Physics and applications of microfluidics in biology.
Fluid flow at the microscale exhibits unique phenomena that can be leveraged to fabricate devices and components capable of performing functions useful for biological studies. The physics of importance to microfluidics are reviewed. Common methods of fabricating microfluidic devices and systems are described. Components, including valves, mixers, and pumps, capable of controlling fluid flow by utilizing the physics of the microscale are presented. Techniques for sensing flow characteristics are described and examples of devices and systems that perform bioanalysis are presented. The focus of this review is microscale phenomena and the use of the physics of the scale to create devices and systems that provide functionality useful to the life sciences.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA. dbeebe@engr.wisc.edu
David J
DJ
Beebe
Glennys A
GA
Mensing
Glenn M
GM
Walker
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008904:Miniaturization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012212:Rheology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D046911:Macromolecular Substances