Optofluidics

Optofluidics is a research and technology area that combines the advantages of microfluidics and optics. Applications of the technology include displays, biosensors, lab-on-chip devices, lenses, and molecular imaging tools and energy.

History

The idea of fluid-optical devices can be traced back at least as far as the 18th century, when spinning pools of mercury were proposed (and eventually developed) as liquid mirror telescopes. In the 20th century new technologies such as dye lasers and liquid core waveguides were developed that took advantage of the tunability and physical adaptability that liquids provided to these newly emerging photonic systems. The field of optofluidics formally began to emerge in the mid-2000s as the fields of microfluidics and nanophotonics were maturing and researchers began to look for synergies between these two areas. One of the primary applications of the field is for lab-on-a-chip and biophotonic products.

Companies and technology transfer

Optofluidic and related research has led to the formation of a number of new products and start-up companies. Varioptic specializes in the development of electrowetting based lenses for numerous applications. Optofluidics, Inc. was launched in 2011 from Cornell University in order to develop tools for molecular trapping and disease diagnosis based on photonic resonator technology. Liquilume from UC Santa Cruz specializes in molecular diagnostics based on arrow waveguides.

In 2012, the European Commission has launched a new COST framework that is concerned solely with optofluidic technology and their application.

See also

• List of optofluidics researchers

Further reading

• Fainman, Yeshaiahu; Psaltis, Demetri (18 September 2009). Optofluidics: fundamentals, devices, and applications. McGraw Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-160156-6. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
• Zahn, Jeffrey D. (31 October 2009). Methods in bioengineering: biomicrofabrication and biomicrofluidics. Artech House. ISBN 978-1-59693-400-9. Retrieved 26 June 2011.