General Concept of High-Performance Amperometric Detector for Microfluidic (Bio)Analytical Chips

Release and Detection of microRNA by Combining Magnetic Hyperthermia and Electrochemistry Modules on a Microfluidic Chip

The heating of a biologic solution is a crucial part in an amplification process such as the catalytic detection of a biological target. However, in many situations, heating must be limited in microfluidic devices, as high temperatures can cause the denaturation of the chip components. Local heating through magnetic hyperthermia on magnetic nano-objects has opened the doors to numerous improvements, such as for oncology where a reduced heating allows the synergy of chemotherapy and thermotherapy. Here we report on the design and implementation of a lab on chip without global heating of samples. It takes advantage of the extreme efficiency of DNA-modified superparamagnetic core-shell nanoparticles to capture complementary sequences (microRNA-target), uses magnetic hyperthermia to locally release these targets, and detects them through electrochemical techniques using ultra-sensitive channel DNA-modified ultramicroelectrodes. The combination of magnetic hyperthermia and microfluidics coupled with on-chip electrochemistry opens the way to a drastic reduction in the time devoted to the steps of extraction, amplification and nucleic acids detection. The originality comes from the design and microfabrication of the microfluidic chip suitable to its insertion in the millimetric gap of toric inductance with a ferrite core.

Electrochemical Generation and Detection of Transient Concentration Gradients in Microfluidic Channels. Theoretical and Experimental Investigations

Transient concentration gradients generated and detected electrochemically in continuous flow microchannels were investigated by numerical simulations and amperometric measurements. Operating conditions including device geometry and hydrodynamic regime were theoretically delineated for producing gradients of various profiles with tunable characteristics. Experiments were carried out with microfluidic devices incorporating a dual-channel-electrode configuration. Under these conditions, high electrochemical performance was achieved both to generate concentration gradients and to monitor their dynamics along linear microchannels. Good agreement was observed between simulated and experimental data validating predictions between gradient properties and generation conditions. These results demonstrated the capability of electrochemical microdevices to produce in situ tunable concentration gradients with real-time monitoring. This approach is versatile for the active control in microfluidics of microenvironments or chemical gradients with high spatiotemporal resolution.

Electric field assisted multicomponent reaction in a microfluidic reactor for superior conversion and yield

We explore the improvements in yield and conversion of a chemical reaction inside a two-phase microfluidic reactor when subjected to an externally applied alternating current (AC) electric field. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) framework has been developed to incorporate the descriptions of the two-phase flow, multicomponent transport and reaction, and the Maxwell's stresses generated at oil-water interface owing to the presence of the externally applied electric field. The CFD model ensures that the reactants are flown into a microchannel together with the oil and water phases before the reaction takes place at the interface and products diffuse back to the bulk phases. The study unveils that the variation in the intensity of the AC field helps in converting a two-phase stratified flow into an oil-in-water microemulsion composed of oil slugs, plugs, or droplets. Importantly, the results also suggest that harnessing the vortices inside or outside these flow patterns helps in the improvement in mass transfer across the interface, which can be employed to improve the yield and conversion of a reaction. We have shown an example case of a pseudo-first order reaction for which the variation in frequency and intensity of AC field is found to form higher surface-to-volume-ratio flow patterns having a higher throughput. The convective recirculation in and around these miniaturized flow morphologies increase the rate of mass transfer, mixing of reactant and products, conversion of reactant, and yield of products. The results reported can be of significance in the design and development of future advanced-flow rector technologies.

Decoding Network Structure in On-Chip Integrated Flow Cells with Synchronization of Electrochemical Oscillators

The analysis of network interactions among dynamical units and the impact of the coupling on self-organized structures is a challenging task with implications in many biological and engineered systems. We explore the coupling topology that arises through the potential drops in a flow channel in a lab-on-chip device that accommodates chemical reactions on electrode arrays. The networks are revealed by analysis of the synchronization patterns with the use of an oscillatory chemical reaction (nickel electrodissolution) and are further confirmed by direct decoding using phase model analysis. In dual electrode configuration, a variety coupling schemes, (uni- or bidirectional positive or negative) were identified depending on the relative placement of the reference and counter electrodes (e.g., placed at the same or the opposite ends of the flow channel). With three electrodes, the network consists of a superposition of a localized (upstream) and global (all-to-all) coupling. With six electrodes, the unique, position dependent coupling topology resulted spatially organized partial synchronization such that there was a synchrony gradient along the quasi-one-dimensional spatial coordinate. The networked, electrode potential (current) spike generating electrochemical reactions hold potential for construction of an in-situ information processing unit to be used in electrochemical devices in sensors and batteries.

