Lab on a Chip

2.0 Article types

2.1 Communications

These must report preliminary research findings that are highly original, of immediate interest and are likely to have a high impact on the lab-on-a-chip community. Communications are given priority treatment, are fast-tracked through the publication process and appear prominently at the front of the journal in a dedicated Communications section. The key aim of Communications is to present innovative chemical concepts with important implications. Authors should provide at the time of submission a short paragraph explaining why their work justifies urgent publication as a Communication. There is a strict three-page limit. Ideally, a Full Paper in Lab on a Chip should follow each Communication.

2.2 Full Papers

These must represent a significant development in the particular field and are judged according to originality, quality of scientific content and contribution to existing knowledge. Although there is no page limit for Full Papers, appropriateness of length to content of new science will be taken into consideration, and Lab on a Chip recommends a maximum of five figures and five tables.

2.3 Technical Notes

These should be brief descriptions of instrumental developments, techniques or applications that offer definite advantages over those already available. Technical Notes should offer practical solutions to problems that are of interest to the Lab on a Chip readership and merit publication, but neither a Full Paper nor an Urgent Communication is justified. Technical Notes are subject to a strict three-page limit and should be as brief as possible; wherever appropriate authors should use references to the established technique, explaining in full only what is novel about the proposed approach.

2.4 Critical and Tutorial Reviews

These must be a critical evaluation of the existing state of knowledge on a particular facet of lab on a chip science; however, original work may be included. Simple literature surveys will not be accepted for publication. Potential review writers should contact the Editor before embarking on their work.

2.5 Mini-Reviews

These are summaries of research in a well-defined, specific topic area covering approximately the last 24 months.

• Given topics should review work no more than 24 months old.
• Articles should cover only the most interesting/significant developments in that specific subject area.
• The article should be highly critical and selective in referencing published work.
• One or two paragraphs of speculation about possible future developments may also be appropriate in the conclusion section.
• Mini-reviews should be brief, four journal pages are recommended (ca. ten double spaced, typed A4 pages) and should contain no more than two or three tables and a minimal number of figures.

Mini-reviews may also cover techniques/technologies that are too new for a full review or may address a subset of technologies available for a given area of research.