Micellar Gradient Focusing Field of the Invention

OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and device are provided for affinity gradient focusing for directing at least one analyte in a solution containing a pseudostationary phase and located in a conduit or microchannel. The method includes establishing a gradient in a retention factor of the pseudostationary phase for the at least one analyte. The analyte is caused to be moved within the conduit whereby the concentration of the at least one analyte increases at one or more positions along the gradient. The pseudostationary phase is charged and the analyte is either neutral or charged or alternatively, the pseudostationary phase is neutral and the analyte is charged. The device includes a fluid conduit, a pseudostationary phase having a retention factor gradient, an electrical current source and a pump system for establishing the bulk flow in the solution in the conduit.