Dispersion control in microfluidic chips by localized zeta potential variation using the field effect

A new technique to minimize the effects of turn-induced dispersion within U-shaped separation channels by using the field effect within a capacitor to vary the zeta potential along the channel walls in the vicinity of the microchannel is described. The effects of the separation channel geometry, the fluid velocity profile, and the use of the field effect to control the zeta potential on the band distribution in the detection area are extensively discussed. The results for a U-shaped separation channel indicate that varying the zeta potential by controlling the field effect significantly reduces the band dispersion induced by the 90 degrees turns within the channel. Finally, it is shown that the application of the proposed localized zeta potential variation method also results in a correction of the band tilting phenomenon and a reduction in the racetrack effect.     

Localized electric field induced transition and miniaturization of two‐phase flow patterns inside microchannels

Strategic application of external electrostatic field on a pressure‐driven two‐phase flow inside a microchannel can transform the stratified or slug flow patterns into droplets. The localized electrohydrodynamic stress at the interface of the immiscible liquids can engender a liquid‐dielectrophoretic deformation, which disrupts the balance of the viscous, capillary, and inertial forces of a pressure‐driven flow to engender such flow morphologies. Interestingly, the size, shape, and frequency of the droplets can be tuned by varying the field intensity, location of the electric field, surface properties of the channel or fluids, viscosity ratio of the fluids, and the flow ratio of the phases. Higher field intensity with lower interfacial tension is found to facilitate the oil droplet formation with a higher throughput inside the hydrophilic microchannels. The method is successful in breaking down the regular pressure‐driven flow patterns even when the fluid inlets are exchanged in the microchannel. The simulations identify the conditions to develop interesting flow morphologies, such as (i) an array of miniaturized spherical or hemispherical or elongated oil drops in continuous water phase, (ii) “oil‐in‐water” microemulsion with varying size and shape of oil droplets. The results reported can be of significance in improving the efficiency of multiphase microreactors where the flow patterns composed of droplets are preferred because of the availability of higher interfacial area for reactions or heat and mass exchange.     

Machine assisted reaction optimization: A self-optimizing reactor system for continuous-flow photochemical reactions

A methodology for the synthesis of oxetanes from benzophenone and furan derivatives is presented. UV-light irradiation in batch and flow systems allowed the [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction to proceed and a broad range of oxetanes could be synthesized in manual and automated fashion. The identification of high-yielding reaction parameters was achieved through a new self-optimizing photoreactor system.     

Effect of alumina in multicomponent bismuth phosphate catalyst supported on silica-alumina for propylene ammoxidation reaction

The effect of compositions of silica-alumina support on multicomponent bismuth phosphate catalyst (MBP) was investigated for the propylene ammoxidation. It is appears that small amounts of Al₂O₃ cause retardation of the ammoxidation reaction, which would be due to activation of the selective oxidation pathway. It is understood from such results that the catalytic action of the MBP is essentially different with that of the multicomponent bismuth molybdate catalyst (MBM), which is generally used as propylene ammoxidation catalyst. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Detection of polymerase chain reaction fragments using a conducting polymer-modified screen-printed electrode in a microfluidic device

A simple and fast method for electrochemical detection of amplified fragments by PCR was successfully developed using CE in a microfluidic device with a modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The surfaces of the SPCE were modified with poly-5,2'-5',2'-terthiophene-3'-carboxylic acid, which improves the analysis performance by lowering the detection potential, enhancing the S/N characteristics, and avoiding electrode poisoning. DNA fragments amplified by PCR were separated within 210 s in a 75.5 mm-long coated-separation channel at a separation field strength of -200 V/cm. To minimize the sample adsorption into the inner surface of the capillary wall, which disturbs the separation, a dynamically coated capillary with an acrylamide solution was used. Furthermore, the analysis procedure was simplified and rendered reproducible by using 0.50% w/v hydroxyethylcellulose as a separation matrix in a coated channel. The reproducibility of the analysis employing the coated channel yielded RSD of 4.3% for the peak areas and 1.4% for the migration times in eight repetitive measurements at a modified electrode, compared with 21.3 and 9.4% for a bare electrode. The sensitivity of the assay was 18.74 pAs/(pg/microL) with a detection limit of 584.31 +/- 1.3 fg/microL.     

