An advanced miniature fluidic system in multilayer ceramic technology with precise temperature and flow control for in situ pollution monitoring

Abstract

Rapid, on-site, water-quality monitoring is necessary to prevent and remediate environmental pollution. This study aims to develop a miniature, portable, fluidic system (MFS) designed for the easy insertion of disposable, screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) and the measurement of an electrochemical response (EC) under controlled temperature and flow conditions. The three-dimensional MFS, realised in low-temperature, cofired ceramic and multilayer ceramic technology, consist of three distinct cavities, each with separate inlet and outlet channels. These channels are designed to maintain an equivalent flow rate across all three cavities. The MFS allows simultaneous measurements at three measuring sites, temperature control of the fluid from room temperature to 125 °C via integrated heaters and temperature sensors, and flow regulation up to 20 mL/min via an external fluid pump. The EC values obtained from the SPEs in a standard solution of potassium ferrocyanide/potassium ferricyanide at room temperature and under stagnant conditions were consistent with measurements conducted in the MFS, droplet and conventional electrochemical cells, confirming the accuracy and reliability of the MFS. The EC response was confirmed in the MFS under flow conditions of 4 mL/min and temperatures of 25 °C, 35 °C, and 45 °C. This shows that multilayer ceramic technology enables the fabrication of a miniature, three-dimensional MFS with integrated fluidic and electronic components that provide reliable and accurate electrochemical measurements using a commercial SPE under controlled flow and temperature conditions.