Recent developments in detection methods for microfabricated analytical devices

Sensitive detection in microfluidic analytical devices is a challenge because of the extremely small detection volumes available. Considerable efforts have been made lately to further address this aspect and to investigate techniques other than fluorescence. Among the newly introduced techniques are the optical methods of chemiluminescence, refraction and thermooptics, as well as the electrochemical methods of amperometry, conductimetry and potentiometry. Developments are also in progress to create miniaturized plasma-emission spectrometers and sensitive detectors for gas-chromatographic separations.