Continuous fractionation of a two-component mixture by zone electrophoresis

Synchronized continuous-flow zone electrophoresis is a recently demonstrated tool for performing electrophoretic fractionation of a complex sample. The method resembles free flow electrophoresis, but unlike in that technique, no mechanical fluid pumping is required. Instead, fast electrokinetic flow switching is used to produce complex stream patterns, which results in lateral separation of components in a separation chamber. Here a solution is presented which allows for simultaneous collection of two fractions in synchronized continuous-flow zone electrophoresis. The method is demonstrated on a model mixture, with subsequent evaluation of the collected fractions purity by MCE. The necessary theoretical background is provided including both steering schemes and calculations of optimum operating points.