Abstract:
The invention relates to method for bonding at least two substrates, for example made from glass, silicon or ceramic, by using an intermediate thin film metal layer for providing the bonding, said method comprising the following steps of: a) providing said two substrates; b) depositing said thin film metal layer on at least a part of a surface of a first substrate of the two substrates; c) bringing a surface of the second substrate into contact with said thin film metal layer on said surface of the first substrate such that a bonding between the second substrate and the thin film metal layer on the first substrate is provided; and d) at least locally strengthening the bonding between the second substrate and the thin film metal layer on the first substrate. The invention also relates to a device comprising two substrates, for example made from glass, silicon or ceramic, and an intermediate thin film metal layer.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising: a substrate provided with a fluid channel; a plurality of electro osmotic flow drive sections for providing electro osmotic flow in the channel, each drive section comprising electric field electrodes, exposed to the channel, and one or more gate electrodes, separated from the channel by an insulating layer, and control means connected to said electrodes of each drive section so as to control the direction of the electro osmotic flow in the channel.
Abstract:
Micromixing chamber, roughly in the form of an hourglass which is provided at a first outer end with a tangential inflow opening (3a, 3c) and at a second outer end with a tangential outflow opening (5a, 5d), which mixing chamber in the overall flow direction first narrows more or less gradually and subsequently widens more or less abruptly. Also micromixer comprising a plurality of such micromixing chambers connected fluidically in series. Also methods for manufacturing such a micromixing chamber or such a micromixer. Also methods for mixing by means of such a micromixing chamber or by means of such a micromixer. A circulating flow in the form of a helix is formed in such a micromixing chamber. A circulating movement forming the beginning of the helix is created in a first part. The circulating movement is gradually accelerated by the more or less gradual narrowing. The gradualness is important in keeping the overall pressure drop over the micromixing chamber within limits. A more or less abrupt widening of the rapidly rotating helix then takes place which is found to provide an additionally good mixing. It is thus found possible to achieve a very efficient and rapid mixing. A micromixing chamber or micromixer according to the invention compatible with known microfluidic devices can be manufactured here from materials usual for the purpose, such as glass, preferably by means of techniques usual in the relevant field, such as powder blasting, etching and bonding.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a microfluidic device including at least two substrates provided with a fluid channel, comprising the steps of:
a) etching at least a channel and one or more fluid ports in a first and/or a second substrate; b) depositing a first layer on a surface of the second substrate; c) partially removing the first layer in accordance with a predefined geometry; d) depositing a second layer on top of the first layer and the substrate surface; e) planarizing the second layer so as to smooth the upper surface thereof; f) aligning the first and second substrate; g) bonding the first substrate on the planarized second layer of the second substrate.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for measuring a volume of a liquid, said device comprising: - a receptacle for receiving said liquid, said receptacle comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and - a capillary channel having capillary action, which capillary channel has a predetermined internal transverse cross-section, wherein an inlet opening of the capillary channel at an first end thereof is in liquid through flow connection with the outlet opening of the receptacle and wherein the other, second end of the capillary channel comprises an opening; wherein: - the inlet opening of the receptacle has a larger transverse cross-section than the inlet opening of said capillary channel, and - a length of a liquid slug in the capillary channel is a measure for said volume. The invention further relates to a method for measuring a volume of a liquid using such a device, a method for calibrating a liquid dispensing system using such a device, a calibrating system for calibrating a liquid dispensing system using such a device and a support for supporting a plurality of such devices.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device (20), comprising: a liquid container (21) for containing a liquid; a capillary-stop valve (22) that is in medium through flow connection with said liquid container (21) for stopping said liquid in said container from flowing out of said container via said capillary-stop valve (22); a first electrode (7) being arranged such that in use said first electrode is in contact with said liquid in said liquid container; a second electrode (2) that is spaced apart from said capillary-stop valve by an electrically insulating medium gap (24), and a voltage source (V) connected to said first and second electrode which is activatable for applying an electric potential difference at the first and second electrode such that the liquid in the liquid container is attracted in the direction of said second electrode so as to allow the liquid to overcome the stopping effect of the capillary-stop valve for discharging liquid from said liquid container via said capillary-stop valve. The invention also relates to a method for activating a capillary-stop valve of a device.
Abstract:
The invention relates to method for bonding at least two substrates, for example made from glass, silicon or ceramic, by using an intermediate thin film metal layer for providing the bonding, said method comprising the following steps of: a) providing said two substrates; b) depositing said thin film metal layer on at least a part of a surface of a first substrate of the two substrates; c) bringing a surface of the second substrate into contact with said thin film metal layer on said surface of the first substrate such that a bonding between the second substrate and the thin film metal layer on the first substrate is provided; and d) at least locally strengthening the bonding between the second substrate and the thin film metal layer on the first substrate. The invention also relates to a device comprising two substrates, for example made from glass, silicon or ceramic, and an intermediate thin film metal layer.
Abstract:
A system for fluidic coupling and uncoupling of fluidic conduits (2,2') and a microfluidic chip (3), wherein the fluidic conduits are connected mechanically to a first structural part (7) and the microfluidic chip is carried by a second structural part (8), which structural parts are moved according to the invention perpendicularly toward and away from each other by means of a mechanism (4) provided for this purpose. Outer ends of the fluidic conduits can thus be moved over a determined distance substantially perpendicularly to an outer surface of the microfluidic chip and connecting openings present in the outer surface of the microfluidic chip, this enabling accurate realization of fluidic couplings and uncouplings without the occurrence of undesirable moments of force and with a minimal risk of damage to the fluidic conduits or the connecting openings. With such a system requirements which can be set in respect of convenience of use, speed of operation, temperature resistance, sealing, chemical resistance, reproducibility and so forth, can be fulfilled.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one microfluidic device and a mounting piece, this microfluidic device comprising at least one material layer and at least one first fluidic port, which first fluidic port is situated at least partially in an end surface of the material layer and which mounting piece comprises at least one fluidic component, wherein the mounting piece is coupled to the microfluidic device by means of first coupling means provided for this purpose such that the fluidic component is connected to the first fluidic port. The invention also relates to such a mounting piece. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such an assembly and a method for use thereof. What is essential is that external fluidic components, in particular reservoirs or wells, are not connected, as is usual, to ports in the 'upper surface' of a microchip, but to ports in an outer end or side surface thereof, and that more space thereby remains available on the 'upper surface' and 'lower surface' of the microchip, for instance for visual inspection or other operations, or that the 'upper surface' and 'lower surface' of the microchip can thereby be smaller and the device or the system can thus be given a more compact form. Furthermore, an additional process such as powder-blasting or drilling is then often no longer necessary.