„Electrokinetic Phenomena: Fundamentals and Applications in Microfluidics“

In the last decades, the miniaturization of fluidic systems has developed versatile technologies such as the Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC). An ideal LOC is a device that integrates a multitude of chemical/biological laboratory functions on a single chip of only few square centimetres in size.

To realize this concept, several unit operations, for instance sample enrichment, liquid pumping or species separation have to be performed on the chip. Many of these unit operations can be realized with electrokinetic phenomena. Electrokinetic phenomena are related to the existence of electrical surface charges of substrates when in contact with liquids.

In his talk, Prof. Barz will give an overview of some fundamental and practical aspects of electrokinetic phenomena. First, the influence of convection on the streaming potential that is induced in a microchannel will be discussed. Second, he will derive a phenomenological correlation for electroosmotic flow in a packed bed of granular material which has relevance for microfluidic pumps as well as for electrochromatography. Finally, a novel concept for the production of ion-exchange membranes suitable for microfluidics will be presented.

Electrokinetic Phenomena: Fundamentals and Applications in Microfluidics
Talk by Dominik P.J. Barz (Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada)

Date:
January 27, 2017, 10 a.m.

Venue:
L2|06, room 100