What is microfluidics?

Microfluidic devices are used in a variety of research, industrial and therapeutic applications. These devices take advantage of the physics at small length scales, where surface tension and interfacial effects dominate over more familiar forces, such as gravity. Most importantly, by creating physical structures or force fields (electrical, magnetic or acoustic) with dimensions on the order of microns, individual cells and particles can be manipulated and analysed for rapid and low-volume cell studies and diagnostics.

Microscale systems for:

• acoustic waveguide architectures for refined patterning and tissue engineering
• biosensing for diagnosis and environmental detection 
• 3D printing, including structured scaffolds and micro-engineered cell positioning for tissue engineering
• smartphone-based integrated point of care systems
• micro/nanostructured materials and devices for energy, environmental and therapeutic applications