Modular Design Approach for MicroFluidic Systems

摘要

The possibilities promised by microfluidic systems have not only interested scientists, but also industries, especially in the areas of the Life Sciences (food, medical, biotech) and fine chemistry (pharma, cosmetics). Microfluidics is the part of the MEMS-field in which minute quantities of liquids or gases are manipulated, monitored, analyzed, and even processed. Microfluidics based instruments are capable of synthesizing and analyzing (bio)chemical materials at very high throughputs and against reduced costs. These decisive benefits are enabled by the reduced consumption of reagents, shorter temperature cycling times, faster mixing, and the high degree of automation possible compared to conventional equipment. Referring to the size of microfluidics based systems, they are often called Lab-on-Chip systems. In this paper a modular design approach for so-called 'true' Lab-on-Chip systems for on/in-line and PoC (Point of Care) applications, and an easy-to-use and potentially online Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) analysis system is presented.