"All-inkjet-printed microfluidic paper-based analytical devices"
Daniel Citterio, Kento Maejima, Bernat Guirao Expósito and Koji Suzuki

Tell us something about yourself.
I am a graduate of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland, currently work as an Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Chemistry of Keio University in Yokohama, Japan. Our research is devoted to the development of (bio)chemical sensors and sensing systems for medical and environmental applications. For this purpose, we are active in the design and synthesis of novel functional materials for application in (bio)chemical sensors. Such materials include functional organic dyes and functional nanoparticles (inorganic, organic, hybrid).

What is the golden nugget of your presentation?
My presentation focuses on the fabrication of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices, so-called "microPADs", which are currently drawing attention as low-cost devices suitable for diagnostics or environmental analysis in low-resource settings. A number of methods for the microfluidic patterning of paper have been described in the literature. However, only inkjet printing offers the advantage of being applicable for the creation of the microfluidic pattern and the deposition of all the reagents required for (bio)chemical sensing. My presentation will show how entire microPADs can be printed on a single off-the-shelf inkjet printer.

What is the most significant outcome of the work you will present at the Conferences?
Given the inherently low cost of paper as the main component of microPADs, in combination with the high throughput and low cost  capacity of industrial inkjet printing, it can be expected that our technology could lead to extremely affordable and simple-to-use devices for clinical diagnostics and for environmental analysis. Due to their low costs and simplicity, such devices might result in the possibility of performing (bio)chemical analyses at places that have been out of range for standard analytics (e.g. remote locations, developing nations, own home).

What are your expectations for the Conferences?
While attending the last Paper and Coating Chemistry Symposium in Hamilton in 2009, I had many chances to meet with experts in this relatively young field of paper-based analytics. Therefore, I hope that the meeting in Stockholm will provide me with the same opportunities. In addition, by attending presentations focusing on paper coatings in general, which is rather outside of my general expertise, I hope to learn about the latest development in the field.