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Prospects of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) based microfluidic systems for point-of-care biosensing and environmental sensing

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Abstract

Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) based microfluidic devices are being developed for point-of-care biomedical and environmental sensing to enable personalized health care. This article reviews the prospects of LTCC technology for microfluidic device development and its advantages and limitations in processing capabilities compared to silicon, glass and polymer processing. The current state of the art in LTCC-based processing techniques for fabrication of microfluidic components such as microchannels, chambers, microelectrodes and valves is presented. LTCC-based biosensing applications are discussed under the classification of (a) microreactors, (b) whole cell-based and (c) protein biosensors. Biocompatibility of LTCC pertaining to the development of biosensors and whole cell sensors is also discussed. Other significant applications of LTCC microfluidic systems for detection of environmental contaminants and toxins are also presented. Technological constraints and advantages of LTCC-based microfluidic system are elucidated in the conclusion. The LTCC-based microfluidic devices provide a viable platform for the development of point-of-care diagnostic systems for biosensing and environmental sensing applications.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported through the National Institute of Health (Award: IR43MH085474-01). The authors are also thankful for the support from Advanced Materials and Engineering Research Institute (AMERI) at Florida International University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33174, USA

    Abhay Vasudev

  2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33174, USA

    Ajeet Kaushik & Shekhar Bhansali

  3. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33174, USA

    Kinzy Jones

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  1. Abhay Vasudev
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Correspondence to Abhay Vasudev.

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Vasudev, A., Kaushik, A., Jones, K. et al. Prospects of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) based microfluidic systems for point-of-care biosensing and environmental sensing. Microfluid Nanofluid 14, 683–702 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-012-1087-3

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