Low-Cost, Accessible Fabrication Methods for Microfluidics Research in Low-Resource Settings

Micromachines

CecileMong-Tu Perrault¹  Emmanuel Roy²  Ha Thach³  Hoang-Tuan Nguyen³  Khon Huynh³ 

[1] Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK;Eden Microfluidics, 75011 Paris, France;International University—Vietnam National Universities at Ho Chi Minh City, Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam;

关键词: microfluidics;    microfabrication;    photolithography;    soft lithography;    soft embossing;   

DOI  :  10.3390/mi9090461

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Microfluidics are expected to revolutionize the healthcare industry especially in developing countries since it would bring portable, easy-to-use, self-contained diagnostic devices to places with limited access to healthcare. To date, however, microfluidics has not yet been able to live up to these expectations. One non-negligible factor can be attributed to inaccessible prototyping methods for researchers in low-resource settings who are unable to afford expensive equipment and/or obtain critical reagents and, therefore, unable to engage and contribute to microfluidics research. In this paper, we present methods to create microfluidic devices that reduce initial costs from hundreds of thousands of dollars to about $6000 by using readily accessible consumables and inexpensive equipment. By including the scientific community most embedded and aware of the requirements of healthcare in developing countries, microfluidics will be able to increase its reach in the research community and be better informed to provide relevant solutions to global healthcare challenges.

【 授权许可】

Unknown