Patent ID: 7816148

Claim:
A method of directing materials, comprising: providing a body having disposed therein an open-field chamber having at least first, second, third, and fourth sides, the first and second sides opposite one another, a first plurality of channels in fluid communication with the first side of the chamber, the first plurality of channels communicating with the chamber at adjacent points along the first side, and a second plurality of channels in fluid communication with the second side of the chamber, the second plurality of channels corresponding in number and spacing with the first plurality of channels; electrokinetically introducing a sample material into the chamber between the first and second sides through a first channel of the first plurality of channels; electrokinetically introducing a buffer into the chamber between the first and second sides through a second and third channel of the first plurality of channels, the second and third channels being disposed on either side of the first channel; and directing concurrent, parallel flows of the sample material and the buffer through the chamber and into the second plurality of channels by applying a potential difference between the second plurality of channels and the first plurality of channels through the chamber, wherein the buffer provides an ion barrier to the sample material, and wherein the ion barrier constrains the mobility of the sample material in a direction lateral to the direction of flow.