Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 3064

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacturing of Precision Medicine Equipment, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
Interests: microfluidics; cell sorting and detection; circulating tumor cells; biosensing instrumentation

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Changzhou 213200, China
Interests: microfluidic cell separation; microvalve; micropump

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microfluidic devices and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) have revolutionized biosensing technologies, offering unprecedented precision, miniaturization, and automation for biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care testing. This Special Issue explores the latest advancements in microfluidics and MEMS-based biosensors, highlighting innovative designs, fabrication techniques, and applications in detecting biomolecules, cells, and pathogens.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Novel Microfluidic Platforms: Lab-on-a-chip systems for high-throughput and low-cost biosensing; 
  • MEMS-Based Sensors: Integration of mechanical, optical, and electrochemical transducers for enhanced sensitivity;
  • Biomarker Detection: Applications in cancer diagnostics, infectious diseases, and personalized medicine;
  • Smart Materials: Use of nanomaterials, hydrogels, and responsive polymers in biosensor development; 
  • Wearable and Implantable Devices: MEMS and microfluidics for real-time health monitoring;
  • AI and Automation: Machine learning-driven data analysis and autonomous microfluidic systems. 

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and perspectives addressing challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. Contributions from interdisciplinary researchers in engineering, biology, and clinical sciences are encouraged to foster collaboration and accelerate the translation of these technologies into practical solutions.  

Dr. Zhixian Zhu
Dr. Xinjie Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microfluidics
  • MEMS
  • biosensors
  • lab-on-a-chip
  • point-of-care diagnostics
  • biomedical engineering

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2970 KB  
Article
Cost-Effective and High-Throughput LPS Detection via Microdroplet Technology in Biopharmaceuticals
by Adriano Colombelli, Daniela Lospinoso, Valentina Arima, Vita Guarino, Alessandra Zizzari, Monica Bianco, Elisabetta Perrone, Luigi Carbone, Roberto Rella and Maria Grazia Manera
Biosensors 2025, 15(10), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15100649 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 766
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria represent a significant challenge across various industries due to their prevalence and pathogenicity and the limitations of existing detection methods. Traditional approaches, such as the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) and the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, have served [...] Read more.
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria represent a significant challenge across various industries due to their prevalence and pathogenicity and the limitations of existing detection methods. Traditional approaches, such as the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) and the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, have served as gold standards for endotoxin detection. However, these methods are constrained by high costs, lengthy processing times, environmental concerns, and the need for significant reagent volumes, which limit their scalability and application in resource-limited settings. In this study, we introduce an innovative microfluidic platform that integrates the LAL assay within microdroplets, addressing the critical limitations of traditional techniques. By leveraging the precise fluid control and reaction isolation offered by microdroplet technology, the system reduces reagent consumption, enhances sensitivity, and enables high-throughput analysis. Calibration tests were performed to validate the platform’s ability to detect LPS, using colorimetric measurements. Results demonstrated comparable or improved performance relative to traditional systems, achieving lower detection limits and greater accuracy. This work demonstrates a proof-of-concept miniaturisation of the pharmacopoeial LAL assay. The method yielded low intra-assay variability (σ ≈ 0.002 OD; CV ≈ 0.9% over n = 50 droplets per point) and a LOD estimated from calibration statistics after path-length normalisation. Broader adoption will require additional comparative validation and standardisation. This scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable approach offers a practical solution for endotoxin detection in clinical diagnostics, biopharmaceutical production, and environmental monitoring. The proposed technology paves the way for advanced LPS detection methods that meet stringent safety standards while improving efficiency, affordability, and adaptability for diverse applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications)
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15 pages, 1141 KB  
Article
Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Lidocaine Hydrochloride via Dissolvable Microneedles (LH-DMNs) for Rapid Local Anesthesia
by Shengtai Bian, Jie Chen, Ran Chen, Shilun Feng and Zizhen Ming
Biosensors 2025, 15(8), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15080552 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 2005
Abstract
Microneedles represent an emerging transdermal drug delivery platform offering painless, minimally invasive penetration of the stratum corneum. This study addresses limitations of conventional lidocaine hydrochloride formulations, such as slow onset and poor patient compliance, by developing lidocaine hydrochloride-loaded dissolvable microneedles (LH-DMNs) for rapid [...] Read more.
Microneedles represent an emerging transdermal drug delivery platform offering painless, minimally invasive penetration of the stratum corneum. This study addresses limitations of conventional lidocaine hydrochloride formulations, such as slow onset and poor patient compliance, by developing lidocaine hydrochloride-loaded dissolvable microneedles (LH-DMNs) for rapid local anesthesia. LH-DMNs were fabricated via centrifugal casting using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the matrix material in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) negative molds, which imparts high mechanical strength to the microneedles. Biocompatibility assessments showed negligible skin irritation, resolving within 3 min. And drug-loading capacity reached 24.0 ± 2.84 mg per patch. Pharmacodynamic evaluation via mouse hot plate tests demonstrated significant analgesia, increasing paw withdrawal latency to 36.11 ± 1.62 s at 5 min post-application (p < 0.01). The results demonstrated that the LH-DMNs significantly elevated the pain threshold in mice within 5 min, surpassing the efficacy of conventional anesthetic gels and providing a rapid and effective solution for pain relief. These findings validate the system’s rapid drug release and efficacy, positioning dissolvable microneedles as a clinically viable alternative for enhanced transdermal anesthesia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Microfluidic Devices and MEMS in Biosensing Applications)
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