Abstract
Microfluidic devices have enormous potential and a wide range of applications. However, most applications end up as chip-in-a-lab systems because of power source constraints. This work focuses on reducing the reliance on the power network and expanding on the concept of a lab-on-a-chip for microfluidic devices. A cellulose-based radiator to reflect infrared (IR) radiation with wavelengths within the atmospheric window (8–13 µm) into outer space was fabricated. This process lowered the temperature inside the insulated environment. The difference in temperature was used to power a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and generate an electric current. This electric current was run through a DC-DC transformer to increase the voltage before being used to perform electrical cell lysis with a microfluidic device. This experimental setup successfully achieved 90% and 50% cell lysis efficiencies in ideal conditions and in field tests, respectively. This work demonstrated the possibility of utilizing the unique characteristics of a microfluidic device to perform an energy-intensive assay with minimal energy generated from a TEG and no initial power input for the system. The TEG system also required less maintenance than solar, wind, or hydroelectricity. The IR radiation process naturally allows for more dynamic working conditions for the entire system.
Highlights
Microfluidic devices have been the focal point of many technologies, with promising concepts such as lab-on-chip [1], organ-on-chip, and human-on-chip systems [2,3], with the aim of creating eco-friendly, material-efficient, and energy-efficient testing platforms [4,5,6]
Power source requirements limit the extensive usage of microfluidic devices in remote areas with little to no access to conventional power networks
Thermoelectricity is a promising solution for this conundrum
Summary
Microfluidic devices have been the focal point of many technologies, with promising concepts such as lab-on-chip [1], organ-on-chip, and human-on-chip systems [2,3], with the aim of creating eco-friendly, material-efficient, and energy-efficient testing platforms [4,5,6]. Common alternative power sources, such as solar and wind power, are bulky, expensive, and labor-intensive to set up and maintain [7] These financial and labor costs are not suitable for remote areas where these technologies are needed the most. A TEG contains neither moving parts nor chemicals This characteristic enables TEGs to function reliably in harsh environments with negligible maintenance and have a limited effect on the environment. Owing to these advantages, considerable research has been devoted toward the potential of integrating TEGs into fabrics and accessories to harvest wasted body heat for powering small devices [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. These methods include optimizing IR emissivity via the stimulation and fabrication of a multilayered coating, altering the nature of the material, carefully modifying the nano/microstructure of the surface, or a combination of these approaches to maximize the IR emissions [23,25,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
