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Enhancing Microfluidic Measurements with Spectroscopy
Microfluidics has had a significant impact on various scientific and engineering fields, particularly in the realm of biological and biochemical sensing technology. Microfluidic systems, defined as devices where liquid flows through channels under 1 mm in diameter, have been traditionally fabricated using techniques like patterning, molding, or engraving. However, recent advancements in 3D printing have enabled the production of microfluidic devices at lower costs. These devices offer advantages such as laminar flows of uniform droplets, smaller sample requirements, reduced reagent consumption, lower limits of detection, lower power requirements, and the ability to form air/oil-gapped droplets. Active pumping methods like electroösmotic pumping, peristaltic pumps, and Venturi pressure pumps are commonly used to generate flow in microfluidic channels. As the cost of production and implementation of microfluidic technology decreases, the demand for low-cost, high-performance spectral analysis is expected to increase. Avantes offers miniature spectrometers using CMOS and InGaAs-based sensors, which can detect light from the ultraviolet to near-infrared range. These fiber-coupled spectrometers from Avantes are ideal for integration with microfluidic measurement systems, providing a relatively affordable solution and enabling single or multi-channel spectroscopy sampling within the microfluidic system.
In summary, microfluidics has revolutionized various scientific and engineering disciplines, especially in the field of biological and biochemical sensing. Microfluidic devices with channels under 1 mm in diameter offer advantages such as uniform droplet flows, reduced sample and reagent requirements, improved detection limits, and lower power consumption. Recent advancements in 3D printing have lowered the production costs of microfluidic devices. Active pumping methods like electroösmotic pumping, peristaltic pumps, and Venturi pressure pumps are commonly used to generate flow in microfluidic channels. As microfluidic technology continues to mature and become more affordable, the demand for low-cost, high-performance spectral analysis increases. Avantes provides miniature spectrometers using CMOS and InGaAs-based sensors, which can be integrated with microfluidic systems to enable spectroscopy sampling at a relatively low cost.
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