Solution-gated transistors of two-dimensional materials for chemical and biological sensors: status and challenges.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been the focus of materials research for many years due to their unique fascinating properties and large specific surface area (SSA). They are very sensitive to the analytes (ions, glucose, DNA, protein, etc.), resulting in their wide-spread development in the field of sensing. New 2D materials, as the basis of applications, are constantly being fabricated and comprehensively studied. In a variety of sensing applications, the solution-gated transistor (SGT) is a promising biochemical sensing platform because it can work at low voltage in different electrolytes, which is ideal for monitoring body fluids in wearable electronics, e-skin, or implantable devices. However, there are still some key challenges, such as device stability and reproducibility, that must be faced in order to pave the way for the development of cost-effective, flexible, and transparent SGTs with 2D materials. In this review, the device preparation, device physics, and the latest application prospects of 2D materials-based SGTs are systematically presented. Besides, a bold perspective is also provided for the future development of these devices.

Bioelectronic Recordings of Cardiomyocytes with Accumulation Mode Electrolyte Gated Organic Field Effect Transistors.

Organic electronic materials offer an untapped potential for novel tools for low-invasive electrophysiological recording and stimulation devices. Such materials combine semiconducting properties with tailored surface chemistry, elastic mechanical properties and chemical stability in water. In this work, we investigate solution processed Electrolyte Gated Organic Field Effect Transistors (EGOFETs) based on a small molecule semiconductor. We demonstrate that EGOFETs based on a blend of soluble organic semiconductor 2,8-Difluoro-5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene (diF-TES-ADT) combined with an insulating polymer show excellent sensitivity and long-term recording under electrophysiological applications. Our devices can stably record the extracellular potential of human pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocyte cells (hPSCs-CMs) for several weeks. In addition, cytotoxicity tests of pharmaceutical drugs, such as Norepinephrine and Verapamil was achieved with excellent sensitivity. This work demonstrates that organic transistors based on organic blends are excellent bioelectronics transducer for extracellular electrical recording of excitable cells and tissues thus providing a valid alternative to electrochemical transistors.

Extremely Fast Self-Healable Bio-Based Supramolecular Polymer for Wearable Real-Time Sweat-Monitoring Sensor.

Sensors with autonomous self-healing properties offer enhanced durability, reliability, and stability. Although numerous self-healing polymers have been attempted, achieving sensors with fast and reversible recovery under ambient conditions with high mechanical toughness remains challenging. Here, a highly sensitive wearable sensor made of a robust bio-based supramolecular polymer that is capable of self-healing via hydrogen bonding is presented. The integration of carbon fiber thread into a self-healing polymer matrix provides a new toolset that can easily be knitted into textile items to fabricate wearable sensors that show impressive self-healing efficiency (>97.0%) after 30 s at room temperature for K+/Na+ sensing. The wearable sweat-sensor system-coupled with a wireless electronic circuit board capable of transferring data to a smart phone-successfully monitors electrolyte ions in human perspiration noninvasively in real time, even in the healed state during indoor exercise. Our smart sensors represent an important advance toward futuristic personalized healthcare applications.

CNT-Intertwined Polymer Electrode toward the Practical Application of Wearable Devices.

One of the greatest challenges for wearable electronics is the lack of virtually flexible electrodes with satisfactory electrochemical performance, and there is always a "softness vs effective capacity" dilemma. Herein, a polymer electrode is proposed. The carefully chosen and partially conjugated polyimide realizes the dual function of a flexible agent and an active agent. The softness of the electrode is rendered by the polymer, while the carbon nanotube ensures electron transfer (ET) within the polymer. A modified electrospinning method has been used in the preparation of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-intertwined polyimide (PI) film. The binder-free and current collector-free polymer electrode has as high as 80% active phase and releases near-theoretical capacity accompanied by very stable cycling up to 200 cycles. Owing to the dual role of the polymer component, the softness vs effective capacity dilemma has been well addressed. Aiming at the practical application, a fatigue test has been first conducted in a practical mode and the well-reserved electrochemical activity under extreme stress change as well as in plenty of electrolyte has been revealed. The work realizes that the flexible electrode well fulfills the requirement and sheds more light on the application of the polymer electrode materials.

Recovery of monosaccharides from lignocellulosic hydrolysates by ion exclusion chromatography.

