The MICROFLUIDICS CLUSTER UPV/EHU, performs research and services on the microtechnology field for Lab on a Chip applications.
It is formed by two groups:
BIOMICS Microfluidics, led by Dr. Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts
AMMa-LOAC led by Dr. Fernando Benito-Lopez.
Our main research lines are:
Research Line 1. Microfluidics.
Research Line 2. Smart materials for sensing and actuation.
Research Line 3. Surface engineering.
Research Line 4. Microsystem integration.
"Lab on a paper" or "paper based microfluidics" has become an expanding research field since 2007,[1] providing with an answer to deliver simple and cheap microfluidic devices easily manageable by the end-users.[2]
Paper is now considered an attractive and promising substrate material for microfluidic devices not only due to its extremely low cost and ubiquity but also due to its mechanical properties comprising flexibility, lightness, and low thickness.
Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) are relatively new group of analytical tools, capable of analysing complex biochemical samples, within one analytical run, where fluidic manipulations like transportation, sorting, mixing or separation are available. [3]
Considering the amazing properties of paper material, µPADs represent an innovative platform technology for fluid handling and analysis, with wide range of applications, featuring low cost, and ease of fabrication/operation and equipment independence.
In our laboratories we investigate on fabrication techniques, new technologies and capabilities of µPADs for the effective handling and controlling of fluids and on the generation of low cost Point of Care Devices based on µPADs.
References:
[1] E. Fu , T. Liang , P. Spicar-Mihalic, J. Houghtaling, S. Ramachandran, P. Yager (2012) Anal Chem 84:4574–4579.
[2] A. K. Yetisen, M. S. Akram, C. R. Lowe (2013) Lab on a chip, 13, 2210-2251.
[3] P. Lisowski, P. K. Zarzycki (2013) Chromatographia 76, 1201–1214.
Fluidic Flow Delay by Ionogel Passive Pumps in Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices, T. Akyazi, J. Saez, J. Elizalde, F. Benito-Lopez,* 2016, Sens. Actuators B, 233, 402-408.
Smartphone Application for Determination of pH and Nitrites Concentration Using a Paper-Based Microfluidic Device, N. Lopez-Ruiz, V. F. Curto, M. M. Erenas, F. Benito-Lopez, D. Diamond , A. J. Palma, L. F. Capitan-Vallvey, Anal. Chem. 2014, Anal. Chem., 86, 9554−9562.
Fast prototyping of paper-based microfluidic devices by contact stamping using indelible ink V. F. Curto, N. Lopez-Ruiz, L. F. Capitan-Vallvey, A. J. Palma, F. Benito-Lopez,* D. Diamond, RSC Advances, 2013, 3 (41), 18811-18816.
