The futuristic concept of an entire “lab-on-a-chip” may soon become a reality. A research team in China’s Fudan University has taken a major step toward realizing the technology.
The scientists have used a special hair-thin tube and light to transport microscopic amounts of liquid, mimicking a chemical reaction process. Micro-liquid transportation is used in many fields, including integrated electronics and medicine. But scientists need to use large equipment to achieve the process.
Fudan university’s breakthrough paves the way for smaller applications, and eventually “labs on a chip.” Fudan University scientists started looking for new materials to transport micro-liquids back in 2003. They finally discovered a flexible and resilient material, and then managed to use it to make their state of the art micro tube.
The futuristic concept of an entire "lab-on-a-chip" may soon become a reality. A research team in China's Fudan University has taken a major step towards realizing the technology.