Issue 17, 2014

Energy: the microfluidic frontier

Abstract

Global energy is largely a fluids problem. It is also large-scale, in stark contrast to microchannels. Microfluidic energy technologies must offer either massive scalability or direct relevance to energy processes already operating at scale. We have to pick our fights. Highlighted here are the exceptional opportunities I see, including some recent successes and areas where much more attention is needed. The most promising directions are those that leverage high surface-to-volume ratios, rapid diffusive transport, capacity for high temperature and high pressure experiments, and length scales characteristic of microbes and fluids (hydrocarbons, CO2) underground. The most immediate areas of application are where information is the product; either fluid sample analysis (e.g. oil analysis); or informing operations (e.g. CO2 transport in microporous media). I'll close with aspects that differentiate energy from traditional microfluidics applications, the uniquely important role of engineering in energy, and some thoughts for the research community forming at the nexus of lab-on-a-chip and energy – a microfluidic frontier.

Graphical abstract: Energy: the microfluidic frontier

Article information

Article type
Frontier
Submitted
28 Feb 2014
Accepted
25 Apr 2014
First published
25 Apr 2014

Lab Chip, 2014,14, 3127-3134

Author version available

Energy: the microfluidic frontier

D. Sinton, Lab Chip, 2014, 14, 3127 DOI: 10.1039/C4LC00267A

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