Synthesis of fused indolines by interrupted Fischer indolization in a microfluidic reactor

This study describes our development of a microfluidic reaction scheme for the synthesis of fused indoline ring systems found in several bioactive compounds. We have utilized a continuous-flow microfluidic reactor for the reaction of hydrazines with latent aldehydes through the interrupted Fischer indolization reaction to form fused indoline and azaindoline products. We have identified optimal conditions and evaluated the scope of this microfluidic reaction using various hydrazine and latent aldehyde surrogates. This green chemistry approach can be of general utility to rapidly produce indoline scaffolds and intermediates in a continuous manner.     

Improvement in the sensitivity of microfluidic ELISA through field amplified stacking of the enzyme reaction product

In this article, we demonstrate a novel approach to enhancing the sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) through pre-concentration of the enzyme reaction product (resorufin/4-methylumbelliferone) in free solution. The reported pre-concentration was accomplished by transporting the resorufin/4-methylumbelliferone molecules produced in the ELISA process towards a high ionic-strength buffer stream in a microfluidic channel while applying a voltage drop across this merging region. A sharp change in the electric field around the junction of the two liquid streams was observed to abruptly slow down the negatively charged resorufin/4-methylumbelliferone species leading to the reported pre-concentration effect based on the field amplified stacking (FAS) technique. It has been shown that the resulting enhancement in the detectability of the enzyme reaction product significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio in the system thereby reducing the smallest detectable analyte concentration in the ELISA method. Applying the above-described approach, we were able to detect mouse anti-BSA and human TNF-α at concentrations nearly 60-fold smaller than that possible on commercial microwell plates. For the human TNF-α sample, this improvement in assay sensitivity corresponded to a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.102 pg mL⁻¹ using the FAS based microfluidic ELISA method as compared to 7.03 pg mL⁻¹ obtained with the traditional microwell plate based approach. Moreover, because our ELISAs were performed in micrometer sized channels, they required sample volumes about two orders of magnitude smaller than that consumed in the latter case (1 μL versus 100 μL).     

Enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines through a multicomponent Ugi reaction and their transformation into bicyclic scaffolds

A new enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines through a multicomponent approach has been developed, using highly reactive pyrrolines 4 as preformed cyclic imines. The pyrrolidines obtained using protected aspartic acid as acid component in the Ugi condensation have been transformed into two epimeric bicyclic lactones 18, 19, which may find an application as external reverse turn inducers.     

L-proline catalyzed multicomponent domino reaction in polyethyleneglycol-400 for regioselective synthesis of pyrazolyl-tetrahydroindazolones under microwave irradiation

A simple and convenient approach for the synthesis of pyrazolyl-tetrahydroindazolones via L-proline catalyzed three component domino reaction of arylhydrazine, dimedone and pyrazole aldehyde in polyethyleneglycol-400 (PEG-400) under microwave irradiation is described. This novel and green protocol proceeds smoothly in good to excellent yields and provides several advantages such as shorter reaction time, metal-free reaction conditions, simple work-up procedures. Also, recycling of the catalyst and solvent was observed without the loss of activity for three (03) runs.     

A new,convenient and expeditious synthesis of 4-alkyl-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ols in water through a multicomponent reaction

A new, simple and efficient synthesis of 4-alkyl-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ols in water by a two-pot four component reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, aldehyde and ketone in presence K₂CO₃ as the catalyst is described. Use of water as the reaction medium, operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, application of a cost-effective, nontoxic and easily available catalyst with auto-tandem catalysis, wide substrate scope, easy workup and purification process make the protocol highly attractive.     

A fast route for the synthesis of tetrazolyl oximes by a novel multicomponent reaction between Z-chlorooximes,isocyanides and trimethylsilyl azide

A library of twenty variously decorated 1,5-disubstituted-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methanone oximes was prepared in one single synthetic step exploiting the combination of (Z)-chlorooximes, isocyanides and trimethylsilyl azide. The formal [3+1] cycloaddition between isocyanides and nitrile N-oxides with respect to the [3+1] cycloaddition between isocyanides and azides prevails, while the direct attack of azide onto nitrile N-oxides remains competitive. Finally, an intramolecular cyclization of a (1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methanone oxime to a benzoisoxazole tetrazole is reported for the first time.     