The production of sugars from lignocellulosic biomass is the key to a sustainable, renewable chemical industry. Glucose, xylose and other monosaccharides can be easily produced by hydrolyzing cellulose and hemicellulose, the primary polysaccharides in biomass. However, the hydrolysis of biomass generates byproducts that, together with the mineral acid normally added in the hydrolysis step, have to be removed before the downstream conversion processes. In this work, the recovery of monosaccharides from lignocellulosic hydrolysates by means of Ion Exclusion Chromatography (IEC) has been studied. The analyzed process relies on new pretreatment and hydrolysis steps, involving the neutralization of the hydrolysate with sodium hydroxide. The adsorption behavior of the main components involved in the separation has been experimentally investigated. Pulse tests at the high loading encountered in preparative conditions have been performed for a selected group of model components found in the hydrolysates. For all the electrolytes, the retention volume fraction was always between the interparticle porosity and the total column porosity, confirming that ion exclusion was the dominant retention mechanism. On the other hand, sugars eluted before the total column porosity, indicating partial steric exclusion from the resin pores. This observation was then confirmed by size-exclusion experiments with polyethylene glycol standards, from which the distribution coefficient of the studied sugars has been determined. The comparison between the elution profiles of the same sugars in pure form and as a mixture present in the hydrolysate showed differences in both peak shape and retention times. Therefore, an investigation of the influence of the main electrolytes contained in the hydrolysates on sugars adsorption has been performed through the pulse on a plateau method. The electrolytes were found to enhance the sugars retention by promoting their adsorption onto the resin. However, this effect was not sufficient to explain the observed differences, which were effectively explained in terms of viscous fingering, due to the high viscosity differences between the eluent and the sample. A previously developed model for IEC has been updated to take into account all the observed phenomena and applied to simulate the experimental results. The proposed model was in good agreement with the batch-column elution profiles both for the pure components and for the actual hydrolysate, allowing a quantitative description of the separation.

[The study of indices of electrolytic composition and phosphatase activity of synovial fluid in patients with osteoarthritis of knee joint].

The study was carried out concerning indices of electrolytic content and phosphatase activity of synovial fluid in patients with degenerate dystrophic affections of knee joints stage II and III. The detection of rate of occurrence of alterations of studied indices established that most often occurred increasing of ratio calcium-phosphorus and decreasing of concentration of phosphate-ions. Therefore, concentration of the mentioned indices can be applied in evaluation of conditions of joint medium.

Microfluidic approach to the formation of internally porous polymer particles by solvent extraction.

We report the controlled formation of internally porous polyelectrolyte particles with diameters ranging from tens to hundreds of micrometers through selective solvent extraction using microfluidics. Solvent-resistant microdevices, fabricated by frontal photopolymerization, encapsulate binary polymer (P)/solvent (S1) mixtures by a carrier solvent phase (C) to form plugs with well-defined radii and low polydispersity; the suspension is then brought into contact with a selective extraction solvent (S2) that is miscible with C and S1 but not P, leading to the extraction of S1 from the droplets. The ensuing phase inversion yields polymer capsules with a smooth surface but highly porous internal structure. Depending on the liquid extraction time scale, this stage can be carried out in situ, within the chip, or ex situ, in an external S2 bath. Bimodal polymer plugs are achieved using asymmetrically inverted T junctions. For this demonstration, we form sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (P) particles using water (S1), hexadecane (C), and methyl ethyl ketone (S2). We measure droplet extraction rates as a function of drop size and polymer concentration and propose a simple scaling model to guide particle formation. We find that the extraction time required to form particles from liquid droplets does not depend on the initial polymer concentration but is rather proportional to the initial droplet size. The resulting particle size follows a linear relationship with the initial droplet size for all polymer concentrations, allowing for the precise control of particle size. The internal particle porous structure exhibits a polymer density gradient ranging from a dense surface skin toward an essentially hollow core. Average particle porosities between 10 and 50% are achieved by varying the initial droplet compositions up to 15 wt % polymer. Such particles have potential applications in functional, optical, and coating materials.

