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Lab-on-a-Chip device with laser-patterned polymer electrodes for high voltage application and contactless
Rowan D Henderson1, Rosanne M Guijt, Lee Andrewartha
1Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Chemistry, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|August 10, 2012
Summary
A new microchip electrophoresis device uses polymer electrodes for high voltage separations. This cost-effective technology achieves results similar to expensive metal electrode systems.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Microfluidics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microchip electrophoresis (MCE) is a powerful separation technique.
- Traditional MCE devices often utilize expensive metal electrodes.
- Developing cost-effective alternatives for MCE is crucial for wider adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel laser-patterned microchip electrophoresis device.
- To integrate polymer electrodes for high voltage direct current (DC) applications.
- To incorporate alternating current (AC) capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection.
Main Methods:
- Laser patterning was employed to fabricate the microchip.
- Polymer electrodes were integrated for DC high voltage operation.
- AC capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection was implemented.
Main Results:
- The developed device achieved electrophoresis separations comparable to traditional metal electrode systems.
- The cost of the polymer electrode device was approximately 20 times lower than metal electrode devices.
- Contactless conductivity detection proved effective for monitoring separations.
Conclusions:
- Laser-patterned microchip electrophoresis with integrated polymer electrodes offers a low-cost, high-performance alternative.
- This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of MCE devices.
- The developed device demonstrates the feasibility of using polymer electrodes for high voltage electrophoresis.
