Method for producing a heatable and refrigerable element for a system handling small quantities of liquid, and an element manufactured by the method

An element for use in a system that controls the flow of small quantities of liquid, said element comprising an integral metal shell that defines at least one liquid space having a first end and a second end and a plurality of flow channels that extend from said liquid space between said first and second ends, said shell being connected to a refrigerator and a heater at a plurality of locations wherein said shell has a thermal conductivity that is substantially greater than the thermal conductivity of areas of said shell adjacent to said locations.

A device for controlling the flow of small quantities of liquids comprising:

• a metal shell defining an elongate liquid chamber having first and second ends, a constricted first inlet adjacent said first end of said liquid chamber and a constricted second inlet adjacent said second end of said liquid chamber, said shell including a plurality of tubular flow channels extending from said shell between said first and second ends;
• and
• a refrigerating element connected to said shell adjacent said first and second constricted inlets whereby liquid in or flowing through said constricted inlets may be frozen by activating said refrigerating element.