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Low-Cost, Accessible Fabrication Methods for Microfluidics Research in Low-Resource Settings
- Source :
- Micromachines, Vol 9, Iss 9, p 461 (2018), Micromachines, Volume 9, Issue 9
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2018.
-
Abstract
- 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.
- Subjects :
- Consumables
Low resource
Computer science
lcsh:Mechanical engineering and machinery
Microfluidics
microfluidics
soft lithography
02 engineering and technology
01 natural sciences
Article
Limited access
soft embossing
Research community
Fabrication methods
lcsh:TJ1-1570
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
photolithography
microfabrication
Mechanical Engineering
010401 analytical chemistry
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
0104 chemical sciences
Risk analysis (engineering)
Control and Systems Engineering
Healthcare industry
0210 nano-technology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2072666X
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Micromachines
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5b0ca9961028bca0d19a911c8beb1416