‘Lab on a Chip’ systems for environmental analysis

Abstract

‘Lab on a chip’ refers to devices and methods for controlling and manipulating fluid flows at micro levels. These microfluidic devices used for manipulating and controlling fluids are widespread now, and are used in many scientific and industrial contexts. ‘Lab on a chip’ fabrication requires different geometries than the laboratory processes. It also depends on the interplays of multiple physical effects such as pressure gradients, electrokinetics, capillarity force etc. This thesis provides an overview of different techniques of flows in microdevices with focus on electrokinetics, mixing and dispersion, different microfluidic components, injection techniques, different sensing processes. It also focused here about the existing ‘lab on chip’ applications in industry and its future prospects. Lab on a chip system is growing very fast, replacing laboratory procedures and man work. It not only synthesizes chemicals efficiently but also carries out biological and chemical analyses. It has developed its applications in modern chemistry, clinical chemistry, fabrication, engineering and materials science, biology, physics, electronics, aiding communication and collaboration across disciplines. Most biological applications on lab on a chip are already commercialized in global market whereas for environmental chemistry, the field is still developing. Some established applications of lab on a chip in environmental chemistry and life science are discussed here.