A simple method for bonding polycarbonate, based on controlled exposure of the pieces to vapours of solvents, yields a tight seal and unmodified geometry of the channels.

We propose a simple and effective scheme for the modification of the walls of microfluidic channels fabricated in polycarbonate (PC) after the device has been bonded. The method prevents both static and dynamic wetting of PC by aqueous solutions including viscous, non-Newtonian solutions of polymers as e.g.alginate. The procedure uses dodecylamine, which readily reacts with the carbonate groups of PC to produce a hydrophobic surface. We characterize the dependence of the contact angles and homogeneity of the modified surfaces on the time, temperature, and concentration—all important parameters—of the reaction and provide optimal conditions for the process.

The trimethylsilyl group and other silicon-containing groups are able to migrate to anionic centers within the molecule. This phenomenon is used to generate tandem processes involving a silyl group migration - a leaving group elimination in systems equipped with a silyl-, oxido-, and leaving group. Applications of silyloxiranes to synthesis involving tandem processes are described. Other synthetic applications of silyloxiranes based upon the cooperative reactions of silyl-, oxido (hydroxy) and leaving group are discussed. 1. Introduction 2. Reaction of (trimethylsilyl)oxiranes with α-sulfonyl- and related anions 3. Synthesis of polyols, involving tandem silyl group migration - elimination reactions 4. Oxidation of (trimethylsilyl)oxiranes into α-hydroxyaldehyde or acylsilane derivatives 5. Reaction of (triphenylsilyl)oxirane with α-sulfonyl anions and synthetic applications of the adducts 6. Conclusions