Imbibition of Newtonian Fluids in Paper-like Materials with the Infinitesimal Control Volume Method

Paper-based microfluidic devices are widely used in point-of-care testing applications. Imbibition study of paper porous media is important for fluid controlling, and then significant to the applications of paper-based microfluidic devices. Here we propose an analytical approach based on the infinitesimal control volume method to study the imbibition of Newtonian fluids in commonly used paper-like materials. Three common paper shapes (rectangular paper strips, fan-shaped and circular paper sheets) are investigated with three modeling methods (corresponding to equivalent tiny pores with circle, square and regular triangle cross section respectively). A model is derived for liquid imbibition in rectangular paper strips, and the control equations for liquid imbibition in fan-shaped and circular paper sheets are also derived. The model is verified by imbibition experiments done using the mixed cellulose ester filter paper and pure water. The relation of imbibition distance and time is similar to that of the Lucas−Washburn (L−W) model. In addition, a new porosity measurement method based on the imbibition in circular paper sheets is proposed and verified. Finally, the flow rates are investigated. This study can provide guidance for the design of different shapes of paper, and for better applications of paper-based microfluidic devices.

A Screening Method for Protein Characterization and Differentiation

A circular paper chromatographic method was developed for the separation of the amino acids in proteins into 7 subgroups. Butanol-acetic acid-water (4+1+1) was used as the developing solvent. Eluted ninhydrin-stained aminograms gave rise to graphic profiles or numerical indexes based on absorbance percentages. The profiles can be used to compare protein-containing samples. Twenty different samples were studied through 190 comparisons of graphic profiles and coefficients of correlation, with only 4% misleading results. The method showed excellent reproducibility for the identification or differentiation of proteins and has the advantage of being performed with low-priced apparatus and reagents.

CIRCULAR PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR DETERMINING TRACE AMOUNTS OF COBALT, COPPER, NICKEL, AND ZINC IN ROCKS AND SOILS

Ascending, descending, and horizontal (circular) methods of paper chromatography were explored and compared. Circular chromatography was found to be the most suitable; it requires shorter development time, has more definite Rf values, less tailing, higher sensitivity, and better precision than ascending or descending methods.A methyl ethyl ketone: hydrochloric acid solution (93:7 v/v) is used as a developing solvent for cobalt, copper, and nickel, and a 1-butanol: 1 N hydro–chloric acid solution (7:3 v/v) is used as a solvent for zinc. Good separations were obtained with these solvents and no critical interferences were noted. Benzidine – rubeanic acid is used as a color indicator for cobalt, copper, and nickel; and dithizone (0.01%) for zinc. This method has an absolute sensitivity of 0.005 μg for zinc, and 0.02 μg for cobalt, copper, and nickel. Precision is estimated at ± 10%.Methods have also been developed for determining bismuth, silver, and tin.The separation of elements from complex mixtures by paper chromatography and by quantitative determination of the amounts present by emission spectrography have been investigated. This rarely considered process offers promise, because the sensitivity of several elements is higher in emission spectrography than in colorimetry.