Keywords: CFD, electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, numerical simulation, preconcentration
Lab-on-a-chip technologies combine a sequence of chemical and/or biological analyses on a miniaturized platform to perform an analytical task or series of tasks. Lab-on-a-chip applications include chemical/biological agent detection, DNA sequencing/analysis, and drug discovery, to name only a few. Two critical issues in lab-chip analyses are the separation and detection of the target species. Isotachophoresis (ITP) is now commonly used to pre-concentrate the sample, and coupling ITP direclty to capillary electrophoresis (CE) permits a very high resoluton separation. Transient effects associated with the switch from ITP to CE may degrade the quality of the flowing sample, however. Here we investigate the sequential coupling of ITP and CE in the region of a lab chip interconnect. The ITP-CE process is investigated computationally using FIDAP (Fluent Inc., Lebanon, NH). The model yields information about transient effects directly associated with the switching process, and also provides guidance on the optimal time to switch from ITP to CE.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 8, 2005
Pages: 583 - 586
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 0-9767985-0-6