Fabrication and use of semipermeable membranes and gels for the control of electrolysis

Abstract

A microfluidic device and method is disclosed having one or more membranes for the control of electrolysis. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is disclosed that includes body with first channel and second channels separated by a gel layer. A first electrode positioned in the first channel and a second electrode positioned in the second channel wherein a potential applied to the first and second electrodes passes electrons from the first channel to the second channel through the gel layer. In another embodiment, a microfluidic device includes a body having a surface with a channel separating two first reservoirs. One or more membranes are positioned on the surface covering a portion of the channel and a blank is positioned covering the channel and the one or more membranes. A second reservoir through the blank is in contact with the membrane, each second reservoir in communication with the channel via the membrane. A first electrode is positioned in the first reservoir and a second electrode is positioned in the second reservoir wherein a potential applied to the first and second electrodes passes electrons from the first channel to the second channel through the membranes.

1 . A microfluidic device comprising:
 (a) a body comprising a first fluid passage; a second fluid passage; a sieving matrix positioned between the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage;   (b) a first electrode in electrical communication with the first fluid passage; and   (c) a second electrode in electrical communication with the second fluid passage;   (d) wherein a potential applied to the first and second electrodes passes charged molecules from the first fluid passage to the second fluid passage, and   (e) wherein the first fluid passage includes one or more first reservoirs and the first electrode is positioned in one of the first reservoirs.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein microfluidic device additionally comprises a detector capable of detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid passage. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sieving matrix is capable of separating peptides and proteins based on an amount of ionic charge associated with the peptide or protein molecule. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sieving matrix is capable of separating nucleic acids based on an amount of ionic charge associated with the nucleic acid molecule. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  additionally comprising a third electrode in electrical communication with a third fluid passage wherein the third fluid passage is in fluid communication with the second fluid passage. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body is polymethylsiloxane material. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the microfluidic device additionally comprises a convective fluid flow mechanism selected from the group consisting of external pumps, piezoelectric micropumps, and gravitational pull.