Enabling Microfluidics: from Clean Rooms to Makerspaces.
The traditional requirement for clean rooms and specialized skills has inhibited many biologists from pursuing new microfluidic innovations. Makerspaces provide a growing alternative to clean rooms: they provide low-cost access to fabrication equipment such as laser cutters, plotter cutters, and 3D printers; use commercially available materials; and attract a diverse community of product designers. This Opinion discusses the materials, tools, and building methodologies particularly suited for developing novel microfluidic devices in these spaces, with insight into biological applications and leveraging the maker community. The lower barrier to access of makerspaces ameliorates the otherwise poor accessibility and scalability of microfluidic prototyping.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lexington, MA, USA. Electronic address: david.walsh@ll.mit.edu.
David I
DI
Walsh
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lexington, MA, USA.
David S
DS
Kong
Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
Shashi K
SK
Murthy
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lexington, MA, USA. Electronic address: carr@ll.mit.edu.
Peter A
PA
Carr
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000458:organization & administration*