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Published November 1, 2001 | public
Journal Article

Microfluidic arrays of fluid-fluid diffusional contacts as detection elements and combinatorial tools

Abstract

This paper describes microfluidic systems that can be used to investigate multiple chemical or biochemical interactions in a parallel format. These three-dimensional systems are generated by crossing two sets of microfluidic channels, fabricated in two different layers, at tight angles. Solutions of the reagents are placed in the channels; in different modes of operation, these solutions can be either flowing or stationary- the latter is important when one set of channels is filled with viscous gels with immobilized reagents. At every crossing, the channels are separated either by a single membrane or by a composite separator comprising a membrane, a microwell, and a second membrane. These components allow diffusive mass transport and minimize convective transport through the crossing. Polycarbonate membranes with 0.1-1-mum vertical pores were used to fabricate the devices. Each crossing of parallel channels serves as an element in which chemical or biochemical interactions can take place; interactions can be detected by monitoring changes in fluorescence and absorbance. These all- organic systems are straightforward to fabricate and to operate and may find applications as portable microanalytical systems and as tools in combinatorial research.

Additional Information

Copyright © 2001 American Chemical Society. Published In Issue: November 01, 2001. Received for review May 2, 2001. Accepted July 24, 2001. This work was supported by DARPA and NSF (ECS-0004030). We thank Steve Metallo (Harvard University) for helpful discussions.

Additional details

Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 24, 2023