Characterization of high-throughput capillary-based microfluidic devices for lab-on-chip integrated optics detections

The characterization of novel portable microfluidic devices, with capillary phenomena as filling process, was presented. Created for monitoring multiplexed chemiluminescence (CL) reactions, the devices are amenable for integration with organic photodiodes (OPDs) for future incorporation in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Using finite element method (FEM), four designs of microfluidic chips were simulated. The parallel design, despite its quick total filling time (TFT), presented a non-uniform filling process and a non-compact structure. The series design was the most compact structure studied. However, it cannot be used in CL reactions with multiple analytes in common, which is a major drawback. Regarding the parallel-series, it solved some of the problems presented in previous designs but its high TFT and non-compactness make it a less attractive solution for a portable microfluidic device. Finally, the optimized parallel design proved to be the best design, presenting a quick TFT, high compactness and the capability to have CL reactions sharing analytes.