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Improvements on the electrokinetic injection technique for microfluidic chips
Author(s) -
Wu ChienHsien,
Yang RueyJen
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.200600279
Subject(s) - microfluidics , electrokinetic phenomena , voltage , materials science , fluidics , microfluidic chip , nanotechnology , engineering , electrical engineering
This paper presents a T‐form electrokinetic injection system for the discrete time‐based loading and dispensing of samples of variable‐volume in a microfluidic chip. A novel push–pull effect is produced during the loading and dispensing processes by the application of an appropriate control voltage distribution. The experimental and numerical results show that this push–pull loading technique produces compact sample plugs and hence improves the detection resolution of the microfluidic device. The injection system is integrated with a microflow switch, and a suitable voltage control scheme is proposed to guide the sample to the desired outlet port such that the microfluidic device can function as a microdispenser. The time‐based variable‐volume T‐form injection method presented in this study is performed using a compact geometry and a simple control scheme and can be readily integrated with other microfluidic devices to form a microfluidic system capable of continuous monitoring and analysis of bioreactions in the life science and biochemistry fields.