Disclosed is a centrifugal microfluidic device comprising a piezoelectric substrate; a rotatable platform device on the substrate; and at least one transducer on the substrate, the transducer being configured to generate a surface acoustic wave that propagates on the surface of the substrate and contacts the rotatable platform device asymmetrically to transfer energy thereto with a lateral distribution to cause rotation of the rotatable platform device. The device may be a microfluidic valve, a microfluidic mixer or a microfluidic particle concentrator.

Embodiments described herein include an apparatus for use in a bathtub containing water. The apparatus includes an outer shell, a soap holder, configured to hold a liquid soap, at least one set of blades, and a motor disposed within the outer shell and coupled to the set of blades. The motor is configured to form soap bubbles by spinning the set of blades such that the blades lift the water from the bathtub, and pass the lifted water, together with liquid soap from the soap holder, through air. Other embodiments are also described.

A mixing paddle configured for use with a gravimetric blender. The mixing paddle has a first rotor; a second rotor spaced axial from the first rotor; and at least one mixing blade disposed between the first rotor and the second rotor. The at least one mixing blade of the mixing paddle includes an inner edge having a first sloped portion and a second sloped portion directed inward toward a middle portion of the at least one mixing blade. The mixing blade is configured to be narrower in the middle portion between the outer edge and the inner edge than at a first end and second end.

An automated soap mixing and dispensing apparatus is configured to automatically melt a quantity of solid soap for mixture with a liquid carrier to provide a source of liquid soap solution. The apparatus includes a fluid reservoir configured to initially contain liquid carrier. A grill with apertures supports the solid soap. A heating element heats the solid soap to a molten state and the molten soap drips through the apertures into the liquid carrier. A rotary mixing unit mixes the molten soap with the liquid carrier to form the liquid soap solution. The dispensing apparatus may then be utilized to dispense the liquid soap for cleaning activities, such as personal hygiene. The apparatus improves the carbon footprint for hygiene activities by eliminating the requirement for plastic containers containing premixed liquid soap solutions.

A multi-level port vessel includes a vessel body defining an interior volume. The vessel body has a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a bottom, and a top. The top is open and adapted to be covered by a removable lid. A vertically oriented mixing wheel is disposed within the interior volume. The vertically oriented mixing wheel has a substantially horizontal rotation axis when the vessel body is disposed on a substantially horizontal surface. A plurality of ports is disposed in one of the rear wall, the front wall, or the side walls. At least one port in the plurality of ports is located at an elevation that is at least partially encompassed by a projection of the perimeter of the vertically oriented mixing wheel.

A pneumatic bioreactor includes a vessel containing a fluid to be mixed and at least one mixing device driven by gas pressure. A first embodiment includes a floating impeller that rises and falls in the fluid as gas bubbles carry it upward to the surface where the gas is then vented, permitting the impeller to sink in the fluid. The floating impeller may be tethered to a second impeller with a flexible member and pulley. The mixing speed is controlled with electromagnets in the vessel acting upon magnetic material in the impeller or its guides. In another embodiment, floating pistons mix the fluid, pushing it through a mixing plate with one or more apertures. In a third embodiment, the mixing device is a rotating drum with bubble-catching blades and rotating mixing plates with apertures. The top of the vessel for these mixers may include a closed top and sterile filters.

A container (1) for a viscous liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, may comprise a stirrer (2) having a rotatable shaft (3) and a plurality of paddles (4) connected to the shaft (3). At least one of the paddles (4) and/or the connections (5) between the paddles (4) and the shaft (4) is flexible.

A pneumatic bioreactor includes a vessel containing a fluid to be mixed and at least one mixing device driven by gas pressure. A first embodiment includes a floating impeller that rises and falls in the fluid as gas bubbles carry it upward to the surface where the gas is then vented, permitting the impeller to sink in the fluid. The floating impeller may be tethered to a second impeller with a flexible member and pulley. The mixing speed is controlled with electromagnets in the vessel acting upon magnetic material in the impeller or its guides. In another embodiment, floating pistons mix the fluid, pushing it through a mixing plate with one or more apertures. In a third embodiment, the mixing device is a rotating drum with bubble-catching blades and rotating mixing plates with apertures. The top of the vessel for these mixers may include a closed top and sterile filters.

A mixing blade includes a first end of the blade having a first face and a second end of the blade opposite the first end of the blade and having a second face. A first blade face and a second blade face are disposed between the first end and second end. A first end cap that has an outer face and an inner face with the inner face abutting the first face of the first end of the blade. A second end cap that has an outer face and an inner face with the inner face abutting the first face of the second end of the blade.

An apparatus for texturizing emulsified protein and/or carbohydrate containing food materials into a textured fibrous meat simulating product, said apparatus comprising a treatment assembly comprising: a first stationary disc having an inlet opening for receiving a food material slurry, a second stationary disc arranged underneath the first stationary disc with a predetermined distance between said first and second stationary discs defining a treatment space between the discs, wherein one or both of the first and second stationary discs are configured for being heated; and a rotary paddle wheel with spokes configured for rotating around a rotation axis, wherein the rotary paddle wheel is arranged between the first and second stationary discs for during rotation of the rotary paddle wheel transporting the slurry from the inlet opening to the periphery thereby heating and texturizing the slurry.