A Review of State-of-the-Art Microfluidic Technologies for Environmental Applications: Detection and Remediation

Maxine Yew; Yong Ren; Kai Seng Koh; Chenggong Sun; Colin Snape

doi:10.1002/gch2.201800060

A Review of State-of-the-Art Microfluidic Technologies for Environmental Applications: Detection and Remediation

Glob Chall. 2018 Sep 21;3(1):1800060. doi: 10.1002/gch2.201800060. eCollection 2019 Jan.

Authors

Maxine Yew¹, Yong Ren¹, Kai Seng Koh², Chenggong Sun³, Colin Snape³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Materials and Manufacturing Engineering University of Nottingham Ningbo China 199 Taikang East Road 315100 Ningbo China.
² School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Heriot-Watt University Malaysia No. 1 Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5 62200 Putrajaya Malaysia.
³ Faculty of Engineering University of Nottingham The Energy Technologies Building, Jubilee Campus Nottingham NG7 2TU UK.

Abstract

Microfluidic systems have advanced beyond natural and life science applications and lab-on-a-chip uses. A growing trend of employing microfluidic technologies for environmental detection has emerged thanks to the precision, time-effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of advanced microfluidic systems. This paper reviews state-of-the-art microfluidic technologies for environmental applications, such as on-site environmental monitoring and detection. Microdevices are extensively used in collecting environmental samples as a means to facilitate detection and quantification of targeted components with minimal quantities of samples. Likewise, microfluidic-inspired approaches for separation and treatment of contaminated water and air, such as the removal of heavy metals and waterborne pathogens from wastewater and carbon capture are also investigated.

Keywords: droplet microfluidics; functional materials; microdevices.

Publication types

Review