title: Macro-to-micro interfaces for microfluidic devices.
abstract: Since the concept of miniaturized total analysis systems (microTAS) was invented, a great number of microfluidic devices have been demonstrated for a variety of applications. However, an important hurdle that still needs to be cleared is the connection of a microfluidic device with the rest of the world, which is often referred to as the macro-to-micro interface, interconnect, or world-to-chip interface. In this review, we will examine the methods used by pioneers in the field and other investigators, review the approaches for capillary electrophoresis-based devices and those using pneumatic pumping, and present additional discussion on interface standardization and choosing and designing interconnects for your applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116250, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Carl K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Fredrickson
authors.forename: Z Hugh
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018511:Systems Integration