MICROFABRICATED THERMAL MODULATOR FOR COMPREHENSIVE 2D GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

• US 20110088452A1
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Inventors: Kim, Sung Jin, Wise, Kensall D., Block, Bruce P., Zellers, Edward T., Kurabayashi, Katsuo
• Granted Patent: US 8,607,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/23.42
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/463 for multidimensional chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/465 with specially adapted interfaces between the columns
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6095 Micromachined or nanomachined, e.g. micro- or nanosize

Abstract

A two-dimensional gas chromatography system having first and second separation columns, a thermal modulator disposed between the first and second columns and having a plurality of stage channels, and a micro heater monolithically integrated in the thermal modulator. The thermal modulator is operable to trap and focus gas/vapor species within the plurality of stage channels upon cooling and release the gas/vapor species to the second column upon heating by the micro heater.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional gas chromatography system comprising:

first and second columns;

a thermal modulator operably disposed between said first and second columns, said thermal modulator having;

a first micro channel stage operably coupled to said first column at an inlet,

a second micro channel stage operably coupled to said second column at an outlet,

an interconnection channel operably coupling said first micro channel stage and said second micro channel stage, and

at least one cover member covering and sealing said first micro channel stage and said second micro channel stage; and

at least one heater operably coupled with said thermal modulator, said micro heater thermal cycling said thermal modulator between a first temperature and a second temperature,

wherein said thermal modulator trapping and focusing gas/vapor species upon said first temperature and releasing said gas/vapor species to said second column upon said second temperature.

2. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1 wherein said thermal modulator further comprises:

a rim portion generally disposed about said first micro channel stage and said second micro channel stage, said rim portion being generally thermally isolated from said first micro channel stage and said second micro channel stage.

3. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 2 wherein said thermal modulator further comprises:

at least one rim heater operably disposed generally adjacent to at least one of said inlet and said outlet, said at least one rim heater outputting thermal energy to said at least one of said inlet and said outlet to inhibit vapor/gas chromatogram broadening.

4. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 2 wherein said thermal modulator further comprises:

a first rim heater operably disposed generally adjacent to said inlet and a second rim heater operably disposed generally adjacent to said outlet, said first rim heater and said second rim heater outputting thermal energy to said inlet and said outlet to inhibit vapor/gas chromatogram broadening.

5. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling unit operably coupled generally adjacent to said thermal modulator defining an air gap therebetween.

6. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 5 wherein said air gap is less than 100 μ

m.

7. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 5 wherein said air gap is in the range of 22 to 63 μ

m.

8. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 5 wherein said cooling unit is a solid-state thermoelectric cooler.

9. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1 wherein said cover member is a Pyrex glass member.

10. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 9 wherein said cover member is defines a thickness in the range of 1 to 200 μ

m.

11. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1 wherein said interconnection channel defines a length in the range of 0.4 mm to 2.0 mm.

12. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1 wherein said interconnection channel defines a wall thickness in the range of 1 to 40 μ

m.

13. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first micro channel stage and said second micro channel stage defines a wall thickness in the range of 1 to 40 μ

m.

14. The two-dimensional gas chromatography system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one heater is disposed on a common substrate with said thermal modulator.