Topographic structures and chromatographic supports in microfluidic separation devices

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 1184; no. 1; pp. 560 - 572
• Main Authors: De Pra, Mauro, Kok, Wim Th, Schoenmakers, Peter J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 14.03.2008; Amsterdam; New York: Elsevier; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; DNA - isolation & purification; Dna, deoxyribonucleoproteins; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel - methods; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Liquid chromatography; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Microfluidics; Nanotechnology - instrumentation; Nucleic acids; Other chromatographic methods; Separation; Structured channels; Liquid chromatography; Separation; Structured channels; Microfluidics; Fluid mechanics; Scanning electron microscopy; System on a chip; Surface structure; Analysis method; DNA; Morphology; Microequipment; Miniaturization; Stationary phase
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.09.086

A review is given of the literature on the design, development and use of micromachined devices for separations in the liquid phase. The emphasis is on those devices that offer more than just an empty channel for, e.g., electrophoretic separation. Topographic structures have been incorporated in the channels during their microfabrication, offering a variety of possibilities for the separation of (mainly) DNA molecules based on different principles. Supports for a stationary phase for chromatographic separations have been introduced in the channels in different ways: by packing of the channels with stationary phase particles, by polymerization of monolithic structures, or by lithographic machining of pillars in the channels. It is shown that the latter strategy gives the highest potential for increasing the separation power of the devices. Still, more conventional approaches are closer to a routine application.