Shen, Yigang, Li, Huaixin, Li, Ya, Wang, Yingting, Chen, Kang, Li, Jianping, Ma, Jijie, Chen, Song, Hu, Yili, Wen, Jianming, Hou, Xu and Li, Jin  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4672-6806
2026.
Designing and integrating microfluidic electrodes for biosensing and micromanipulation.
Device
4
, 100964.
10.1016/j.device.2025.100964
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Abstract
The bigger picture Microfluidic chips enable control and measurement of microscale fluids and particles. By integrating different sensing (e.g., electrochemical, impedance, or potential measurement) and manipulation (e.g., electric field, thermal field, magnetic field, or mechanical vibration) functions, microfluidic electrodes transform channels into programmable labs-on-a-chip. Electrodes bridge the electronic and fluidic domains, ultimately determining chip performance. As sensors, they create critical connections between samples in microchannels and external equipment, with their materials and dimensions directly influencing detection resolution, responsiveness, and accuracy. As manipulators, electrodes generate various physical fields through strategic shapes and arrangements, delivering precisely controlled forces at different magnitudes and spatial resolutions, and enabling the accurate manipulation of diverse biological samples. In this review, we detail the working principles and applications of sensing electrodes and micromanipulation electrodes. We propose future development directions regarding manufacturing methods, flexible designs, solid/liquid interface improvements, and the use of AI in design optimization and data analysis. Summary Microfluidic systems enable the precise measurement, manipulation, and control of fluids and particles at the microscale, providing new tools and insights for biological, chemical, and medical research. Electrodes are key components of microfluidic systems, functioning both as sensors for target detection and as microactuators for sample manipulation. The integration of functional electrodes into microfluidic devices has broadened the applications of microfluidic technology across various fields, enhancing its capacity to address complex biochemical challenges. In this review, we first examine the construction of microfluidic electrodes, focusing on manufacturing and bonding methods. We then classify the electrodes into two classes, i.e., sensing and manipulation, and discuss their fundamental principles alongside representative real-world applications. Finally, we highlight current challenges in microfluidic electrode technology and propose innovative design strategies for electrode integration that could stimulate new research into micro/nano fabrication, chemical engineering, and biological engineering.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Engineering |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 17 October 2025 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 17 September 2025 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Oct 2025 14:30 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181727 |
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