Micro/Nanoliter Sample Separation: From Lab Bench to Marketplace

Microsample separation in lab-on-a-chip systems is a rapidly evolving research area addressing challenges across biomedical, chemical, and environmental sciences. Enabled by advances in micro- and nanofabrication, microfluidic platforms allow high-throughput separation and purification of complex microsamples through tailored channel structures and external driving forces, offering high-throughput, efficient, and integrated alternatives to conventional separation methods. Importantly, research progress in the laboratory is swiftly transitioning to address practical challenges. As our manuscript specifically focuses on the types and applications of microfluidic separation technologies, it is highly valuable for startups and other commercial entities looking to enter the separation technology market, as well as for end-user companies. The manuscript commences with a discussion on the development and construction processes of microfluidic separation, and then dive into a detailed analysis of the principles and classifications of separation technologies integrating a range of external fields forces. Another section focuses on emerging applications of microsample separation technologies, highlighting successfully commercialized microfluidic separation platforms while discussing the challenges currently hindering further commercialization of these technologies. Finally, we provide perspectives on the future direction of this technology, including the challenges and opportunities that arise with the development of artificial intelligence technologies in its applications.