The present disclosure provides an apparatus for producing fine particles, the apparatus comprising: a particle formation mechanism and a particle-outlet micro-channel. The particle formation mechanism may include a unit-structure, wherein the unit-structure includes: first and second portions adjacent to each other; a first inlet defined in the first portion at a first height, wherein a continuous phase solution is injected into the first inlet; a second inlet defined in the first portion at a second height different from the second height, wherein a dispersed phase solution is injected into the second inlet; a merging volume defined in the second portion adjacent to the first portion, wherein the merging volume is defined at third height, wherein the third height is equal to either the first height and the second height, or has a value between the first height and the second height, wherein the continuous phase solution and the dispersed phase solution are merged in the merging volume, wherein fine particles are formed via the merging between the continuous phase solution and the dispersed phase solution in the merging volume; and a first micro-channel and a second micro-channel branching from the merging volume so as to be in communication with the first inlet and the second inlet, respectively.

A reactor system for high throughput applications includes a plurality of reactor assemblies, each reactor assembly including: a fluid source, which fluid source is adapted to provide a pressurized fluid to the flow-through reactors, a flow splitter which flow splitter includes a planar microfluidic chip, which microfluidic chip has a chip inlet channel and a plurality of chip outlet channels, which microfluidic chip further includes a plurality of flow restrictor channels, where each flow restrictor channel extends from said chip inlet channel to an associated chip outlet channel, where the chip inlet channel and the chip outlet channels each have a diameter, where the diameter of the chip inlet channel is the same or less than the length of said chip inlet channel and where the diameter of each chip outlet channel is the same or less than the length of said chip outlet channel.

A process for producing polyacrylate particles by way of suspension polymerization and subsequent agglomeration can be performed. It was based on the problem of specifying a process for producing polyacrylate particles having defined shape and size, which enables improved heat management and requires a minimum amount of organic substances. Mechanical operating steps for establishing the shape and size of the particlesespecially grinding and sievingare to be avoided in order to produce a minimum amount of undersize. Finally, it is possible to implement the process economically on an industrial scale. An essential aspect of the process is that the steps of polymerization and agglomeration are conducted in separate apparatuses, namely suspension polymerization in a continuously operated capillary reactor and agglomeration in a batchwise reactor. The use of microstructured apparatuses is also possible.

The invention provides methods of making laminated devices (especially microchannel devices) in which plates are assembled and welded together. Unlike conventional microchannel devices, the inventive laminated devices can be made without brazing or diffusion bonding; thus providing significant advantages for manufacturing. Features such as expansion joints and external welded supports are also described. Laminated devices and methods of conducting unit operations in laminated devices are also described.

A photovoltaic apparatus comprising: at least one photovoltaic surface electrically connected to a set of photovoltaic electrodes; and a chemical reactor electrically connected to the set of photovoltaic electrodes. The chemical reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k2 and N4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.

A reactor system for high throughput applications includes a plurality of reactor assemblies, each reactor assembly including: a fluid source, which fluid source is adapted to provide a pressurized fluid to the flow-through reactors, a flow splitter which flow splitter includes a planar microfluidic chip, which microfluidic chip has a chip inlet channel and a plurality of chip outlet channels, which microfluidic chip further includes a plurality of flow restrictor channels, where each flow restrictor channel extends from said chip inlet channel to an associated chip outlet channel, where the chip inlet channel and the chip outlet channels each have a diameter, where the diameter of the chip inlet channel is the same or less than the length of said chip inlet channel and where the diameter of each chip outlet channel is the same or less than the length of said chip outlet channel.

The present disclosure is directed towards improved systems and methods for large-scale production of nanoparticles used for delivery of therapeutic material. The apparatus can be used to manufacture a wide array of nanoparticles containing therapeutic material including, but not limited to, lipid nanoparticles and polymer nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, continuous flow operation and parallelization of microfluidic mixers contribute to increased nanoparticle production volume.

A chemical reactor and method for operation. The reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k2 and N4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions, for respectively dispensing k chemical fluids to the reaction layer; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, for respectively collecting k chemical fluids from the reaction layer, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.

A reactor containing a heat exchanger is disclosed, which can be operated with co-current or counter-current flow. Also disclosed is a system that includes a reactor having a reformer and a vaporizer, a fuel supply, and a water supply. The reactor includes a source of combustion gas, a reformer operative to receive reformate, and a vaporizer operative to receive water. The reformer and vaporizer each include a stack assembly formed by a combination of separator shims and channel shims. The separator shims and channel shims are stacked in a regular pattern to form two sets of channels within the stack assembly. One set of channels will have vertical passageways at either end and a horizontal flowpath between them, while the other set of channels has only a horizontal flowpath.

The present disclosure is directed towards improved systems and methods for large-scale production of nanoparticles used for delivery of therapeutic material. The apparatus can be used to manufacture a wide array of nanoparticles containing therapeutic material including, but not limited to, lipid nanoparticles and polymer nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, continuous flow operation and parallelization of microfluidic mixers contribute to increased nanoparticle production volume.