Groebke-Blackburn-Bienaymé multicomponent reaction in scaffold-modification of adenine, guanine, and cytosine: synthesis of aminoimidazole-condensed nucleobases

A multicomponent method for scaffold-modification of nucleobases (adenine, guanine, and cytosine) was developed. This modification approach, as an alternative to usual synthetic routes involving protection-deprotection or S_NAr of halo (or leaving group-equivalent)-purines, affords in one step therapeutically-relevant substituted aminoimidazole-[i]-condensed adenine, [b]-condensed guanine, [c]-condensed cytosine. These derived nucleobases possess enhanced lipophilicity and solubility and contain the functionalities useful for further chemical manipulations.     

Unexpected multicomponent reaction of 2/4-methoxyarylaldehydes with arylhydroxylamines and maleic anhydride: a novel synthesis of unsymmetrical diarylamines

Unsymmetrical diarylamines have been synthesized by a novel, unexpected multicomponent reaction between methoxyarylaldehydes, N-arylhydroxylamine and maleic anhydride. A possible mechanism for the formation of the product is proposed. The reaction was also carried out under microwave irradiation.     

Fast immobilization of probe beads by dielectrophoresis-controlled adhesion in a versatile microfluidic platform for affinity assay

The use of probe beads for lab-on-chip affinity assays is very interesting from a practical point of view. It is easier to handle and trap beads than molecules in microfluidic systems. We present a method for the immobilization of probe beads at defined areas on a chip using dielectrophoresis (DEP)-controlled adhesion. The method is fast, i.e., it takes between 10 and 120 s--depending on the protocol--to functionalize a chip surface at defined areas. The method is versatile, i.e., it works for beads with different types of probe molecule coatings. The immobilization is irreversible, i.e., the retained beads are able to withstand high flow velocities in a flow-through device even after the DEP voltage is turned off, thus allowing the use of conventional high-conductivity analyte buffers in the following assay procedure. We demonstrate the on-chip immobilization of fluorescent beads coated with biotin, protein A, and goat-antimouse immunoglobulin G (IgG). The number of immobilized beads at an electrode array can be determined from their fluorescence signal. Further, we use this method to demonstrate the detection of streptavidin and mouse IgG. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of the parallel detection of different analyte molecules on the same chip.     

Palladium-mediated organic synthesis using porous polymer monolith formed in situ as a continuous catalyst support structure for application in microfluidic devices

The development and advantages of in situ synthesis of organic polymer monolith supports for metal pre-catalysts in narrow bore fused silica capillary microreactors are described. Catalyst immobilisation involves the covalent attachment of ligand binding sites to the porous polymer monolith, followed by coordination to metal centres. Flow-through microreactors using poly(chloromethylstyrene-co-divinylbenzene) monolith in capillaries of internal diameter 250 μm were used successfully for Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions, utilising both 1,10-phenanthroline and imidazole/carbene binding to palladium and with very low palladium leaching, illustrating the potential of flow-through technology at the microscale level using organic monolith support for transition metal catalysed reactions.     

Polycation-Regulated Electrolyte and Interfacial Electric Fields for Stable Zinc Metal Batteries

Zn metal as one of promising anode materials for aqueous batteries but suffers from disreputable dendrite growth, grievous hydrogen evolution and corrosion. Here, a polycation additive, polydiallyl dimethylammonium chloride (PDD), is introduced to achieve long-term and highly reversible Zn plating/stripping. Specifically, the PDD can simultaneously regulate the electric fields of electrolyte and Zn/electrolyte interface to improve Zn²⁺ migration behaviors and guide dominant Zn (002) deposition, which is veritably detected by Zeta potential, Kelvin probe force microscopy and scanning electrochemical microscopy. Moreover, PDD also creates a positive charge-rich protective outer layer and a N-rich hybrid inner layer, which accelerates the Zn²⁺ desolvation during plating process and blocks the direct contact between water molecules and Zn anode. Thereby, the reversibility and long-term stability of Zn anodes are substantially improved, as certified by a higher average coulombic efficiency of 99.7 % for Zn||Cu cells and 22 times longer life for Zn||Zn cells compared with that of PDD-free electrolyte.     

