Microfabricated reactors with integrated local heating were fabricated for investigating fast exothermic reactions with independent control of temperature and flow rate. As an example, oxidation of methane over a supported rhodium catalyst was investigated. The reaction was studied at different oxygen-to-methane ratios, covering both fuel-lean and fuel-rich compositions with full and partial oxidation. Good agreement with previously reported results indicates that the microfabricated reactors are useful for studying fast exothermic reactions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.