Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
Fabrication of Three-dimensional Paper-based Microfluidic Devices for Immunoassays
Published on: March 9, 2017
Maximizing flow rate in single paper layer, rapid flow microfluidic paper-based analytical devices
Iain Macleod Briongos1, Zachary D Call2, Charles S Henry2
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 USA.
Abstract:
Small, single-layer microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) offer potential for a range of point-of-care applications; however, they have been limited to low flow rates. Here, we investigate the role of laser cutting paper channels in maximizing flow rate in small profile devices with limited fluid volumes. We demonstrate that branching, laser-cut grooves can provide a 59.23-73.98% improvement in flow rate over a single cut, and a 435% increase over paper alone. These design considerations can be applied to more complex microfluidic devices with the aim of increasing the flow rate, and could be used in stand-alone channels for self-pumping.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10404-023-02679-8.