Electrochemical characterization of plutonium in n-tributyl phosphate

Electrochemical properties of plutonium (iv and vi) extracted in tributylphosphate from nitric acid aqueous solutions are explored.

Spatially distributed current oscillations with electrochemical reactions in microfluidic flow cells

The formation of spatiotemporal patterns is investigated by using a chemical reaction on the surface of a high-aspect-ratio metal electrode positioned in a flow channel. A partial differential equation model is formulated for nickel dissolution in sulfuric acid in a microfluidic flow channel. The model simulations predict oscillatory patterns that are spatially distributed on the electrode surface; the downstream portion of the metal surface exhibits large-amplitude, nonlinear oscillations of dissolution rates, whereas the upstream portion displays small-amplitude, harmonic oscillations with a phase delay. The features of the dynamical response can be interpreted by the dependence of local dynamics on the widely varying surface conditions and the presence of strong coupling. The patterns can be observed for both contiguous and segmented metal surfaces. The existence of spatially distributed current oscillations is confirmed in experiments with Ni electrodissolution in a microfluidic device. The results show the impact of a widely heterogeneous environment on the types of patterns of chemical reaction rates.

Integrated hybrid polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane device for monitoring cellular release with microchip electrophoresis and electrochemical detection

In this work, a polystyrene (PS)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hybrid device was developed to enable the integration of cell culture with analysis by microchip electrophoresis and electrochemical detection. It is shown that this approach combines the fundamental advantages of PDMS devices (the ability to integrate pumps and valves) and PS devices (the ability to permanently embed fluidic tubing and electrodes). The embedded fused-silica capillary enables high temporal resolution measurements from off-chip cell culture dishes and the embedded electrodes provide close to real-time analysis of small molecule neurotransmitters. A novel surface treatment for improved (reversible) adhesion between PS and PDMS is described using a chlorotrimethylsilane stamping method. It is demonstrated that a Pd decoupler is efficient at handling the high current (and cathodic hydrogen production) resulting from use of high ionic strength buffers needed for cellular analysis; thus allowing an electrophoretic separation and in-channel detection. The separation of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in highly conductive biological buffers was optimized using a mixed surfactant system. This PS-PDMS hybrid device integrates multiple processes including continuous sampling from a cell culture dish, on-chip pump and valving technologies, microchip electrophoresis, and electrochemical detection to monitor neurotransmitter release from PC 12 cells.

Encapsulated electrodes for microchip devices: microarrays and platinized electrodes for signal enhancement

In this paper, we present two new methodologies of improving the performance of microchip-based electrochemical detection in microfluidic devices. The first part describes the fabrication and characterization of epoxy-embedded gold microelectrode arrays that are evenly spaced and easily modified. Electrodepositions using a gold plating solution can be performed on the electrodes to result in a 3D pillar array that, when used with microchip-based flow injection analysis, leads to an eightfold increase in signal (when compared to a single electrode), with the LOD for catechol being 4 nM. For detecting analytically challenging molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), platinization of electrodes is commonly used to increase the sensitivity. It is shown here that microchip devices containing either the pillar arrays or more traditional glassy carbon electrodes can be modified with platinum black (Pt-black) for NO detection. In the case of using glassy carbon electrodes for NO detection, integration of the resulting platinized electrode with microchip-based flow analysis resulted in a ten times signal increase relative to use of a bare glassy carbon electrode. In addition, it is demonstrated that these electrodes can be coated with Nafion to impart selectivity toward NO over interfering species such as nitrite. The LOD for NO when using the Pt-black /Nafion-coated glassy carbon electrode was 9 nM. These electrodes can also be embedded in a polystyrene substrate, with the applicability of these sensitive and selective electrodes being demonstrated by monitoring the adenosine triphosphate-mediated release of NO from endothelial cells immobilized in a microfluidic network without any adhesion factor.

