Ampli: A Construction Set for Paperfluidic Systems

Abstract

The design and fabrication of reconfigurable, modular paperfluidics driven by a prefabricated reusable block library, asynchronous modular paperfluidic linear instrument-free (Ampli) block, are reported. The blocks are inspired by the plug-and-play modularity of electronic breadboards that lower prototyping barriers in circuit design. The resulting biochemical breadboard is a paperfluidic construction set that can be functionalized with chemical, biological, and electrical elements. Ampli blocks can form standard paperfluidic devices without any external instrumentation. Furthermore, their modular nature enhances fluidics in ways that fixed devices cannot. The blocks' ability to start, stop, modify, and reverse reaction flows, reagents, and rates in real time is demonstrated. These enhancements allow users to increase colorimetric signals, fine tune reaction times, and counter check multiplexed diagnostics for false positives or negatives. The modular construction demonstrates that field-ready, distributed fabrication of paper analytical systems can be standardized without requiring the "black box" of craft and technique inherent in paper-based systems. Ampli assembly and point-of-care redesign extends the usability of paper analytical systems and invites user-driven prototyping beyond the lab setting demonstrating "Design for Hack" in diagnostics.

Designing Paper-Based Immunoassays for Biomedical Applications

“…On the fly customization can be achieved by employing a LEGO-block like system [85]. This is a recently developed strategy called Asynchronous Modular Paperfluidic Linear Instrument-free (Ampli), which involves the use of blocks to construct a custom flow arrangement on demand (Figure 6e).…”

“…( d ) Example printed µPAD geometry theoretical representation and experimental data of fluid flow over time obtained from Reference [23]. ( e ) The assembled Ampli assay from [85].…”

Nanoplasmonics in Paper-Based Analytical Devices

“…(L) A modular paperfluidics platform including prefabricated components to build μPADs. Adapted with permission from Phillips et al (2018). Copyright 2018, WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.…”

Distributed Biological Foundries for Global Health

“…A recently developed strategy by our group called Asynchronous Modular Paperfluidic Linear Instrument‐free (Ampli), which allows modularization of rapid diagnostics ( Figure a) . Paperfluidic diagnostics have enormous potential to impact global health as they are attractive as point of care diagnostics for numerous infectious diseases, pathogens, and biomarkers.…”

“…Examples of technologies for democratized distributed biological foundries. a) Ampli, from Phillips et al Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2018, WILEY‐VCH.…”