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Scaling and the design of miniaturized chemical-analysis systems

Nature volume 442, pages 374–380 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Micrometre-scale analytical devices are more attractive than their macroscale counterparts for various reasons. For example, they use smaller volumes of reagents and are therefore cheaper, quicker and less hazardous to use, and more environmentally appealing. Scaling laws compare the relative performance of a system as the dimensions of the system change, and can predict the operational success of miniaturized chemical separation, reaction and detection devices before they are fabricated. Some devices designed using basic principles of scaling are now commercially available, and opportunities for miniaturizing new and challenging analytical systems continue to arise.

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Figure 1: Examples of the miniaturization of separation techniques.
Figure 2: Plasma detectors, an example of miniaturization in detection.
Figure 3: Similarity relations between glow discharges on the macro- and microscales.
Figure 4: Ion traps as an example of miniaturization in detection.

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Acknowledgements

We thank D. Agar for proof reading. The financial support of the Ministerium für Innovation, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, of the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, and of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (D.F.G.) is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. ISAS — Institute for Analytical Sciences, Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Str. 11, Dortmund, D-44139, Germany

    Dirk Janasek, Joachim Franzke & Andreas Manz

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  1. Dirk Janasek
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Correspondence to Dirk Janasek.

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Janasek, D., Franzke, J. & Manz, A. Scaling and the design of miniaturized chemical-analysis systems. Nature 442, 374–380 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05059

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