Total analysis system
The term total analysis system (TAS) describes a device that combines and automates all necessary steps for the chemical analysis of a sample (e.g., sampling, sample transport, filtration, dilution, chemical reactions, separation, and detection).{{Citation |last=Justino |first=Celine I. L. |title=Chapter 14 - Nanomaterials in Lab-on-Chip Chromatography |date=2018-01-01 |work=Nanomaterials in Chromatography |pages=387–400 |editor-last=Hussain |editor-first=Chaudhery Mustansar |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128127926000145 |access-date=2024-05-31 |publisher=Elsevier |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-812792-6.00014-5 |isbn=978-0-12-812792-6 |last2=Rocha-Santos |first2=Teresa A. P. |last3=Duarte |first3=Armando C.}}{{Citation |last=Cagliero |first=Cecilia |title=Chapter 23 - Separation of stereoisomers by gas chromatography |date=2021-01-01 |work=Gas Chromatography (Second Edition) |pages=581–614 |editor-last=Poole |editor-first=Colin F. |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128206751000150 |access-date=2024-05-31 |series=Handbooks in Separation Science |place=Amsterdam |publisher=Elsevier |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-820675-1.00015-0 |isbn=978-0-12-820675-1 |last2=Sgorbini |first2=Barbara |last3=Cordero |first3=Chiara |last4=Liberto |first4=Erica |last5=Rubiolo |first5=Patrizia |last6=Bicchi |first6=Carlo}} Most current total analysis systems are "micro" total analysis systems which utilize the principles of microfluidics.{{Cite journal |last1=Reyes |first1=Darwin R. |last2=Iossifidis |first2=Dimitri |last3=Auroux |first3=Pierre-Alain |last4=Manz |first4=Andreas |date=2002-06-01 |title=Micro Total Analysis Systems. 1. Introduction, Theory, and Technology |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac0202435 |journal=Analytical Chemistry |language=en |volume=74 |issue=12 |pages=2623–2636 |doi=10.1021/ac0202435 |pmid=12090653 |issn=0003-2700}}{{Citation |last=Catarino |first=S. |title=12 - Smart devices: Lab-on-a-chip |date=2017-01-01 |work=Bioinspired Materials for Medical Applications |pages=331–369 |editor-last=Rodrigues |editor-first=Lígia |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081007419000127 |access-date=2024-05-31 |publisher=Woodhead Publishing |doi=10.1016/b978-0-08-100741-9.00012-7 |isbn=978-0-08-100741-9 |last2=Lima |first2=R. |last3=Minas |first3=G. |editor2-last=Mota |editor2-first=Manuel}}
Total analysis systems are designed to shrink the processes carried out in a laboratory to a chip-sized lab-on-a-chip. Due to this, it can be more cost-effective to carry out complex tests when considering chip technologies, sample sizes, and analysis time. Total analysis systems can also reduce the exposure of toxic chemicals for lab personnel. This technology can also be used in point-of-care testing or point-of-use diagnostics, which do not require skilled technicians.