mikrofluidic

Mikrofluidik, also known as microfluidics, is the science and technology of manipulating and analyzing very small volumes of fluids using channels and structures with dimensions on the micrometer to millimeter scale. Fluid behavior at these scales is dominated by laminar flow and surface forces, leading to predictable mixing and reaction patterns that differ markedly from those in macroscopic systems. Reynolds numbers in microfluidic devices are typically well below 100, often well under 1, which enables precise control of fluid movement and minimizes turbulent mixing.

Microfluidic systems are built from various materials, including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), glass, silicon, and thermoplastics. Common fabrication approaches include soft lithography, where PDMS channels are cast from a patterned mold, and methods such as photolithography, etching, hot embossing, and injection molding for rigid substrates. Devices may incorporate passive elements like capillary valves or active components such as external pumps, pneumatic or electrokinetic actuators, and integrated sensors. Advances include droplet microfluidics, where discrete droplets act as individual reactors, and digital microfluidics, which uses electrowetting to move and merge droplets on a surface.

Applications of mikrofluidik span clinical diagnostics, point-of-care testing, chemical synthesis, and high-throughput screening. It enables lab-on-a-chip concepts that consolidate sample preparation, reaction, separation, and detection into compact platforms. Benefits include reduced reagent use, faster analysis, and the potential for automation and parallel processing. Challenges persist in device standardization, fabrication costs, sample compatibility, bubble management, clogging, and integrating fluidic control with detection and data systems.