Method of filling a microchannel separation column

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874699

Arnold, Don W ^[1]

---

1. Livermore, CA

A method for packing a stationary phase into a small diameter fluid passageway or flow channel. Capillary action is employed to distribute a stationary phase uniformly along both the length and diameter of the flow channel. The method disclosed here: 1) eliminates the need for high pressure pumps and fittings and the safety hazards associated therewith; 2) allows the use of readily available commercial microparticles, either coated or uncoated, as the stationary phase; 3) provides for different types of particles, different particle sizes, and different particle size distributions to be packed in sequence, or simultaneously; 4) eliminates the need for plugging the flow channel prior to adding the stationary phase to retain the packing particles; and 5) many capillaries can be filled simultaneously.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Livermore, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6444150
• OSTI ID: 874699
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
filling
microchannel
separation
column
packing
stationary
phase
diameter
fluid
passageway
flow
channel
capillary
action
employed
distribute
uniformly
length
disclosed
eliminates
pressure
pumps
fittings
safety
hazards
associated
allows
readily
available
commercial
microparticles
coated
uncoated
provides
types
particles
particle
sizes
size
distributions
packed
sequence
simultaneously
plugging
prior
adding
retain
capillaries
filled
particle size
capillary action
pressure pump
fluid passage
fluid passageway
separation column
stationary phase
/264/210/