Microfluidic chip

In microbiology, the tiniest fluctuation in the chemical composition of studied elements can mean a whole different outcome to a research project. Therefore, microbiologists seek to control as many aspects of the research trajectory as possible. Unfortunately, ultimate control over such small ecologies is still science fiction. Or is it? We may be getting closer with the invention of the microfluidic chip. An integral part of microfluidics (the design of systems comprising flows of chemical and biological components in extremely small environments), the microfluidic chip opens up an array of new possibilities for researchers in the following fields of expertise:

• Medicine;
• Microbiology;
• Nanotechnology;
• Chemistry;
• Physics;
• Biochemistry;
• Biotechnology;

For these fields, the microfluidic chip means a huge leap forwards regarding the quality and accuracy of their measurements.

Use a microfluidic chip

A microfluidic chip can benefit biochemical research on very tiny scale. It is able to measure flows and numbers of particles within a given environment. These data tell the researcher about the characteristics of the micro-ecology in their system. This approach is useful for various applications in biology, chemistry and physics, but at the moment it is mainly considered an incredibly useful tool for diagnosing patients. The doctor no longer needs an entire laboratory to tell him what the matter is with his patient, because he will be able to read the data collected by the microfluidic chip inside this patient’s body. When this method will be further improved, it will save time, money and resources.

Latest development

The microfluidic chip is a result of efforts in microfluidic design. The chip is one of the latest developments coming from this area of science, which may prove of extreme relevance for future developments in securing global health. Different disciplines working together successfully, renders unprecedented new ideas and innovations that society benefits from.