Dear Colleagues,

The first generation of microfluidic-scale “lab on a chip” devices was based on microfabrication techniques adapted from integrated circuit technology using lithography, including soft lithography for PDMS devices. A second generation of microfluidic devices used machine-shop-type methods including laser cutting, CNC machining, stamping, and molding, primarily in hard plastics such as polycarbonate and acrylics. A third generation of microfluidics is now emerging using 3D printing tools and other rapid prototyping methods, providing compressed design cycles, customization, and wider dissemination. Researchers such as chemists, medical scientists, and biotechnologists, who traditionally did not have expertise and facilities for prototyping and microfabrication, are now using 3D printing as a research tool. Challenges in this area include materials selection, combination of diverse materials including flexible and rigid plastics, insertion of electrodes and other components such as membranes, interconnects and chip-to-world interfaces, integrated actuation (e.g., pumps) and flow control (valves), on-chip reagent storage, automated operation, and disposability. Further, 3D printers are a fast-evolving technology and range from hobbyist-type versions to very sophisticated commercial equipment, and they are also available through digital manufacturing and “mail-order” microfluidics. This Special Issue on 3D printing for research, development, and production of microfluidic devices will feature articles expanding the scope of 3D printing for laboratory research, clinical trials, and personalized diagnostics, addressing and leveraging some of the issues above.

Prof. Dr. Michael Mauk
Guest Editor

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• Microfluidics
• Lab-on-a-chip
• Rapid prototyping
• Miniaturization
• Point-of-care diagnostics/tests