In the last two decades, the microfluidics/lab-on-a-chip field has evolved from
the concept of micro total analysis systems, where systems with integrated
pretreatment and analysis of chemicals were envisioned, to what is known today as
lab-on-a-chip, which is expected to be modular. This field has shown great potential
for the development of technologies that can make, and to some extent are making, a
big difference in areas such as in vitro diagnostics, point of care testing, organ
on a chip, and many more. Microfluidics plays an essential role in these systems,
and determining the standards needed in this area is critical for enabling new
markets and products, and to advance research and development. Our goal was to bring
together stakeholders from industry, academia, and government to discuss and define
the needs within the field for the development of standards. This publication
contains a summary of the workshop, abstracts from each presentation, and a summary
of the breakout sessions from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Workshop on Standards for Microfluidics, held on June 1–2, 2017. The workshop was
attended by 46 persons from 26 organizations and 11 countries. This was a unique and
exciting opportunity for stakeholders from all over the world to join in the
discussion of future developments towards standardization in the microfluidics
arena.
Proceedings of the First Workshop on Standards for Microfluidics