The invention describes a fast, highly sensitive, low cost and integrated method for quantitative concentration measurement and detection of analytes. Its working principle relies on the controlled dewetting of a solution (containing analyte(s)) on a sampling susbstrate patterned at the micro or nano length scale with functionnalized specific capture sites. The capillary assembly mechanisms occurring in such configurations provide a fast and efficient way for concentrating the solution and assemble analytes on the sampling engineered sites. More than one million events can be analysed at the same time on the same substrate.

According to theoretical prediction, considering substrate sizes in the range of a few square millimetres, this method is expected to detect a few micro / nano particles per millilitre and to reach detection level close to the atto-molar for various molecules of interest.