One or more homogenizing elements are employed in a flow through, multi-detector optical measurement system. The homogenizing elements correct for problems common to multi-detector flow-through systems such as peak tailing and non-uniform sample profile within the measurement cell. The homogenizing elements include coiled inlet tubing, a flow distributor near the inlet of the cell, and a flow distributor at the outlet of the cell. This homogenization of the sample mimics plug flow within the measurement cell and enables each detector to view the same sample composition in each individual corresponding viewed sample volume. This system is particularly beneficial when performing multiangle light scattering (MALS) measurements of narrow chromatographic peaks such as those produced by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC).

A microfluidic chip and a cosmetic manufacturing apparatus including the microfluidic chip are disclosed. The microfluidic chip contains an inlet portion including a first and a second fluid inlets; a dissolution portion including a first and a second micro flow paths in which a first and a second modular raw materials dissolved by the first and the second fluids are pre-loaded, respectively; a confluence including a third micro flow path in which the first and the second fluids and the first and the second modular raw materials converge; a stir portion including a fourth micro flow path which forms a mixed fluid by mixing the first and the second fluids and the first and the second modular raw materials; and a vortexing portion configured to form a cosmetic composition.

The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

A mixer mixes exhaust gas (A) flowing in an exhaust gas-carrying duct of an internal combustion engine with reactant (R) injected into the exhaust gas-carrying duct. The mixer includes a mixer body (26) with a reactant-receiving duct (32) as well as a releasing device (36) with a releasing duct (34). The releasing device adjoins the reactant-receiving duct (32) in a transition area (42) and leads away from the reactant-receiving duct. The releasing device (36) has an asymmetric configuration in relation to a longitudinal axis (LR) of the reactant-receiving duct.

Unit for reduction of exhaust gases for an IC engine. The unit has a cylindrical housing with gas inlet and outlet openings and injector for a reducing substance. A helicoid is coaxially arranged inside the housing. A channel conveys the exhaust gases, has a substantially quadrangular cross-section, and helicoidally develops inside the unit. The helix is generated by the intersection between the inner surface of the housing and the helicoid has an inclination angle () relative to planes perpendicular to the generatrices of the cylindrical housing ranging from 0 to 30. The unit includes a coaxial stiffening and stabilization sleeve located at the center of the helicoid passing axially throughout the helicoid and axially over a length at least equal to the axial length of the helicoid. The sleeve cooperates with the inner surface of the housing and with the opposite surfaces of the helicoid to define the helicoidal channel.

A microfluidic exosome profiling platform integrating exosome isolation and targeted proteomic analysis is disclosed. This platform is capable of quantitative exosomal biomarker profiling directly from plasma samples with markedly enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Identification of distinct subpopulation of patient-derived exosomes is demonstrated by probing surface proteins and multiparameter analyzes of intravesicular biomarkers in the selected subpopulation. The expression of IGF-1R and its phosphorylation level in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient plasma is assessed as a non-invasive alternative to the conventional biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Detection of ovarian cancer also is assessed. The microfluidic chip, which may be fabricated of a glass substrate and a layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane), includes a serpentine microchannel to mix a fluid and a microchamber for the collection and detection of exosomes.

An apparatus to realize personalized cosmetic compositions including a formula supply assembly having a plurality of additive reservoirs that contains a plurality of additive substances, a plurality of additive pumps that supplies selected additive quantities of the plurality of additive substances, a base reservoir that contains a base substance, and a base pump that supplies a base quantity of the base substance and a mixing assembly having an additive inlet that receives the selected additive quantities, a base inlet that receives the base quantity, and a mixing channel that mixes the additive quantities with the base quantity to form the personalized cosmetic compositions.

An adhesive-air infuser comprises a hollow body through which adhesive and air flow. The air is directed into the hollow body at an upstream end of the hollow body through an air nozzle positioned within the hollow body, and the adhesive is directed into the hollow body at the upstream end of the hollow body such that the adhesive flows around at least a portion of the air nozzle as the adhesive flows through the hollow body. The adhesive and air are directed by adhesive supply pressure and air supply pressure to flow through the hollow body toward an output port. In various embodiments, adhesive and air flow along a tortuous path that causes the air to mix into the adhesive to form an adhesive-air solution having a density less than the adhesive supplied to the upstream end of the hollow body.

An adhesive-air infuser comprises a hollow body through which adhesive and air flow. The air is directed into the hollow body at an upstream end of the hollow body through an air nozzle positioned within the hollow body, and the adhesive is directed into the hollow body at the upstream end of the hollow body such that the adhesive flows around at least a portion of the air nozzle as the adhesive flows through the hollow body. The adhesive and air are directed by adhesive supply pressure and air supply pressure to flow through the hollow body toward an output port. In various embodiments, adhesive and air flow along a tortuous path that causes the air to mix into the adhesive to form an adhesive-air solution having a density less than the adhesive supplied to the upstream end of the hollow body.