Contenido en electrolitos de medicamentos de uso parenteral autorizados por el Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo / Electrolytes content in parenteral drugs authorised in Spain

Introducción: La fluidoterapia es una de las prácticas más habituales en la práctica clínica diaria pero para un correcto manejo de electrolitos tanto en la sueroterapia como en la Nutrición Parenteral se deben conocer todos los aportes de electrolitos y fluidos y todas aquellas situaciones fisiopatológicos que conllevan alteraciones en la homeostasis de fluidos. Objetivos: Conocer el contenido y tipo de electrolitos de los medicamentos administrados por vía parenteral comercializados y autorizados en España hasta Febrero 2012. Métodos: Revisión de todas las fichas técnicas de todos aquellos medicamentos que estuvieran comercializados en España y con presentación comercial disponible por vía parenteral. Aquellos medicamentos con un contenido menor de 1 miliequivalente o 1 milimol por presentación comercial fueron excluidos. Resultados: De los 1800 principios activos estudiados, sólo 221 formaban parte de alguna presentación comercial por vía parenteral. De estos 221, 52 principios activos cumplían los criterios de inclusión del estudio y la mayoría (51-98,07%) tenían sodio en contenido mayor de un miliequivalente por presentación comercial, luego el potasio estaba presente en 3 y el calcio únicamente en uno. Discusión: La mayoría de medicamentos objeto del estudio contenían como principal electrolito el sodio, siendo la alteración de las concentraciones de este electrolito una de las más frecuentes en el entorno hospitalario y, en algunos casos, indicador de calidad en la atención del paciente. Por ello, para un mejor manejo de la reposición de electrolitos tanto en la sueroterapia como por Nutrición Parenteral es necesario tener en cuenta el aporte recibido por la medicación prescrita en los casos en que sea necesario (AU)

Introduction: Fluid therapy is one of the most common daily practices although knowledge is necessary on electrolytes and fluids intake and on all the pathophysiologic states leading to fluid homeostasis impairment in order to properly handle the electrolytes for both fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition. Objectives: To know the content and electrolyte type in those drugs administered through the parenteral route commercialized and authorized in Spain until February of 2012. Methods: Review of the technical sheets of all the drugs commercialized in Spain for usage through the parenteral route. Those drugs with content lower than 1 miliequivalent or 1 millimol per commercial presentation were excluded. Results: Of the 1,800 active ingredients studied, only 211 had a commercial presentation for parenteral route. Of these, 52 active ingredients met the study inclusion criteria and most of them (51; 98.07%) had sodium content higher than 1 miliequivalent per commercial presentation, potassium was present in 3 and calcium in only 1. Discussion: Most of the medications studied contained sodium as the main electrolyte; impairments in sodium concentration are one of the most common problems at the hospital setting and in some cases an indicator of quality of health care delivery. Therefore, it would be necessary to take into account the intake received through the medications prescribed to improve electrolyte reposition in both fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition (AU)

Analysis of UF membrane fouling mechanisms caused by organic interactions in seawater.

Organic fouling remains a significant challenge in the application of ultrafiltration (UF) pretreatment systems in the desalination industry. In this study, the fouling potential of organic materials in seawater was investigated using model seawater solution containing humic acid and alginate. The buildup of organic fouling on UF membranes was studied after consecutive filtration cycles with periodical backwash. The effects of varying backwash conditions (duration, frequency, permeate/deionized water) on membrane performance were analysed. It was observed that the variation in filtration condition resulted in minor differences in membrane performance provided the total backwash volume applied remained constant. However, the substitution of permeate water backwash with deionized water improved fouling reversibility significantly. Furthermore, advanced characterisation of the membrane fouling layer after filtration revealed significant differences in foulant distribution due to the nature of the backwash solution. Deionized water backwash was found to be particularly effective in removing alginate from the membrane fouling layer, although the humic acid adsorbed onto the membrane surface were not significantly affected. However, permeability testing of the membranes after chemical cleaning revealed higher levels of irrecoverable fouling after deionized water backwash. From the data obtained in this study, a fouling mechanism is therefore proposed, in which the alginate fouling layer performs as a dynamic membrane, prefiltering smaller humic acid molecules and reducing adsorption on the membrane surface.

Study of electromigration effects on a pH boundary during the on-line electrokinetic preconcentration by capillary electrophoresis.

