Concepts, electrode configuration, characterization, and data analytics of electric and electrochemical microfluidic platforms: a review
Thu Hang Nguyen, Hung Anh Nguyen, Y-Van Tran Thi, Donna Hoang Tran, Hung Cao, Trinh Chu Duc, Tung Thanh Bui, Loc Do Quang
Abstract
Microfluidic cytometry (MC) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are two important techniques in biomedical engineering. Microfluidic cytometry has been utilized in various fields such as stem cell differentiation and cancer metastasis studies, and provides a simple, label-free, real-time method for characterizing and monitoring cellular fates. The impedance microdevice, including impedance flow cytometry (IFC) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), is integrated into MC systems. IFC measures the impedance of individual cells as they flow through a microfluidic device, while EIS measures impedance changes during binding events on electrode regions. There have been significant efforts to improve and optimize these devices for both basic research and clinical applications, based on the concepts, electrode configurations, and cell fates. This review outlines the theoretical concepts, electrode engineering, and data analytics of these devices, and highlights future directions for development.