Chip Calorimetry for Single-Cell Analysis: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

Heat is a crucial factor in all biological processes; therefore, measuring heat change can be a powerful tool for monitoring bioprocesses and metabolism, analyzing biomolecular interactions, and studying cells. The insights gained from thermal measurements can also aid healthcare applications, such as drug susceptibility testing and disease diagnosis. Calorimetry, the science of measuring heat, has seen many advances. However, the pressing need for miniaturization, combined with breakthroughs in micro- and nanofabrication, has led to the development of chip calorimeters and accelerated their innovation. In this comprehensive review, we discuss significant advances in chip calorimetry, including figures of merit, various applications, and key challenges. The review offers an overview of the current state of the art, highlighting prospects and opportunities.