Modular Design Approaches for MicroFluidic Systems

Keywords:
electrophoresis, lab-on-chip, microfluidics, glass, MEMS

Abstract:
The possibilities promised by microfluidic systems have not only interested scientists, but also industries, especially in the areas of the Life Sciences (food, medical, biotech) and fine chemistry (pharma) [2]. Microfluidics is the MEMS-field in which minute quantities of liquids or gases are manipulated, monitored, analyzed, and even processed. Microfluidics based instruments are capable of synthesizing and analyzing (bio)chemical materials at very high throughputs and against reduced costs. These decisive benefits are enabled by the reduced consumption of reagents, shorter temperature cycling times, faster mixing, and the high degree of automation possible compared to conventional equipment. Referring to the size of microfluidics based systems, they are often called Lab-on-a-Chip systems. In this paper modular design approaches for so-called ‘true’ Lab-on-a-Chip systems for on/in-line and PoC applications, and an easy-to-use and potentially on-line Capillary Electrophoresis analysis system are presented.

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Nanotech 2005 Conference Program Abstract