Journal
JOURNAL OF MICROMECHANICS AND MICROENGINEERING
Volume 16, Issue 11, Pages 2396-2402Publisher
IOP PUBLISHING LTD
DOI: 10.1088/0960-1317/16/11/021
Keywords
-
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We demonstrate a non-contact pumping mechanism for the manipulation of aqueous solutions within microfluidic devices. The method utilizes multi-layer soft lithography techniques to integrate a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane that acts as a diffusion medium for regulated air pressure and a vacuum. Pressurized microchannels filter air through the PDMS membrane due to its high gas permeability causing a pressure difference in the liquid channel and generating flow. Likewise, a vacuum can be applied to pull air through the membrane allowing the filling of dead-end channels and the removal of bubbles. Flow rates vary according to applied pressure/vacuum, membrane thickness and diffusion area. A gas permeation pump is an inexpensive alternative to other micropumps. The pump is easily integrated with highly arrayed multi-channel/chamber applications for micro-total analysis systems, fluid metering and dispensing, and drug delivery. Flow rates of 200 nl min(-1) have been achieved using this technique. Successful localized fluid turning at intersections, fluid metering and filling of dead-end chambers were also demonstrated.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available