Microfluidics is a cutting-edge area of science that non-scientists rarely hear about. By taking advantage of the physical properties of fluids at extremely small scales, biochemical analysis can be performed at significantly faster speeds than it would otherwise take for a full-scale lab test to run. In some cases, that means that work that would have taken days can now be done in minutes, at far lower cost. In some ways, it's the biochemical equivalent of the microchip. These "labs-on-a-chip" can be used to perform certain tasks, such as anthrax detection, DNA sequencing, and manipulation of single cells.

Aaron Streets, a UC Berkeley professor of bioengineering, is one of the leading researchers in this field. Streets completed his Bachelor’s in Physics and Art at UCLA and his doctorate in Applied Physics at Stanford. He then went to Beijing, China to conduct postdoctoral research at Peking University. Streets joined the faculty of UC Berkeley as an Assistant Professor in Bioengineering in 2016 and is currently a core member of the Biophysics Program and the Center for Computational Biology. He was recently named a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub investigator.

Join Ars Technica editors Cyrus Farivar and David Kravets in conversation with Aaron Streets at the next Ars Technica Live on September 20 at Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland.

Ars Live takes place on the third Wednesday of every month at Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland (3629 MLK Way). They have the best tater tots you've ever eaten. So crispy!

Doors open at 7pm, and the live filming is from 7:30pm to 8:20-ish (be sure to get there early if you want a seat). Stick around afterward for informal discussion, beer, and snacks. Can't make it out to Oakland? Never fear! Episodes will be posted to Ars Technica the week after the live events.

The event is free but space is limited, so RSVP using Eventbrite. You can also keep up with the latest Ars Live doings on Facebook. See you soon, Bay Area Arsians!