By: Hari (19) &

Microfluidics Rahul (20)

BE ETRX
What is a micro- fluidic system?

Microfluidics is the science of manipulating and

controlling fluids, usually in the range of
microliters (10-6) to picoliters (10-12), in
networks of channels with dimensions from
tens to hundreds of micrometers.
Length scales in micro-fluidicsystems
HOW MICROFLUIDICS WORK?
Microfluidics deals with very precise fluid control, under small
volumes and space, micro meaning one of the following features:

1. Small volumes (µL, nL, pL, fL)

2. Small size (mm, µm)
3. Low energy consumption

Figure : Example of a microfluidic chip with

channels thinner than 1 mm
Microfluidic Chips
• A microfluidic chip is a pattern of microchannels, molded or
engraved. This network of microchannels incorporated into the
microfluidic chip is linked to the macro-environment by several
holes of different dimensions hollowed out through the chip. It is
through these pathways that fluids are injected into and
evacuated from the microfluidic chip. Fluids are directed, mixed,
separated or manipulated to attain multiplexing, automation, and
high-throughput systems. The microchannels network design
must be precisely elaborated to achieve the desired features (lab-
on-a-chip, detection of pathogens, electrophoresis, DNA analysis
etc.).
• To accurately manage fluids inside the microchannels, specific
systems are required. These elements can either be found
embedded inside the microfluidic chip, such as Quake valves, or
outside of it, like in the case of pressure controllers.
Lab-on-a-chip (LOC)
• A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a device performing on a miniaturized
scale one or several analyses commonly carried out in a
laboratory. It integrates and automates multiple high-resolution
laboratory techniques such as synthesis and analysis of chemicals
or fluid testing into a system that fits on a chip. There are many
advantages to operating at this scale. Samples analysis can occur
on location, where the samples are generated, rather than being
carried to an extensive laboratory facility.
• They integrate various areas of technology. The one which
engenders the whole concept is nanofluidics.
• Nanosensors are a primary component of many lab-on-a-chip
systems. Sensors have been elaborated using nanomaterials such
as carbon nanotubes, suited to apprehend very low volumes like
a single cell sample or even smaller samples. These are highly
advantageous since they allow a high degree of analytical
flexibility in a lab-on-a-chip system while keeping the small size of
the device.
Organs-on-chips
• Organs on chips are 3D cell culture microdevices aiming
to reproduce the key functions of living organs on a
computer chip. These microfluidic devices are more
efficient than conventional cell culture techniques since
they are able to mimic microenvironments as well as
their influence on organs functions. This allows to
research the human physiology for a specific organ and
initiate advancements in artificial disease models.
• Organs on chips use microfluidics and microfabrication
technologies to better replicate the functionalities of
living organs. Among them we can find models like gut
on a chip, heart on a chip, liver on a chip, lung on a
chip, tumor on a chip, muscle on a chip, multiple
organs on a chip etc.
Digital microfluidics
• Also called droplet microfluidics or emulsion science,
digital microfluidics is one of the main application fields
of microfluidics. It enables to manipulate autonomous
droplets on a substrate using electro-wetting. This
allows to generate and control uniform, reproducible
droplets over the experiments’ parameters.
• Droplets generation can be used in a large range of
applications like in synthesis of nanoparticles, single cell
analysis, and encapsulation of biological entities. This
technology will probably become an important tool for
drug delivery and biosensing, by providing new
solutions for state-of-the-art diagnostics and
therapeutics.
Other Applications
• Optofluidics
• Acoustofluidics
• Electrophoresis
• Microfabrication
• Microelectronics
• Electrochemistry
 1. Pressure-driven flow

Pumping in
Microfluidic 2. Electrokinetic Flow

Systems • (a) Electrophoretic flow

• (b) Electroosmotic flow
Pressure Driven Flow
Electrophoretic Flow
Electroosmotic Flow
Advantages of Microfluidics
• Precise flow rate control at high flow rate
• Easy to setup and control
• Fast response time (< 10 ms) for a large range of flow
rates
• The amount of dispensed fluid can vary between a few
mL and several liters with the same performances
• Control of fluid in dead-end channels
• Low-cost and fast fabrication
• Easy operation and maintenance
• Little dead volume
• Useful to reduce the amount of external hardware
 Fun Facts

• Microfluidics emerged in the beginning of the 1980s

• Fluigent was the first company to introduce pressure pumps to the
microfluidic research market, as opposed to conventional syringe
pumps.
• A microfluidic channel is about the same width as a human hair (70
µm).
• To date, the most successful commercial application of microfluidics
is the inkjet print head.
• It is a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of engineering,
physics, chemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and biotechnology,
with practical applications in the design of systems in which low
volumes of fluids are processed to achieve multiplexing, automation,
and high-throughput screening.
ThankYou