These devices are fabricated using conventional micromachining techniques on glass and fused silica substrates. Microchannels and microreactors are fabricated by chemically etching features in a planar substrate. The channels and reaction chambers are closed by bonding a cover plate over the machined areas.
Microfluidic manipulation is effected through the use of electroosmotic flow.
Several chemical separation techniques have been demonstrated in our laboratory on microfabricated devices including free solution electrophoresis, open tubular electrochromatography, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, and capillary gel electrophoresis. Performance of all these separation techniques have been either equivalent to or greater than conventional laboratory devices. We are now applying these new capabilities to molecular biology problems. Inc. Abstracts scanned from text submitted for November 1994 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop.