Nanotechnology and Microfluidics Based Biosensing

Abstract

Microfluidics based biosensing is increasingly seen as a major enabler for medical diagnostics, especially Point of Care applications. Although often seen as one application, Point of Care is divided into three area, each with its own specific demands and constraints. As with all new products, the diversity in technologies is bewildering. However the demands and constraints forces the industry in certain directions, of which the need for very sensitive sensor concepts not needing complicated pre-processing steps is the most dominant one. Another important trend is integration of functionalities in the biosensor enabler device. That integration is needed to create faster and cheaper devices. The last trend is towards plug and play microfluidics. As a big barrier to the integration and plug and play devices are universal microfluidic interconnections, there is a need for microfluidic standards. A roadmap for such microfluidic standards is discussed.