METHOD TO ALIGN COVERS ON STRUCTURED LAYERS AND RESULTING DEVICES

A method for forming a fluidic module for a continuous flow reactor includes providing at least one planar glass or ceramic sheet having one or more through-holes, forming at least one patterned glass or ceramic layer having at least one patterned surface such that the patterned surface comprises channels defined between walls having an upper surface at a common height, stacking the at least one glass or ceramic sheet and the at least one patterned glass or ceramic layer together, the sheet contacting the walls at the common height, such that the channels are enclosed between the sheet and the patterned layer, the sheet being aligned with the patterned layer such that the one or more through-holes each align with respective spaces between walls of the patterned layer to provide fluid access to said respective spaces, and joining the sheet and the patterned layer together by pressing the sheet and the patterned layer together while heating the sheet and the patterned layer; wherein the patterned glass or ceramic layer further comprises one or more raised structures extending above the common height, and wherein the step of stacking comprises stacking the sheet on the upper surface of the walls at the common height, in a position such that the one or more raised structures confine the sheet to a desired position or alignment on the patterned layer.