8 - Micro total analysis systems with nanomaterials

Abstract

Micro total analysis systems (µTAS) that have emerged in the recent years and applied for fluid processing in a microchannel structure at microliter levels are alternatives to the conventional methods. Owing to the unique properties of microstructures, µTAS can make complex analyses more efficient with lower cost, energy, and chemical consumption than conventional systems, and they can become a valuable option for many applications such as biomedical, food, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture in these aspects. In addition, these systems are suitable for automation and have a potential to be portable. Especially in some cases, obtaining analysis results very quickly is crucial. Therefore, recently developed µTAS technology has become very important in the analysis of food and environmental samples because of their excellent features such as quick response in the target analysis, no requirement for skilled researcher, and small sample volume needed. µTAS have various advantages of different materials in nanoscale such as quantum dots, nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, and offer great development in their unique features for many applications such as increasing the sensitivity of detectors and enhancing biolabeling capability. In this chapter, the recent applications of µTAS in the analysis of environmental and food samples are demonstrated and highlighted.