample outlet; a thermal housing enclosing the sample conduit, wherein the thermal housing comprises a plurality of measurement regions; and a motorized stage translatable along the thermal housing from a first location to a second location so as to align a detector with one or more of the plurality of measurement regions. Also disclosed are methods of use of the devices described herein.

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.

Syngas is alternatingly introduced by a syngas alternating lead-in system through either of one- and the other-end-side heat storage bodies into flow passages in a primary reforming furnace, and oxidant is alternatingly supplied to the syngas by a primary-oxidant alternating supply system. The syngas derived from the primary reforming furnace by a syngas alternating lead-out system is introduced into a secondary reforming furnace to which connected is a secondary-oxidant supply system for supply of oxidant only at alternation in the syngas alternating lead-in and -out systems.