title: Fuel cell-powered microfluidic platform for lab-on-a-chip applications: Integration into an autonomous amperometric sensing device.
abstract: The present paper reports for the first time the integration of a microfluidic system, electronics modules, amperometric sensor and display, all powered by a single micro direct methanol fuel cell. In addition to activating the electronic circuitry, the integrated power source also acts as a tuneable micropump. The electronics fulfil several functions. First, they regulate the micro fuel cell output power, which off-gas controls the flow rate of different solutions toward an electrochemical sensor through microfluidic channels. Secondly, as the fuel cell powers a three-electrode electrochemical cell, the electronics compare the working electrode output signal with a set reference value. Thirdly, if the concentration measured by the sensor exceeds this threshold value, the electronics switch on an integrated organic display. This integrated approach pushes forward the development of truly autonomous point-of-care devices relying on electrochemical detection.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC) Campus UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. juanpablo.esquivel@imb-cnm.csic.es
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Esquivel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Colomer-Farrarons
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellarnau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salleras
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: del Campo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samitier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miribel-Català
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sabaté
mesh_terms: D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004566:Electrodes; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D000432:Methanol