Integrated multilayer flow system on a microchip

Akihide Hibara, Manabu Tokeshi, Kenji Uchiyama, Hideaki Hisamoto, Takehiko Kitamori

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Citations (Scopus)


We utilized microchip technology and found that the multilayer flow of liquids can be formed in microchannels. Liquid/liquid interfaces were formed parallel to the side wall of the microchannels, because the surface tension and friction force are stronger than the force of gravity. A water/ethylacetate/water interface was formed in a 70-μm-wide and 30-μm-deep channel. The interface was observed to be quite stable and to be maintained for a distance of more than 18 cm. As an example of a multilayer flow application, we demonstrated the liquid/liquid extraction of Codimethylaminophenol complex in a microchannel. The solvent-extraction process of the complex into m-xylene in the multilayer flow was found to reach equilibrium in 4 s, while it took 60 s in a simple two-phase extraction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)89-93
Number of pages5
Journalanalytical sciences
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry


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