The manufacture of a prototype laser machined chromatographic separations column

Sykes, Neil 2011. The manufacture of a prototype laser machined chromatographic separations column. MPhil Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis details the experimentation and developments in the production of a novel laser machined prototype graphitic separations column utilizing an array of graphitic micro-pillars. The column was created with a 5kHz Thales femtosecond laser, a highly focussed beam from a stationary multi-element focussing lens to machine the fluidic tracks and micro-pillared array directly into a graphitic block as a single structure. This novel HPLC column format could potentially create a much more robust separations column with respect to temperature and pressure and reduce the band broadening associated with conventional chromatographic columns because of the inhomogeneous bead packing and the influence of side walls. The computer-aided design (CAD) was developed in Alpha-Cam and converted into code for the motion control system in order to traverse the workpiece in X and Y with an Alpha-Cam post processor. An integrated on-chip sample injector and fluidic flow-distributor are incorporated onto the column to minimize band broadening and enable more equal fluid flow across it. Half pillars were machined into the edge of the array to minimize band broadening. The separation column was integrated directly with the ESI probe of a Thermo Fisher Surveyor mass spectrometer. The device was tested at HPLC pressures and successfully performed without leakage. It’s evaluation as a chromatographic separations column showed the repeated partial separation of two molecules. This represents the first demonstration of a micro-machined graphitic microfluidic device and it’s performance in separation science.

Item Type:	Thesis (MPhil)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Graphite; Graphite microfluidic; Separations column; Laser micromachining; Femosecond laser; Micropillared array
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2016 22:22
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/13814

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