Surface characterization using chemical force microscopy and the flow performance of modified polydimethylsiloxane for microfluidic device applications

The widespread interest in micro total analysis systems has resulted in efforts to develop devices in cheaper polymer materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as an alternative to expensive glass and silicon devices. We describe the oxidation of the PDMS surface to form ionizable groups using a discharge from a Tesla coil and subsequent chemical modification to augment electroosmotic flow (EOF) within the microfluidic devices. The flow performance of oxidized, amine-modified and unmodified PDMS materials has been determined and directly compared to conventional glass devices. Exact PDMS replicas of glass substrates were prepared using a novel two step micromolding protocol. Chemical force microscopy has been utilized to monitor and measure the efficacy of surface modification yielding information about the acid/base properties of the modified and unmodified surfaces. Results with different substrate materials correlates well with expected flow modifications as a result of surface modification. Oxidized PDMS devices were found to support faster EOF (twice that of native PDMS) similar to glass while those derivatized with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) showed slower flow rates compared to native PDMS substrates as a result of masking surface charge. Results demonstrate that the surface of PDMS microdevices can be manipulated to control EOF characteristics using a facile surface derivatization methodology allowing surfaces to be tailored for specific microfluidic applications and characterized with chemical force microscopy.     

A microfluidic viscometer: Translation of oscillatory motion of a water microdroplet in oil under electric field

The electric field induced motion of a charged water droplet suspended in a low-dielectric oil medium is exploited to evaluate the rheological properties of the suspending medium. The time-periodic electrophoretic motion of the droplet between the electrodes decorated in a polymeric micro-well is translated into a proof-of-concept microfluidic prototype, which can measure viscosities of the unknown fluid samples. The variations in the instantaneous velocities of the migrating droplet have been measured inside silicone oil of known physical properties at different electric field intensities. Subsequently, a balance between the electric field to the viscous force has been employed to evaluate the experimental charge density on the droplet surface. Thereafter, a comprehensive scaling law has been devised to find a correlation between the charge on the droplet to the dielectric permittivity of the surrounding medium, size of the water droplet, and the applied electric field intensity. Following this, the scaling law and force balance have been employed together to evaluate the unknown viscosity of an array of suspending mediums by simply analyzing the electrophoretic motion of water droplet. The model proposed is also found to be consistent when a solid amberlite microparticle has been employed as a probe instead of the water droplet. In such a scenario, minor changes in the exponents of the scaling law are found to be necessary to reproduce the results obtained using the water droplet. The method paves the way for the making of an economical and portable microfluidic rheometer with further finetuning and translational developments.     

Dicyclopentadiene dissociation in a chromatographic reactor. Effect of the liquid phase polarity on the reaction rate

Summary The gas chromatographic reactor technique was used to study the kinetics of dicyclopentadiene dissociation in several liquid phases (Versamid 900, neopentyl glycol sebacate, Triton X-305, Carbowax 6000, ethylene glycol phthalate and diethylene glycol succinate). Reaction rates and Arrhenius parameters are reported in the temperature range of 170–200°C. Kinetic data for the lower polarity liquid phases are in good agreement with literature values for liquid phases of the same nature reported previously. Reaction rates are higher when polar liquid phases are used. This behavior can be explained as a result of side reactions which lead to high molecular weight compounds which can be observed in the reaction chromatogram.     

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of 2,5-dihydro-5-imino-2-methylfuran-3,4-dicarboxylates via an isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction

The zwitterion formed from an alkyl or aryl isocyanide and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate reacts with acetic anhydride or phthalic anhydride to form 2,5-dihydro-5-imino-2-methylfuran-3,4-dicarboxylates or benzo-fused spirolactones in relatively good yields at room temperature without using a catalyst.