Next-Generation Low-Cost Approaches for the Manufacture of Microfluidic Devices: Potential Routes to Assure Scalability

Dear Colleagues,

Microfluidic devices have attracted significant attention during the past two decades due to their features, which make them suitable for numerous applications ranging from diagnostics to remediation of wastewaters. However, a major challenge is ensuring that the developed applications are scalable to eventually reach commercial success in different niche markets. In this regard, one of the major obstacles is their manufacture because most applications require polished surfaces and well-defined micropatterns that are only attainable by costly, tedious, and highly sophisticated fabrication methods within cleanroom facilities. This significantly limits the possibility of reaching out to emerging markets where such facilities are yet to be fully accessible for small to mid-size companies interested in developing disruptive businesses that rely on microfluidic platforms. This Special Issue is therefore dedicated to recent developments in affordable manufacturing routes that focus on closing the gap between lab-scale development and industrial implementation. We are accepting research articles, short communications, and reviews for applications in any industry (e.g., oil and gas, pharma, cosmetics, food, biomedicine, electronics, energy, etc.) with special emphasis on (1) novel low-cost manufacturing techniques, (2) alternative affordable materials for high-precision manufacture, (3) low-cost prototyping to ensure scalability, (4) sustainable engineering analyses (i.e., including LCA, exergy and profit potential analyses) of microfluidic-based processes, and (5) production lines involving low-cost microfluidic devices.          

Dr. Juan Carlos Cruz
Dr. Luis H. Reyes
Dr. Johann F. Osma
Guest Editors

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