Optofluidic backplane as a platform for modular system design

Most Lab-on-a-Chip systems require a platform with external supply and control units to be operated. In this manuscript, we report on the development of a modular optoelectronic microfluidic backplane, enabling the flexible interconnection, supply, and control of microfluidic and optofluidic devices. The developed system was fabricated in polymers and consists of backplane modules that may be individually connected with each other. Each module holds one dedicated port on top for a device to be operated. In particular, we introduce an optical backplane module based on a novel opto-mechanical light switch to guide light to the device of choice within the system. This modular approach allows assembling an arbitrary number of different devices in three dimensions. In conclusion, the backplane provides a configurable platform for multiple optofluidic applications.