Choose the microfluidic chip, pump, and setup for your experiment.
Start with your workflow, then choose the chip format, flow-control setup, accessories, and support needed to run it.
Chip and tubing reference
Transparent device, inlet path, and benchtop setup context.
Microchannel routing map
Workflow to setup path
Choose by application
Start with the experiment.
Pick the closest workflow and jump to a chip family, setup, and quote path.
Droplet generation
Make consistent droplets, emulsions, or encapsulated samples.
Cell culture
Perfuse cells, organ-on-chip models, or live microscopy workflows.
Drug screening
Run dose-response, gradient, or parallel exposure studies.
Electrophoresis
Separate analytes in microchannels with controlled detection.
LNP / nanoparticles
Mix formulation streams at controlled ratios and residence times.
Custom design
Specify geometry, ports, material, optical path, or scale-up needs.
Setup builder preview
A chip recommendation is incomplete without the setup around it.
Show the chip, pump, tubing, holder, protocol, and quote route together so the setup is easy to plan.
Setup overview
Reuse this same visual pattern in notes and finder results.
| Setup Part | What the User Chooses | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Format, material, channel layout, ports, and optical path. | Open path |
| Flow control | Syringe pump, pressure pump, peristaltic pump, or existing instrument match. | Open path |
| Fluid path | Tubing, fittings, connectors, short fluid path, collection supplies. | Open path |
| Fabrication | Spin coating, bonding, hot plates, plasma treatment, and PDMS processing. | Open path |
| Protocol | Priming, flow-rate range, imaging, cleaning, and bubble prevention. | Open path |
| Quote path | Stock item, configured bundle, or custom technical review. | Open path |
Material decision
Compare materials like an engineering decision.
Material choice changes optical performance, solvent exposure, cell behavior, and fabrication path. Keep this as a real comparison table.
| Visual | Material | Best fit | Check before ordering | Decision note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDMS | Cell culture, fast prototyping, optical microscopy, gas exchange. | Small molecule absorption, surface treatment, swelling, reuse expectations. | Often the first prototyping route for biology-focused chips. | |
| PMMA | Rigid polymer chips, teaching labs, disposable assays, lower-cost runs. | Solvent compatibility, bonding method, temperature exposure. | Useful when a rigid disposable format matters more than gas exchange. | |
| Glass | High optical clarity, solvent resistance, pressure tolerance, droplet work. | Cost, fragility, connector and holder requirements. | Strong default when imaging and chemistry both matter. | |
| Silicon / quartz | Thermal, optical, or chemically demanding specialty workflows. | Application-specific fabrication and quoting constraints. | Usually needs a technical review before ordering. | |
| Paper | Low-cost diagnostics, environmental testing, colorimetric field assays. | Whether the assay truly needs open porous flow vs closed channels. | Best for quick detection tests and field-style readouts. |
PDMS
- Best fit
- Cell culture, fast prototyping, optical microscopy, gas exchange.
- Check before ordering
- Small molecule absorption, surface treatment, swelling, reuse expectations.
- Decision note
- Often the first prototyping route for biology-focused chips.
PMMA
- Best fit
- Rigid polymer chips, teaching labs, disposable assays, lower-cost runs.
- Check before ordering
- Solvent compatibility, bonding method, temperature exposure.
- Decision note
- Useful when a rigid disposable format matters more than gas exchange.
Glass
- Best fit
- High optical clarity, solvent resistance, pressure tolerance, droplet work.
- Check before ordering
- Cost, fragility, connector and holder requirements.
- Decision note
- Strong default when imaging and chemistry both matter.
Silicon / quartz
- Best fit
- Thermal, optical, or chemically demanding specialty workflows.
- Check before ordering
- Application-specific fabrication and quoting constraints.
- Decision note
- Usually needs a technical review before ordering.
Paper
- Best fit
- Low-cost diagnostics, environmental testing, colorimetric field assays.
- Check before ordering
- Whether the assay truly needs open porous flow vs closed channels.
- Decision note
- Best for quick detection tests and field-style readouts.
Application notes
Build these as visual protocols.
Each note shows the workflow, products, difficulty, and checks before ordering.
Droplet generation starter workflow
Droplet chip, syringe or pressure pump, tubing, oil/surfactant review.
Ready for article buildout
PDMS cell culture perfusion workflow
PDMS chip, sterile tubing, bubble prevention, microscope holder.
Needs scientific review
8-channel drug screening gradient workflow
Gradient chip, multi-channel pump, connector plan, imaging setup.
Needs product mapping
Choosing PDMS vs PMMA vs glass chips
Material comparison, solvent check, optical check, quote trigger.
Ready for article buildout
Custom handoff
Move to technical review when the catalog stops fitting.
The custom path should collect the information a scientist or fabrication partner needs before the team reviews a design or quote.
Structured intake preview
Next step
