Hybrid Microfluidic Platform for Multifactorial Analysis Based on Electrical Impedance, Refractometry, Optical Absorption and Fluorescence
Fábio M. Pereira,
Iwona Bernacka-Wojcik,
Rita S. Rodrigues Ribeiro,
Maria Teresa Lobato,
Elvira Fortunato,
Rodrigo Martins,
Rui Igreja,
Pedro A. S. Jorge,
Hugo Águas,
Abel Martin Gonzalez Oliva
Affiliations
Fábio M. Pereira
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Iwona Bernacka-Wojcik
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Rita S. Rodrigues Ribeiro
Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Maria Teresa Lobato
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Elvira Fortunato
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Rodrigo Martins
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Rui Igreja
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Pedro A. S. Jorge
Centre for Applied Photonics, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4150-179 Porto, Portugal
Hugo Águas
CENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Abel Martin Gonzalez Oliva
Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Antonio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
This paper describes the development of a novel microfluidic platform for multifactorial analysis integrating four label-free detection methods: electrical impedance, refractometry, optical absorption and fluorescence. We present the rationale for the design and the details of the microfabrication of this multifactorial hybrid microfluidic chip. The structure of the platform consists of a three-dimensionally patterned polydimethylsiloxane top part attached to a bottom SU-8 epoxy-based negative photoresist part, where microelectrodes and optical fibers are incorporated to enable impedance and optical analysis. As a proof of concept, the chip functions have been tested and explored, enabling a diversity of applications: (i) impedance-based identification of the size of micro beads, as well as counting and distinguishing of erythrocytes by their volume or membrane properties; (ii) simultaneous determination of the refractive index and optical absorption properties of solutions; and (iii) fluorescence-based bead counting.