title: Microfluidic arrays of fluid-fluid diffusional contacts as detection elements and combinatorial tools.
abstract: This paper describes microfluidic systems that can be used to investigate multiple chemical or biochemical interactions in a parallel format. These three-dimensional systems are generated by crossing two sets of microfluidic channels, fabricated in two different layers, at right angles. Solutions of the reagents are placed in the channels; in different modes of operation, these solutions can be either flowing or stationary-the latter is important when one set of channels is filled with viscous gels with immobilized reagents. At every crossing, the channels are separated either by a single membrane or by a composite separator comprising a membrane, a microwell, and a second membrane. These components allow diffusive mass transport and minimize convective transport through the crossing. Polycarbonate membranes with 0.1-1-microm vertical pores were used to fabricate the devices. Each crossing of parallel channels serves as an element in which chemical or biochemical interactions can take place; interactions can be detected by monitoring changes in fluorescence and absorbance. These all-organic systems are straightforward to fabricate and to operate and may find applications as portable microanalytical systems and as tools in combinatorial research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ismagilov
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kenis
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Whitesides