Microfluidics

A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a device that integrates one or several laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit (commonly called a "chip") of only millimeters to a few square centimeters to achieve automation and high-throughput screening. LOCs can handle extremely small fluid volumes down to less than pico-liters. Lab-on-a-chip devices are a subset of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and sometimes called "micro total analysis systems" (μTAS). LOCs may use microfluidics, the physics, manipulation and study of minute amounts of fluids. However, strictly regarded "lab-on-a-chip

thumb|NIST researchers have combined a glass slide, plastic sheets and double-sided tape to create an inexpensive and simple-to-build microfluidic device for exposing an array of cells to different concentrations of a chemical

tendency of a fluid jet to stay attached to a convex surface

thumb|An example of a bio-MEMS device is this automated Fluorescence in situ hybridization|FISH microchip, which integrates a reagent multiplexer, a cell chamber with a thin-film heater layer, and a peristaltic pump. Bio-MEMS is an abbreviation for biomedical (or biological) microelectromechanical systems. Bio-MEMS have considerable overlap, and is sometimes considered synonymous, with lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and micro total analysis systems (). Bio-MEMS is typically more focused on mechanical parts and microfabrication technologies made suitable for biological applications. On the other hand, lab

An organ-on-a-chip (OOC) is a multi-channel 3D microfluidic cell culture, integrated circuit (chip) that simulates the activities, mechanics and physiological response of an entire organ or an organ system. It constitutes the subject matter of significant biomedical engineering research, more precisely in bio-MEMS. The convergence of labs-on-chips (LOCs) and cell biology has permitted the study of human physiology in an organ-specific context. By acting as a more sophisticated in vitro approximation of complex tissues than standard cell culture, they provide the potential as an alternative to

right|frame|Microreactor technologies developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory|LLNL use micromachining techniques to miniaturize the reactor design. Applications include fuel processors for generating [[hydrogen, chemical synthesis, and bioreaction studies.]]

chemical reaction run in a continuous stream

flow of fluids within extremely thin regions

thumb|A Ti–Cr–Pt tube (~40 μm long) releases oxygen bubbles when immersed in hydrogen peroxide (catalytic decomposition). [[Polystyrene spheres (1 μm diameter) were added to study the flow kinetics.]] thumb|Electrochemical micropump activating the flow of human blood through a 50×100 μm pipe.