Applying Microfluidic Chemical Analytical Systems to Imperfect Samples

Over the last 4 years our group has been involved in developing a series of devices for chemical separation and analysis. These devices share a theme of utilizing the low Reynolds number properties of liquids flowing at slow speeds in small channels. These devices allow some types of function that are not possible in larger devices because of the possibility of bringing flows together without convective mixing. We have taken two somewhat different approaches to coping with samples that contain particles that are incompatible with one or more analytical methods to be used.