Lab-on-a-chip

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a device that integrates one or several laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit (commonly called a "chip") of only millimeters to a few square centimeters to achieve automation and high-throughput screening. LOCs deal with the handling of extremely small fluid volumes down to less than pico liters.

History

The concept of LOC started to emerge in the mid-1990s. The idea of incorporating several laboratory functions in a single device was inspired by the success of microelectronics. The first LOC devices were fabricated using the same materials and technologies as those used in microelectronics.

Design and fabrication

LOC devices are typically made of glass, silicon, or polymers. The choice of material depends on the application and the fabrication method. The most common fabrication methods are photolithography, etching, and bonding.

Applications

LOC devices have a wide range of applications in various fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety, and research in life sciences.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of LOC devices are their small size, low cost, short processing time, and high throughput. However, they also have some disadvantages, such as the difficulty of integrating multiple functions on a single chip and the challenge of handling small fluid volumes.

See also

• Microfluidics
• Micro total analysis system
• Biochip
• Microarray

References

Lab-on-a-chip Resources
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