Advanced Technologies for Real-Time Monitoring and Control in Biomicrofluidics

This chapter focuses the attention on advanced methodologies and technologies related to monitoring and controlling issues in biomicrofluidics, in particular, giving detailed descriptions of two case applications. The first is a real-time implementation of a pointwise flow measurement system based on standard optics and PC-based hybrid analog-digital (AD) processing technology; it represents an example of usage of standard technologies for approaching advanced methodological issues. The second is a review of applications of cellular nonlinear/neural networks (CNNs), a parallel analog architecture for real-time image processing and parameters extraction in biomicrofluidics. Finally, some perspectives on polymeric technology applications addressing biomicrofluidic monitoring and control issues are given, showing also a feasibility study on micro-optical interfaces for flow monitoring.