Microfluidics has evolved from chemical controlling approaches to a disruptive science and technology that bridges a wide range of applications. Microfluidics is no longer a technology that simply manipulates small amounts of fluids in channels, but through transdisciplinary expansions is now addressing challenges from energy to world health care to model organ formation. We present topics in which microfluidics is having profound and disruptive effects, including (1) developing biofuel approaches such as microbial fuel cells for energy; (2) creating model physiological systems such as organ-on-a-chip; (3) addressing world health issues through paper microfluidics; (4) building optofluidics through combining optics with microfluidics for solar energy conversion; and (5) developing spatiotemporal biochemical stimulators that enable the testing and building of cellular and even tissue systems such as for understanding embryonic development. We discuss these disruptive microfluidic areas and where interdisciplinary efforts may lead in the future.
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