Development of Paper-Fabric based Hybrid Microfluidic channels

The potential of microfluidic technology for the development of innovative diagnostic devices is being explored by micro-paper-fabric-based hybrid analytical devices, or µPFHADs. The present work uses an innovative and distinctive method for creating a paper mask coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that is sandwiched between a layer of cloth. The fact that the PDMS can penetrate the target paper from both the frontal and dorsal sides is important to note since it makes it easier to create transparent channels after the material has cured. The fact that this particular process has many benefits such as being more affordable, producing results faster, and being simpler to apply than other methods is highly significant. The fabricated sandwiched microchannels obeyed L-W model for flow testing as nominal for all microchannels. Further, to validate the suitability of the same towards functional analytical devices, micromixer testing using different test inks as well as confinement testing of various liquids using microwells were also performed. Finally, as a feasibility study, colorimetric detection for presence of iodine concentration was conducted using the present sandwich µPF-HADs, and image processing technique was utilized for the quantitative analysis. The present study thus aims to deliver a cost-effective healthcare solutions for detection and better understanding of hypothyroidism and other major thyroid problems using novel hybrid analytical devices.