Modular concept for miniature chemical systems

Miniaturised chemical systems comprise components for fluid manipulation (channels, pumps, valves etc.), (bio)chemical reaction and analysis. We propose a generic concept consisting of a so-called Mixed Circuit Board (MCB) containing both the fluidic channels and electrical circuitry as well as the silicon-based modules. The modules have a standardized connection to the MCB both for fluids as for electrical signals. In- and output modules have connections with capillaries used for liquid chromatography, ensuring the compatibility with this separation technique. The MCB itself consists either of glass-bonded silicon with anisotropically etched channels, but can ultimately be made as plastic component with use of moulding techniques. A number of system components such as a micropump, a capillary connector, a flow sensor, a micromixer (reactor) and a microfilter will be presented. An example of an electrochemical microreactor (microtitrator) will be given, and it will be shown how incorporation of this microreactor in a Micro Total Analysis System (μTAS) improves its performance. Finally a potential future realisation of a more complicated system, a parallel multisystem for chemical processparameter optimisation, will be evaluated.