Nanotechnology-Assisted Microfluidic Systems: From Bench to Bedside

Abstract

With significant advancements in research technologies, and an increasing global population, microfluidic and nanofluidic systems (such as point-of-care, lab-on-a-chip, organ-on-a-chip, etc) have started to revolutionize medicine. Devices that combine micron and nanotechnologies have increased sensitivity, precision and versatility for numerous medical applications. However, while there has been extensive research on microfluidic and nanofluidic systems, very few have experienced wide-spread commercialization which is puzzling and deserves our collective attention. For the above reasons, in this article, we review research advances that combine micro and nanotechnologies to create the next generation of nanomaterial-based microfluidic systems, the latest in their commercialization success and failure and highlight the value of these devices both in industry and in the laboratory.

Graphical abstract

Keywords::

• microfluidics
• nanomedicine
• nanotechnology
• point-of-care devices

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by Sharif University of Technology Research Council and also Northeastern University. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Sharif University of Technology Research Council and also Northeastern University. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.