Microfluidic device：Microfluidics and microfluidic devices

If researchers can now choose between a full set of materials to build their microfluidic chips, one must consider that, originally, the fabrication process of a microfluidic chip was based on photolithographic methods, derived from the well-developed semiconductor industry.

The use of diverse materials for microfluidics chips such as polymers (e.g. PDMS), ceramics (e.g. glass), semiconductors (e.g. silicon) and metal is currently possible because of the development of specific processes: deposition and electro-deposition, etching, bonding[1], injection molding, embossing and soft lithography (especially with PDMS). To the best of our knowledge, only a few manufacturers of microfluidic chips offer a wide range[2] of chips or materials.

Accessing these materials makes it possible to design microfluidic chips with new features like specific optical characteristics, biological or chemical compatibility, faster prototyping or lower production costs, possibility of e...