Abstract: A microfluidic device made from nanolaminate materials that are capable of electrophoretic selection of particles on the basis of their mobility. Nanolaminate materials are generally alternating layers of two materials (one conducting, one insulating) that are made by sputter coating a flat substrate with a large number of layers. Specific subsets of the conducting layers are coupled together to form a single, extended electrode, interleaved with other similar electrodes. Thereby, the subsets of conducting layers may be dynamically charged to create time-dependent potential fields that can trap or transport charge colloidal particles. The addition of time-dependence is applicable to all geometries of nanolaminate electrophoretic and electrochemical designs from sinusoidal to nearly step-like.

Abstract: Nanochannel electrophoretic and electrochemical devices having selectively-etched nanolaminates located in the fluid transport channel. The normally flat surfaces of the nanolaminate having exposed conductive (metal) stripes are selectively-etched to form trenches and baffles. The modifications of the prior utilized flat exposed surfaces increase the amount of exposed metal to facilitate electrochemical redox reaction or control the exposure of the metal surfaces to analytes of large size. These etched areas variously increase the sensitivity of electrochemical detection devices to low concentrations of analyte, improve the plug flow characteristic of the channel, and allow additional discrimination of the colloidal particles during cyclic voltammetry.

Abstract: Nanochannel electrophoretic and electrochemical devices having selectively-etched nanolaminates located in the fluid transport channel. The normally flat surfaces of the nanolaminate having exposed conductive (metal) stripes are selectively-etched to form trenches and baffles. The modifications of the prior utilized flat exposed surfaces increase the amount of exposed metal to facilitate electrochemical redox reaction or control the exposure of the metal surfaces to analytes of large size. These etched areas variously increase the sensitivity of electrochemical detection devices to low concentrations of analyte, improve the plug flow characteristic of the channel, and allow additional discrimination of the colloidal particles during cyclic voltammetry.

Abstract: Nanolaminate materials are composites that consist of alternating layers of different materials (often conducting and insulating materials) that are manufactured by repeated sputter coating of a flat substrate. The layers can be exceedingly thin—on the order of a few atomic layers up to hundreds of nanometers. When the composite is cut perpendicular to the planes of these layers, a surface results that along one dimension has closely spaced alternating stripes of the materials. This patterned surface is incorporated into electrochemical and electrophoretic devices. The device may be positioned such that sample fluid may pass horizontally or vertically relative to the exposed closely spaced stripes. Such a device may be constructed to use an array of discrete conducting layers to define a voltage gradient so as to perform electrophoretic transport in a narrow fluid channel with one surface defined by the nanolaminate material.

Abstract: Electrophoric/electrochemical devices involving two separate, parallel, flat surfaces consisting of metal/insulator nano-laminates. The use of two nano-laminates increases the electrophoretic flow through a channel of given dimensions at a given applied voltage as compared to prior approaches. The introduction of these separate electrodes to the walls of the fluid channel maximizes the amount of exposed metal and minimizes the diffusion distance to facilitate electrochemical redox reactions. The combination of rapid solvent turnover and efficient detection of low concentrations of analyte creates a fast and sensitive detector.

Abstract: Nanochannel electrophoretic and electrochemical devices having selectively-etched nanolaminates located in the fluid transport channel. The normally flat surfaces of the nanolaminate having exposed conductive (metal) stripes are selectively-etched to form trenches and baffles. The modifications of the prior utilized flat exposed surfaces increase the amount of exposed metal to facilitate electrochemical redox reaction or control the exposure of the metal surfaces to analytes of large size. These etched areas variously increase the sensitivity of electrochemical detection devices to low concentrations of analyte, improve the plug flow characteristic of the channel, and allow additional discrimination of the colloidal particles during cyclic voltammetry.

Abstract: A microfluidic device made from nanolaminate materials that are capable of electrophoretic selection of particles on the basis of their mobility. Nanolaminate materials are generally alternating layers of two materials (one conducting, one insulating) that are made by sputter coating a flat substrate with a large number of layers. Specific subsets of the conducting layers are coupled together to form a single, extended electrode, interleaved with other similar electrodes. Thereby, the subsets of conducting layers may be dynamically charged to create time-dependent potential fields that can trap or transport charge colloidal particles. The addition of time-dependence is applicable to all geometries of nanolaminate electrophoretic and electrochemical designs from sinusoidal to nearly step-like.

Abstract: Nanolaminate materials are composed of alternating layers of two materials, such as conducting and insulating materials, that are synthesized by sputter coating on a flat substrate with a large number of layers. By employing lithographic processing during the deposition process, it is possible to make separate electrical contact to specific subsets of the metallic layers in the composite nanolaminate. Any number of separate electrodes is possible, in principle. This allows for multiple electrochemical circuits for simultaneous cyclic voltammetry in a single detection electrophoretic channel. The improvement allows for electrophoretic flow of 1 electrolyte and the electrochemical detection and discrimination of various analyte particles. The microfluidic component can be incorporated in a device for the purpose of analyzing or performing a chemical or biological assay on a very small fluid electrolyte, such as water. Such devices can be used as pathogen detectors.