Novel method and apparatus for flow monitoring in mirco-fluidic devices

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid stream which comprises heating the stream with a heating member for a time sufficient to induce a change in the refractive index of the fluid; detecting the change in the refractive index of the fluid at a location remote from the heating member; and calculating the flow rate of the fluid from the change in the refractive index.