Microfluidics is both the science of studying the behavior of fluids through microchannels and the technology of fabricating miniature devices that contain chambers and flow channels that contain fluid flow or are restricted.
Microfluidics generally refers to very small volumes of fluids, down to milliliters (fl), or trillions of liters. Fluids behave very differently on the microscale than they do in everyday life: such unique characteristics are key to new scientific experiments and innovations.
Microfluidic chips
A microfluidic chip is a microchannel structure that is molded by molding, embossing, pouring, 3D printing, or engraving. This network of microchannels, formed in a microfluidic chip, is connected to the macroscopic environment through the through-holes of the chip's microfluidic channel. Through these paths, the fluid is injected into the microfluidic chip and expelled from the microfluidic chip. Fluids are directed, mixed, separated, or manipulated to achieve multiplexing, automation, and high-throughput effects. Accurate microchannel network design can eventually be designed: lab-on-a-chip, pathogen detection, electrophoresis, DNA analysis, etc.
Microfluidic technology offers a variety of advantages:
Faster reaction time;
Enhanced analytical sensitivity;
Enhanced temperature control;
Portability;Easier automation and parallelization, enabling integration in one device (lab-on-a-chip).
Cheaper to use, microfluidic technology does not require the use of a variety of expensive equipment.
Today, microfluidic technology provides an effective tool for several fields of research:
Integrates and streamlines the entire bioprocess for the end user;
High-throughput, multiplexed parallel analysis;
Shorter reaction and/or separation times and faster analysis;
Portable Devices;
Low reagent consumption;
Cost per analysis is reduced
Precise measurements, microfluidics enable increased measurement resolution in specific applications.
Microfluidics Market Size & Trends:
Having said so many benefits, let's talk about the market prospects that microfluidic technology brings us.
In 2023, the global microcontroller market size is estimated to be 321$500 million, which is expected to grow from 2024 to 2030 at 1222% CAGR growth. The increasing penetration of microfluidic devices in various research and diagnostic fields is expected to drive the continued growth of the global market for applications. For example, the number of microfluidic devices suitable for ophthalmic diseases has increased over the past decade. Microfluidic methods have been used effectively to measure: glucose levels, detect infections, diagnose dry eye disease, and assess vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Such applications are expected to have a positive impact on the market growth in the coming years.
The exponential increase in COVID-19 cases across the globe is driving the demand for products in the microfluidic sector. Many tests are PCR-based, which makes it the technology of choice for COVID diagnosis. In response to rising coronavirus cases around the world, some manufacturers launched products based on microfluidic assays and ramped up production to meet the growing demand for in vitro diagnostic tests at the time. When combined with microfluidics, PCR technology can be accelerated, providing faster test results (from about 1 hour to less than 10 minutes) with high accuracy.
For example, Elvesys has developed an ultra-fast chip-based polymerase chain reaction system for the detection of viruses. Based on FastGen technology, the product leverages the benefits of microfluidics to deliver test results in less than 30 minutes. In addition, various studies are underway to evaluate the application of microfluidics in the detection of COVID-19 by PCR technology. Previously in June 2021, Chinese researchers published a study demonstrating the use of the latest rapid microfluidic PCR. It was concluded that rapid PCR testing could be achieved using the emerging state-of-the-art microfluidics for the detection of SARS-CoV.
The main advantage of a microfluidic device is the ability to analyze small sample volumes. This reduces the amount of reagent waste and helps preserve hard-to-produce samples. The introduction of microfluidic devices is driving the demand for low-volume sample devices. The surge in research activities carried out by analytical and clinical researchers is also driving the demand for microfluidic devices. Traditional genomic analysis methods require the decoding of the entire DNA, increasing the cost and time of analysis. Microfluidic devices require very small sample volumes for data interpretation. The application of microfluidics enables traditional laboratory procedures to be miniaturized on lab-on-a-chip.
With the advancement of technology, market players now use minimally invasive features along with accuracy and speed to differentiate their products. As a result, microfluidic technology has made its mark in the in vitro diagnostics market. In addition, market players such as Abbott, Roche, and Danaher have incorporated microfluidic technology into their existing diagnostic devices. Digital microfluidics are being developed by several key players.
With the increasing penetration of microfluidic devices in various fields of research and diagnostics, industry players are introducing advanced technologies to seize the potential market share and are expected to commercialize them.
In March 2021, the Loschmidt laboratory team, together with partners at ETH Zurich, developed a microfluidic technology platform for efficient and rapid study of enzymes and their properties. This new platform has been used to develop new thrombolytic agents for stroke and to study the evolution of bioluminescent enzymes. In addition, in November 2019, Panasonic Corporation and IMT jointly developed a technology for the mass production of microfluidic devices using glass molding. Compared to traditional glass etching technology, this technology uses low-cost and high-precision mass production. These devices can be used for analysis and sensing in biological, environmental, and medical applications, thus driving the market growth in the expected future period.
