Induced pressure pumping in polymer microchannels via field-effect flow control.
Microfluidic field-effect flow control (FEFC) modifies the zeta potential of electroosmotic flow using a transverse electric field applied through the microchannel wall. Previously demonstrated in silicon-based and glass microsystems, FEFC is presented here as an elegant method for flow control in polymer-based microfluidics with a simple and low-cost fabrication process. In addition to direct FEFC flow modulation, independent transverse electric fields in connected microchannels are demonstrated to produce a differential pumping rate between the microchannels. The different electroosmotic pumping rates formed by local zeta potential control induce an internal pressure at the microchannel intersection, resulting in hydrodynamic pumping through an interconnecting field-free microchannel. Modulation of the voltages applied to the gate electrodes adjusts the magnitude and direction of the bidirectional pressure pumping, with fine resolution volume flow rates from -2 to 2 nL/min in the field-free microchannel demonstrated.
Sniadecki
Nathan J
NJ
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Lee
Cheng S
CS
Sivanesan
Ponniah
P
DeVoe
Don L
DL