Open AccessEnhanced optical chromatography in a PDMS microfluidic system
Author(s) -
Alex Terray,
Jonathan Arnold,
Sandra G. Hart
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.13.010406
Subject(s) - microfluidics , materials science , refractive index , polystyrene , flow (mathematics) , refractometry , optics , channel (broadcasting) , bacillus anthracis , chromatography , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , mechanics , polymer , geology , computer science , physics , computer network , paleontology , bacteria
The purely refractive index driven separation of uniformly sized polystyrene, n = 1.59 and poly(methylmethacrylate), n = 1.49 in an optical chromatography system has been enhanced through the incorporation of a custom poly(dimethysiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic system. A customized channel geometry was used to create separate regions with different linear flow velocities tailored to the specific application. These separate flow regions were then used to expose the entities in the separation to different linear flow velocities thus enhancing their separation relative to the same separation in a constant velocity flow environment. A microbiological sample containing spores of the biological warfare agent, Bacillus anthracis, and a common environmental interferent, mulberry pollen, was investigated to test the use of tailored velocity regions. These very different samples were analyzed simultaneously only through the use of tailored velocity regions.