Abstract
This article reviews recent progress that has taken place in the past decade (1992–2002) in the areas of understanding of flow of ions, buffers, as well as neutral and charged sample components through open channels and porous media. Though, primarily dealing with open capillaries and packed columns that are often used in capillary electrochromatography (CEC), these fundamental concepts are applicable to the evolving area of separations on a microchip.