Microfluidics Makes Strides to Fulfill Promise: As the Field Grows and Matures, It Is Becoming an Essential Tool in Product Development

摘要

Applications and products utilizing microfluidics are gaining momentum. The technology offers clear advantages in reducing reagent consumption, increasing speed and analytical performance, multiparameter testing, and user friendliness. The market is forecasted to grow to 1.9 billion dollar by 2012, with the majority of revenue from diagnostic applications. The "Lab Automation Conference" to be held in Palm Springs this month will showcase advances that include improvements in chip-to-world interfaces with standard geometries such as microscope slides and microwell plate formats, multiplexing capabilities, and off-the-shelf components for quick, low-cost implementation of microfluidic technologies.