Reconfigurable microfluidics

Lab-on-a-chip devices leverage microfluidic technologies to enable chemical and biological processes at small scales. However, existing microfluidic channel networks are typically designed for implementation of a single function or well-defined protocol, and do not allow the flexibility and real-time experimental decision-making essential to many scientific applications.

We believe that reconfigurability and programmability of microfluidic platforms can open new functionalities that are beyond the reach of current lab-on-a-chip systems. We envision a fully reconfigurable microfluidic device, which can change its shape, flow pattern or function dynamically, thus allowing researchers to ‘put their hands’ into a microscale experiment and enabling real-time decision making.

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In our work we explore different physical mechanisms that could enable such functionality and hope that many in the in the scientific community will join us in this efforts.