Micro free flow electrophoresis

Micro free-flow electrophoresis (mu FFE) is a continuous separation technique in which analytes are streamed through a perpendicularly applied electric field in a planar separation channel. Analyte streams are deflected laterally based on their electrophoretic mobilities as they flow through the separation channel. A number of mu FFE separation modes have been demonstrated, including free zone (FZ), micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), isoelectric focusing (IEF) and isotachophoresis (ITP). Approximately 60 articles have been published since the first mu FFE device was fabricated in 1994. We anticipate that recent advances in device design, detection, and fabrication, will allow mu FFE to be applied to a much wider range of applications. Applications particularly well suited for mu FFE analysis include continuous, real time monitoring and microscale purifications.