Database resources of the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2025.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provides online information resources for biology, including the GenBank® nucleic acid sequence repository and the PubMed® repository of citations and abstracts published in life science journals. NCBI provides search and retrieval operations for most of these data from 31 distinct repositories and knowledgebases. The E-utilities serve as the programming interface for most of these.

A micro passive preconcentrator for micro gas chromatography.

We describe a microfabricated passive preconcentrator (μPP) intended for integration into gas chromatographic microsystems (μGC) for analyzing volatile/semi-volatile organic compounds (S/VOC). Devices (8 × 8 mm) were made from a silicon-on-insulator top layer and a glass bottom layer. The top layer has 237 apertures (47 × 47 μm) distributed around the periphery of a circular region (5.

Room-temperature-ionic-liquid coated graphitized carbons for selective preconcentration of polar vapors.

Most adsorbent materials used for preconcentrating and thermally desorbing volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (S/VOCs) in portable or "micro" gas chromatographic (GC/µGC) instruments preferentially capture non-polar or moderately polar compounds relative to more polar compounds. Here, we explore the use of a known trigonal-tripyramidal room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) as a surface modifier for the graphitized carbons, Carbopack B (C-B) and Carbopack X (C-X), with the goal of enhancing their capacity and selectivity for polar S/VOCs. Breakthrough tests were performed by challenging tubes packed with ∼2.

Belt-Mounted Micro-Gas-Chromatograph Prototype for Determining Personal Exposures to Volatile-Organic-Compound Mixture Components.

We describe a belt-mountable prototype instrument containing a gas chromatographic microsystem (μGC) and demonstrate its capability for near-real-time recognition and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in moderately complex mixtures at concentrations encountered in industrial workplace environments. The μGC comprises three discrete, Si/Pyrex microfabricated chips: a dual-adsorbent micropreconcentrator-focuser for VOC capture and injection; a wall-coated microcolumn with thin-metal heaters and temperature sensors for temperature-programmed separations; and an array of four microchemiresistors with thiolate-monolayer-protected-Au-nanoparticle interface films for detection and recognition-discrimination. The battery-powered μGC prototype (20 × 15 × 9 cm, ∼2.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separations with a temperature programmed microfabricated thermal modulator.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) with a temperature-programmed microfabricated thermal modulator (μTM) is demonstrated. The 0.78 cm(2), 2-stage μTM chip with integrated heaters and a PDMS coated microchannel was placed in thermal contact with a solid-state thermoelectric cooler and mounted on top of a bench scale GC.

Polymer-coated micro-optofluidic ring resonator detector for a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic microsystem: μGC ×μGC-μOFRR.

We describe first results from a micro-analytical subsystem that integrates a detector comprising a polymer-coated micro-optofluidic ring resonator (μOFRR) chip with a microfabricated separation module capable of performing thermally modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separations (μGC ×μGC) of volatile organic compound (VOC) mixtures. The 2 × 2 cm μOFRR chip consists of a hollow, contoured SiO(x) cylinder (250 μm i.d.

Toward a microfabricated preconcentrator-focuser for a wearable micro-scale gas chromatograph.

This article describes work leading to a microfabricated preconcentrator-focuser (μPCF) designed for integration into a wearable microfabricated gas chromatograph (μGC) for monitoring workplace exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ranging in vapor pressure from ∼0.03 to 13kPa at concentrations near their respective Threshold Limit Values. Testing was performed on both single- and dual-cavity, etched-Si μPCF devices with Pyrex caps and integrated resistive heaters, packed with the graphitized carbons Carbopack X (C-X) and/or Carbopack B (C-B).

Nanoparticle-coated micro-optofluidic ring resonator as a detector for microscale gas chromatographic vapor analysis.

A vapor sensor comprising a nanoparticle-coated microfabricated optofluidic ring resonator (μOFRR) is introduced. A multilayer film of polyether functionalized, thiolate-monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPN) was solvent cast on the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical SiOxμOFRR resonator structure, and whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonances were generated with a 1550 nm tunable laser via an optical fiber taper. Reversible shifts in the WGM resonant wavelength upon vapor exposure were detected with a photodetector.

μGC × μGC: comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separations with microfabricated components.

The development and characterization of a microanalytical subsystem comprising silicon-micromachined first- and second-dimension separation columns and a silicon-micromachined thermal modulator (μTM) for comprehensive two-dimensional (i.e., μGC × μGC) separations are described.

