Large bioreactors based on microfluidic technology, and methods of manufacturing the same, are provided, The big microbioreactor can include a chip or substrate having the microfluidic channels thereon, and the chip can be manufactured by forming a master mold, forming a male mold from a photopolymer plate using replica molding with the Fmold, and transferring features of the male to a polymer material.

The invention generally relates to assemblies for displacing droplets from a vessel that facilitate the collection and transfer of the droplets while minimizing sample loss. In certain aspects, the assembly includes at least one droplet formation module, in which the module is configured to form droplets surrounded by an immiscible fluid. The assembly also includes at least one chamber including an outlet, in which the chamber is configured to receive droplets and an immiscible fluid, and in which the outlet is configured to receive substantially only droplets. The assembly further includes a channel, configured such that the droplet formation module and the chamber are in fluid communication with each other via the channel. In other aspects, the assembly includes a plurality of hollow members, in which the hollow members are channels and in which the members are configured to interact with a vessel.

Disclosed herein is a constant shear continuous reactor device, comprising: an annular gas delivery tube comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a first annular liquid delivery tube comprising a first liquid inlet and a first liquid outlet arranged concentrically around the annular gas delivery tube along a common axis, where the first liquid outlet is located at a downstream position relative to the gas outlet or is coterminous with the gas outlet; and an annular reactor wall tube comprising a final liquid inlet, a mixing zone section and a reactor outlet, where the annular reactor wall tube is arranged concentrically around the first annular liquid delivery tube along the common axis.

The disclosure relates to microchemical (or microfluidic) apparatus as well as related methods for making the same. The methods generally include partial sintering of sintering powder (e.g., binderless or otherwise free-flowing sintering powder) that encloses a fugitive phase material having a shape corresponding to a desired cavity structure in the formed apparatus. Partial sintering removes the fugitive phase and produces a porous compact, which can then be machined if desired and then further fully sintered to form the final apparatus. The process can produce apparatus with small, controllable cavities shaped as desired for various microchemical or microfluidic unit operations, with a generally smooth interior cavity finish, and with materials (e.g., ceramics) able to withstand harsh environments for such unit operations.

Large bioreactors based on microfluidic technology, and methods of manufacturing the same, are provided, The big microbioreactor can include a chip or substrate having the microfluidic channels thereon, and the chip can be manufactured by forming a master mold, forming a male mold from a photopolymer plate using replica molding with the Fmold, and transferring features of the male to a polymer material.

Large bioreactors based on microfluidic technology, and methods of manufacturing the same, are provided, The big microbioreactor can include a chip or substrate having the microfluidic channels thereon, and the chip can be manufactured by forming a master mold, forming a male mold from a photopolymer plate using replica molding with the Fmold, and transferring features of the male to a polymer material.

A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the .[.procurors following.]. .Iadd.precursors to form nucleates followed .Iaddend.by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.

A planar flow reactor includes a straight planar process channel, a flow generator, and a plurality of static mixing elements disposed within the process channel. The flow generator is configured to generate a pulsatile flow within the process channel, and the static mixing elements are configured to locally split and recombine the flow. The straight planar process channel enables the generation of a flow pattern that is largely independent of the width of the process channel, meaning that the throughput may be increased by increasing the width without significantly affecting the residence time distribution or the flow behavior. Furthermore, by creating a pulsatile flow within the process channel, turbulence and/or chaotic fluid flows may be generated even at low net flow rates, i.e. low net Reynolds numbers.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a polymer by a flow-type reaction, including introducing a liquid A containing an anionic polymerizable monomer and a non-polar solvent, a liquid B containing an anionic polymerization initiator and a non-polar solvent, a liquid C containing a polar solvent, and a polymerization terminator into different flow paths; allowing the liquids to flow in the respective flow paths; allowing the liquid A and the liquid B to join together at a joining portion; allowing a conjoined liquid M.sup.AB of the liquid A and the liquid B to join with the liquid C at downstream of the joining portion; subjecting the anionic polymerizable monomer to anionic polymerization while a conjoined liquid M.sup.ABC of the conjoined liquid M.sup.AB and the liquid C is flowing to downstream in a reaction flow path; and allowing a polymerization reaction solution flowing in the reaction flow path to join with the polymerization terminator so that the polymerization reaction is terminated and a polymer is obtained, in which a polarity of a solvent of the liquid M.sup.ABC is made higher than a polarity of a solvent of the liquid M.sup.AB. Also provided is a flow-type reaction system suited for performing the manufacturing method.

The disclosure relates to microchemical (or microfluidic) apparatus as well as related methods for making the same. The methods generally include partial sintering of sintering powder (e.g., binderless or otherwise free-flowing sintering powder) that encloses a fugitive phase material having a shape corresponding to a desired cavity structure in the formed apparatus. Partial sintering removes the fugitive phase and produces a porous compact, which can then be machined if desired and then further fully sintered to form the final apparatus. The process can produce apparatus with small, controllable cavities shaped as desired for various microchemical or microfluidic unit operations, with a generally smooth interior cavity finish, and with materials (e.g., ceramics) able to withstand harsh environments for such unit operations.