Abstract

Microfluidic sensing platforms have emerged as essential tools for addressing global needs across various sectors, including environmental monitoring and clinical diagnostics. These applications require devices with selective, sensitive, and portable capabilities that offer multifunctionality. This review focuses on microfluidic devices as an effective tool for environmental and clinical applications. We present the evolution of these platforms, examining their transition from classical to innovative designs and their critical roles in enabling precise measurements. Particular attention is given to various patterns featuring operational units, such as integrated valving systems for controlling fluid flow, reagent storage units, separation or delay zones, and detection units. In addition, the utilization of innovative materials, transitioning from polydimethylsiloxane-based devices to transparent film-based alternatives to overcome the limitations of traditional microfluidic systems, is covered. Here, heavy metals, pesticides, microorganisms, nutrients, polyfluoroalkyl substances, and gases are presented as target analytes for environmental analysis, whereas analyses of nucleic acids, proteins, antigens, and antibiotics are demonstrated for clinical diagnostics. Future perspectives and challenges in advancing microfluidic-based sensing platforms are also discussed.