Output details
13 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
University of Southampton
An investigation into dispersion upon switching between solvents within a microfluidic system using a chemically resistant integrated optical refractive index sensor
Significance of output:
Limitations in chemical stability have traditionally restricted microfluidics to water-based application preventing its use with organic solvents, or aggressive chemicals. In this work we have shown that by using silica-on-silica waveguides we can create microfluidic sensors suitable for a wide range of chemicals (strong acids and alkalis) as well as organic solvents. We have discovered that mixing such solvents results in strong signal transients associated with the formation of intermediate compounds and azeotropic phases between alcohols. This work also helps validate and support the product line of Stratophase Ltd (sam.watts@stratophase.com) a University spin-out in this area.
