Device and methods using porous media in fluidic devices

摘要

A method comprising obtaining a porous medium 412 comprising a porous material having a first shape and an initial porosity, engaging the porous medium with a cavity 418 in a fluidic device, the cavity being in fluid communication with a channel 416 of the device, wherein the engagement of the porous medium with the cavity causes the first shape of the porous medium to be adjusted to a second shape resulting in the initial porosity being adjusted to a second porosity. Ideally, the porous material is a frit or retaining plug in a separation column such as a planar microfluidic device. The frit maybe compressed and ideally the porosity of the outer portion 424 of the frit is reduced whilst the inner porosity 426 remains unchanged. Peak broadening is reduced. A device comprising the porous medium is also disclosed.