Microfluidics-News.com

Abstract: Clinicians, working in the health-care diagnostic systems of developing countries, currently face the challenges of rising costs, increased number of patient visits, and limited resources. A significant trend is using low-cost substrates to develop microfluidic devices for diagnostic purposes. Various fabrication techniques, materials, and detection methods have been explored to develop these devices. Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have gained a

Abstract: Almost all the existing assay methods for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) require expensive analytical instruments and well-trained users to achieve quantitative results. This work initially describes a quantitative ALP assay that integrates low-cost microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) with the instrument-free length-measuring readout. The detection motif of length measurement is based on the starch-mediated wettability change of the μPAD from hydrophilic

Abstract: In this article, we describe a facile method named as Rubik's Cube stamping (RCS) for equipment-free fabrication of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs). RCS is inspired by the worldwide ubiquitous RC toy and requires no specialized electric equipment other than a classical six-faced RC that is assembled with home-made small iron components. It can pattern various rosin microstructures in paper simply by either using different functional faces of the

Abstract: Self-driven surface micromixers (SDSM) relying on patterned-wettability technology provide an elegant solution for low-cost, point-of-care (POC) devices and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) applications. We present a SDSM fabricated by strategically patterning three wettable wedge-shaped tracks onto a non-wettable, flat surface. This SDSM operates by harnessing the wettability contrast and the geometry of the patterns to promote mixing of small liquid volumes (µL droplets) throu

Abstract: This paper describes a novel strategy to fabricate the movable valve on the paper-based microfluidic devices to manipulate capillary-driven fluids. The movable valve fabrication is firstly realized using hollow rivets as the holding center to control the paper channel in different layer movement that results in the channel's connection or disconnection. The relatively simple valve fabrication procedure is robust, versatile and compatible to the different levels of c

Abstract: The most performing techniques enabling early diagnosis of infectious diseases rely on nucleic acid detection. Today, because of their high technicality and cost, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are of benefit only to a small fraction of developing countries population. By reducing costs, simplifying procedures and enabling multiplexing, paper microfluidics has the potential to considerably facilitate their accessibility. However, most of the studies perform

Abstract: A chemically patterned microfluidic paper-based analytical device (C-µPAD) is developed to create fluidic networks by forming hydrophobic barriers using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of trichlorosilane (TCS) on a chromatography paper. By controlling temperature, pattern size, and CVD duration, optimal conditions were determined by characterizing hydrophobicity, spreading patterns, and flow behavior on various sized fluidic patterns. With these optimal conditions,

Abstract: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) had clinical significance on diagnosis, staging, monitoring effect and judging prognosis of small cell lung cancer. Thus, there had a growing demand for the on-site testing of NSE. Here, a wireless point-of-care testing (POCT) system with electrochemical measurement for NSE detection was developed and verified. The wireless POCT system consisted of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), electrochemical detector and Android

Abstract: This Feature article discusses the use of patterned paper as a platform for the development of low-cost microfluidic devices and analytical tests that are designed for use in limited-resource settings. While a number of assays for soluble analytes have been developed using paper-based microfluidic devices, the detection and analysis of blood cells has remained an outstanding challenge. Expanding the utility of paper to determine cell counts would address a critical

Abstract: Paper-based devices are a portable, user-friendly and affordable technology that is one of the best analytical tools for inexpensive diagnostic devices. Three-dimensional microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (3D-μPADs) are an evolution of single layer devices and they permit effective sample dispersion, individual layer treatment, and multiplex analytical assays. Here, we present the rational design of a wax-printed 3D-μPAD that enables more homogeneous perme

Abstract: A novel microfluidic paper-based analytic devices (µPADs) biosensor is developed for sensitive and visualized detection of glucose. This biosensor is easily fabricated using the wax printing technique, with a hybrid nanocomplex composed of dual enzymes of glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Cu3(PO4)2 inorganic nanocrystals incorporated in the detection zones. The hybrid nanocomplex is found to exhibit a flower-like structure, which allows co-i