In this study, for the first time we report on a comprehensive overview of different strategies to hyphenate droplet-based sample handling and preparation with electrophoretic separation in different formats (i.e. microchip and capillary electrophoresis). Droplet-interfaced electrophoresis is an emerging technique in which micro/nanometric droplets are used as a bridge and carrier of target analytes between sample treatment and electrokinetic separation steps, thus being expected to overcome the challenges of working dimension mismatch and low degree of module integration. This review covers all works on this topic from 2006 (the year of the first communication) up to 2020, with focus being given to three principal interfacing strategies, including droplets in immiscible phases, digital microfluidics with electrowetting-on-dielectric principle and inkjet droplet generation. Different instrumental developments for such purpose, the viewpoints on pros and cons of these designs as well as application demonstrations of droplet-interfaced electrokinetic strategies are discussed.

中文翻译：

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用于样品处理、分离和定量的微型电泳中的液滴界面策略：综述

在这项研究中，我们首次全面概述了将基于液滴的样品处理和制备与不同形式的电泳分离（即微芯片和毛细管电泳）相结合的不同策略。液滴界面电泳是一种新兴技术，其中微/纳米液滴被用作样品处理和电动分离步骤之间目标分析物的桥梁和载体，因此有望克服工作尺寸不匹配和模块集成度低的挑战。这篇综述涵盖了从 2006 年（第一次交流的那一年）到 2020 年关于这个主题的所有工作，重点关注三个主要的接口策略，包括不混溶相的液滴，具有电润湿电介质原理和喷墨液滴生成的数字微流体。讨论了为此目的的不同仪器开发，这些设计的利弊观点以及液滴界面电动策略的应用演示。