Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Large field of view fluorescence imaging of microfluidic devices with a tandem-lens macroscope.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same author

Large field of view fluorescence imaging of microfluidic devices with a tandem-lens macroscope<sup>†</sup>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Improving engineered biological systems with electronics and microfluidics.

Nature biotechnology·2025
Same author

Component library creation and pixel array generation with micromilled droplet microfluidics.

Microsystems & nanoengineering·2025
Same author

Partitioning of a 2-bit hash function across 66 communicating cells.

Nature chemical biology·2024
Same author

GOLDBAR: A Framework for Combinatorial Biological Design.

ACS synthetic biology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

High Throughput Microfluidic Rapid and Low Cost Prototyping Packaging Methods
07:51

High Throughput Microfluidic Rapid and Low Cost Prototyping Packaging Methods

Published on: December 23, 2013

7.7K

Rapid and inexpensive microfluidic electrode integration with conductive ink.

David McIntyre1, Ali Lashkaripour1, Douglas Densmore2

  • 1Boston University Biomedical Engineering Department, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, USA and Biological Design Center, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, USA.

Lab on a Chip
|September 8, 2020
PubMed
Summary

We developed a low-cost method to integrate electrodes into microfluidic chips using conductive ink. This technique enables versatile single-droplet analysis without expensive equipment or cleanroom facilities.

More Related Videos

Dry Film Photoresist-based Electrochemical Microfluidic Biosensor Platform: Device Fabrication, On-chip Assay Preparation, and System Operation
13:42

Dry Film Photoresist-based Electrochemical Microfluidic Biosensor Platform: Device Fabrication, On-chip Assay Preparation, and System Operation

Published on: September 19, 2017

12.3K
Planar and Three-Dimensional Printing of Conductive Inks
10:49

Planar and Three-Dimensional Printing of Conductive Inks

Published on: December 9, 2011

37.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 9, 2025

High Throughput Microfluidic Rapid and Low Cost Prototyping Packaging Methods
07:51

High Throughput Microfluidic Rapid and Low Cost Prototyping Packaging Methods

Published on: December 23, 2013

7.7K
Dry Film Photoresist-based Electrochemical Microfluidic Biosensor Platform: Device Fabrication, On-chip Assay Preparation, and System Operation
13:42

Dry Film Photoresist-based Electrochemical Microfluidic Biosensor Platform: Device Fabrication, On-chip Assay Preparation, and System Operation

Published on: September 19, 2017

12.3K
Planar and Three-Dimensional Printing of Conductive Inks
10:49

Planar and Three-Dimensional Printing of Conductive Inks

Published on: December 9, 2011

37.6K

Area of Science:

  • Microfluidics
  • Biotechnology
  • Electrical Engineering

Background:

  • Electrode integration enhances droplet microfluidics for label-free sensing and manipulation at the single-droplet level.
  • Conventional fabrication methods are costly, time-consuming, and require cleanroom access.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a simple, cost-effective method for integrating electrodes into thermoplastic microfluidic chips.
  • To demonstrate the feasibility of using off-the-shelf conductive ink for microelectrode fabrication.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an off-the-shelf conductive ink for electrode fabrication within thermoplastic microfluidic chips.
  • Explored geometric fabrication limits for channel dimensions as small as 75 μm by 50 μm.
  • Fabrication and testing completed within a day, without requiring a cleanroom.

Main Results:

  • Developed conductive ink electrodes costing under $10 per chip.
  • Achieved electrode integration in small channel geometries.
  • Successfully created proof-of-concept devices for capacitance sensing, droplet merging, and droplet sorting.

Conclusions:

  • The novel conductive ink method offers a cost-effective and rapid alternative for electrode integration in microfluidics.
  • This technique complements existing rapid prototyping methods, broadening microfluidic applications.
  • Enables wider accessibility and adoption of advanced microfluidic functionalities.