Front Cover: Enhancing affinity‐based electroanalytical biosensors by integrated AC electrokinetic enrichment—A mini review

TL;DR: In this article , an affinity-based electroanalytical biosensors can be enhanced by integrated AC electrokinetic (ACEK) effects, including AC electrothermal (ACET) effect, AC electroosmosis (ACEO) effect and dielectrophoretic (DEP) effect.

Abstract: DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100168 The cover picture shows how affinity-based electroanalytical biosensors can be enhanced by integrated AC electrokinetic (ACEK) effects. ACEK effects, including AC electrothermal (ACET) effect, AC electroosmosis (ACEO) effect and dielectrophoretic (DEP) effect, are produced by applying AC signals to the interdigitated electrode arrays. ACEK effects induce directed movement of microflows and particles (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, bacteria, small molecules, etc.) in the solution, so that the analytes in the solution can be quickly routed toward the surface of biosensors, thus improving the binding efficiency between the analytes and the probes on the surface of the sensor. Studies have shown that the method holds great promise for achieving high sensitivity, low detection limit and rapid turnaround.