Networking Labs-on-a-Chip: pure hydrodynamic control for communications and switching in microfluidic systems

In this paper we present the results of our study on the extension of communication concepts and the application of networking approaches to the microfluidic domain. Based on such study we propose the Hydrodynamic controlled Microfluidic Network (HCN) paradigm which is based on a pure hydrodynamic microfluidic switching function. The HCN paradigm can be applied to realize programmable Labs-ona-Chip (LoCs) that, by exploiting hydrodynamic effects only, route chemical (or biological) samples in a microfluidic network, in a controlled way. Such programmable LoCs are expected to be highly flexible and inexpensive, and thus to become extremely competitive with current alternative solutions for chemical/biological analsys and synthesis.