A contribution to the description of electrokinetic effects on the pH boundary formed by sodium borate pH 9.5 and sodium phosphate pH 2.5 electrolytes for on-line preconcentration of weak acids is presented in this article. Simulations of electrokinetic injections together with experimental studies using contactless conductivity detection verified that the preconcentration is induced mainly by dissociation changes of analytes on the pH boundary and transient ITP state. Moreover, a study of the addition of organic solvent to the injection electrolyte was performed with impressive results. Subnanomolar LODs of hydroxybenzoic acids were achieved with 80% of methanol in the injection electrolyte which represents more than 70 000-fold preconcentration in comparison with classical CZE method.

Filterability of membrane bioreactor (MBR) sludge: impacts of polyelectrolytes and mixing with conventional activated sludge.

The main objective of this work was to investigate the filterability of MBR sludge and its mixture with conventional activated sludge (CAS). In addition, the impacts of type and dose of various polyelectrolytes, filter type and sludge properties on the filterability of both MBR and Mixed sludges were determined. Specific cake resistance (SCR) measured by the Buchner funnel filtration test apparatus and the solids content of the resulting sludge cake were used to assess the dewaterability of tested sludges. The type of filter paper used in Buchner tests affected the results of filterability for MBR, CAS and Mixed sludges. SCR values and optimum polyelectrolyte doses increased with increasing MLSS concentrations in the MBR, which suggested that increase in MLSS concentrations accompanied by increases in EPS and SMP concentrations and a shift toward smaller particles caused poorer dewaterability of the MBR sludge. The significant differences observed among the filterability of CAS and MBR sludges suggested that MLSS alone is not a good predictor of sludge dewaterability. Combining CAS and MBR sludges at different proportions generally improved their dewaterability. Combining MBR sludges having typically high MLSS and EPS concentrations with CAS having much lower MLSS concentrations may be an option for full-scale treatment plants experiencing sludge dewaterability problems. Better filterability and higher cake dry solids were achieved with cationic polyelectrolytes compared to anionic and non-ionic ones for all sludge types tested.

Role of hydrodynamic interactions in the migration of polyelectrolytes driven by a pressure gradient and an electric field.

Experiments have shown that DNA molecules in capillary electrophoresis migrate across field lines if a pressure gradient is applied simultaneously. We suggest that this migration results from an electrically driven flow field around the polyelectrolyte, which generates additional contributions to the center-of-mass velocity if the overall polymer conformation is asymmetric. This hypothesis leads to a coarse-grained polymer model, without explicit charges, that quantitatively explains the experimentally observed migration. The simulations contradict the widely held notion that charge neutrality eliminates the effects of hydrodynamic interactions in electrically driven flows of polyelectrolytes. We predict a measurable increase in the electrophoretic velocity of a sheared polyelectrolyte that depends on chain length.

Effects of resin or charcoal treatment on fetal bovine serum and bovine calf serum.

INTRODUCTION: Charcoal- or resin-stripping of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or bovine calf serum (BCS) intended for supplementation of cell culture media is widely practiced to remove a variety of endogenous compounds, including steroid, peptide, and thyroid hormones. The possibility that stripping removes other biologically relevant factors from serum may not be appreciated. METHODS: In this report, standardized clinical laboratory testing methods were used to assess the effects of resin- and charcoal-stripping on content in FBS and BCS of more than 25 analytes in the sera. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In addition to hormones, the serum constituents affected by stripping are certain vitamins, electrolytes, enzyme activities, and metabolites.

Catanionic surfactant vesicles for electrostatic molecular sequestration and separation.

Mixtures of oppositely charged surfactants, commonly called catanionic mixtures, are one of the most interesting and promising areas of colloidal chemistry. In this paper we review our previous work and report new results on electrostatic adsorption of organic solutes and DNA to the exterior surfaces of catanionic, unilamellar vesicles which form spontaneously in mixtures of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) and cetyltrimethylammonium tosylate (CTAT). Our group, along with others, has shown that organic ions and polyelectrolytes will bind to the exterior surface of oppositely charged catanionic vesicles through interactions with unpaired ionic surfactants present in the vesicle bilayer. The electrostatic sequestration of organic ions with catanionic vesicles is extremely efficient with excellent long-term stability and can be used to perform separations on mixtures of charged organic solutes. Using regular solution theory extended to vesicle-forming surfactant mixtures, we can understand how the composition of the bilayer changes with surfactant dilution, and we study this effect using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). We employ FCS to make sensitive measurements of bilayer adsorption and compare the adsorption of a small molecular probe with that of a single-stranded, dye-labeled DNA molecule. From these FCS studies, adsorption isotherms can be obtained that report on the relative binding strengths of the two systems. The results show that DNA binds much more strongly to the exterior surface of positively charged catanionic vesicles, and can even stabilize vesicles at very low surfactant concentrations near the critical aggregation concentration (cac).

