Electrochemical paper-based microfluidic devices

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Self-pumping porous microfluidic devices are valuable for point-of-care diagnostics due to low cost and portability.
• Limited sensitivity and selectivity are key challenges in current microfluidic detection systems.
• Electrochemical methods offer sensitive, selective, and low-cost detection, similar to handheld glucometers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs).
• To discuss fabrication methods, focusing on electrode geometry and composition.
• To highlight example applications and summarize future research directions for ePADs.

Main Methods:

• Review of fabrication techniques for electrode geometry and composition in ePADs.
• Compilation and analysis of demonstrated applications of ePADs in various fields.
• Synthesis of current accomplishments and identification of future research avenues.

Main Results:

• Fabrication methods are crucial for optimizing ePAD performance.
• ePADs have demonstrated diverse applications, showcasing their potential.
• Significant progress has been made, with clear paths for future development.

Conclusions:

• ePADs represent a promising platform for sensitive and selective electrochemical detection.
• The review provides a comprehensive overview of ePAD technology, from fabrication to application.
• Future research should focus on further enhancing ePAD capabilities and expanding their use in low-resource settings.