Nanofluidics on Lab-on-a-Chip devices

One of the key journals in analytical chemistry Analytical Chemistry have featured latest development and future of nanofluidics in lab on a chip device on September 1st, 2009 issue. The article specifically highlights progress in integrated micro- and nanofluidicdevices and demonstrates how nanofluidic components may benefit samplepreparation, fluid handling and injection, separation, and detection.

This article focuses on devices containing one or more nanochannels or nanoporess fluidic features withat least one dimension typically e100 nm. We will discuss discretefeatures e0.5 μm, as opposed to nanoporous monoliths4 or membranes withtortuous paths,5 which are reviewed elsewhere.

Nano-channels in fluidic devices have forces and phenomena which are absent or negligible inmicro-channels. This brings great promise for new analyticalapplications. Generally nano-channels are in the dimensions ofElectrical Double Layer (EDL). Overlap of nano-channels with EDLresults ion permselectivity; localized enhancement of electric fields;and the increased influence of diffusion, surface-to-volume ratio,surface charge, and entropy. Through these effects, nanoscalecomponents can improve routine processing and add new functionality tomicrofluidic devices.

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