Recent developments in flow modeling and fluid control for paper-based microfluidic biosensors
Sidharth Modha1, Carlos Castro2, Hideaki Tsutsui3
1Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|February 5, 2021
Summary
Paper-based biosensors offer affordable diagnostics. This review explores theoretical models and flow control strategies for advanced paper-microfluidic devices, crucial for resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Paper has emerged as a cost-effective substrate for biosensor development over the past decade.
- The field of paper-microfluidics has advanced from simple colorimetric assays to complex, multi-sample electrochemical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review theoretical models for characterizing imbibition in paper substrates.
- To document recent flow control strategies for automated fluid management in paper-based devices.
- To discuss commercialization efforts and challenges in the paper-based device industry.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of theoretical models for fluid flow in porous media.
- Survey of experimental and computational approaches for fluid control in paper-microfluidics.
- Analysis of industry trends and market barriers for commercial paper-based diagnostics.
Main Results:
- Current theoretical models for paper imbibition are often too simplistic for complex devices.
- Experimental trial-and-error dominates current flow control strategy development.
- Automated flow control is essential for usability in resource-limited environments.
Conclusions:
- A deeper theoretical understanding of fluid dynamics in paper is needed to enable model-driven device design.
- Advancements in flow control are critical for the wider adoption of paper-based diagnostic tools.
- Overcoming challenges in theoretical modeling and commercialization is key to unlocking the potential of paper-based biosensors.
