Micro- and Nanotechnology Enabled Applications for Portable Miniaturized Analytical Systems

Miniaturization describes the concept of manufacturing increasingly smaller mechanical, optical, and electronic products and devices. These smaller instruments can be used to produce micro- and nanoscale components required for analytical procedures. A variety of micro/nanoscale materials have been synthesized and used in analytical procedures, such as sensing materials, sorbents, adsorbents, catalysts, and reactors. The miniaturization of analytical instruments can be applied to the different steps of analytical procedures, such as sample preparation, analytical separation, and detection, reducing the total cost of manufacturing the instruments and the needed reagents and organic solvents. It enables analysis of very low sample volumes with the highest possible sensitivity, selectivity, and precision in reduced analysis times, and improves the level of automation and portability of the instrument. These driving forces have led to the establishment of advanced devices for micro analysis and lab-on-a-chip systems. This book outlines the basic principles of miniaturized analytical devices, such as spectrometric, separation, imaging, and electrochemical miniaturized instruments. Concepts such as smartphone-enabled miniaturized detection systems and micro/nanomachines are also reviewed. Subsequent chapters explore the emerging application of these mobile devices for miniaturized analysis in various fields, including medicine and biomedicine, environmental chemistry, food chemistry, and forensic chemistry. This is an important reference source for materials scientists and engineers wanting to understand how minturization techniques are being used to create a range of efficient, sustainable electronic and optical devices. Outlines how miniaturization techniques can be used to create new optical and electronic micro- and nanodevicesExplores major application areas including in biomedicine, environmental science, and securityAssesses the major challenges of using miniaturization techniques