Multi-channel PMMA microfluidic biosensor with integrated IDUAs for electrochemical detection

A novel multi-channel poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic biosensor with interdigitated ultramicroelectrode arrays (IDUAs) for electrochemical detection was developed. The focus of the development was a simple fabrication procedure and the realization of a reliable large IDUA that can provide detection simultaneously to several microchannels. As proof of concept, five microchannels are positioned over a large single IDUA where the channels are parallel with the length of the electrode finger. The IDUAs were fabricated on the PMMA cover piece and bonded to a PMMA substrate containing the microfluidic channels using UV/ozone-assisted thermal bonding. Conditions of device fabrication were optimized realizing a rugged large IDUA within a bonded PMMA device. Gold adhesion to the PMMA, protective coatings, and pressure during bonding were optimized. Its electrochemical performance was studied using amperometric detection of potassium ferri and ferro hexacyanide. Cumulative signals within the same chip showed very good linearity over a range of 0-38 μM (R(2) = 0.98) and a limit of detection of 3.48 μM. The bonding of the device was optimized so that no cross talk between the channels was observed which otherwise would have resulted in unreliable electrochemical responses. The highly reproducible signals achieved were comparable to those obtained with separate single-channel devices. Subsequently, the multi-channel microfluidic chip was applied to a model bioanalytical detection strategy, i.e., the quantification of specific nucleic acid sequences using a sandwich approach. Here, probe-coated paramagnetic beads and probe-tagged liposomes entrapping ferri/ferro hexacyanide as the redox marker were used to bind to a single-stranded DNA sequence. Flow rates of the non-ionic detergent n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside for liposome lysis were optimized, and the detection of the target sequences was carried out coulometrically within 250 s and with a limit of detection of 12.5 μM. The robustness of the design and the reliability of the results obtained in comparison to previously published single-channel designs suggest that the multi-channel device offers an excellent opportunity for bioanalytical applications that require multianalyte detection and high-throughput assays.

Nanobiotechnology advanced antifouling surfaces for the continuous electrochemical monitoring of glucose in whole blood using a lab-on-a-chip

In the current work we have developed a lab-on-a-chip containing embedded amperometric sensors in four microreactors that can be addressed individually and that are coated with crystalline surface protein monolayers to provide a continuous, stable, reliable and accurate detection of blood glucose. It is envisioned that the microfluidic device will be used in a feedback loop mechanism to assess natural variations in blood glucose levels during hemodialysis to allow the individual adjustment of glucose. Reliable and accurate detection of blood glucose is accomplished by simultaneously performing (a) blood glucose measurements, (b) autocalibration routines, (c) mediator-interferences detection, and (d) background subtractions. The electrochemical detection of blood glucose variations in the absence of electrode fouling events is performed by integrating crystalline surface layer proteins (S-layer) that function as an efficient antifouling coating, a highly-oriented immobilization matrix for biomolecules and an effective molecular sieve with pore sizes of 4 to 5 nm. We demonstrate that the S-layer protein SbpA (from Lysinibacillus sphaericus CCM 2177) readily forms monomolecular lattice structures at the various microchip surfaces (e.g. glass, PDMS, platinum and gold) within 60 min, eliminating unspecific adsorption events in the presence of human serum albumin, human plasma and freshly-drawn blood samples. The highly isoporous SbpA-coating allows undisturbed diffusion of the mediator between the electrode surface, thus enabling bioelectrochemical measurements of glucose concentrations between 500 μM to 50 mM (calibration slope δI/δc of 8.7 nA mM(-1)). Final proof-of-concept implementing the four microfluidic microreactor design is demonstrated using freshly drawn blood. Accurate and drift-free assessment of blood glucose concentrations (6. 4 mM) is accomplished over 130 min at 37 °C using immobilized enzyme glucose oxidase by calculating the difference between autocalibration (10 mM glc) and background measurements. The novel combination of biologically-derived nanostructured surfaces with microchip technology constitutes a powerful new tool for multiplexed analysis of complex samples.