A microfabricated optofluidic ring resonator for sensitive, high-speed detection of volatile organic compounds.

Advances in microanalytical systems for multi-vapor determinations to date have been impeded by limitations associated with the microsensor technologies employed. Here we introduce a microfabricated optofluidic ring resonator (μOFRR) sensor that addresses many of these limitations. The μOFRR combines vapor sensing and fluidic transport functions in a monolithic microstructure comprising a hollow, vertical SiOx cylinder (250 μm i.

Microfabricated gas chromatograph for rapid, trace-level determinations of gas-phase explosive marker compounds.

A prototype microfabricated gas chromatograph (μGC) adapted specifically for the rapid determination of selected gas-phase marker compounds of the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) at sub-parts-per-billion ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A nanoparticle-coated chemiresistor array as a microscale gas chromatograph detector for explosive marker compounds: flow rate and temperature effects.

The effects of flow rate and temperature on the performance of a microscale gas chromatographic (μGC) detector consisting of a chemiresistor (CR) array coated with different thiolate-monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPNs) are described with respect to the analysis of three gas-phase markers of the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT): 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), and 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB). In chamber tests, sensors were stable at 70 °C for several days in air, with <2% sensitivity drift per day and virtually no change in the array response patterns. In tests with a conventional upstream GC column, increasing the array temperature from 55-80 °C (1.

Hybrid preconcentrator/focuser module for determinations of explosive marker compounds with a micro-scale gas chromatograph.

This article describes the development and characterization of a partially selective preconcentrator/focuser (PCF) module for a field-portable micro-scale gas chromatograph (μGC) designed to rapidly determine trace levels of two vapor-phase markers of the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT): 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT). The PCF module has three primary components. The first is a high-volume sampler, comprising a resistively-heated 6-cm long stainless steel tube packed with tandem beds of the graphitized carbons Carbopack B (C-B, 30 mg) and Carbopack Y (C-Y, 15 mg), which traps the markers but permits more volatile interferences to pass through largely unretained.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separations with a microfabricated thermal modulator.

Rapid, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic (GC × GC) separations by use of a microfabricated midpoint thermal modulator (μTM) are demonstrated, and the effects of various μTM design and operating parameters on performance are characterized. The two-stage μTM chip consists of two interconnected spiral etched-Si microchannels (4.2 and 2.

Microfabricated gas chromatograph for on-site determinations of TCE in indoor air arising from vapor intrusion. 2. Spatial/temporal monitoring.

We demonstrate the use of two prototype Si-microfabricated gas chromatographs (μGC) for continuous, short-term measurements of indoor trichloroethylene (TCE) vapor concentrations related to the investigation of TCE vapor intrusion (VI) in two houses. In the first house, with documented TCE VI, temporal variations in TCE air concentrations were monitored continuously for up to 48 h near the primary VI entry location under different levels of induced differential pressure (relative to the subslab). Concentrations ranged from 0.

Microfabricated gas chromatograph for on-site determination of trichloroethylene in indoor air arising from vapor intrusion. 1. Field evaluation.

Results are presented of inaugural field tests of two identical prototype microfabricated gas chromatographs (μGC) adapted for the in situ determination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in indoor air in support of vapor intrusion (VI) investigations. Each μGC prototype has a pretrap and partially selective high-volume sampler of conventional design, a micromachined-Si focuser for injection, dual micromachined-Si columns for separation, and an integrated array of four microscale chemiresistors with functionalized gold nanoparticle interface films for multichannel detection. Scrubbed ambient air is used as the carrier gas.

Microfabricated passive vapor preconcentrator/injector designed for microscale gas chromatography.

The design, fabrication, and preliminary testing of a micromachined-Si passive vapor preconcentrator/injector (μPPI) are described. Intended for incorporation in a gas chromatographic microsystem (μGC) for analyzing organic vapor mixtures, the μPPI captures vapors from the air at a known rate by means of passive diffusion (i.e.

Microfabricated optofluidic ring resonator structures.

We describe the fabrication and preliminary optical characterization of rugged, Si-micromachined optofluidic ring resonator (μOFRR) structures consisting of thin-walled SiO(x) cylinders with expanded midsections designed to enhance the three-dimensional confinement of whispering gallery modes (WGMs). These μOFRR structures were grown thermally at wafer scale on the interior of Si molds defined by deep-reactive-ion etching and pre-treated to reduce surface roughness. Devices 85-μm tall with 2-μm thick walls and inner diameters ranging from 50 to 200 μm supported pure-mode WGMs with Q-factors >10(4) near 985 nm.

