Methods and systems for performing superheated reactions in microscale fluidic systems

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for performing chemical and biochemical reactions at superheated temperatures by carrying out the reactions in microscale fluidic channels. Also provided are applications of these methods and systems, as well as ancillary systems for use with these methods and systems in monitoring and controlling the performance of the methods of the invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for performing at least one reaction at superheated temperature comprising: 
 a microfluidic device comprising: 
 at least a first substrate; and  
 a microscale channel disposed in the first substrate;  
   a heating system operable to apply energy to the microscale channel to heat a fluid in the channel to superheated temperatures, without boiling the fluid in the microscale channel; and    a controller which is operable to control energy applied from the heating system to the microscale channel.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate comprises a silica substrate.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the silica substrate is a silica capillary.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of a first reactant.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the source of the first reactant comprises a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         6 . A system for performing at least one reaction at superheated temperature, comprising: 
 a microfluidic device comprising: 
 at least a first substrate having at least a first planar surface, a first microscale channel fabricated into the first planar surface; and  
 a second planar substrate having at least a first planar surface, the first planar surface of the second planar substrate overlaying and being bonded to the first planar surface of the first planar substrate, thereby defining the first microscale channel therebetween;  
   means for applying energy to the microscale channel to heat a fluid in the channel to superheated temperatures, without boiling the fluid in the channel; and    means for controlling energy applied from the applying energy means to the microscale channel.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second planar substrates comprises a silica substrate, and the microscale channel is etched into the first planar surface of the first planar substrate.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second planar substrates comprises a polymeric substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  or  6 , further comprising a sensor for determining a temperature of a fluid in the microscale channel.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a conductivity sensor integrated into the controller.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating system comprises a heating element disposed in thermal contact with the microscale channel for delivering thermal energy to the microscale channel, the thermal energy heating a fluid in the channel to a superheated temperature.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the means for applying energy comprises a heating element disposed in thermal contact with the microscale channel for delivering thermal energy to the microscale channel, the thermal energy heating a fluid in the channel to a superheated temperature.  
     
     
         13 . A system for performing at least one reaction at superheated temperature, comprising: 
 a microfluidic device comprising: 
 at least a first substrate; and  
 a microscale channel disposed in the first substrate;  
   means for applying energy to the microscale channel to heat a fluid in the channel to superheated temperatures, without boiling the fluid in the microscale channel; and    means for controlling energy applied from the applying energy means to the microscale channel.