Microfluidics on foil

International audienceThe concept of microfluidics on foil opens up new opportunities for combining the advantages of having a flexible substrate with reel to reel processing which have the potential to be the basis for extremely cheap micro products. To reach this goal foil substrates must be combined with micro manufacturing technologies well adapted to these substrates. Some technologies are already available, some are subject of current research and some still have to be conceived. Here, technologies like reel to reel embossing, reel to reel laminating and laser ablation/cutting as well as laser welding will be discussed. A polymer electronics based alcohol sensor is presented and aspects of combining polymer (opto-)electronics and microfluidics on one foil based substrate will be discussed