Enhanced fluorescence-based bio-detection through selective integration of reflectors in microfluidic lab-on-a-chip

Purpose - This paper proposes to examine a simple and cost-effective method of integrating a reflector surface with a silicon-based microfluiclic channel for enhanced biosensing through the method of fluorescence in a microfluiclics and nanofluiclics-based lab-on-a-chip device. Design/methodology/approach - Herein, the reflector is integrated with silicon-based microfluiclic channels and fluorescence measurements were carried out using alexafluor 647 particles. Two types of microfluiclic channel surfaces were used, with and without reflector integration, for the experiments. Findings - The experimental results prove that the proposed technique of partial reflector integration within microfluiclic or nanofluidic channel surfaces is highly suitable for fluorescence-based detection of single molecules and low concentration fluorophore-tagged receptors. Originality/value - It is believed that this is a novel work of integrating a reflector with a microfluiclic channel surface for fluorescence-based biodetection. This method will be very useful for fluorescence-based biosensors in detecting low concentration fluorophores and single molecules.