microchannels
Microscopic fluid conduits
Microchannels are extremely small channels or grooves, typically measuring in micrometers, through which fluids can flow.
They appear in microfluidic devices used for medical diagnostics, chemical analysis, and lab-on-a-chip technology: The blood sample moves through microchannels for rapid testing.
Microchannels also occur naturally in biological tissues and porous materials.
Smallest blood vessel
- dropletTiny liquid sphere
- nanoliterOne-billionth liter
- micropumpTiny device moving fluids
- laminarArranged in thin layers
flow rate · viscosity · diffusion · capillary action · advection · pneumatics · microscale · surface tension
Acid-incised metal print
- lithographyGrease-based flat plate printing
- PDMSSilicone oil polymer
- soft lithographyPolymer stamp microfabrication
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
bonding · glass · silicon · polymer · embossing · photoresist · cleanroom · aspect ratio
Tiniest blood vessels
- arteriolesSmallest arterial vessels
- venulesSmallest vein branches
- tubulesMinuscule hollow structures
- bronchiolesSmallest respiratory passages
lymphatics · bile ducts · nephron · alveolar · endothelium · microcirculation · blood vessels · perfusion
Device absorbing component warmth
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- finsSwimming appendages
- heat pipeSealed tube transferring thermal energy
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
conduction · temperature control · coolant · heat dissipation · intercooler · hot spots · passive cooling
Biological chemical detection device
- diagnosticsMethods identifying problems
- point-of-careAt the treatment site
- assayCompositional evaluation procedure
- detectionAct of finding something
DNA analysis · electrophoresis · microarray · miniaturization · biochip · genomics · blood analysis · rapid testing
capillary
Smallest blood vessel
laminar · flow rate · viscosity · diffusion · capillary action · advection · pneumatics · microscale · surface tension · wetting
etching
Acid-incised metal print
- lithographyGrease-based flat plate printing
- PDMSSilicone oil polymer
- soft lithographyPolymer stamp microfabrication
molding · bonding · glass · silicon · polymer · embossing · photoresist · cleanroom · aspect ratio · 3D printing
capillaries
Tiniest blood vessels
- arteriolesSmallest arterial vessels
- venulesSmallest vein branches
- tubulesMinuscule hollow structures
bronchioles · lymphatics · bile ducts · nephron · alveolar · endothelium · microcirculation · blood vessels · perfusion
heat sink
Device absorbing component warmth
convection · conduction · temperature control · coolant · heat dissipation · intercooler · hot spots · passive cooling
biosensor
Biological chemical detection device
- diagnosticsMethods identifying problems
- point-of-careAt the treatment site
- assayCompositional evaluation procedure
detection · DNA analysis · electrophoresis · microarray · miniaturization · biochip · genomics · blood analysis · rapid testing · single-cell