Abstract

Soft Microfluidic Systems for Human Skin

John Rogers, Simpson/Querrey Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University

Recent advances in materials, mechanics and manufacturing establish the foundations for high performance classes of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technologies that have physical properties matched those of the human skin.  The resulting devices can integrate with the surface of the skin in a water-tight yet physically imperceptible fashion, to provide continuous, clinical-quality biochemical information on physiological status via capture, storage and in situ analysis of sweat.  This talk summarizes the key ideas and presents specific recent examples in skin-interfaced microfluidic technologies designed for applications in sports performance, worker safety and nutritional monitoring.