y2015m11b26
20151126132000
assa
nadine@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
0038-2353
1996-7489
11262015
Volume 111
Number 11/12
Paper-based smart microfluidics for education and low-cost diagnostics
English
Suzanne
Smith
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Klariska
Moodley
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Ureshnie
Govender
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Hao
Chen
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Louis
Fourie
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Sibusiso
Ngwenya
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Shavon
Kumar
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Phumlani
Mjwana
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Hastings
Cele
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Mesuli B.
Mbanjwa
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Suretha
Potgieter
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Trudi-Heleen
Joubert
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Kevin
Land
Materials Science and Manufacturing, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Current centralised healthcare models pose many challenges, particularly for developing countries such as South Africa, where travel and time costs make it difficult for patients to seek healthcare, even when urgently needed. To address this issue, point-of-care (PoC) tests, which are performed at or near the site of clinical care, have gained popularity and are actively being developed. Microfluidic systems, in which small volumes of fluids can be processed, provide an ideal platform on which to develop PoC diagnostic solutions. Specifically, the emerging field of paper-based microfluidics, with advantages such as low-cost, disposability and minimal external equipment requirements, provides unique opportunities for addressing healthcare issues in developing countries. This work explores the field of paper-based microfluidics, with step-by-step instructions on the design, manufacture and testing processes to realise paper-based devices towards diagnostic applications. Paper-based microfluidic and electronic components are presented, as well as the integration of these components to provide smart paper-based devices. This serves as an educational tool, enabling both beginners and experts in the field to fast-track development of unique paper-based solutions towards PoC diagnostics, with emphasis on the South African context, where both the need for and impact of these solutions are great.
11262015
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
10.17159/sajs.2015/20140358
20151126132000
http://www.sajs.co.za/paper-based-smart-microfluidics-education-and-low-cost-diagnostics/suzanne-smith-klariska-moodley-ureshnie-govender-hao-chen-louis-fourie-sibusiso-ngwenya-shavon-kumar
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20111_11-12_Smith_Research%20Aricle.pdf