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Miniaturisation
of biomedical and environmental analysis systems offers many
advantages including; low sample volumes, low chemical
consumption, fast response time, multiple simultaneous assays,
and portability. The greatly reduced volume of chemicals,
typically in the microlitre and nanolitre ranges, and the
ability to simultaneously perform multiple different assays
leads to a reduced cost per assay. Portability of the overall
system allows the analysis to be performed close to the sample
source; for example, at the patient’s bedside or on the
riverbank. The most significant advantages would be gained
where the total analysis, (sample preparation, pre-treatment,
analytical reactions, detection, and results) are combined in
a single device or chip. The complete integrated form of such
systems is commonly known as a laboratory-on-a-chip (LOC) or a
micro-total-analysis-system (µTAS). Microfluidic components
such as pumps, valves, sensors, dispensers and mixers form
important parts for such microsystems.
The
medical and biomedical markets show strong promise for MEMS
solutions in a wide variety of applications. Some examples of BIOMEMS
applications are listed in Table
1. These devices are used as life saving diagnostic
sensors, accelerating drug discovery and improving drug
delivery.
A
MEMS
micro-total-analysis-system (µTAS) can also be extended into
the field of environmental monitoring applications in the area
of sensors for detection of air and water pollution. Examples
of such instruments are mass spectrometers, micro gas
chromatography systems, electrochemical and optical gas
sensors and ion mobility spectrometer.
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