Robust ceramic capillary electrophoresis analysis device

Two of the main parameters characterizing the performance of an on-chip capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation are peak height and peak resolution. This contribution presents both computational and measurement results of a contactless conductivity detector produced in low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) multilayer technology. Detection electrodes are placed just outside of the channel, avoiding direct contact with the liquid. This increases the robustness and life-time of the device. The higher material permittivity of the ceramics in comparison to glass or polymer substrates enables better coupling of the measurement signal into the microchannel and thus improved detection sensitivities. By using elektrokinetic injection of the samples into the microchannel, the peak resolution is significantly improved as is shown experimentally.