Liquid handling devices and methods in capillary electrophoresis

A nanovial comprising:

• a top portion with an inner top portion diameter wider than a capillary diameter;
• a tapered portion with a narrower inner tapered portion diameter than the inner top portion diameter and connected to the top portion;
• and
• a lower portion with an inner lower portion diameter narrower than the inner top portion diameter and the inner tapered portion diameter, wherein the tapered portion tapers an interior diameter of the nanovial from the top portion to the lower portion.

A method of transferring a liquid sample into a capillary, the method comprising:

• providing a nanovial, the nanovial including:
• a top portion with an inner top portion diameter wider than a capillary diameter;
• a tapered portion with a narrower inner tapered portion diameter than the inner top portion diameter and connected to the top portion;
• and
• a lower portion including:
• a lower opening at the bottom of the lower portion allowing fluid communication with a valve system, wherein the valve system is configured to block the lower opening or allow flow through the lower opening;
• and
• the lower portion with an inner lower portion diameter narrower than the inner top portion diameter and the inner tapered portion diameter, wherein the tapered portion tapers an interior diameter of the of the nanovial from the top portion to the lower portion, wherein the inner lower portion diameter is wide enough to receive the capillary and a lower portion height is tall enough to allow the liquid sample to rise to a height that is above the bottom of the capillary and to the height that provides sufficient volume to deliver a desired sample size without the level of the liquid sample falling below the end of the capillary;
• forming a sealed nanovial by closing the nanovial with an injection lid, wherein the injection lid seals the top portion of the nanovial and provides a capillary opening and a pressure line opening;
• transferring the liquid sample into the nanovial through the lower opening and blocking the lower opening using the valve system;
• and
• pressurizing the sealed nanovial using a pressure line, thereby placing the liquid sample into the capillary by way of the capillary opening.

A system for analyzing samples of inorganic, organic, and biological species, wherein the system includes:

• at least one nanovial for holding a liquid sample and placing the liquid sample into a capillary, the nanovial comprising:
• a top portion with an inner top portion diameter wider than a capillary diameter;
• a tapered portion with a narrower inner tapered portion diameter than the inner top portion diameter and connected to the top portion;
• and
• a lower portion with an inner lower portion diameter narrower than the inner top portion diameter and the inner tapered portion diameter, wherein the tapered portion tapers an interior diameter of the nanovial from the top portion to the lower portion;
• the capillary:
• configured to contain the liquid sample;
• having an inlet configured to receive the liquid sample and an outlet configured to expel the liquid sample;
• configured to be moved to a different nanovial through an actuator that couples the capillary through a capillary mount;
• coupled to a detector, wherein the detector is configured for in-capillary or off-capillary detection;
• an actuator configured to change the position of the nanovials allowing the nanovials to couple with a stationary capillary;
• an electrode connected to a voltage source, wherein the voltage source is configured internal or external to the system;
• an electromechanical valve system for liquid control, wherein the electromechanical valve system is configured within or outside of the system;
• a pressure control system for pushing the liquid sample into the capillary;
• and
• an analysis unit configured to permit analysis of the liquid sample, wherein the analysis unit includes separation of the liquid sample driven by means of pressure or electromigration.