Abstract

3D-Printed Autonomous Microfluidics

Ayokunle Olanrewaju , Assistant Professor, Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington

We envision a fundamental change in the design, prototyping, and deployment of point-of-care diagnostics to transform disease treatment and prevention. We design autonomous microfluidics, self-powered and self-regulated by capillary forces encoded in surface geometry and chemistry, to orchestrate instrument-free liquid handling. We rapidly and inexpensively prototype these devices using desktop 3D printing. These devices have the potential to enable real-time automation of complex biological processes directly at the point of need.