title: Ceramic capillary electrophoresis chip for the measurement of inorganic ions in water samples.
abstract: We present a microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE) device build-up in low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) multilayer technology for the analysis of major inorganic ions in water samples in less than 80 s. Contactless conductivity measurement is employed as a robust alternative to direct-contact conductivity detection schemes. The measurement electrodes are placed in a planar way at the top side of the CE chip and are realized by screen printing. Laser-cutting of channel and double-T injector structures is used to minimize irregularities and wall defects, elevating plate numbers per meter up to values of 110,000. Lowest limit of detection is 6 microM. The cost efficient LTCC module is attractive particularly for portable instruments in environmental applications because of its chemical inertness, hermeticity and easy three-dimensional integration capabilities of fluidic, electrical and mechanical components.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Microsystems Austria GmbH, Viktor Kaplan Strasse 2/1, 2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. georg.fercher@tuwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fercher
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Smetana
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vellekoop
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004566:Electrodes; D046209:Electrophoresis, Microchip / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D014867:Water