Microfluidic Chemical Analysis Systems

Abstract

The field of microfluidics has exploded in the past decade, particularly in the area of chemical and biochemical analysis systems. Borrowing technology from the solid-state electronics industry and the production of microprocessor chips, researchers working with glass, silicon, and polymer substrates have fabricated macroscale laboratory components in miniaturized formats. These devices pump nanoliter volumes of liquid through micrometer-scale channels and perform complex chemical reactions and separations. The detection of reaction products is typically done fluorescently with off-chip optical components, and the analysis time from start to finish can be significantly shorter than that of conventional techniques. In this review we describe these microfluidic analysis systems, from the original continuous flow systems relying on electroosmotic pumping for liquid motion to the large diversity of microarray chips currently in use to the newer droplet-based devices and segmented flow systems. Although not currently widespread, microfluidic systems have the potential to become ubiquitous.

Formation characteristics of Taylor bubbles in a microchannel with a converging shape mixing junction

“…Its application potential has been demonstrated in many areas, such as mixing [2,3], separations [4,5], reactions [6][7][8] and chemical analysis [9].…”

Fabrication and optimisation of a fused filament 3D-printed microfluidic platform

“…New developments in economical analytical screening tools such as lab-on-a-chip [3], lab-on-a-disc [4] and microfluidic analysis systems [5] focus on miniaturisation and disposability to improve performance, speed, and portability.…”

Bubble rise in a non-isothermal self-rewetting fluid and the role of thermocapillarity

“…The paramount importance of bubble flows is evident in chemical, biochemical, petrochemical and metallurgical industries applications such as bubble column reactors, drug delivery or cardiovascular systems [1][2][3][4]. Particular interest has been paid to the behaviour and the control of the motion of bubbles and drops in microfluidics, with a wide range of potential applications ranging from chemical analysis processes [5] to data processing [4]. The first study that was focussed on thermocapillary movement of migrating bubbles within a bulk liquid by a temperature gradient, can be found in the pioneering work of Young et al [6].…”