Microfluidic through fibrous structures: Recent developments and future trends

Abstract

This report shortly reviews recent developments in fabrication and application of low-cost and low-volume microfluidic devices using fibrous structures, e.g individual fiber, threads, and textile fabrics. Microfluidic concept is capable via wicking (capillary action) either external pumping of fluids through pathways of multifilament threads and textile structure. Furthermore, textile patterning and combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibrous materials can be helpful. Different materials, e.g. cotton fibers and hollow fibers, have been used by several techniques to form hydrophilic-hydrophobic contrast and liquid control in textile-based microfluidic devices. The wicking property and flexibility of fibrous structures make it suitable for 3D microfluidic devices.These fiber-based microfluidic systems have potential applications in diagnostics and human health monitoring systems.

Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing: Commercial Landscape and Future Directions

“…Although paper and PDMS are the most commonly used substrates; textiles such as threads, fibers and fabrics have recently been considered as alternatives to fabricate microfluidic devices (Naeimirad et al, 2019 ; Rumaner et al, 2019 ). “Lab-on-fiber” technology is suitable for diagnostics in low resource settings, as they are low-cost and need very small volumes of samples (Ricciardi et al, 2015 ).…”

“…“Lab-on-fiber” technology is suitable for diagnostics in low resource settings, as they are low-cost and need very small volumes of samples (Ricciardi et al, 2015 ). Several other advantages include high flexibility, ability to be designed into wearables, high strength, no requirement of hydrophilic-hydrophobic contrast barrier, 3D structure, automatic transport without the need of external pumps and biocompatibility (Nilghaz et al, 2013 ; Caetano et al, 2018 ; Naeimirad et al, 2019 ). In lab-on fiber, threads act as microchannels, hence it eliminates the additional fabrication steps (Ricciardi et al, 2015 ).…”

“…In lab-on fiber, threads act as microchannels, hence it eliminates the additional fabrication steps (Ricciardi et al, 2015 ). Since threads can transport liquids through capillary pressure and wicking, it is important to choose the right fiber type for weaving (Naeimirad et al, 2019 ). Surface treatment of natural and synthetic fibers can enhance the wicking abilities by removing the hydrophobic wax (Xing et al, 2013 ).…”

A Textile-Based Microfluidic Platform for the Detection of Cytostatic Drug Concentration in Sweat Samples

“…A drop of distilled water immediately wetted the surface of impregnated PET fabrics, while impregnated CO fabrics took some time to get wetted. Taking into account that most of the microfluidic applications of textiles are based on the wicking phenomenon, which is strongly affected by pore geometry, number of fibers in the yarn, yarn linear density, and weaving pattern [44], combined with the fact that wickability and wettability are tightly related, it is very likely that the less-dense structure of PET fabrics positively influenced the transport of fluid through the impregnated PET fabrics and hence contributed to better conductivity mechanisms. Coating of both CO and PET fabrics with smaller amounts of conductive PANI/TiO 2 nanocomposite resulted in higher electrical resistance, whereas larger amounts of PANI/TiO 2 as a coating contributed to increased conductivity and, consequently, lower electrical resistance.…”

Thread integrated smart-phone imaging facilitates early turning point colorimetric assay for microbes

“…[3][4][5][6] Owing to advantages like less sample volume consumption, cost-effectiveness, facile operating procedure, ease of multiplexing with potential automation and portability in nature, microuidic platforms are regarded as a trailblazer in wide range of elds. 7,8 Traditionally, microuidic devices are constructed using glass and polymeric materials like polymethyl methacrylate, polydimethyl siloxane, polyethylene terephthalate etc. 9 However, they demand arduous, exorbitant and tedious fabrication methods like photolithography, etching, micromachining and 3D printing, thereby hindering the deployment of polymer-based microuidic devices for costeffective POC assays.…”