Self-concentration effects in preparative SEC of mineral electrolytes using nanoporous neutral polymeric sorbents.

Separation of mineral electrolytes according to size exclusion mechanism using neutral nanoporous polystyrene sorbents and carbonaceous materials has been examined in detail on hand of HCl and CaCl2 solutions, taken separately and in the mixture. Phase distribution coefficients of the above electrolytes have been measured under static conditions at different concentrations. The k-values and their dependence on the concentration were correlated with the elution curves of the components from a chromatographic column. Both the static and dynamic data suggest a strong dependence of the hydration number and effective size of ions on the concentration. Self-concentration of HCl in small pores and that of CaCl2 outside of small pores exhibits itself in both static and chromatographic experiments and results from the relocation of the components largely within the volume of the initial mixture. Additional apparent "retention" of HCl in the porous volume of the sorbent in concentrated electrolyte mixtures was shown to be caused by the competition between all ions of the system for hydration water. Increased separation selectivity and enhanced self-concentration effects for more concentrated mixtures point to preparative and industrial perspectives of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) of complex electrolyte mixtures on nanoporous neutral sorbents.

Blood-gas and electrolyte values for Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva)

The aim was to provide reference data for blood gas/acid-base status and electrolytes for non-anesthetized Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva). Thirty-five adult parrots from Tietê ecologic park were utilized. Arterial blood (0.3ml) samples were anaerobically collected from the superficial ulnar artery in heparinized (sodium heparin) 1-ml plastic syringes. The samples were immediately analyzed through a portable analyzer (i-STAT*, Abbot, Illinois, USA) with cartridges (EG7+). These data were grouped in such a way as to present both mean and standard deviation: body weight (360±37g), respiratory rate (82±33 b/m), temperature (41.8±0.6ºC), hydrogen potential (7.452±0.048), carbon dioxide partial pressure (22.1±4.0mmHg), oxygen partial pressure (98.1±7.6mmHg), base excess (-7.9±3.1), plasma concentration of bicarbonate ions (14.8±2.8mmol/L), oxygen saturation (96.2±1.1 percent), plasma concentration of sodium (147.4±2.2mmol/L), plasma concentration of potassium (3.5±0.53mmol/L), plasma concentration of calcium (0.8±0.28mmol/L), hematocrit (38.7±6.2 percent) and concentration of hemoglobin (13.2±2.1g/dl). This study led us to conclude that, although the results obtained showed hypocapnia and low values of bicarbonate and base excess, when compared to other avian species, these data are very similar. Besides, in spite of the equipment being approved only for human beings, it was considered simple and very useful in the analysis of avian blood samples. By using this equipment we were able to provide references data for non-anaesthetized Amazon parrots.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer dados de referência do equilíbrio ácido-básico e eletrólitos de papagaios (Amazonas aestiva) não anestesiados. Foram utilizados trinta e cinco papagaios oriundos do Parque ecológico do Tietê. Amostras de sangue (0,3ml) da artéria superficial ulnar foram coletadas em seringas plásticas (1ml) heparinizadas. As amostras foram analisadas imediatamente, usando um analisador portátil (i-stat*, Abbott, Illinois, USA) com cartuchos (i-stat EG7+). Os resultados foram demonstrados em média e desvio padrão: peso corpóreo (360±37g), freqüência respiratória (82±33mpm), temperatura (41,8±0,6ºC), potencial hidrogeniônico (7,452±0,05), pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono (22,1±4,0mmHg), pressão parcial de oxigênio (98,1±7,6mmHg), excesso de base (-7,45±3,1), saturação da hemoglobina (96,2±1,1 por cento), concentração plasmática de sódio (147,4±2,2mmol/L), concentração plasmática de potássio (3,5±0,53mmol/L), concentração plasmática de cálcio (0,8±0,28mmol/L), hematócrito (38,7±6,2 por cento) e concentração de hemoglobina (13,2±2,1g/dl). Este estudo nos levou a concluir que embora os animais apresentassem hipocapnia e valores baixos de bicarbonato e excesso de bases, quando comparamos aos das outras espécies aviárias, os dados são similares. Embora o equipamento seja aprovado somente para espécie humana, foi considerado prático e útil na análise do sangue de aves. Utilizando este equipamento, fomos capazes de estabelecer dados de referência do status ácido-básico e eletrólitos de papagaios não anestesiados.

