Patent ID: 7039527
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for calculating the diffusivity of a solute in a microchannel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a microchannel having a first end and a second end and a cross-sectional shape; providing a first detector and a second detector that measure the concentration of solute at a first location and a second location respectively, the first and second locations being disposed between the first and second ends of the microchannel; introducing the solute into the first end of said microchannel as a plug; measuring a first concentration profile of the plug at the first location at a first time; measuring a second concentration profile of the plug at the second location at a second time; calculating a velocity based on a distance between the first location and the second location and the first and second times; and determining the diffusivity of the solute by comparing the first concentration profile to the second concentration profile.