Fabricating Paper Based Devices Using Correction Pens

We present a rapid (<10 s), cost-effective, unique single-step method for fabricating paper-based devices without necessitating any expensive instrumentation, simply by deploying correction pens that are otherwise commonly used for masking typos in printed or written matters. The marked regions formed by deposits from the correction pen demonstrate ubiquitous flow resistances to typical aqueous solutions and organic solvents in the transverse direction, resulting in a preferential bulk flow along the axial direction of the paper channels ‘fabricated’ in the process. Considering the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of this platform, it is deemed to be ideal for (bio) chemical sensing and point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings.