Emerging Trends in Microfluidics Based Devices

Abstract

One of the major challenges for scientists and engineers today is to develop technologies for the improvement of human health in both developed and developing countries. However, the need for cost-effective, high-performance diagnostic techniques is very crucial for providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare devices. In this context, microfluidic-based devices (MFDs) offer powerful platforms for automation and integration of complex tasks onto a single chip. The distinct advantage of MFDs lies in precise control of the sample quantities and flow rate of samples and reagents that enable quantification and detection of analytes with high resolution and sensitivity. With these excellent properties, microfluidics (MFs) have been used for various applications in healthcare, along with other biological and medical areas. This review focuses on the emerging demands of MFs in different fields such as biomedical diagnostics, environmental analysis, food and agriculture research, etc., in the last three or so years. It also aims to reveal new opportunities in these areas and future prospects of commercial MFDs.

Fabrication and Applications of Microfluidic Devices: A Review

“…The creation of flexible chips with reduced thicknesses and enhanced wear comfort opens the door for future use in smart contact lens sensors, the real-time noninvasive monitoring of physiological parameters, or tattoo-based sensors. Such applications are attractive for assessing the health status of astronauts, being capable of estimating their blood sugar, kidney function, and liver activity without impacting the overall mass of the spaceship [ 146 ].…”

Microfluidics for microalgal biotechnology

“…For the last 40 years, microfluidic approaches have received a great deal of attention in various research fields (Amin, Knowlton, Yenilmez, et al, 2016; Amin, Knowlton, et al, 2017; Juang & Chang, 2016; S. M. Knowlton, Sadasivam, et al, 2015; Rizvi et al, 2013; Solanki et al, 2020; Tasoglu et al, 2015; S. Q. Wang et al, 2014). Numerous applications from diagnosis to environmental monitoring by chemical and biological detection have been demonstrated (Juang & Chang, 2016; S. M. Knowlton, Sencan, et al, 2015; S. Knowlton, Yu, et al, 2015; Luo et al, 2015; Solanki et al, 2020; Yenilmez et al, 2016). As microfluidic technologies offer many advantages like fast and low‐cost accessibility (Amin, Ghaderinezhad, et al, 2017; Amin et al, 2020; Ghaderinezhad et al, 2017; Ghaderinezhad et al, 2020; Lepowsky et al, 2017) and sensitivity, several biological samples such as plant, human and animal cells, pathogens, yeasts, and other microorganisms have been studied by microfluidics (Knowlton et al, 2017; Tasoglu et al, 2013; Tasoglu et al, 2015; Yenilmez et al, 2016).…”

“…In contrast to microfluidics, most of the traditional technologies or applications cannot provide both cost‐effective and high‐quality features simultaneously (Solanki et al, 2020). Microfluidics‐based devices are superior to others through their ability to perform multiple functions, such as mimicking living cells' natural environments, portability, and control and analyze small amounts of samples (nanoliter to picoliter) even with a single cell on a chip with high sensitivity (Kim et al, 2018; S. Knowlton & Tasoglu, 2016; S. Knowlton, Joshi, et al, 2016; S. Knowlton, Yu, et al, 2016; Solanki et al, 2020).…”

“…For the last 40 years, microfluidic approaches have received a great deal of attention in various research fields Juang & Chang, 2016;S. M. Knowlton, Sadasivam, et al, 2015;Rizvi et al, 2013;Solanki et al, 2020;S. Q. Wang et al, 2014).…”

“…Numerous applications from diagnosis to environmental monitoring by chemical and biological detection have been demonstrated (Juang & Chang, 2016;S. M. Knowlton, Sencan, et al, 2015; S. Knowlton, Yu, et al, 2015;Luo et al, 2015;Solanki et al, 2020;. As microfluidic technologies offer many advantages like fast and low-cost accessibility (Amin, Ghaderinezhad, et al, 2017;Amin et al, 2020;Ghaderinezhad et al, 2017;Ghaderinezhad et al, 2020;Lepowsky et al, 2017) and sensitivity, several biological samples such as plant, human and animal cells, pathogens, yeasts, and other microorganisms have been studied by microfluidics (Knowlton et al, 2017;Tasoglu et al, 2013;.…”