ABSTRACT
The development of portable and autonomous microflow cytometers is an important area in microfluidics research. This chapter presents a general discussion of the parts required to build flow cytometer electronics that run without an attached personal computer. Electronics and data analysis software play an important role in any flow cytometer by translating detector signals into meaningful information. Data acquisition capabilities as well as supporting electronics and software are typically implemented into a cytometer to enable it to perform a number of different functions. The chapter also presents a general discussion of electronic parts. It outlines the development of a stack of low-power printed circuit boards (PCBs) for a stand-alone, remotely operated device. The chapter highlights future directions in microflow cytometry electronics. It describes the PCB that the authors are developing at the Naval Research Laboratory. This system is intended to analyze and characterize marine algae as a function of ocean depth.
