Flow-based System: A Highly Efficient Tool Speeds Up Data Production and Improves Analytical Performance

Anal Sci. 2021 Jan 10;37(1):79-92. doi: 10.2116/analsci.20SAR02. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Abstract

In this review, we cite references from the period between 2015 and 2020 related to the use of a flow-based system as a tool to obtain a modern analytical system for speeding up data production and improving performance. Based on a great deal of concepts for automatic systems, there are several research groups introduced in the development of flow-based systems to increase sample throughput while retaining the reproducibility and repeatability as well as to propose new platforms of flow-based systems, such as microfluidic chip and paper-based devices. Additionally, to apply a developed system for on-site analysis is one of the key features for development. We believe that this review will be very interested and useful for readers because of its impact on developing novel analytical systems. The content of the review is categorized following their applications including quality control and food safety, clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and miscellaneous.

Keywords: Flow-based system; clinical diagnostic; environmental monitoring; food control and safety; microfluidic chip; paper-based device.