Microfluidic Biomaterials for Next-Generation Biomedical Platforms: Advances in Fabrication, Functionality, and Applications.

Abstract

Microfluidic technology has transformed biomedicine, environmental monitoring, and chemical analysis by enabling precise fluid control at the microliter to picoliter scale. As innovations in precision medicine, organ-on-a-chip systems, and personalized therapies accelerate, microfluidic biomaterials have become pivotal to advancing these interdisciplinary fields. These materials must possess superior mechanical strength and biocompatibility, while integrating seamlessly with microfluidic architectures to support dynamic microenvironments, high-throughput operations, and biomimetic functionalities. This review highlights recent advances in microfluidic biomaterials across three key areas: fabrication techniques (e.g., 3D printing, laser ablation, and paper-based platforms), functional enhancements (e.g., stimuli-responsive materials, surface engineering, and embedded sensors), and diverse biomedical applications (e.g., diagnostics, drug delivery, and tissue engineering). Additionally, emerging directions such as AI-assisted design, modular chip systems, and translational challenges are discussed. By addressing current gaps in standardization, reproducibility, and scale-up, this review outlines a roadmap for the future of microfluidic biomaterials in enabling next-generation healthcare, sustainable diagnostics, and intelligent biomedical devices.