Lab-on-a-Chip Devices and Systems for Microgravity Simulation and Aerospace Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) microfluidic platforms involve miniaturized devices that integrate several laboratory functions, attaining prominence in numerous engineering and biotechnology fields such as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and biochemical analysis. Thanks to the multi-functional and automated characteristics of LOCs, numerous opportunities for biomedical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical studies can be raised. Nevertheless, extending the applicability of LOCs to space requires novel microfluidic approaches, as well as the adaptation of common microfluidic technologies and the integration of robust and accurate transducers, both for actuation and sensing. In particular, the conditions of microgravity during space missions are known to impact biological processes as well as sensing mechanisms and life safety systems. Additionally, research in microgravity environments can help us study numerous chemical effects (such as material synthesis or polymerization), as well as the physiology of the human body and microorganisms, including applications in tissue engineering and drug discovery.

Thus, lab-on-a-chip technology is an attractive solution and holds significant potential for Earth-based microgravity simulation studies and aerospace applications, benefiting from advantages such as its low cost, controlled environment, and accessibility. Novel microfluidic miniaturized systems can contribute to a range of applications, from studying the effects of microgravity on biological systems to enhancing diagnostics and monitoring in space missions. Addressing the unique challenges associated with both microgravity simulation and aerospace environments is essential for realizing the full benefits of lab-on-a-chip technology in space exploration.

In this Special Issue, the editors invite and welcome submissions (review articles, original research papers, and brief communications) contributing to the latest advances, challenges, and perspectives in lab-on-a-chip devices and microsystems, materials, and MEMSs for aerospace applications. Both experimental and numerical studies may be considered. We hope to bring together researchers who are interested in the field of microdevices for aerospace applications and provide an opportunity to the engineering community to discuss and exchange knowledge.

This Special Issue aims to report research and progress in the following fields:

• Microfluidics actuation and control systems;
• Lab-on-a-chip for aerospace applications;
• Nanomaterials for aerospace applications;
• Microgravity numerical and experimental modeling;
• Microphysiological systems for biomedical research in space;
• Heat and mass transfer in microsystems for aerospace applications;
• Modeling and simulation of microsystems for aerospace applications.

Dr. Susana Catarino
Dr. Diana Pinho
Dr. Rui A. Lima
Dr. Graça Minas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.