Microfluidic Paper-Based Diagnostic Devices
Summary
Microfluidic paper-based diagnostic devices exploit the intrinsic porosity and hydrophilicity of cellulose-based substrates to direct fluid flow without external pumps or power. Patterning techniques such as wax printing, inkjet deposition and laser etching define capillary-driven microchannels that transport samples to detection zones preloaded with reagents. Assays may employ colourimetric, electrochemical or fluorescent readouts, enabling rapid, instrument-free analysis at the point of care. Foldable or layered architectures permit sequential reagent delivery and multiplexed testing, while integration with electronic sensors and smartphone interfaces enhances quantitative performance. Lightweight, biodegradable and amenable to mass manufacture, these platforms address global health challenges by providing decentralised testing for infectious diseases, biomarker monitoring and environmental contaminants in resource-limited settings.
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Microfluidic Paper-Based Diagnostic Devices publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microfluidic paper-based diagnostic devices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Device (µPAD): A diagnostic platform in which fluid is guided through patterned paper by capillary forces for biochemical assays.
Capillary action: The movement of liquid within narrow spaces of a porous material driven by surface tension and adhesive forces.
Colourimetric detection: An analytical method where the presence or concentration of an analyte is indicated by a visible colour change.
Electrochemical sensing: A technique converting chemical interactions into electrical signals via electrodes to quantify analytes.
Laser-induced graphenization: A process using laser irradiation to transform paper fibres into conductive, graphene-like structures for integrated electrodes.
References
- Paper‐Based Laser‐Pyrolyzed Electrofluidics: An Electrochemical Platform for Capillary‐Driven Diagnostic Bioassays. Advanced Materials (2023).
- Recent Advances in Paper-Based Sensors. Sensors (2012).
- Paper-Based Sensors: Emerging Themes and Applications. Sensors (2018).
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