Miniaturization and microchips

This chapter provides an excursion into the field of liquid chromatography miniaturization. Aspects of solvent delivery, sample injection, and analyte detection in the miniaturized liquid chromatography systems are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the microfluidic chips (microchips), which play a special role in the field of liquid chromatography miniaturization. A basic introduction into the microchip materials, methods of fabrication, and a brief overview of the commercial chip-based systems are included. The chapter is completed with a discussion of portable liquid chromatography and a brief overview of commercial battery-powered portable devices.