Disclosed herein are devices for mixing liquids having a gradient or varying degrees of viscosity and methods of using the same.

This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), each of the plurality of droplets comprising an aqueous mixture for a digital analysis, wherein upon generation, the plurality of droplets is stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container. The inventions enable partitioning of samples for digital analyses at unprecedented rates, where readout of signals from targets within such partitions can still be achieved in accordance with various assays.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing biopolymer particles, said method comprising a membrane emulsification of a dispersed phase into a continuous phase wherein the dispersed phase comprises the biopolymer in a solvent, and wherein passing the dispersed phase through the membrane forms an emulsion of the biopolymer in the continuous phase; and a phase inversion with an anti-solvent to form particles of the biopolymer; wherein prior to (b), the emulsion is cooled to a temperature, T1. Also provided are biopolymer particles obtained from the method.

The present disclosure relates to a novel improved method for continuous crystallization of highly crystalline clathrate hydrates. The novel improved method utilizes a novel hydrator capable of overcoming heat and mass transfer limitations that usually constrain crystallization rate and thus reduces process productivity. The disclosed method and hydrator are for production of crystalline clathrates in general, CO.sub.2 capture, capture of other clathrate forming compounds, CO.sub.2 storage and transportation, storage and transportation of any clathrate forming compound in a solid lattice, gas separation or water desalination or purification purposes.

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to a dispenser system for dispensing carbonated beverages, including flavored carbonated beverages. The dispenser system can provide on-demand, in-line carbonation of beverages (i.e., without a holding tank). The dispenser system can be sized to fit on a countertop. The dispenser system can include a nozzle system that allows for in-nozzle mixing of carbonated water with a beverage ingredient (e.g., a syrup). The dispensers system can include a contactor that includes a sparge plate; a dissolution tube for dissolving carbon dioxide bubbles in water; a sparge disc for reducing pressure of the carbonated water to atmospheric pressure; a beverage ingredient source for providing an ingredient; and a nozzle that receives and mixes the carbonated water and the ingredient.

This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), each of the plurality of droplets comprising an aqueous mixture for a digital analysis, wherein upon generation, the plurality of droplets is stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container. The inventions enable partitioning of samples for digital analyses at unprecedented rates, where readout of signals from targets within such partitions can still be achieved in accordance with various assays.