The idea of modular microfluidics is to deconstruct any microfluidic devices into their basic functional “units/modules”. Therefore, a flexible, assemblable, standardized microfluidic platform would address the issues mentioned above, which can dramatically promote the development of microfluidic technology. This also discourages non-experienced biologists and chemists from using microfluidic chips.
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Moreover, the monolithic chip with multiple functions requires professional skills in design and fabrication. After conducting a predetermined experiment, it has difficulties in performing the unplanned experimental protocols. They lack flexibility and cannot be adjusted in real-time based on different research works. Although numerous microfluidics-enabled technologies have emerged, the original vision of operating chemical or biological laboratories at a microscale remains elusive.Ĭurrent microfluidic chips are largely still monolithic chips with a single purpose. Finally, we discuss the challenge and future perspectives of modular microfluidics.Įarly in 1990, the term ‘micro total analysis systems’ (μTAS), now called lab-on-a-chip, was proposed to shrink the whole laboratory functionalities into a small microfluidic chip. Next, we explain the connection approaches among these microfluidic modules, and summarize the advantages of modular microfluidics over integrated microfluidics in biological applications. In this review, we first introduce the working mechanisms of the basic microfluidic modules and evaluate their feasibility as modular microfluidic components. The exciting features, including portability, on-site deployability, and high customization motivate us to review the state-of-the-art modular microfluidics and discuss future perspectives. Modular microfluidics, which integrates the standardized microfluidic modules into a whole, complex platform, brings the capability of configurability to conventional microfluidics. The diversity of microfluidic devices discourages biologists and chemists from applying this technique in their laboratories. However, due to the lack of industry standards and configurability, the design and fabrication of microfluidic devices require highly skilled technicians. The advancement of microfluidics has enabled numerous discoveries and technologies in life sciences.
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