Temperature programmable microfabricated gas chromatography column
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsRonald P. Manginell, Gregory C. Frye-Mason
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A temperature programmable microfabricated gas chromatography column enables more efficient chemical separation of chemical analytes in a gas mixture by the integration of a resistive heating element and temperature sensing on the microfabricated column. Additionally, means are provided to thermally isolate the heated column from their surroundings. The small heat capacity and thermal isolation of the microfabricated column improves the thermal time response and power consumption, both important factors for portable microanalytical systems.
Claims31
A method for separating a plurality of chemical analytes in a gas mixture, comprising:
- injecting the gas mixture into a temperature programmable microfabricated gas chromatography column, the column comprising:
- a substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
- a continuous channel formed in at least one surface of the substrate to separate the plurality of chemical analytes between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel;
- at least one lid bonded to the at least one surface of the substrate having the channel formed therein to seal the channel;
- at least one resistive heating element deposited on at least one surface of the substrate to heat the column during the separation of the plurality of chemical analytes;
- a control board for electrical control of the at least one resistive heating element and fluidic control of the channel;
- means for electrically connecting the control board to the at least one resistive heating element to heat the column;
- and
- an inlet tube fluidically connecting the control board to the inlet end of the channel for injection of the gas mixture therein and an outlet tube fluidically connecting the control board to the outlet end of the channel for removal of the chemical analytes therefrom, and wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube thermally isolate the control board from the substrate;
- and
- heating the column according to a prescribed temperature program to separate the plurality of chemical analytes in the gas mixture.
A temperature programmable microfabricated gas chromatography column for separation of a plurality of chemical analytes in a gas mixture, comprising:
- a substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
- a continuous channel formed in at least one surface of the substrate to separate the plurality of chemical analytes between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel;
- at least one lid bonded to the at least one surface of the substrate having the channel formed therein to seal the channel;
- and
- at least one resistive heating element deposited on at least one surface of the substrate to heat the column during the separation of the plurality of chemical analytes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.