Microfluidic-Based Sensing

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "B:Biology and Biomedicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2025) | Viewed by 2250

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0020, USA
Interests: medical diagnostics; environmental monitoring; handheld PCR/LAMP; organ-on-a-chip

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Guest Editor Assistant
School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Interests: biosensor; paper-based microfluidics; tissue engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microfluidic-based sensing technology enables the precise manipulation of small volumes of fluids within microscale channels, facilitating the development of highly sensitive, portable, rapid analysis, and cost-effective sensing devices. As a result, microfluidic-based sensors are significant tools for the real-time monitoring of biomolecules, pathogens, pollutants, and chemical analytes with high accuracy and efficiency. This paradigm shift has profoundly impacted sensing in healthcare, the environment, and biotechnology. Presently, researchers are exploring diverse methodologies within microfluidic sensing, including electrochemical, optical, and mechanical techniques, to address a wide range of analytical challenges. Integration with microfabrication technologies further enhances these sensing platforms’ scalability, reproducibility, and customization. It also enables high-throughput assays, which can benefit drug tests, environmental toxicant assessments, cell-based assays, etc. Recently, high-throughput and/or high-dimensional data have become increasingly common in microfluidic-based sensing, where machine learning (ML) can play pivotal roles in analyzing them. The use of a smartphone, single-board microcontrollers (Arduino or Raspberry Pi), cloud computing, etc., are also gaining popularity in microfluidic-based sensing. Despite significant progress, several challenges remain, including standardizing fabrication techniques, optimizing device performance, and integrating with data analysis (especially ML) algorithms. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to consolidate cutting-edge research papers, short communications, and review articles focused on developing microfluidic-based systems for sensing applications, aiming to drive innovations in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and beyond.

Prof. Dr. Jeong-Yeol Yoon
Dr. Kattika Kaarj
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biosensors
  • point-of-care diagnostics
  • rapid test
  • drug test
  • environmental monitoring
  • high-throughput analysis
  • microfabrication
  • machine learning

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

29 pages, 4438 KB  
Review
Microfluidic Sensors Integrated with Smartphones for Applications in Forensics, Agriculture, and Environmental Monitoring
by Tadsakamon Loima, Jeong-Yeol Yoon and Kattika Kaarj
Micromachines 2025, 16(7), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16070835 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1722
Abstract
The demand for rapid, portable, and cost-effective analytical tools has driven advances in smartphone-based microfluidic sensors. By combining microfluidic precision with the accessibility and processing power of smartphones, these devices offer real-time and on-site diagnostic capabilities. This review explores recent developments in smartphone-integrated [...] Read more.
The demand for rapid, portable, and cost-effective analytical tools has driven advances in smartphone-based microfluidic sensors. By combining microfluidic precision with the accessibility and processing power of smartphones, these devices offer real-time and on-site diagnostic capabilities. This review explores recent developments in smartphone-integrated microfluidic sensors, focusing on their design, fabrication, smartphone integration, and analytical functions with the applications in forensic science, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. In forensic science, these sensors provide fast, field-based alternatives to traditional lab methods for detecting substances like DNA, drugs, and explosives, improving investigation efficiency. In agriculture, they support precision farming by enabling on-demand analysis of soil nutrients, water quality, and plant health, enhancing crop management. In environmental monitoring, these sensors allow the timely detection of pollutants in air, water, and soil, enabling quicker responses to hazards. Their portability and user-friendliness make them particularly valuable in resource-limited settings. Overall, this review highlights the transformative potential of smartphone-based microfluidic sensors in enabling accessible, real-time diagnostics across multiple disciplines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microfluidic-Based Sensing)
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