UC Irvine

Microfluidic technology has important applications in Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostics, and in high throughput screening and sequencing through the introduction of small, automated and portable microfluidic devices commonly known as Lab-on-Chip (LOC) devices, and Micro Total Analysis System (µTAS). These devices can perform biochemical and fluidic assays in automated fashion, using smaller amounts of samples and in faster periods of time when compared to traditional methods. However, LOC devices require the integration of active fluidic components as well as a wide array of sensors and actuators on the chip, which has presented a significant challenge in the traditional methods of fabricating microfluidics. In this dissertation, the use of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is proposed as a heterogeneous integration platform for microfluidic LOC devices. A novel heterogeneous integration architecture is demonstrated that enables the integration of microfluidics, electronics and optics on PCBs, and promotes standardized, scaled and cost effective fabrication of LOC devices. The fabrication and integration processes are described by demonstrating several microfluidic LOC devices built on PCBs, and integrated with key LOC functions on the chip, such as sample preparation, analyte extraction, and optical detection.