Microfluidic technology insights
Based on microfluidic technology, Integrated Labs on a Chip is dominating the market in 2023 and is expected to register a CAGR of 1106%。Integrated lab-on-a-chip allows for rapid sequencing of DNA probes. Since DNA amplification using PCR technology relies on thermal cycling, the Integrated Lab-on-a-Chip performs high-speed thermal displacement at the microscale level. The fastest qPCR system that can detect bacteria and viruses in less than 7 minutes. In addition, nanopore technology has great potential to facilitate rapid genome sequencing of DNA probes compared to actual lab-on-a-chip using array technology. Similarly, these systems offer lucrative opportunities for immunoassays, which can be performed in 10 seconds instead of 10 minutes when detected by microscopic techniques. Therefore, the use of on-chip integrated experimental manipulation has greater potential for ultra-rapid detection of viruses and bacteria.
The study of microfluidic chips has also recently shown great potential in cell biology. These microfluidic chip technologies validate the ability to process large numbers of cells in a short period of time while modulating cells at the single-cell level, and are also used in stem cell differentiation, micropatch-clamp, cell sorting, and high-speed flow cytometry.
The organoid-on-a-chip field is expected to grow from 2024 to 2030 at a rate of 17A respectable growth rate of 21% increases. These models play an important role in drug discovery and development. Since 2012, NCATS has focused on organoid-on-a-chip research in drug discovery processes through its Drug Screening Tissue Chip Program, together with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other National Institutes of Health (NIH) centers. By designing human tissue chips that accurately mimic the structure and function of human organs, including the heart, liver, and lungs, the development of organoid chips promises more effective and faster discovery of drug safety in humans.
Microfluidic Market Insights
Microfluidics: North America in 2023 at 4269% of the sales share dominates the market, with a CAGR of 1057%。
China's plans for Made in China 2025 focus on medical devices and pharmaceuticals. As an important tool for life science and diagnostic applications, microfluidic technology is expected to benefit from this strategic initiative. At present, the compound annual growth rate of microfluidic technology in the Chinese market has reached 28%.
Microfluidic market dynamics
Microfluidic chip technology offers significant advantages due to its ability to analyze small sample volumes, which reduces reagent waste and preserves difficult-to-produce samples. The advent of microfluidic array devices has stimulated the demand for low-volume sample analysis. The increasing involvement of analytical and clinical researchers in research activities has further boosted the adoption of microfluidic devices. Traditional genomic analysis methods require the decoding of the entire DNA, resulting in higher costs and time. In contrast, microfluidic devices require only a minimal sample volume for data analysis. In July 2023, Biotech Fluidics launched an innovative, low-volume** degassing module tailored for nano- and microfluidic systems for drug screening, nucleic acid sequencing, diagnostics, and tissue culture.
Over the past decade, the availability of microfluidic devices for the evaluation of ophthalmic diseases has increased. These microfluidic methods have been shown to be effective in determining glucose levels, detecting infections, diagnosing dry eye disease, and assessing vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Some recent microfluidic technologies have made use of glasses technology to provide and diagnostic methods. For example, Guan et al. developed a glasses on a chip as a diagnostic tool for precision medicine, enabling the quantification of microbial and protein bioburden using small amounts of tears. In addition, researchers at Imperial College London have devised a desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry as a potential point-of-care diagnostic method for rapid analysis of mucosal fluids. Notable developments also include the analysis of small volume samples of nasal secretions to examine infectious and allergic diseases.
Microfluidic Market Insights
Based on application, the healthcare segment accounted for the highest share of market revenue in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 1256%。Microfluidics is considered an important technique in bioanalysis, chemical synthesis, and information technology. The miniaturization of traditional lab equipment and technology enabled by microfluidics has led to several advancements, including minimal use of reagents and maximum amount of information from small sample sizes, short and simple analysis protocols, improved parallel processing of samples and screening methods, and precise spatiotemporal control of the cellular microenvironment.
Microfluidics has proven to be a significant technical advantage not only in biological practice, but also in a number of medical and pharmaceutical applications, including: infectious disease diagnosis, cancer**, and the manufacture of functional living tissues and artificial organs. For example, in August 2022, the Atlanta School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the United States developed the Cluster-Well chip, which uses the precision of microfluidic chips to detect metastatic cancer and achieve fast and easy detection of cancer**.
The researchers are focused on developing integrated microfluidic devices capable of performing high-precision PCR. In addition, PCR performed on microfluidic chips has advantages such as speed, parallelism, and sensitivity. For instance, in October 2022, a company launched the X9 real-time PCR system, which uses microfluidic technology to provide a flexible and efficient high-capacity genomics platform. In addition, microfluidic PCR equipment provides the ability to automate the preparation of PCR reaction mixtures, which in turn minimizes the risk of false positives and contamination by human error.
Microfluidic materials
In the field of microfluidic chips, the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) segment accounted for the highest market share in 2023 and is expected to grow from 2024-2030 at a market share of 1359% CAGR growth. PDMS is a polymer that is widely used in microfluidics because the material offers several advantages: non-toxic, robust, optically transparent, permeability to gases and oxygen, biocompatibility, elastomer characteristics, low cost, and the ability to design complex microfluidic devices by stacking multiple layers.
PDMS is known to be biocompatible, permeable, and has a low level of autofluorescence, and the material is expected to gain significant growth in several applications, such as biotechnology and biomedical engineering, during the ** period.
However, these polymers are hydrophobic, which makes microchannels difficult to manipulate in aqueous solutions because the hydrophobic analytes adsorb on the surface of the PDMS, which often hinders the analysis, and these factors may limit the further application of PDMS materials.