Gradient Structures Interfacing Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, Methods for Fabrication and Uses Thereof
A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.
1 . A fluidic chip comprising at least one nanochannel array, said nanochannel array comprising:
a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface;
a microfluidic area on said surface;
a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and
a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.
2 . The fluidic chip of claim 1 , wherein said gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area.
3 . The fluidic chip of claim 2 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 500 nanometers.
4 . The fluidic chip of claim 2 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 10 nm.
5 . The fluidic chip of claim 2 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is as low as about 2 nm.
6 . The fluidic chip of claim 2 , wherein said gradient structures range in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area.
7 . The fluidic chip of claim 2 , wherein said gradient structures are branched channels.
8 . The fluidic chip of claim 1 , wherein said gradient interface area decreases in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area.
9 . The fluidic chip of claim 1 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 40 microns.
10 . The fluidic chip of claim 1 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 20 microns.
11 . A fluidic chip comprising at least one nanochannel array, said nanochannel array comprising:
a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface;
a microfluidic area on said surface; and
a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, wherein said gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and
a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.
12 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein the gradient interface area comprises a gradual elevation of height.
13 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 500 nanometers.
14 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 10 nm.
15 . The cart fluidic chip ridge of claim 11 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is as low as about 2 nm.
16 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein said gradient structures range in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area.
17 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein said gradient structures are branched channels.
18 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein said gradient interface area decreases in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area.
19 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 40 microns.
20 . The fluidic chip of claim 11 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 20 microns.