Miniaturization and microfluidic devices: an overview of basic concepts, fabrication techniques, and applications

Abstract Miniaturization brings along significant advantages in the development, optimization, and implementation of chemical, biochemical, and related fields processes and assays. Given the reduced footprint, miniaturization allows a significant reduction in volumes to be processed while providing conditions for several conditions to be evaluated simultaneously. Accordingly, work can be performed timely in a space efficient manner, with significant costs savings. Microfluidics is the pinnacle of miniaturization, where the previous advantageous aspects are taken to the limit, with the added features of operation under well-defined and highly efficient mass and heat transfer environment. Additionally, microfluidic environment fosters process integration, monitoring, and control in a single framework. The present chapter aims to provide an overview of diverse applications of miniaturized devices, fabrication methods, and key issues in fluid dynamics that characterize a microfluidic environment.