Gradient Structures Interfacing Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, Methods for Fabrication and Uses Thereof

Abstract

A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluidic chip comprising at least one nanochannel array, said nanochannel array comprising:
 a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface;   a microfluidic area on said surface;   a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and   a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.   
     
     
         2 . The fluidic chip of  claim 1 , wherein said gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area. 
     
     
         3 . The fluidic chip of  claim 2 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         4 . The fluidic chip of  claim 2 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 10 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The fluidic chip of  claim 2 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is as low as about 2 nm. 
     
     
         6 . The fluidic chip of  claim 2 , wherein said gradient structures range in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area. 
     
     
         7 . The fluidic chip of  claim 2 , wherein said gradient structures are branched channels. 
     
     
         8 . The fluidic chip of  claim 1 , wherein said gradient interface area decreases in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area. 
     
     
         9 . The fluidic chip of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 40 microns. 
     
     
         10 . The fluidic chip of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 20 microns. 
     
     
         11 . A fluidic chip comprising at least one nanochannel array, said nanochannel array comprising:
 a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface;   a microfluidic area on said surface; and   a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, wherein said gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and   a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.   
     
     
         12 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein the gradient interface area comprises a gradual elevation of height. 
     
     
         13 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         14 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is in the range of from about 2 nm to below about 10 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The cart fluidic chip ridge of  claim 11 , wherein said distance between said gradient structures is as low as about 2 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein said gradient structures range in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area. 
     
     
         17 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein said gradient structures are branched channels. 
     
     
         18 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein said gradient interface area decreases in vertical elevation from about 2 microns adjacent to said microfluidic area to a vertical elevation ranging from about 2 nm to less than about 500 nm adjacent to said nanofluidic area. 
     
     
         19 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 40 microns. 
     
     
         20 . The fluidic chip of  claim 11 , wherein the width of the gradient interface area between the nanofluidic area and the micro fluidic area is in the range of from about 2 microns to about 20 microns.