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'Lab On a Chip' Made From Paper and Tape

Posted by timothy on from the either-a-duct-a-mask-or-a-scotch dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at Harvard University have developed a microfluidic device using ordinary paper and tape. Squares of paper are layered and connected with adhesive tape, channeling liquid horizontally and vertically in a very small area. Each square of paper has been treated with photoresist material, which creates channels that funnel liquid into tiny wells containing certain proteins or antibodies. The fluid interacts with that area of the paper and turns the well a certain color. It can, for example, detect varying concentrations of glucose. Lead researcher George Whitesides says such paper 'lab on a chip' tests may lead to a cost-effective, portable, and accurate method for diagnosing diseases in countries lacking reliable health care. The research appears in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science."

9 of 66 comments (clear)

  1. caught red-handed by astrodoom · · Score: 5, Funny

    So they're the ones who have been stealing all the paper and tape from the supply cabinet!

  2. grants are nice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Millions in grant money and this is what they come up with? Paper and tape?

  3. If you want to overclock by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Instead of regular tape, you could use duct tape.

    1. Re:If you want to overclock by PitaBred · · Score: 2, Funny

      That extra money is to fund the Men in Black, and I'm ok with that ;)

      --
      My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
  4. Re:tape and ordinary paper? by jellomizer · · Score: 3, Funny

    My computer is made from Rocks. All they needed to is Heat and cool mix with different rock add some water and other chemicals and mix some more Heat and cool some more and finally I have a computer made from rocks.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  5. He's back! by Barradrewda · · Score: 4, Funny

    So that's where Macgyver went! I always new he could do better than the Phoenix foundation. I hear he's also developing a paperclip hypodermic.

  6. I'm not so sure, yet . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . . I briefly skimmed the article, and neither a "Mullet" nor a "Swiss Army Knife" was mentioned.

    Those are the two of the critical ingredients in Macgyver Stew.

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  7. Re:tape and ordinary paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yeah, well my computer is a top of the line Dell, made of silicon, and several types of metals.
    Oh, and some plastic too.

    BEAT THAT!

  8. Re:tape and ordinary paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Mine is a collection of randomly associated particles which have happened to coalesce in a statistically improbable form due to the quantum nature of the universe.
    Any moment now it will turn into a horny blonde with big boobs and I will have sex with it.