The main objective of this thesis is the investigation of some of the fundamental aspects of paper-based microfluidic technology such as device fabrication and flow control. In order to do that new fabrication methods need to be developed for μPADs. Moreover, a new concept, the integration of smart materials in μPADs, will be deeply investigated. The principal advantage of the integration of smart materials in paper will be the possibility of manipulating fluid flow in μPADs, including delaying the flow or changing the flow direction.