Electrokinetic-based injection modes for separative microsystems

Miniaturization of analytical instruments has attracted a wide interest in Analytical Chemistry over the past decade because of the advantages such as reduced reagent consumption and shorter analysis time. For chips involving separation, injection is a key step to achieve efficient and sensitive analysis. Electrokinetic injection mode is mostly used in chips because it is easier to generate flow motion in microsystems via electric potential control at channel extremities than pressure-driven flow. The injection step usually involves several intersecting channels. For each injection design, different injection modes can be done, depending on electric field sequences and distributions. This paper is an up-to-date review of these different modes on a chip.