a microfluidic system has a monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano - scale elements for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels . advantageously , low - volume consumption , rapid low - cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts , mass production , and in situ label - free real - time detection of cellular response , viability , behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques can be provided . a ratio of greater than 0 . 2 of the cross - sectional dimension and the spacing between the nano - scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring . producing such a system involves a master mold with the nano - scale elements etched into a hard substrate , and the network provided in a soft membrane bonded to the hard substrate . a stamp may be created by setting a settable liquid polymer or metal placed in the master mold . features of the intended device can be transferred to a polymeric substrate using the stamp .