Table 1.

The comparison between microfluidic reactors and batch reactors.

	Microfluidic Reactors		Macroscopic Batch Reactors
	Laminar flow	Segmented flow
Chip-scale operations	Yes	Yes	No
Tunable parameters	Yes, the design of microfluidic reactors and the adjustable flow rate provide flexible reactions		No, the only adjustable parameter may be the stirring rate during the reaction
Fast reaction	Yes, generally takes seconds or less		No, usually takes hours or days
Precise control	Yes, precise control over each step: seeding, growth and ceasing reaction		No, lack control over seeding and growth
Reproducibility	Medium	High	Low
Automation	Yes, programmable equipment makes the process automatic		No, usually require watching over the process
Low consumption of reagents	Yes, owing to the scale effect		No
Scale-up probability	Low	Moderate	High, very easy to fabricate large quantity of products
Low cost	If scaled up, yes; otherwise no		When large quantity of products required, yes; otherwise, moderate
Harsh conditions	Yes, with the enclosed environment		No
R&D Pilot Studies	Very suitable for the development of new materials and/or material screening		Not suitable, low efficiency and no precise control