Hands on: thermal bonding of nano- and microfluidic chips

Microchimica Acta - Fused silica microchips have several attractive features; they are stable, transparent and allow fabrication with immense precision, also of nanochannels, which make them good...     

Combining microchip and cell technology for creation of novel biodevices

Microchip technology has matured over the years into an important field in which novel technologies are being constantly invented, and down-sizing and incorporation of already existing methodologies into the microscale is increasing assay performance and bearing the promise of future total integration for simple, widespread use. One rapidly growing sub-discipline of the microchip research field is focused around the integration of microchip technology and cell biology. In this review, we recapitulate progress here at the Kitamori laboratory in direct relation to cell and microchip technologies, and show some examples of successful integration of the two, going from controlled patterning of cells, on-chip cell culture stimulation, and cardiovascular systems on a chip, to bio-microdevices integrating cardiovascular cells and microtechnology to create novel biodevices such as biocompatible, miniature pumps.     

Inelastic scattering of 185 MeV protons from Mg and Al

A magnetic spectrometer was used for the energy analysis of protons scattered from targets of magnesium (natural isotopic composition) and aluminium. The mean energy of the incident protons in the targets was 185 MeV. A total energy resolution of 350 keV (FWHM) was achieved, which made possible the observation of the excitation of a large number of discrete levels. Energy spectra were measured in the angular region of 4° to 40° (lab system).

The results are presented partly in the form of tables giving measured excitation energies and maximum cross sections for resolved levels and partly in the form of graphs of angular distributions of the differential cross sections.

A qualitative discussion of the results is given in terms of the multipolarities of the transitions involved and comparisons are made with similar results from other experiments in inelastic scattering and in a few cases with theoretical predictions.     

Proton total cross sections on 1H, 2H, 4He, 9Be,C and O in the energy range 180 to 560 MeV

Proton total cross sections have been measured for the nuclei ¹H, ²H, ⁴He, ⁹Be, C and O from 180 to 560 MeV (610 to 1170 MeV/c). The standard transmission technique was used with a resulting total error of 1 % to 2 %. Statistical errors were small (< 1 %) and the major contribution to the final error comes from uncertainties in applying the correction for Coulomb-nuclear interference in elastic scattering at small angles. For ⁴He, ⁹Be, ¹²C. and ¹⁶O this experiment also gives new information on the real part of the spin-independent forward scattering amplitude for proton-nucleus elastic scattering. Total cross sections have been calculated using a Glauber model approach and poor agreement with the data is obtained, even for deuterium.     

Integration of immunoassay into extended nanospace

We report on the first successful miniaturization of sandwich immunoassay into an extended nanospace channel for the detection of alpha-fetoprotein. A fused silica microchip with a nanochannel flanked by two microchannels, to facilitate liquid handling, was constructed using photo- and electron beam lithography, ICP and thermal bonding. Reagents could be selectively introduced into the nanochannel and the flow be stopped by using a pressure controller that alternatively opened and closed inlet and outlet ports. The construction and handling of the nano-in-microchip device for immunoassay is described.