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Dynamic pH and Thermal Analysis of Paper-Based Microchip Electrophoresis
Muhammad Noman Hasan1, Ran An1, Asya Akkus1
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Micromachines
|November 27, 2021
Summary
Paper-based microchip electrophoresis faces challenges with pH and temperature shifts affecting accuracy. A novel acid pre-treatment method for HemeChip stabilizes these conditions, enabling reproducible hemoglobin analysis at the point-of-care.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Microfluidics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Paper-based microchip electrophoresis offers point-of-care testing potential.
- High electric fields cause pH and temperature shifts, impacting accuracy and reproducibility.
- The HemeChip system was developed for low-cost, rapid hemoglobin analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pH and temperature shifts within the HemeChip system.
- To evaluate the impact of these shifts on hemoglobin electrophoresis.
- To develop a method to mitigate these shifts for improved performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized universal pH indicator and digital camera for pH shift characterization.
- Employed infrared camera for temperature shift characterization.
- Investigated an acid pre-treatment method for the cellulose acetate paper.
Main Results:
- Characterization revealed significant pH shifts (up to 1.1 units) and temperature increases (up to 40 °C).
- Observed pH and temperature gradients were quantified across the microchip.
- Acid pre-treatment effectively mitigated both pH and temperature shifts.
Conclusions:
- pH and temperature shifts are critical factors affecting paper-based microchip electrophoresis.
- The developed acid pre-treatment method stabilizes the HemeChip system.
- This stabilization enables reproducible hemoglobin electrophoresis for point-of-care applications.
