Editing Lab-on-a-chip (section)

== History ==
[[File:Labonachip20017-300.jpg|thumb|[[Microelectromechanical systems]] [[integrated circuit|chip]], sometimes called "lab on a chip"]]
After the invention of [[microtechnology]] (≈1954) for realizing integrated [[semiconductor]] structures for microelectronic chips, these [[lithography]]-based technologies were soon applied in [[pressure sensor]] manufacturing (1966) as well. Due to further development of these usually [[CMOS]]-compatibility limited processes, a tool box became available to create micrometre or sub-micrometre sized mechanical structures in [[Wafer (electronics)|silicon wafers]] as well: the [[microelectromechanical systems]] (MEMS) era had started.

Next to pressure sensors, airbag sensors and other mechanically movable structures, fluid handling devices were developed. Examples are: channels (capillary connections), mixers, valves, pumps and dosing devices. The first LOC analysis system was a [[gas chromatograph]], developed in 1979 by S.C. Terry at Stanford University.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=James B. Angell |author2=Stephen C. Terry |author3=Phillip W. Barth |date=April 1983 |title=Silicon Micromechanical Devices |journal=[[Scientific American]] |volume=248 |issue=4 |pages=44–55 |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0483-44|bibcode=1983SciAm.248d..44A }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Terry J.H.Jerman | year = 1979 | title = A Gas Chromatographic Air Analyzer Fabricated on a Silicon Wafer | journal = IEEE Trans. Electron Devices | volume = 26 | issue = 12| pages = 1880–1886 | doi = 10.1109/T-ED.1979.19791 | bibcode = 1979ITED...26.1880T | s2cid = 21971431 }}</ref> However, only at the end of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s did the LOC research start to seriously grow as a few research groups in Europe developed micropumps, flowsensors and the concepts for integrated fluid treatments for analysis systems.<ref>A.Manz, N.Graber and H.M.Widmer: Miniaturized total Chemical Analysis systems: A Novel Concept for Chemical Sensing, Sensors and Actuators, B 1 (1990) 244–248.</ref>  These μTAS concepts demonstrated that integration of pre-treatment steps, usually done at lab-scale, could extend the simple sensor functionality towards a complete laboratory analysis, including additional cleaning and separation steps.

A big boost in research and commercial interest came in the mid-1990s, when μTAS technologies turned out to provide interesting tooling for [[genomics]] applications, like [[capillary electrophoresis]] and [[DNA microarrays]]. A big boost in research support also came from the military, especially from [[DARPA]] (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), for their interest in portable systems to aid in the detection of [[biological warfare|biological]] and [[chemical warfare]] agents. The added value was not only limited to integration of lab processes for analysis but also the characteristic possibilities of individual components and the application to other, non-analysis, lab processes. Hence the term "lab-on-a-chip" was introduced.

Although the application of LOCs is still novel and modest, a growing interest of companies and applied research groups is observed in different fields such as chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics and [[cellomics]], but also in synthetic chemistry such as rapid screening and microreactors for pharmaceutics. Besides further application developments, research in LOC systems is expected to extend towards downscaling of fluid handling structures as well, by using [[nanotechnology]]. Sub-micrometre and nano-sized channels, DNA labyrinths, single cell detection and analysis,<ref>{{cite journal | author = Chokkalingam Venkat | author2 = Tel Jurjen | author3 = Wimmers Florian | author4 =  Liu Xin | author5 = Semenov Sergey | author6 = Thiele Julian | author7 = Figdor Carl G. | author8 = Huck Wilhelm T.S. | year = 2013| title = Probing cellular heterogeneity in cytokine-secreting immune cells using droplet-based microfluidics | journal = Lab on a Chip | volume = 13 | issue = 24| pages = 4740–4744 | doi = 10.1039/C3LC50945A | pmid = 24185478 }}</ref> and nano-sensors, might become feasible, allowing new ways of interaction with biological species and large molecules.  Many books have been written that cover various aspects of these devices, including the fluid transport,<ref name=Kirby>{{cite book | author=Kirby, B.J. | title=Micro- and Nanoscale Fluid Mechanics: Transport in Microfluidic Devices| url=http://www.kirbyresearch.com/textbook| year=2010| publisher=Cambridge University Press| isbn=978-0-521-11903-0}}</ref><ref name=Bruus>{{cite book | author=Bruus, H. | title=Theoretical Microfluidics | year= 2007}}</ref><ref name=Karniadakis>{{cite book | author=Karniadakis, G.M. | author2=Beskok, A. | author3=Aluru, N. | title=Microflows and Nanoflows | year=2005 | publisher =[[Springer Verlag]] }}</ref> system properties,<ref name=Tabeling>{{cite book | author=Tabeling, P. | title=Introduction to Microfluidic}}</ref> sensing techniques,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|title = Sensing methods for dielectrophoresis phenomenon: from bulky instruments to lab-on-a-chip|journal = IEEE Circuits and Systems Magazine|date = 2004-01-01|issn = 1531-636X|pages = 5–15|volume = 4|issue = 3|doi = 10.1109/MCAS.2004.1337805|first1 = Y.|last1 = Ghallab|first2 = W.|last2 = Badawy|s2cid = 6178424}}</ref> and bioanalytical applications.<ref name=Berthier>{{cite book |author1=Berthier, J.  |author2=Silberzan, P. | title=Microfluidics for Biotechnology}}</ref><ref name=Gomez>{{cite book | author=Gomez, F.A. | title=Biological Applications of Microfluidics }}{{ISBN missing}}</ref>

The size of the global lab on chip market was estimated at US$5,698 million in 2021 and is projected to increase to US$14,772 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2022 to 2030 <ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/lab-on-chip-market |title = Acumen Research and Consulting |date = June 2022 |access-date=  23 May 2023}}</ref>