Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip platforms: requirements, characteristics and applications (original) (raw)
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Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering, 2013
Microfluidics concerns the manipulation of small volumes of fluids (typically nanoliters or less) within networks of channels that have dimensions of tens to hundreds of micrometers. Such devices benefit from having small footprints, low volume requirements of samples and reagents, short analysis times, and a large degree of control over processes being performed, allowing miniaturization of single or multiple laboratory-based procedures and giving rise to ‘lab-on-a-chip’ technology. Microfluidic platforms have become powerful tools in a broad range of fields, from chemistry and engineering to the life sciences, and are revolutionizing the way research can be performed and the quality of information that can be gained.
Microfluidic for Lab-on-a-Chip
Comprehensive Microsystems, 2008
2.13.7.3 Application Examples 47 2.13.7.3.1 TopSpot for microarray spotting 47 2.13.7.3.2 Dispensing well plate 48 2.13.7.4 Strengths and Challenges of the Platform 49 2.13.8 Conclusion 49 References 49 Glossary g9000 CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor g9005 DWP Dispensing Well Plate g9010 EDC/NHS Carbodiimid/N-hydroxysuccinimide g9015 EOF Electroosmotic Flow g9020 EP Electrophoresis g9025 EWOD Electrowetting g9030 FID Free Interface Diffusion g9035 GC Gas Chromatograph g9040 HPLC High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph g9045 HTS High Throughput Screening g9050 IDT Interdigital Transducer g9055 LSI (microfluidic) Large Scale Integration g9060 MSL Multilayer Soft Lithography g9065 PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction g9070 PDMS Polydimethylsiloxane g9075 SAW Surface Acoustic Wave g9080 TAS Total Chemical-analysis System g9085 TIR Total Internal Reflection g9090 mTAS micro Total Analysis System s0005 2.13.1 Introduction s0010 2.13.1.1 Microfluidics
Microfluidic Apps for off-the-shelf instruments
Lab on a Chip, 2012
Within the last decade a huge increase in research activity in microfluidics could be observed. However, despite several commercial success stories, microfluidic chips are still not sold in high numbers in mass markets so far. Here we promote a new concept that could be an alternative approach to commercialization: designing microfluidic chips for existing off-the-shelf instruments. Such ''Microfluidic Apps'' could significantly lower market entry barriers and provide many advantages: developers of microfluidic chips make use of existing equipment or platforms and do not have to develop instruments from scratch; end-users can profit from microfluidics without the need to invest in new equipment; instrument manufacturers benefit from an expanded customer base due to the new applications that can be implemented in their instruments. Microfluidic Apps could be considered as low-cost disposables which can easily be distributed globally via web-shops. Therefore they could be a door-opener for high-volume mass markets. Microfluidics and mTAS The original concept of miniaturized total analysis systems (mTAS) was introduced by Andreas Manz et al. in 1990. 1 He promoted the integration of processing steps necessary for chemical analysis into a single chip by making use of miniaturization. Nowadays this field of research is also known as microfluidics. In view of currently more than 3000 publications annually, 2 research in the field of mTAS and microfluidics can indeed be regarded as an extraordinary scientific success story. Especially the introduction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) in the late 1990s 3 and the concept of ''microfluidic large scale integration'' can be considered as milestones for the microfluidics community, since they enabled parallel control over thousands of valves and hundreds of chambers on a single chip with an edge length of only a few centimetres. 4,5
Microfluidics Roadmap: The Trend to Use Low-Cost Technologies and Microfluidic Platforms
2004
Within the last year we investigated existing and future markets, products and technologies for microfluidics in the life sciences together with our partners from HSG-IMIT, Cranfield Biotechnology Center and Yole Développement. Within this paper we present the major findings and discuss a major trend identified within this project: the development of microfludic platforms for flexible design of application specific integrated microfluidic systems. In order to promote the platform concept in general we present three examples currently under development: PDMS based microfluidics for large scale integration ("Fluidigm platform"), microfluidics on a rotating CD ("Lab-CD") as well as "Droplet based Microfluidics" ("digital microfluidics").
Microfluidics: from Engineering to Life Sciences
Current Nanoscience, 2012
This interdisciplinary view of microfluidics at the interface with life sciences starts with presentation of the advantages and challenges presented by microfluidic devices. The forces important for flow in microchannels are discussed and special emphasis is placed on electrokinetic effects. The laws and principles governing flow in microchannels are compared to those important in macroflow and experimental methods used to measure flow in microchannels are introduced. Because flow in microchannels is laminar, for many applications there is need to enhance mixing and different ways to achieve this are presented herein. Due to the important influence of surface interactions for microfluidics, the materials used to manufacture microchannels are very important in flow control. A separate section discusses glass, silicon-based materials, and newer soft polymers used in microfluidic devices and the connection between their structure and the properties they impart to the flow. The field in which there are already numerous commercially available microfluidic devices is biotechnology. Some applications are discussed in a separate section. Lab-on-a-chip devices, due to their importance, are presented in a separate unit. Future directions of research in this interdisciplinary field are briefly discussed.
Microfluidics and Microfabrication
2010
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Lab on a Chip, 2013
We describe a generic microfluidic interface design that allows the connection of microfluidic chips to established industrial liquid handling stations (LHS). A molding tool has been designed that allows fabrication of low-cost disposable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips with interfaces that provide convenient and reversible connection of the microfluidic chip to industrial LHS. The concept allows complete freedom of design for the microfluidic chip itself. In this setup all peripheral fluidic components (such as valves and pumps) usually required for microfluidic experiments are provided by the LHS.
A Rapid Prototyping and Mass-Production Platform of Microfluidic Devices
2007
Microfabricated devices have become an integral part of a variety of analytical, medical, and detection systems. As the applications of microfabrication are growing widely, a low-cost, rapid prototyping and mass-production platform has become essential. To serve this end, Optotrack, Inc. has developed a process of precision embossing, bonding, and surface modification to manufacture microfluidic chips, disposable biosensors, and micro-optical devices based on plastic materials. Multiple devices of the same or different designs are hot-embossed in a 4-inch or 6-inch plastic wafer. The wafer is then treated, bonded, diced, and inserted with interconnects. Discrete devices are tested for their quality prior to the integration with read-out schemes. It is estimated that from conception to mass production, this platform takes 50% less time and cost than its competing technologies. Microfluidic devices made from the present platform have been incorporated into automatic analyzers for drug...
Usage of microfluidic lab-on-chips in biomedicine
Lab-on-chip systems comprise a class of devices that integrate fluidics and electronics on a single chip. Lab-on-chip devices are capable of handling and analysing chemical and biological liquid samples. Microfluidic devices comprise a broader group that includes lab-on-chip devices and also micro total analysis systems (TAS). The formers are devoted to laboratory use, such as sample testing and handling, while the latter focuses mostly on biochemical analysis down to molecular level. Lab-on-chip devices facilitate automated operations such as sample handling, separation and liquid mixing. Furthermore, lab-on-chip devices force the development of point-of-care devices, which are expected to become the leading technology for diagnosis and therapeutics in personalized medicine.