Microreaction chambers

Figure 11.19 384-parallel single-bead reactor with independent microreaction chambers and integrated flow restrictors. Typical bead diameter 1 mm. 

Figure 10.5 (a and b) Schematics of the intersectional view of microreaction chambers. Beads immobilizing enzymes were used as enzyme supporter in (a), and photoreactive polymer was used to immobilize enzymes in (b). (c) SEM image ofthe intersection ofthe... 

Acke DRJ, Orru RVA, Stevens CV (2006) Continuous synthesis of tri- and tetra-substituted imidazoles via a multicomponent reaction under microreactor conditions. QSAR Comb Sci 25 474-483 Antes J, Tuercke T, Marioth E, Lechner F, Scholz M, Schntirer F, Krause HH, Lobbecke S (2001) In Matlosz M, Ehrfeld W, Baselt JP (eds) IMRET 5 Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Microreaction Technology. Springer Berlin New York Heidelberg, pp 446 153 Barrow D, Cefai J, Taylor S (1999) Shrinking to fit. Chem Ind 15 591-594 Bradley D (1999) Chemical Reduction. Eur Chem 1 17-20 Chambers RD, Spink RCH (1999) Microreactors for Elemental Flourine. Chem Comm 10 883-884... 

Microreactor technology has developed to such an extent that a wide variety of microreactor components, e.g. micropumps, mixers, reaction chambers, heat exchangers, separators and complete integrated microreaction systems with process control units have been fabricated using the appropriate microfabrication process and materials that are suitable for specific applications. 

A more recently developed instrument is the microreaction calorimeter (Thermal Hazard Technology Ltd.). In this instrument, a smaller heat-shield is used around the sample, which permits very rapid changes in temperature at the expense of a slight decrease in sensitivity. The instrument uses a disposable glass ampoule with a rubber septum in the lid that allows provision for titration experiments to be performed. The versatility of the instrument means that it is particularly suited to stability and compatibility testing of pharmaceuticals, and a new six-calorimeter version that uses a common reference chamber is in development. 

Recently, we described the first example of the coupling of a microfluidics device to a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, by integrating an on-chip microreaction unit with a MALDI-TOF standard sample plate.27 This allows (bio)chemical reactions to take place in the MALDI-TOF instrument. Since it is based on a pressure-driven fluidics handling method, using the vacuum in the ionization chamber of the MALDI-TOF-MS system, this approach avoids wires and tubes for feed and flow control. 

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