Monolithic multi-dimensional chromatography
| DWPI Title: Monolithic multi-dimensional chromatography system for separating different chemical species in fluid mixture, has flow control element coupled to port and configured to open and close port, where first chromatography column is in fluidic communication with second column |
| Abstract: A monolithically integrated chromatography device includes a first chromatography column and a second chromatography column formed in a common substrate. The first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are each in fluidic communication with a port formed on the same common substrate. When the port is open, the first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are in fluidic communication with one another. When the port is closed, the first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are not in fluidic communication with one another. The monolithically integrated chromatography device can include a heating element formed on the same substrate as the chromatography columns. |
| Use: Monolithic multi-dimensional chromatography system for separating different chemical species in fluid mixture. |
| Advantage: The heating element can prevent cold spots in a port between two chromatography columns, an inlet channel, and/or an outlet channel used to connect an array of chromatography columns, thus preventing condensation of an analyte sample that could otherwise degrade performance of the chromatography system. The chromatography device can yield greater performance of a chromatography system by prevention of cold spots and dead volumes that degrade performance of a chromatography system. The chromatography columns can be fluidically coupled to one another by way of channels and ports that can be selectively opened and closed by controllable flow control elements. The second and third outlet transfer ports can be kept closed while the sample is released from the first chromatography column to the outlet channel to prevent back-feeding of the sample into the second and third chromatography columns. |
| Novelty: The system has a first chromatography column (104) formed in a substrate (102). A second chromatography column (106) is formed in the substrate. A port is formed in the substrate between the first chromatography column and the second chromatography column, where the first chromatography column terminates in the port and the port serves as an inlet to the second chromatography column. A flow control element i.e. valve modulated by pressure, is coupled to the port and configured to open and close the port. The first chromatography column is in fluidic communication with the second chromatography column when the port is open. The first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are not in fluidic communication when the port is closed. The flow control element is formed in the substrate as a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device. |
| Filed: 6/21/2022 |
| Application Number: US17845104A |
| Tech ID: SD 15872.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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