The miniaturization of analytical systems for different applications is currently a very active field of research. The inherent advantages of micro total analysis systems (lTASs) are well known. Although the fluidic platforms and the development of suitable miniaturized detection systems have been studied extensively, the integration in a single substrate of the electronics that is needed to manage the whole system using a single technology is still a sizeable challenge. In this overview, we discuss the role of the low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) as a potential alternative for miniaturizing analytical systems, since a single technology can easily combine fluidics and electronics to produce a number of novel chemical microanalyzers.

Biofunctionalized self-propelled micromotors combined with microchips are alternative concentrating systems. No external energy source is required, facilitating integration and miniaturization.

We demonstrate that catalytic microjet engines can out-swim high complex media composed of red blood cells and serum. Despite the challenge presented by the high viscosity of the solution at room temperature, the catalytic microjets can be activated at physiological temperature and, consequently, self-propel in diluted solutions of blood samples. We prove that these microjets self-propel in 10× diluted blood samples using microfluidic chips.

We present ultracompact three-dimensional tubular structures integrating Au-based electrodes as impedimetric microsensors for the in-flow determination of mono- and divalent ionic species and HeLa cells. The microsensors show an improved performance of 2 orders of magnitude (limit of detection = 0.1 nM for KCl) compared to conventional planar conductivity detection systems integrated in microfluidic platforms and the capability to detect single HeLa cells in flowing phosphate buffered saline. These highly integrated conductivity tubular sensors thus open new possibilities for lab-in-a-tube devices for bioapplications such as biosensing and bioelectronics.

Catalytic micromotors are trapped in microfluidic chips containing chevron and heart-shaped PDMS structures.