Use of epoxy-embedded electrodes to integrate electrochemical detection with microchip-based analysis systems

A new method of fabricating electrodes for microchip devices that involves the use of Teflon molds and a commercially available epoxy to embed electrodes of various sizes and compositions is described. The resulting epoxy base can be polished to generate a fresh electrode and sealed against poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based fluidic structures. Microchip-based flow injection analysis was used to characterize the epoxy-embedded electrodes. It was shown that gold electrodes can be amalgamated with liquid mercury and the resulting mercury/gold electrode is used to selectively detect glutathione from lysed red blood cells. The ability to encapsulate multiple electrode materials of differing compositions enabled the integration of microchip electrophoresis with electrochemical detection. Finally, a unique feature of this approach is that the electrode connection is made from the bottom of the epoxy base. This enables the creation of three-dimensional gold pillar electrodes (65 μm in diameter and 27 μm in height) that can be integrated within a fluidic network. As compared with the use of a flat electrode of a similar diameter, the use of the pillar electrode led to improvements in both the sensitivity (72.1 pA/μM for the pillar versus 4.2 pA/μM for the flat electrode) and limit of detection (20 nM for the pillar versus 600 nM for the flat electrode), with catechol being the test analyte. These epoxy-embedded electrodes hold promise for the creation of inexpensive microfluidic devices that can be used to electrochemically detect biologically important analytes in a manner where the electrodes can be polished and a fresh electrode surface is generated as desired.

Optimisation of a microfluidic analysis chamber for the placement of microelectrodes

The behaviour of droplets entering a microfluidic chamber designed to house microelectrode detectors for real time analysis of clinical microdialysate is described. We have designed an analysis chamber to collect the droplets produced by multiphase flows of oil and artificial cerebral spinal fluid. The coalescence chamber creates a constant aqueous environment ideal for the placement of microelectrodes avoiding the contamination of the microelectrode surface by oil. A stream of alternating light and dark coloured droplets were filmed as they passed through the chamber using a high speed camera. Image analysis of these videos shows the colour change evolution at each point along the chamber length. The flow in the chamber was simulated using the general solution for Poiseuille flow in a rectangular chamber. It is shown that on the centre line the velocity profile is very close to parabolic, and an expression is presented for the ratio between this centre line velocity and the mean flow velocity as a function of channel aspect ratio. If this aspect ratio of width/height is 2, the ratio of flow velocities closely matches that of Poiseuille flow in a circular tube, with implications for connections between microfluidic channels and connection tubing. The droplets are well mixed as the surface tension at the interface with the oil dominates the viscous forces. However once the droplet coalesces with the solution held in the chamber, the no-slip condition at the walls allows Poiseuille flow to take over. The meniscus at the back of the droplet continues to mix the droplet and acts as a piston until the meniscus stops moving. We have found that the no-slip conditions at the walls of the chamber, create a banding effect which records the history of previous drops. The optimal position for sensors is to be placed at the plane of droplet coalescence ideally at the centre of the channel, where there is an abrupt concentration change leading to a response time ≪16 ms, the compressed frame rate of the video. Further away from this point the response time and sensitivity decrease due to convective dispersion.

Use of a Carbon-ink Microelectrode Array for Signal Enhancement in Microchip Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection

In this communication, we demonstrate that a carbon ink microelectrode array, where the electrodes are held at the same potential, affords significant signal enhancement in microchip electrophoresis with amperometric detection. The ability to fabricate an array of carbon ink microelectrodes with a palladium decoupler was demonstrated and the resulting electrodes were integrated with a valving microchip design. The use of an 8 electrode array led to a significant improvement in the limits of detection at the expense of separation resolution due to the increased detection zone size. It is also shown that microdialysis sampling can be integrated with the microchip device and a multi-analyte separation achieved.

Theory and experiments of transport at channel microband electrodes under laminar flows. 2. Electrochemical regimes at double microband assemblies under steady state

The development of any particular analytical or preparative applications using electrochemical techniques in microfluidic devices requires integration of microelectrodes. This involves detailed predictions for optimizing the design of devices and selecting the best hydrodynamic conditions. For this purpose, we undertook a series of works aimed at a precise investigation of mass transport near electrodes with focus on analytical measurements. Part I of this series (Anal. Chem. 2007, 79, 8502-8510) evaluated the common case of a single microband electrode embedded within a microchannel under laminar flow. The present work (Part 2) investigated the case of a pair of microband electrodes operating either in generator-generator or generator-collector modes. The influence of the confining effect and flow velocity on the amperometric responses was examined on the basis of numerical simulations under steady-state regime. Several situations were identified, each of them corresponding to specific interactions taking place between the electrodes. Related conditions were extracted to establish a zone diagram describing all the situations. These predictions were systematically validated by experimental measurements. The results show that amperometric detections within microchannels can be performed at dual electrodes with higher analytical performances than at single ones.