Editing Lab-on-a-chip (section)

== Disadvantages ==
The most prominent disadvantages<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Engel|first1=U|last2=Eckstein|first2=R|date=2002-09-09|title=Microforming – from basic research to its realization|journal=Journal of Materials Processing Technology|volume=125|issue=Supplement C|pages=35–44|doi=10.1016/S0924-0136(02)00415-6}}</ref> of labs-on-chip are:
* The micro-manufacturing process required to make them is complex and labor-intensive, requiring both expensive equipment and specialized personnel.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sanchez-Salmeron|first1=A. J.|last2=Lopez-Tarazon|first2=R.|last3=Guzman-Diana|first3=R.|last4=Ricolfe-Viala|first4=C.|date=2005-08-30|title=Recent development in micro-handling systems for micro-manufacturing|journal=Journal of Materials Processing Technology|series=2005 International Forum on the Advances in Materials Processing Technology|volume=167|issue=2|pages=499–507|doi=10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.06.027}}</ref> It can be overcome by the recent technology advancement on low-cost [[3D printing]] and [[laser engraving]].
*The complex fluidic actuation network requires multiple pumps and connectors, where fine control is difficult. It can be overcome by careful simulation, an intrinsic pump, such as air-bag embed chip, or by using a centrifugal force to replace the pumping, i.e. [[centrifugal micro-fluidic biochip]].
* Most LOCs are novel proof of concept application that are not yet fully developed for widespread use.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Microfluidics and BioMEMS Applications |volume = 10|publisher= SpringerLink|language=en-gb|doi=10.1007/978-1-4757-3534-5|series = Microsystems|year = 2002|isbn = 978-1-4419-5316-2}}</ref> More validations are needed before practical employment.
* In the microliter scale that LOCs deal with, surface dependent effects like capillary forces, surface roughness or chemical interactions are more dominant.<ref name=":1" /> This can sometimes make replicating lab processes in LOCs quite challenging and more complex than in conventional lab equipment.
* Detection principles may not always scale down in a positive way, leading to low [[signal-to-noise ratio]]s.