Microscale and mesoscale condenser devices

Abstract

Microscale and/or mesoscale condenser arrays that can facilitate microfluidic separation and/or purification of mesoscale and/or nanoscale particles and methods of operation are described herein. An apparatus comprises a condenser array comprising pillars arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein a pillar gap greater than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers is located between a first pillar of the pillars in a first column of the columns and a second pillar of the plurality of pillars in the first column, and wherein the first pillar is adjacent to the second pillar. The first ratio can be characterized by D x /D y is less than or equal to a first defined value, wherein D x represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein D y represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a condenser array comprising a plurality of pillars, the plurality of pillars arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein a pillar gap greater than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers is located between a first pillar of the plurality of pillars in a first column of the plurality of columns and a second pillar of the plurality of pillars in the first column, and wherein the first pillar is adjacent to the second pillar.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pillars define a lattice that laterally displaces a fluid flowing through the condenser array. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a first ratio is less than or equal to a first defined value, the first ratio characterized by D x /D y , wherein D x  represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein D y  represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a second ratio is greater than a second defined value, the second ratio characterized by D 0 /D y , wherein D 0  represents a diameter of the plurality of pillars. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first defined value is about 1.0, and wherein the second defined value is about 0.5. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pillars are further arranged in a plurality of rows, and wherein a boundary of the lattice is defined by a shape of the plurality of pillars, respective center lines of the plurality of columns, and respective center lines of the plurality of rows. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of pillars define a plurality of lattices that laterally displace the fluid flowing through the condenser array, and wherein the lattice is comprised within the plurality of lattices. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the lattice displaces the fluid in a first lateral displacement direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a second lattice of the plurality of lattices displaces the fluid in a second lateral displacement direction. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first defined value is about 1.0, and wherein the second defined value is about 0.5. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a fluid at a microchannel comprising a condenser array;   displacing, by the condenser array, a particle from the fluid in a direction lateral to a side wall of the microchannel; and   outputting the particle from the microchannel at a rate greater than about 1.0 nanoliters per hour.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the condenser array comprises a plurality of pillars that define a lattice that laterally displaces the fluid as the fluid flows through the condenser array. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a first ratio is less than or equal to a first defined value, the first ratio characterized by D x /D y , wherein D x  represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein D y  represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a second ratio is greater than a second defined value, the second ratio characterized by formula 2: D 0 /D y , wherein D 0  represents a diameter of the plurality of pillars. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first defined value is about 1.0, and wherein the second defined value is about 0.5. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a sample fluid and a solvent fluid at a microchannel comprising a condenser array;   displacing, by the condenser array, a sample from the sample fluid in a direction lateral to a side wall of the microchannel, wherein the sample is displaced into the solvent fluid; and   outputting the sample from the microchannel at a rate greater than about 1.0 nanoliters per hour.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the condenser array comprises a plurality of pillars, and wherein the plurality of pillars define a lattice that laterally displaces the sample as the sample fluid flows through the condenser array. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a first ratio is less than or equal to a first defined value, the first ratio characterized by D x /D y , wherein D x  represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein D y  represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a second ratio is greater than a second defined value, the second ratio characterized by D 0 /D y , wherein D 0  represents a diameter of the plurality of pillars. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first defined value is about 1.0, and wherein the second defined value is about 0.5.