title: Micromachining a miniaturized capillary electrophoresis-based chemical analysis system on a chip.
abstract: Micromachining technology was used to prepare chemical analysis systems on glass chips (1 centimeter by 2 centimeters or larger) that utilize electroosmotic pumping to drive fluid flow and electrophoretic separation to distinguish sample components. Capillaries 1 to 10 centimeters long etched in the glass (cross section, 10 micrometers by 30 micrometers) allow for capillary electrophoresis-based separations of amino acids with up to 75,000 theoretical plates in about 15 seconds, and separations of about 600 plates can be effected within 4 seconds. Sample treatment steps within a manifold of intersecting capillaries were demonstrated for a simple sample dilution process. Manipulation of the applied voltages controlled the directions of fluid flow within the manifold. The principles demonstrated in this study can be used to develop a miniaturized system for sample handling and separation with no moving parts.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fluri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Effenhauser
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manz