Patent ID: 7470405

Claim:
A device comprising: (a) a reactor comprising a substrate layer or a plurality of adjacent substrate layers; wherein: (i) said substrate layer or layers contain a plurality of channels; (ii) each channel has an inner diameter between about 0.1 and about 20 mm; (ii) each channel traverses each substrate layer; and each channel has a first opening on one side of said reactor and a second opening on another side of said reactor; such that each channel is adapted to allow liquid to flow into the channel's first opening, to flow substantially unimpeded through the interior of said reactor, and to exit from the channel's second opening; and such that each channel is adapted to allow liquid to flow into the channel's second opening, to flow substantially unimpeded through the interior of said reactor, and to exit from the channel's first opening; and (b) a plurality of inlets, wherein at least one said inlet corresponds to each channel; wherein each said inlet is located within or immediately adjacent to its corresponding channel; and wherein each said inlet is adapted to supply a fluid to its corresponding channel; wherein: (c) said device is adapted to allow the efficient, oscillating flow of a liquid and a fluid through all of the channels, wherein the liquid and the fluid are not identical; wherein the flow of the liquid and the flow of the fluid result from oscillations imparted to the liquid, and wherein the flow of liquid through the channels occurs in the absence of a substantial head of liquid pressure above said reactor.