Porous substrate-based microfluidic devices

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic analytical device comprising:

• providing a top lamination layer and a bottom lamination layer, wherein each of the top lamination layer and the bottom lamination layer comprises an outer layer and an inner layer;
• cutting out one or more channel spaces from the at least one of the top lamination layer and the bottom lamination layer;
• positioning at least one porous middle layer between the top lamination layer and the bottom lamination layer, such that each of the two inner layers face the at least one porous middle layer;
• wherein the at least one porous middle layer contacts an entire surface of the inner layers of the top lamination layer and the bottom lamination layer;
• subjecting the top lamination layer and the bottom lamination layer to a process;
• wherein the process creates one or more hydrophilic channels in the at least one porous middle layer within the channel spaces;
• wherein the process impregnates the at least one porous middle layer with a portion of the inner layers in the region around the channel spaces, thereby creating hydrophobic barriers surrounding each of the one or more hydrophilic channels.