Technology/Business Opportunity

Non-Confidential Description

University of California - Santa Cruz Campus

NON-MECHANICAL STIRRING FLOW CELL
DESCRIPTION: Cells for carrying out chemical reactions or studying physical and optical properties of liquids and gases vary a great deal in materials and design depending on their intended application. For certain applications, it is desirable to have a continuous flow of sample through the cell. If maintaining a homogenous mixture is also required, one can add a mechanical stirring device such as a magnetic stirring bar. However, the use of such mechanical stirring devices in a flow cell is not practical in some cases, especially with micro cells or in cells used for spectroscopic applications.

To overcome this difficulty, a novel non-mechanical stirring flow cell has been devised. By incorporating certain design elements into the inlet and outlet of a cell, one can customize a cell to provide a desired flow rate and degree of mixing without additional devices present in the cell. Also, according to this invention, multiple inlets can be used to optimize the cell for use as a chemical reactor. Thus, this type of flow cell can be adapted to a wide range of applications where stirring is not otherwise possible or where the presence of additional devices in the cell chamber is undesirable.

INQUIRIES TO: Kathy Willis, Licensing Associate
Tel: (510) 748-6600
Fax: (510) 748-6639
Email: kathy.willis@ucop.edu

REFERENCE: UC Case 95-315