Microfluidic chip and electrical interface for microchip electrophoresis

An electrophoresis device comprising:

• a plurality of first electrodes each comprising a galvanic contact surface configured to contact a respective contact surface of a microfluidic chip;
• at least one second electrode separate from the plurality of first electrodes and comprising a galvanic contact surface configured to contact a respective contact surface of the microfluidic chip;
• a first power amplifier configured to output a selected one of a constant current power signal, a constant voltage power signal, or a pulsed power signal as a first power signal;
• a selector configured to receive the first power signal from the first power amplifier and configured to select at least one of the plurality of first electrodes and output the received first power signal thereto;
• and
• a second power amplifier configured to output to the at least one second electrode a selected one of a constant current power signal, a constant voltage power signal, or a pulsed power signal that differs from the output of the first power amplifier as a second power signal,
• wherein the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier are each configured to output high-voltage signals, and
• wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the at least one second electrode are encapsulated in an insulator block that galvanically isolates the electrodes.

An electrophoresis device comprising:

• a plurality of electrodes arranged corresponding to a Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) plate format, each comprising a galvanic contact surface configured to contact a respective contact surface of a microfluidic chip having sample wells arranged in the SBS plate format;
• first and second power amplifiers each configured to output different ones of constant current power signals, constant voltage power signals, or pulsed power signals;
• and
• a selector configured to receive a power signal from the first power amplifier and configured to select at least one of the plurality of electrodes and output the received power signal thereto,
• wherein the first and second power amplifiers are each configured to output high-voltage signals, and
• wherein the electrodes are encapsulated in an insulator block that galvanically isolates the electrodes.