The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reaction between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control. The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalized into the microcapsules.

The invention relates to a mixing apparatus (1) with a main line (3), in which a liquid (F) flows along a direction of flow (FR), and a secondary line (9). The main line (3) has an inlet (4), an outlet (5) for discharging the liquid (F) conducted through the main line (3), and a three-way valve (8) at a beginning (6) and at an end (7). The secondary line (9) is connected via the three-way valves (8) to the main line (3) and, together with the main line (3), forms a mixing circuit (MKL). The liquid (F) can be pumped with a pump (11) through the main line (3) and through the secondary line (9) in the mixing circuit (MKL). In addition, at least one additive inlet opening (26) is provided on the main line (3) for adding an additive into a mixing zone (M) of the main line (3). The mixing apparatus (1) furthermore has at least one swirling means (13) in the main line (3). The invention moreover relates to a washing machine having such a mixing apparatus (1) and to a method for intermixing an additive with a liquid (F).

Disclosed herein are fluidic mixers having bifurcated fluidic flow through toroidal mixing elements. The mixers operate, at least partially, by Dean vortexing. Accordingly, the mixers are referred to as Dean Vortex Bifurcating Mixers (DVBM). The DVBM utilize Dean vortexing and asymmetric bifurcation of the fluidic channels that form the mixers to achieve the goal of optimized microfluidic mixing. The disclosed DVBM mixers can be incorporated into any fluidic (e.g., microfluidic) device known to those of skill in the art where mixing two or more fluids is desired. The disclosed mixers can be combined with any fluidic elements known to those of skill in the art, including syringes, pumps, inlets, outlets, non-DVBM mixers, heaters, assays, detectors, and the like.

The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.

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.

The application relates to microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof. Provided in one example is a microfluidic device comprising: a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input; and a fluidic intersection channel to receive fluid from the first fluidic input and the second fluidic input, wherein the fluidic intersection channel opens into a first mixing chamber on an upper region of a first side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the first mixing chamber has a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the depth is greater than about 1.5 times a depth of the fluidic intersection channel; an outlet channel on an upper region of a second side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the outlet channel has a depth that is less than the depth of the first mixing chamber, and wherein an opening of the outlet channel is offset along a width of the second side of the first mixing chamber relative to the fluidic intersection.

A machine and process for providing a gas liquid mixture are described. The process can include providing a pressurized fluid stream; and subjecting the fluid stream to a series of alternating flow regions that include a plurality of laminar flow regions and turbulent flow regions. The machine can include a flow path from a pressure vessel to an ejection point, where the flow path includes a plurality of alternating flow characteristic regions.

Disclosed herein are fluidic mixers having bifurcated fluidic flow through toroidal mixing elements. The mixers operate, at least partially, by Dean vortexing. Accordingly, the mixers are referred to as Dean Vortex Bifurcating Mixers (DVBM). The DVBM utilize Dean vortexing and asymmetric bifurcation of the fluidic channels that form the mixers to achieve the goal of optimized microfluidic mixing. The disclosed DVBM mixers can be incorporated into any fluidic (e.g., microfluidic) device known to those of skill in the art where mixing two or more fluids is desired. The disclosed mixers can be combined with any fluidic elements known to those of skill in the art, including syringes, pumps, inlets, outlets, non-DVBM mixers, heaters, assays, detectors, and the like.

A liquid-diffusing filter which can aerate a liquid by diffusing it and thus exposing it to air to oxygenate the liquid. The user can pour a liquid through the device and it comes out diffused. Thus a superior liquid aerating solution is provided that can more simply aerate a beverage.

A multi-reservoir dispensing, disposable and sterile container has at least two separate and distinct reservoirs positioned adjacent to one another, and which can be readily manufactured using blow-fill-seal technology. The reservoirs contain components of a mixed pharmaceutical formulation, which is prepared at the time of dispensing from the container by blending of the contents of the reservoirs. Liquid flow channels extend from each reservoir and merge together at or near an exit aperture of the container, and a mixing feature can be employed at or downstream of the point of merging. In the container as provided to a user the exit aperture is blocked by a seal, which is removed prior to dispensing.