Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0) and side detection (i.e., 90). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.

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 disclosed invention relates to a method for restarting a synthesis gas conversion process which has stopped. The synthesis gas conversion process may be conducted in a conventional reactor or a microchannel reactor. The synthesis gas conversion process may comprise a process for converting synthesis gas to methane, methanol or dimethyl ether. The synthesis gas conversion process may be a Fischer-Tropsch process.

The disclosed invention relates to a method for restarting a synthesis gas conversion process which has stopped. The synthesis gas conversion process may be conducted in a conventional reactor or a microchannel reactor. The synthesis gas conversion process may comprise a process for converting synthesis gas to methane, methanol or dimethyl ether. The synthesis gas conversion process may be a Fischer-Tropsch process.

The disclosed invention relates to a method for restarting a synthesis gas conversion process which has stopped. The synthesis gas conversion process may be conducted in a conventional reactor or a microchannel reactor. The synthesis gas conversion process may comprise a process for converting synthesis gas to methane, methanol or dimethyl ether. The synthesis gas conversion process may be a Fischer-Tropsch process.

Different AuPd nanoparticles, ranging from sharp-branched octopods to core@shell octahedra, can be achieved by inline manipulation of reagent flowrates in a microreactor for seeded growth. Significantly, these structures represent different kinetic products, demonstrating an inline control strategy toward kinetic nanoparticle products that should be generally applicable.

The disclosed invention relates to a method for restarting a synthesis gas conversion process which has stopped. The synthesis gas conversion process may be conducted in a conventional reactor or a microchannel reactor. The synthesis gas conversion process may comprise a process for converting synthesis gas to methane, methanol or dimethyl ether. The synthesis gas conversion process may be a Fischer-Tropsch process.

Methods and catalysts for producing ethylene and methanol from natural gas are presented. Methods include integration of oxidative conversion of methane to ethane, ethane in situ thermal cracking using the thermal heat generated thereby and direct hydrogenation of byproducts to methanol or oxidative CO.sub.2 autothermal reforming of methane to syngas.

Conversion of heavy fossil hydrocarbons (HFH) to a variety of value-added chemicals and/or fuels can be enhanced using microwave (MW) and/or radio-frequency (RE) energy. Variations of reactants, process parameters, and reactor design can significantly influence the relative distribution of chemicals and fuels generated as the product. In one example, a system for flash microwave conversion of HFH includes a source concentrating microwave or RF energy in a reaction zone having a pressure greater than 0.9 atm, a continuous feed having HFH and a process gas passing through the reaction zone, a HFH-to-liquids catalyst contacting the HFH in at least the reaction zone, and dielectric discharges within the reaction zone. The HFH and the catalyst have a residence time in the reaction zone of less than 30 seconds. In some instances, a plasma can form in or near the reaction zone.

The present invention relates to a process for an epimerization of a saccharide in a microdevice consisting of a network of micron-sized channels in presence of molybdenum containing catalyst. It further relates to the use of a microdevice consisting of a network of micron-sized channels for the epimerization reaction of saccharides and the oligomerization of the thus obtained epimerized saccharide, preferably into manno-oligosaccharides.