A fluid mixing structure (10) for mixing at least two fluidic components has a flow inlet port and a flow outlet port and comprises a contraction zone (12), an expansion zone (14), and a retention zone (16), arranged in this order in an inflow direction (IFD) of a fluid flow to flow through said fluid mixing structure (10) and being composed of said at least two fluidic components, and a flow splitter (32) arranged In a space (30) formed by said expansion zone (14) and said retention zone (16) to split said fluid flow in a first sub fluid flow and a second sub fluid flow flowing in a first flow path and a second flow path, respectively, formed in the fluid mixing structure, and to mix said first and second sub fluid flows within said space (30) to generate and discharge a homogenized fluid flow, wherein said flow splitter (32) is arranged and configured to let any flow element of each of said first and second sub fluid flows prior to their mixing have a non-zero average flow component in said inflow direction (IFD).

The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Provided is a method of mixing first and second liquids having mutual solubility inside a mixing flow channel formed by a micro flow channel. This method includes: causing the first and second liquids to be joined to each other inside the mixing flow channel; and forming a slug flow, in which mixing subject cells (60) formed by the joined liquid and insoluble fluid cells (63) formed by an insoluble fluid are alternately arranged, inside a flow channel at the downstream side of an insoluble fluid supply position in a manner such that the insoluble fluid having insolubility with respect to both mixing subject liquids is supplied to the joined liquid flowing through the flow channel in a direction intersecting the flow channel so that the joined liquid is divided with a gap therebetween, thereby mixing the first mixing subject liquid and the second mixing subject liquid contained in each mixing subject cell inside the downstream flow channel.

An enzymatic processing plant for continuous flow-based enzymatic processing of organic molecules, comprises an enzymatic processing area, wherein the enzymatic processing area comprises a turbulence-generating pipe with a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or a repeatedly changing cross-section, for generating turbulence to mix a reaction mixture and prevent sedimentation of particles as the reaction mixture is flowing through the turbulence-generating pipe, and wherein the enzymatic processing plant and the enzymatic processing area are arranged such that the reaction mixture is subjected to turbulence within the enzymatic processing area for a reaction time of 15 minutes or more.

Heat exchange devices (30) and methods of using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides for heat exchange devices (30) that are cooling devices having a double helical coil (32) in a phase-mixing-cooling section, a helical coil (36) in a phase-separation-cooling section, and a back-pressure valve (34) intermediate the two coils (32,36). The cooling devices provide maximum extraction of the heat content from a heated food product using a direct-injected liquid cryogen, and complete separation of the gaseous cryogen phase from the cooled product, while avoiding the formation of a stable foam. Hybrid direct-indirect cooling devices are also provided, as well as methods for using same.

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 (β) 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 mini-fluidics cassette, for detection of at least one analyte in a sample, comprising, at least one sample inlet port, at least one reagent inlet port, at least one outlet port, at least one channel extending between said at least one sample inlet port and said at least one outlet port, at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable light source, at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable spectrophotometer distant said at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable light source, wherein said at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable light source and said at least one insertion port for a fiber optic cable spectrophotometer forms part of the at least one channel, and is proximate said at least one outlet port and forms at least one reading cell/path length for light from said fiber optic cable light source to said fiber optic cable spectrophotometer port.

A mixer for a vehicle exhaust system includes a mixer body defining a mixer central axis and having an inlet configured to receive engine exhaust gas and an outlet. The mixer further includes an upstream baffle positioned within the mixer body and a downstream baffle positioned within the mixer body to be spaced from the upstream baffle in a direction along the mixer central axis. A doser defines a doser axis and is positioned to spray a reducing agent into an area between the upstream baffle and the downstream baffle such that a mixture of reducing agent and exhaust gas exits the outlet. The mixture moves through a rotational flow path that is at least 360 degrees before exiting the outlet.

Disclosed is a sample processing method for processing a target component in a sample by use of a sample processing chip having a storage portion and a droplet forming flow path, the sample processing method including: storing, in the storage portion, a mixture of the target component and a predetermined amount of a diluent for causing the target component to be encapsulated by one molecule or by one particle into a droplet; heating the mixture in the storage portion to cause thermal convection in the storage portion thereby to mix the target component and the diluent together; and in the droplet forming flow path, forming droplets in a dispersion medium, each droplet containing the diluted target component and a reagent that reacts with the target component.

Ancillary embodiments and modifications to a homogenizer unit (“PPH”), and methods of use directed to purification of biogas or other raw methane streams. The apparatus includes a homogenizer body, one or more stream inlets (for the raw methane), one or more chilled water inlets, a mixing zone where the water stream is commingled with the raw methane stream, and a venturi immediately downstream from the mixing zone such that the commingled streams are pulled into the venturi resulting in homogenization. The PPH components are insulated to maintain the chilled water of the various streams at a cooled, below ambient temperature, increasing dissolution of the contaminant gases into the chilled water, and producing a purified methane stream including little or no H.sub.2S and CO.sub.2.