Microfluidic Chip-Capillary Electrophoresis Devices

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and microfluidic chip (MC) devices are relatively mature technologies, but this book demonstrates how they can be integrated into a single, revolutionary device that can provide on-site analysis of samples when laboratory services are unavailable. By introducing the combination of CE and MC technology, Microfluidic Chip-Capillary Electrophoresis Devices broadens the scope of chemical analysis, particularly in the biomedical, food, and environmental sciences. The book gives an overview of the development of MC and CE technology as well as technology that now allows for the fabrication of MC-CE devices. It describes the operating principles that make integration possible and illustrates some achievements already made by the application of MC-CE devices in hospitals, clinics, food safety, and environmental research. The authors envision further applications for private and public use once the proof-of-concept stage has been passed and obstacles to increased commercialization are addressed. A summary of the current methodology and application of MC-CE devices, including their merits, limitations, and potential, closes the book. It highlights the path to be taken for future development of MC-CE and anticipates new advances in technology that will increase their performance and use as powerful analytical tools. With enhanced power, their scope of applications will widen and yield new benefits to researchers and the general public.