Preconcentration of biomolecules for detection on microfluidic platforms based on electrical kinetic trapping (EKT) through ion concentration polarization (ICP) has been well developed in the past decade. Biomolecules can be entrapped due to the equilibrium of forces between electro-osmosis and ICP when applying a voltage to the system. In tis study, I will introduce different type of ICPs including theory, mechanism and their limitation. I will also clarify the experimental ICP results based on different microfluidic channel design. A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)-driven nanofluidic preconcentrating device that is able to trigger ICP and subsequently cause the EKT of the biomolecules without using a conventional electrical power source was also introduced. The EKT and electrical characteristics of the TENG-based nanofluidic preconcentrator were studied. The preconcentration factors of the device can be found to be ~1000 folds. Several examples of preconcentration device integrating to biosensing techniques are presented in this talk. Some biomarkers are also demonstrated. Further, I will also demonstrate that these biosensors, combining with preconcentrators, can be integrated to a smartphone reader.
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