Microfluidic apparatus with integrated porous-substrate/sensor for real-time (bio)chemical molecule detection

An apparatus, comprising:

• a substrate having defined therein:
• a plurality of upper microfluidic channels passing through the substrate along a first direction;
• at least one lower microfluidic channel, passing through the substrate along a second direction, respective portions of said at least one lower microfluidic channel passing beneath respective portions of the upper microfluidic channel to form a plurality of respective cross-channel areas;
• and
• at least one porous membrane disposed between the upper and lower channels proximate to the cross-channel areas to form a semi-permeable barrier between the upper and lower channels in respective areas proximate to the plurality of cross-channel areas.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a substrate having defined therein:
• a plurality of upper microfluidic channels formed in the substrate, each upper microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end, said second ends merging together at an intersection;
• a lower microfluidic channel formed in the substrate and having a first end disposed beneath the intersection;
• and
• a porous membrane disposed between the upper and lower microfluidic channels proximate to the intersection to form a semi-permeable barrier between the upper and lower microfluidic channels.