Modeling of size-exclusion chromatography of electrolytes on non-ionic nanoporous adsorbents.

A dynamic model has been developed for chromatographic separation of mixed electrolyte solutions with non-ionic nanoporous adsorbents. The thermodynamic equilibrium condition at the pore entrance is written in terms of mixing, electrostatic and size-exclusion effects. The model is tested against experimental data measured with three binary mixtures on hypercrosslinked polystyrene and nanoporous carbon. The selectivity of the nanoporous adsorbents can be explained by the size-exclusion of the electrolytes and enrichment of both electrolytes in frontal chromatographic runs can be correlated satisfactorily with the proposed model. The model is also used to demonstrate continuous separation in a simulated moving-bed (SMB) system.

Organic polyelectrolytes in water treatment.

The use of polymers in the production of drinking water is reviewed, with emphasis on the nature of the impurities to be removed, the mechanisms of coagulation and flocculation, and the types of polymers commonly available. There is a focus on polymers for primary coagulation, their use as coagulant aids, in the recycling of filter backwash waters, and in sludge thickening. Practicalities of polymer use are discussed, with particular attention to polymer toxicity, and the presence of residual polymer in the final drinking water. The questions of polymer degradation and the formation of disinfection by-products are also addressed.

Preparation and characterisation of anion-exchange latex-coated silica monoliths for capillary electrochromatography.

Silica monoliths coated with functionalised latex particles have been prepared for use in monolithic ion-exchange capillary electrochromatography (IE-CEC) for the separation of inorganic anions. The ion-exchange monoliths were prepared using 70 nm quaternary ammonium, anion-exchange latex particles, which were bound electrostatically to a monolithic silica skeleton synthesised in a fused silica capillary. The resulting stationary phases were characterised in terms of their chromatographic performance and capacity. The capacity of a 50 microm diameter 25 cm latex-coated silica monolith was found to be 0.342 nanoequivalents and 80,000 theoretical plates per column were typically achieved for weakly retained anions, with lower efficiency being observed for analytes exhibiting strong ion-exchange interaction with the stationary phase. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) was reversed after the latex-coating was applied (-25.96 m2 V(-1) s(-1), relative standard deviation (RSD) 2.8%) and resulted in anions being separated in the co-EOF mode. Ion-exchange interactions between the analytes and the stationary phase were manipulated by varying the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient and the concentration of a competing ion (phosphate or perchlorate) present in the electrolyte. Large concentrations of competing ion (greater than 1M phosphate or 200 mM perchlorate) were required to completely suppress ion-exchange interactions, which highlighted the significant retention effects that could be achieved using monolithic columns compared to open tubular columns, without the problems associated with particle-packed columns. The latex-coated silica monoliths were easily produced in bulk quantities and performed reproducibly in acidic electrolytes. The high permeability and beneficial phase ratio makes these columns ideal for micro-LC and preconcentration applications.

Continuous flow microfluidic demixing of electrolytes by induced charge electrokinetics in structured electrode arrays.

A continuous flow microfluidic demixing process is realized. It utilizes high external electrical fields that are applied over electrically floating noble metal electrodes in an otherwise straight microchannel. The process converts axial electrical potential gradients into lateral molecular selective transport via a structure oriented ensemble of numerous electrodes. While the individual electrodes locally modify the electrolyte distribution by nonlinear electrokinetic effects and concentration polarization, the directed orientation of the electrode array combines the individual polarization zones to a dedicated molecular enrichment against the generated concentration gradient. A homogeneously concentrated electrolyte can be separated into arbitrarily shaped laminae of increased and depleted concentration by the presented microfluidic demixer.