The term total analysis system (TAS) describes a device that combines and
automates all necessary steps for the chemical
analysis
Analysis (: analyses) is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts in order to gain a better understanding of it. The technique has been applied in the study of mathematics and logic since before Aristotle (38 ...
of a sample (e.g., sampling, sample transport,
filtration
Filtration is a physical separation process that separates solid matter and fluid from a mixture using a ''filter medium'' that has a complex structure through which only the fluid can pass. Solid particles that cannot pass through the filte ...
, dilution, chemical reactions, separation, and detection). Most current total analysis systems are "micro" total analysis systems which utilize the principles of
microfluidics
Microfluidics refers to a system that manipulates a small amount of fluids (10−9 to 10−18 liters) using small channels with sizes of ten to hundreds of micrometres. It is a multidisciplinary field that involves molecular analysis, molecular bi ...
.
Total analysis systems are designed to shrink the processes carried out in a
laboratory
A laboratory (; ; colloquially lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratories are found in a variety of settings such as schools ...
to a chip-sized
lab-on-a-chip
A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a device that integrates one or several laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit (commonly called a "chip") of only millimeters to a few square centimeters to achieve automation and high-throughput screening. ...
. Due to this, it can be more cost-effective to carry out complex tests when considering
chip
Chip may refer to:
Food
* Chip (snack), thinly sliced and deep-fried gastro item
** Potato chips (US) or crisp (UK)
* Chips (fried potato strips) (UK) or french fries (US) (common as a takeout side)
* Game chips, thin chip/French fries
* Choco ...
technologies, sample sizes, and analysis time. Total analysis systems can also reduce the exposure of
toxic
Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subst ...
chemicals for lab personnel. This technology can also be used in
point-of-care testing or point-of-use diagnostics, which do not require skilled technicians.
See also
*
Microelectromechanical systems
MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) is the technology of microscopic devices incorporating both electronic and moving parts. MEMS are made up of components between 1 and 100 micrometres in size (i.e., 0.001 to 0.1 mm), and MEMS devices ...
*
Microfluidics
Microfluidics refers to a system that manipulates a small amount of fluids (10−9 to 10−18 liters) using small channels with sizes of ten to hundreds of micrometres. It is a multidisciplinary field that involves molecular analysis, molecular bi ...
*
Bio-MEMS
Bio-MEMS is an abbreviation for biomedical (or biological) microelectromechanical systems. Bio-MEMS have considerable overlap, and is sometimes considered synonymous, with lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and micro total analysis systems (). Bio-MEMS is typic ...
*
Lab-on-a-chip
A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a device that integrates one or several laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit (commonly called a "chip") of only millimeters to a few square centimeters to achieve automation and high-throughput screening. ...
References
Analytical chemistry
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