Microfluidics or lab-on-a-chip has the objective of integrating all or major steps of a chemical or
biochemical analysis in a single device or chip. This includes sample preparation, amplification and
purification, sample/fluid manipulation and finally sample detection and analysis, all merged on a
single chip. These chips are intended for single use and to simplify analysis, for instance to allow for
fast and direct analysis at a doctor's office. Although a fully integrated lab-on-a-chip, that is having all
components from pumps to detectors on-chip, has yet not been commercialised, many commercial
examples exist where such chips are used in an external readers, thus reducing the need of sending
samples to a centralised laboratory. This book "Microfluidics in detection Science - Lab-on-a-chip
Technologies" is the fifth title in the RSC Detection Science Series edited by Prof Thompson and Drs
Reddy and Arrigan, and is intended as an introduction to the field of microfluidics.
The book starts (Ch. 1 Materials and Fabrication Techniques for Nano- and Microfluidics) with a
concise introduction to the various materials and fabrication processes that have been used over the
years to fabricate lab-on-a-chip devices. These are illustrated by application examples. The chapter
explains technologies ranging from classical silicon microfabrication methods to current polymer and
glass methods, including soft lithography, and finishes with an up to date description of the latest
paper-based microfluidic technology. All sections are richly illustrated with figures.
An introduction to microfluidics is not complete without providing a theoretical understanding for
the reader, which is needed to properly design microfluidic devices. This is provided in Ch.2
Microfluidics Theory and Practice. This chapter introduces important concepts that arise when
downscaling fluidics to the micro- and nano-domains, such as laminar flow. Starting from the basic
Navier-Stokes equations, Reynolds number, Poiseuille flow and Stokes flow are introduced. Capillary
forces, diffusion and the issues of (non-)mixing, that are important aspects in microfluidics, are
treated next. The chapter finishes with some applications.
and
application examples.
Ch.5 Manipulation of Micro-/Nano-Objects via Surface Acoustic Waves is a relatively short chapter,
but is still gives a concise explanation of the principles of generating a surface acoustic wave and how
* Biosensors & Bioelectronics *
"The book chapters are nicely and logically organised starting from fabrication to theory, applications, and finishing with the latest developments in microfluidics...The book is well suited for those readers new to the field of microfluidics as well as for those who want to dive deeper in specific aspects for their use in detection science."
* Biosensors & Bioelectronics *
