Gaspar A., Piyasena M.E., Gomez F.A.
California State University Los Angeles, US
Keywords: Capillary Electrophoresis, magnetic, microfluidic, Poly(dimethylsiloxane)
Microfluidic devices (MDs) have emerged as novel analytical tools in many areas of science and industry. Their inherent qualities such as low power requirements, low sample consumption, rapid and parallel analysis, and automation provides unique opportunities to create novel and more powerful devices with a myriad of applications. In recent years poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has been widely used for microfluidic, optical, and nanoelectromechanical structures and in low-cost replication processes such as replication molding and templating. Of particular interest is the work of Quake et al. who has utilized multilayer soft lithography (MSL) to develop versatile MDs for a myriad of biological applications. We are currently extending the use of MDs employing MSL in a variety of biological applications. Although MDs based on PDMS have been widely used, there is still a need to develop other mechanisms for the manipulation and injection of small volumes of sample in PDMS structrues. Herein, we describe a simple, external in-line magnetic valve for use in MDs constructed of PDMS and employing small magnets. Furthermore, we demonstrate the integration of capillary electrophoresis (CE) onto the MD to separate small biological species.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 389 - 390
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 1-4200-6184-4