Microevaporators for kinetic exploration of phase diagrams

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Mar 3;96(8):084503. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.084503. Epub 2006 Mar 1.

Abstract

We use pervaporation-based microfluidic devices to concentrate species in aqueous solutions with spatial and temporal control of the process. Using experiments and modeling, we quantitatively describe the advection-diffusion behavior of the concentration field of various solutions (electrolytes, colloids, etc.) and demonstrate the potential of these devices as universal tools for the kinetic exploration of the phases and textures that form upon concentration.