Continuous Separation in Split-Flow Thin (SPLITT) Cells: Potential Applications to Biological Materials

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Abstract
We recently described a broad class of techniques in which separation is achieved over a submillimeter path extending along the thin dimension of a special separation cell termed a SPLITT cell. The separation is converted into a continuous process by flow through the cell, and the products are collected with the aid of flow splitters. The separation is rapid and predictable by virtue of the simple geometry of the cell. Separation can be based on differences in sedimentation coefficients, densities, electrophoretic mobilities, isoelectric points, diffusion coefficients, etc., depending on operating details. We describe here the principles of SPLITT cells and summarize our preliminary laboratory findings. We discuss various approaches for utilizing the SPLITT system to separate biological materials with components spanning the mass range from the extremes of biological cells down to that of simple amino acids.