Chemical and biochemical analysis on lab-on-a-chip devices fabricated using three-dimensional printing

Recently, the unique capability of three-dimensional (3D) printing strategy for patterning micro-sized features with complex 3D architectures in a single process has caught an ever increasing interest within the domain of lab-on-a-chip devices. In this review, the latest advances in the constucting development of 3D microfluidic devices with 3D printing technologies in analytical application were summed up. To begin with, the attractive properties of 3D printing technologies were described. Then, the principles of three mainly printing technologies were introduced in detail. The stimulating progress related to applications of 3D printed lab-on-a-chip devices was subsequently dealt with. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in regard to numerous aspects of 3D printing microfluidic system were discussed. It is believed that higher resolution, more user-frinendly operation endows 3D printed lab-on-a-chip devices with great potential academic and commercial value in on-site environmental monitoring, food safety, and other point-of-care assay.