Phase change microvalve for integrated devices.
An active microvalve that uses a meltable piston in place of a conventional solid material to obstruct fluid flow in a microfluidic channel has been developed. This phase change valve is simple to operate and requires no additional fabrication steps. The valve is inherently latched, reusable, and leak-proof (to at least 250 psi) and can be electronically addressed using resistive heaters. The valve has been characterized for a range of operational parameters that will serve as a design guide. For the designs tested, piston displacements of 5 mm or more in 1 s have been achieved. Valves 1.4 mm in length in a 50 microm x 200 microm channel have been integrated on a biochemical reaction device, and successful DNA amplification using PCR has been achieved. The phase change valve can be easily implemented in an array format that can be used to realize complex microfluidic circuits.
Pal
Rohit
R
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136, USA.
Yang
Ming
M
Johnson
Brian N
BN
Burke
David T
DT
Burns
Mark A
MA
D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011312:Pressure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012828:Silicones