Patent ID: 6136171
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B03C,B81B,B81C,G01N

Abstract:
A microchannel device for electrical field-flow fractionation of a fluid, comprising:a first substrate having a substantially planar inner surface;a first electrically conductive layer on the inner surface of the first substrate;a second substrate having a substantially planar inner surface and positioned over the first substrate;a second electrically conductive layer on the inner surface of the second substrate and facing the first electrically conductive layer;an intermediate layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the intermediate layer patterned so as to form opposing sidewalls of a microchannel, with the first and second electrically conductive layers defining opposing continuous boundaries along the length of the microchannel, wherein the microchannel is dimensioned such that the distance between the first and second electrically conductive layers along the length of the microchannel is less than about 100 .mu.m;an inlet port in the first or second substrate for allowing fluid flow into the microchannel;an outlet port in the first or second substrate for allowing fluid flow out of the microchannel; andone or more detectors in operative communication with the microchannel for analyzing a fluid in or from the microchannel, the detectors selected from one or more of the group consisting of electrical conductivity detectors and impedance detectors.