Microfabricated gas chromatograph for the selective determination of trichloroethylene vapor at sub-parts-per-billion concentrations in complex mixtures.

A complete field-deployable microfabricated gas chromatograph (μGC) is described, and its adaptation to the analysis of low- and subparts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations of trichloroethylene (TCE) vapors in complex mixtures is demonstrated through laboratory testing. The specific application being addressed concerns the problem of indoor air contamination by TCE vapor intrusion. The μGC prototype employs a microfabricated focuser, dual microfabricated separation columns, and a microsensor array.

Evaluation of a microfabricated thermal modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional microscale gas chromatography.

A microfabricated thermal modulator (μTM) designed for ultimate use in a comprehensive two-dimensional microscale gas chromatography (μGC × μGC) system is evaluated. The 2-stage device measures 13 mm (l) × 6 mm (w) × 0.5 mm (h) and consists of two interconnected serpentine etched-Si microchannels suspended from a thin Pyrex cap and wall-coated with PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

Characterization of dense arrays of chemiresistor vapor sensors with submicrometer features and patterned nanoparticle interface layers.

The performance of arrays of small, densely integrated chemiresistor (CR) vapor sensors with electron-beam patterned interface layers of thiolate-monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPNs) is explored. Each CR in the array consists of a 100-μm(2) interdigital electrode separated from adjacent devices by 4 μm. Initial studies involved four separate arrays, each containing four CRs coated with one of four different MPNs, which were calibrated with five vapors before and after MPN-film patterning.

Multi-stage preconcentrator/focuser module designed to enable trace level determinations of trichloroethylene in indoor air with a microfabricated gas chromatograph.

This article describes the development and characterization of a multi-stage preconcentrator/focuser (PCF) module designed to be integrated with a microfabricated gas chromatograph (µGC) for autonomous, in situ determinations of volatile organic compounds. The PCF module has been optimized specifically for the determination of trichloroethylene (TCE) vapors at low- or sub-parts-per-billion concentrations in the presence of common indoor air co-contaminants in residences at risk of vapor intrusion (VI) from surrounding TCE-contaminated soil. It consists of three adsorbent-packed devices arranged in series: a pre-trap of conventional (tubular metal) design for capturing interferences with vapor pressures <3 torr; a high-volume sampler, also of conventional design, for capturing (and transferring) TCE and other compounds with vapor pressures within the range of ~3 to 95 torr; and a microfocuser (µF) consisting of a micromachined Si chamber with an integrated microheater for focusing and injecting samples into the separation module.

Organic vapor discrimination with chemiresistor arrays of temperature modulated tin-oxide nanowires and thiolate-monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles.

This paper explores the discrimination of organic vapors with arrays of chemiresistors (CRs) employing interface layers of tin-oxide nanowires (NWs) and thiolate-monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPNs). The former devices use contact-printed mats of NWs on micro-hotplate membranes to bridge a pair of metal electrodes. Oxidation at the NW surface causes changes in charge transport, the temperature dependence of which differs among different vapors, permitting vapor discrimination.

Densely integrated array of chemiresistor vapor sensors with electron-beam patterned monolayer-protected gold nanoparticle interface films.

Use of electron-beam induced crosslinking to pattern films of monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPNs) onto a chemiresistor (CR) sensor array is described. Each of the four CRs comprises a 100 µm(2) set of interdigital electrodes (IDEs) with 100 nm widths and spaces, separated from adjacent devices by 4 µm. Films of four MPNs, each with a different thiolate monolayer, were successively patterned on the IDEs.

Microfabricated thermal modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional micro gas chromatography: design, thermal modeling, and preliminary testing.

In comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC), a modulator is placed at the juncture between two separation columns to focus and re-inject eluting mixture components, thereby enhancing the resolution and the selectivity of analytes. As part of an effort to develop a microGC x microGC prototype, in this report we present the design, fabrication, thermal operation, and initial testing of a two-stage microscale thermal modulator (microTM). The microTM contains two sequential serpentine Pyrex-on-Si microchannels (stages) that cryogenically trap analytes eluting from the first-dimension column and thermally inject them into the second-dimension column in a rapid, programmable manner.