Microchip Electrophoresis

Microchip electrophoresis is a separation method performed by applying a high voltage along a channel inside a small microfluidic chip or lab-on-a-chip. All ions (positive and negative) are pulled through the channel in the same direction by electro-osmotic flow (EOF). The analytes separate as they travel along the channel because of differences in their ionic mobility and they are detected by the C4D electrodes integrated on the chip near the outlet.

Contactless conductivity detection can be used for virtually all charged species: inorganic anions and cations, as well as organic ions, such as carboxylic acids, amines, amino acids, peptides, proteins, DNA fragments, antibiotics and many other pharmaceutical compounds. Tagging or other modification of the analytes is usually NOT required, while limits of detection are often comparable to, or sometimes even better, than UV-visible absorption techniques.

Microchip electrophoresis with C4D has been used for the analysis of cations, anions and for the study of electro-osmotic flow.