Kapillaarimenetelmä

Kapillaarimenetelmä, or capillary method, refers to a range of techniques that utilize the phenomenon of capillary action. Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity. This occurs due to the interplay of cohesive forces within the liquid and adhesive forces between the liquid and the surrounding solid surface.

In scientific and technological applications, the capillary method is employed for various purposes. One common use is in chromatography, particularly in capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography. In these methods, narrow capillary tubes are used to separate different components of a mixture based on their differing interactions with the capillary walls and the mobile phase. The small diameter of the capillaries allows for high resolution and efficient separation.

Another application is in analytical chemistry for sample introduction and manipulation. Small volumes of liquids can be precisely transferred and delivered using capillary tubes. This is particularly useful in microfluidic devices, where tiny channels mimic the behavior of biological systems.

The capillary method also finds use in material science for imbibing liquids into porous structures, such as in the study of fluid transport in soils or in the impregnation of composite materials. In medicine, capillary action is fundamental to the function of many diagnostic tests, such as blood glucose monitoring strips. The small dimensions and inherent properties of capillary action make it a versatile and precise tool across numerous scientific disciplines.